Lead Nurse Quality

St Peter & St James Hospice; Lewes; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

St Peter & St James Hospice is seeking a Quality Nurse Lead to drive quality, safety and governance across the hospice. You will collaborate with Care Director, senior leaders and clinical teams to embed PSIRF and regulatory excellence.

You will analyse incidents, develop improvement plans and provide expert governance guidance to ensure safe, compassionate care for patients and families.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse with current professional registration (NMC).
• Significant post‑registration clinical experience.
• Experience in palliative/end‑of‑life care or a related setting.
• Experience in a senior clinical leadership role.
• Demonstrated quality improvement, patient safety and clinical governance experience.

Responsibilities

• Embed a culture of quality improvement, patient safety and regulatory excellence.
• Support governance processes and delivery of PSIRF initiatives.
• Lead quality improvement priorities with clinical teams and leadership.
• Analyse incidents, identify trends and support reviews.
• Develop and implement improvement plans for safety and care quality.
• Provide governance, risk management and infection prevention guidance.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards and national guidelines.
• Collaborate with Southern Hospice Group and regional networks on shared learning.
• Facilitate audits, implement recommendations and monitor outcomes.
• Support policy development and staff education on governance.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Quality improvement

Patient safety

Governance

Regulatory knowledge

Data analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Auditing

Communication

Education & mentorship

Education

NMC registration

Nursing degree

Post-registration CPD (Level 7)

Job description

As our Quality Nurse Lead, you will work closely with the Care Director, senior leaders and clinical teams to embed a culture of quality improvement, patient safety and regulatory excellence across the hospice. You will play a key role in supporting governance processes, leading quality initiatives, promoting best practice and ensuring compliance with relevant standards and frameworks, including the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF). Working collaboratively with colleagues across the Southern Hospice Group and regional networks, you will help shape and drive improvements that enhance patient outcomes and support the provision of safe, effective and compassionate care. If you are an experienced clinical leader with a passion for governance, quality improvement and patient safety, we would love to hear from you.

• Support the Care Director to ensure quality, safety and governance practices are embedded throughout the hospice.
• Lead and support the continued implementation of the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF).
• Work collaboratively with senior leaders, clinical teams and support services to deliver agreed quality improvement and patient safety priorities.
• Analyse clinical incidents, identify trends and support systematic reviews of patient safety concerns.
• Develop and implement improvement plans that enhance patient safety, service quality and clinical effectiveness.
• Provide specialist advice and support regarding governance, risk management, infection prevention and control, regulatory compliance and patient safety.
• Support clinical services to remain up to date with regulatory requirements, national guidance and best practice standards.
• Work alongside the Quality Leads within the Southern Hospice Group to support shared learning and standardised approaches where appropriate.
• Facilitate clinical audits, support the implementation of recommendations and monitor outcomes.
• Support the review and development of policies, procedures and clinical guidelines.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, learning, openness and compassionate leadership across all services.
• Attend and contribute to governance, quality and safety meetings, presenting findings, recommendations and progress updates.
• Support teams in identifying, assessing and managing clinical risks, ensuring appropriate escalation where required.
• Act as a visible clinical leader, undertaking clinical shifts as appropriate to maintain clinical credibility and service insight.
• Support the delivery of clinical supervision and governance-focused staff education.
• Work collaboratively with the education team to ensure governance, safety and quality principles are embedded within competency frameworks.
• Support the induction of new staff in relation to patient safety, governance and quality improvement programmes.
• Contribute to organisational quality improvement plans and support successful delivery of agreed objectives.
• Promote evidence-based practice and support the implementation of current research, guidance and innovation into clinical practice.
  Are you a passionate and experienced Registered Nurse with a commitment to delivering outstanding patient safety, clinical quality and governance? Do you thrive on supporting teams to continuously improve services and ensure the highest standards of care?, Registered Nurse qualification with current professional registration.
• Registered Nurse qualification with current professional registration.
• Significant post-registration clinical experience.
• Demonstrable experience working within palliative care, end of life care or a related clinical setting.
• Experience in a senior clinical leadership role with responsibility for supporting staff and service development.
• Demonstrable experience of quality improvement, patient safety and clinical governance.
• Excellent understanding of governance processes, risk management and regulatory requirements.
• Strong knowledge of patient safety frameworks and quality improvement methodologies.
• Highly developed communication skills with the ability to influence, support and collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex information and develop practical solutions.
• Experience of leading or supporting clinical audits and implementing service improvements.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and work independently.
• Ability to develop positive working relationships across multidisciplinary teams and organisational boundaries.
• Commitment to promoting a culture of learning, continuous improvement and compassionate care.
• Excellent IT skills and experience using data to support quality improvement and governance activities.
• Experience of supporting policy development and governance frameworks.
  An opportunity to make a meaningful difference to patients and families receiving specialist palliative and end of life care.

The following would be advantageous but are not essential:

• Evidence of continuing professional development including Level 7 learning.
• Level 6 qualification in health, education or another relevant subject.
• Experience implementing the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF).
• Experience of infection prevention and control leadership.
• Experience working across multiple organisations or within hospice partnerships.
• Experience contributing to Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspections and regulatory reporting.
• Experience supporting policy development and governance frameworks.
• An opportunity to make a meaningful difference to patients and families receiving specialist palliative and end of life care.
• A senior leadership role with the opportunity to influence quality, safety and governance across the organisation.
• The chance to work collaboratively across the Southern Hospice Group and contribute to regional learning and development.
• A supportive and values-led organisation committed to compassion, excellence, respect and teamwork.
• Opportunities for professional development, leadership growth and continued learning.
• The opportunity to lead and support innovative quality improvement initiatives that improve patient outcomes and experience.
• A rewarding role where your expertise will help shape safe, effective and high-quality clinical services for the future.