Deteriorating Patient Lead Practitioner

NHS; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Cambridge is seeking a Deteriorating Patient Lead to provide strategic and clinical leadership for managing acutely ill patients. Candidates should hold a clinical qualification, have strong leadership skills, and experience in service improvement. This role offers a competitive salary and opportunities for professional growth in a collaborative environment.

Benefits

Career and development opportunities

Preceptorship and mentoring programmes

Research experience opportunities

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Current clinical qualification and professional registration (NMC or HCPC).
• Educated to degree level, Masters in a related area of healthcare (or working toward).
• Evidence of continuous professional development.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the management of deteriorating patients.
• Develop and implement evidence-based improvement strategies.
• Lead education and training programmes for staff.

Skills

Clinical assessment skills

Leadership

Service improvement

Communication

Education programme design

Education

Clinical qualification and professional registration

Degree and Masters in a related healthcare field

Tools

IT skills: Outlook, Word, Excel

Job description

Job Summary

The Deteriorating Patient Lead will provide strategic and clinical leadership to ensure the timely recognition and effective management of acutely ill and deteriorating patients across the Trust. The role will drive improvements in patient safety by developing and implementing evidence‑based strategies, delivering education and training programmes, and supporting clinical teams with expert guidance. Working collaboratively with divisional leaders and specialist teams, the post holder will champion best practice, embed national standards such as NEWS and sepsis pathways, and lead quality improvement initiatives to reduce harm and improve outcomes for patients.

Main Duties

• Provide strategic leadership for the identification, escalation, and management of deteriorating patients across the Trust.
• Develop and implement evidence‑based policies, protocols, and improvement strategies aligned with national standards (e.g., NEWS2, sepsis pathways).
• Lead the design and delivery of education and training programmes to enhance staff competence in recognising and responding to acute deterioration.
• Act as a clinical expert and resource, offering specialist advice and support to multidisciplinary teams.
• Monitor compliance, analyse data, and drive quality improvement initiatives to reduce harm and improve patient outcomes.
• Collaborate with divisional teams, Rapid Response Teams, and senior leaders to embed best practice and foster a culture of safety.
• Contribute to incident reviews, learning processes, and implementation of the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF).

Skills and Experience

• Advanced clinical assessment and decision‑making skills for acutely ill patients.
• Strong leadership and change management capability.
• Experience in service improvement and implementing evidence‑based practice.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills across multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to design and deliver education and training programmes.
• Knowledge of national patient safety standards and escalation protocols (e.g., NEWS, sepsis).

Qualifications and Experience

• Essential:
  • Current clinical qualification and professional registration (NMC or HCPC).
  • Educated to degree level, Masters in a related area of healthcare (or working toward).
  • Post‑registration qualification in a related subject.
  • Evidence of continuous professional development.
  • Quality improvement training.
• Desirable:
  • Leadership training.
  • Teaching or mentoring qualification.
• Experience:
  • Significant relevant clinical experience in the specialty with expert skills.
  • Experience of formal and informal teaching and mentoring.
  • Experience in quality improvement projects.
  • Experience of leading Trust‑wide audit processes for national standards.
  • Experience of managing a team including workforce procedures.
  • Experience of working in a large and complex NHS organisation.
  • Experience of leading or supporting patient safety investigation processes.
• Knowledge:
  • Commitment to patient safety and quality improvement with continuous learning.
  • Advanced knowledge of evidence‑based practice.
  • Knowledge of measuring and monitoring standards of care using quantitative and qualitative data.
  • Understanding of clinical governance principles and procedures.
  • Knowledge of national and international standards related to the specialty.
  • Budgetary management and business planning, including workforce planning.
  • Quality improvement models and KPI monitoring.
  • Understanding of systems thinking, psychological safety, and just culture.
• Skills:
  • Strong leadership, motivation, and inspiring others.
  • Expert clinical skills and decision‑making.
  • Leadership of governance systems and processes related to the specialty.
  • Adaptability to changing service needs.
  • Self‑management of workload.
  • Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Analytical and judgemental skills.
  • Rapid appraisal and action.
  • Constructive feedback and encouragement for performance.
  • IT skills: Outlook, Word, Excel.
• Additional Requirements:
  • Behaviour consistent with Trust values of safe, kind, excellent.
  • Professional conduct in line with relevant professional standards.
  • Capacity to develop liaisons with other practice areas or academic institutions.

About Us

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the country, comprising Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital. We provide accessible, high‑quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge and regional and national specialist services. It is a great place to nurse, work and live.

Why Choose Cambridge University Hospitals?

• Our values and reputation for outstanding care.
• Opportunities to experience a range of specialities.
• Career and development opportunities.
• Preceptorship and mentoring programmes delivered by a dedicated clinical education support team.
• Research experience and opportunities.
• Lovely location and quality of life.
• Excellent schools/colleges and transport links (road, rail and air).

Job Details

Posted 06 November 2025
Band 8a (Salary £55,690 – £62,682 a year pro rata)
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full‑time, Part‑time, Flexible working
Location: Addenbrookes Hospital – Corporate, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ

Employment Checks

Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship will be considered alongside all other applications.

UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Employer Details

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Addenbrookes Hospital – Corporate, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ
Website: https://www.cuh.nhs.uk

Application Deadline

Applications close at midnight on 26 November 2025.