Lead Clinician

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust; Worthing; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the UK is seeking multiple Lead Clinicians to join their Internal Medicine Strategic Network. Candidates should have substantial expertise in cardiology, nephrology, or vascular medicine. The role offers the chance to contribute to a transformative programme aimed at improving specialized services. Ideal candidates will possess a Master's Degree in a health-related discipline and demonstrate leadership skills. Sponsorship available under the Skilled Worker Visa scheme.

Qualifications

• Registered nurse, AHP, or Healthcare Scientist qualifications
• Experience in leading clinical teams
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Responsibilities

• Provide expert clinical leadership within a multidisciplinary network team
• Guide transformation across specialty services in cardiac, renal, and vascular pathways
• Involvement in risk and governance structures

Skills

Leadership

Excellent communication

Clinical expertise in cardiology

Clinical expertise in nephrology

Clinical expertise in vascular surgery

Education

Master’s Degree in a health-related discipline

Tools

Microsoft Teams

Zoom

Job description

Job overview

The Internal Medicine Strategic Network (IMSN) is a newly established programme funded by NHS England. We are in the early stages of building a skilled, multidisciplinary team to lead transformation across specialised services. This is a formative phase that offers the opportunity to help shape how the Strategic Network operates and delivers impact across Cardiac, Renal, and Vascular pathways.

Main duties of the job

We are recruiting multiple Lead Clinicians, from the nursing, allied health professional (AHP), and healthcare scientist professions, to provide expert clinical leadership within a multidisciplinary network team. Posts are available across Cardiac, Renal and Vascular specialities. We warmly encourage applications from clinicians with substantive expertise in cardiology / cardiac surgery, nephrology / renal services, and vascular surgery / vascular medicine.

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

Candidate Pack

Please refer to the attached job description and information pack for further information and application support.

This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Registered nurse / AHP / Healthcare Scientist
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Master’s Degree in a health-related discipline (or demonstrable evidence of working at Master's Level).
• Mentorship course

Desirable criteria

• Leadership / management training / qualification
• Speciality qualification related to Strategic Network
• Post–graduate course in a Strategic Network speciality

Experience

Essential criteria

• Relevant post-registration experience
• Leadership and management of a clinical team.
• Reputation for professional excellence with a track record of practice development.
• Evidence of involvement with risk and governance structure
• Service introduction or redesign experience
• Experience in budget management
• Experience of working in an Operational Delivery Network

Desirable criteria

• Experience working in a senior position in a strategic healthcare role
• Experience in leading research projects
• Up-to-date clinical practice training
• Involvement in national strategic planning and clinician developments or specialist areas policy / guideline development.
• National / international presentation experience.

Personal Skills

Essential criteria

• In-depth specialist knowledge of Strategic Network speciality areas
• Understanding of Operational Delivery Networks
• Evidence of healthcare management development and leadership development
• Change management
• Ability to work in various locations across a large geographical area
• Ability to travel through the course of the working day
• Ability to work flexible hours as the service requires.
• Experience prioritising own workload
• Able to deal with difficult decisions – especially around ethical decisions and end-of-life care

Desirable criteria

• Academic research experience

Behavioural Skills

Essential criteria

• Flexibility.
• Influencing and negotiation
• Leadership style which promotes collaboration and open communication.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work autonomously.
• Excellent leadership qualities
• Able to work in high-pressure situations with multiple differing opinions and priorities

Technical Skills

Essential criteria

• Excellent IT skills, including the use of Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Word, PowerPoint, Social Media for educational purposes and other web-based systems

Freedom to Act

Essential criteria

• The postholder is guided by general health, organisational and broad occupational policies, but in most situations will need to establish the way in which these should be interpreted and implemented within the service.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Essential criteria

• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)

Important information for applicants

A Note on AI Use in Applications

We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.

Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.

Closing Adverts Early : In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.

Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.

Flexible Working : If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting / line manager.

DBS Checks : As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check . We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

Skilled Worker Visa : Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.

UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications