Operational Lead - Unplanned Care

Clch; Watford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust is recruiting for an official Band 8a Operational Lead to join the Unplanned Care team at the BRE Building in Watford. The post holder will provide both operational and clinical leadership for patient care services across the Unplanned Care team.

The role supports development of seamless, integrated services across primary care, acute care, and community services, working with colleagues and external providers.

Qualifications

• Registered nurse or allied health professional with relevant clinical leadership experience.
• Post-qualification experience in community healthcare and leadership roles.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day clinical and operational management of Neighbourhood Core Community Services.
• Support service management in delivering 24/7 community healthcare.

Skills

Leadership

Management

Change management

Electronic systems

Education

Nurse or allied health professional registration

Masters/degree in community practice

Post-graduate management/leadership training

Clinical supervisor training

Specialist Community Practitioner/District Nursing

Tools

Electronic clinical systems

Job description

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Site BRE Town Watford Salary £59,798 - £67,020 per annum, inclusive of HCAS Salary period Yearly Closing 02/11/2026 23:59

Welcome to Central London Community Healthcare (CLCH)

At CLCH, we proudly serve as a beacon of compassionate community healthcare across 14 vibrant London boroughs — Barnet, Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hounslow, Kensington and Chelsea, Merton, Richmond, Wandsworth, Westminster, Hillingdon, Sutton, and Kingston — as well as Hertfordshire. We bring care closer to home, embracing the rich diversity of these communities with dedication and heart.

Recognised as a Good provider by the Care Quality Commission and celebrated among the top NHS employers, we are united by a shared passion: empowering our community health professionals to deliver care that truly makes a difference.

We are deeply committed to fostering an environment where every member of our team feels respected, valued, and inspired—a place where fairness, kindness, and inclusion blossom. Our culture is rooted in the principles of the NHS People Plan, Our NHS People Promise, and our own strategic Equality values and objectives, guiding us to create a truly supportive and inclusive workplace.

Together, we build a caring community where the warmth we show one another shines through in every life we touch.

Job overview

CLCH Hertfordshire Adult Community Services - CLCH NHS Trust provides a range of Community Services, and the Hertfordshire Division is recruiting!

We are recruiting a Band 8a Operational Lead to join our Unplanned Care team based at BRE Building, Watford. The postholder will provide operational and clinical leadership of the patient care services within the Unplanned Care team.

The integrated team includes nurses, paramedics, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, clinical support staff and administrators. Our Unplanned Care services include:

The Operational Lead will provide effective, compassionate and inclusive leadership, helping colleagues deliver safe, high-quality and person-centred care in line with the Community Adult Health Services clinical model.

A key focus of the role will be the continued development of seamless, integrated services across primary care, acute care, community services and partner organisations.

The post holder must be able to work independently within the scope of the role and collaboratively with colleagues, other Trust services and external providers.

Applicants must have relevant clinical, leadership and management experience, together with effective communication and relationship-building skills.

Main duties of the job

The Operational Lead has the day-to-day responsibility for the effective and efficient clinical and operational management of the Neighbourhood Core Community Services. This will include accountability for workload allocation, capacity management, professional leadership, development of data and quality information, and direct line management of the Band 7 Community Practitioner leads within the team.
The post holder will support the Clinical Service Manager and Head of Clinical Service in delivering the requirements set out within the service specification, to ensure the delivery of evidence based, community healthcare service 24hours a day, 7 days a week.

The post holder will be a highly experienced registered professional, who has the ability to support the transformation of local community services. They will be familiar with the national agenda to modernise clinical careers and have an ability to translate the organisational clinical strategy to increase community healthcare provision into local practice and ensure that the workforce is fit for purpose and has the skills and competence that ensures the delivery of a service that meets the requirements set out within the service specification.

The role is approximately 20% clinical and there is an essential requirement for the postholder to hold a current professional registration as either a Registered Adults Nurse or AHP.

Working for our organisation

We are proud to be one of the largest community healthcare providers in the country, with more than 4,500 colleagues caring for over four million people across London and Hertfordshire. Every day, our teams bring their skill, compassion, and determination to the people who depend on us.

What inspires us is at the heart of who we are: when we work together, we can help people move forward in ways that truly matter. Our teams support children as they take their first steps in life, and they stand beside adults as they rebuild strength, confidence, and independence. From newborn health visiting to community nursing, stroke rehabilitation, and palliative care, we are there for people through some of life’s most important moments.

Joining Central London Community Healthcare means becoming part of a community that lifts each other up. It means working in an organisation that values compassion, welcomes new ideas, and believes in the potential of every colleague. Your development matters here. Your wellbeing matters. Your voice helps shape the future of the care we provide.

We offer a competitive employment package because the work you do matters. At Central London Community Healthcare, you will join an inclusive organisation that invests in its people, supports development, and helps you thrive while delivering high-quality care.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Applicants are expected to present clear and relevant evidence of the competencies and responsibilities detailed in the attached Job Description and Person Specification, together with a demonstrated commitment to the Trust’s values of Accountability, Inclusion, Compassion, and Empowerment.

**Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for full roles and responsibilities.**

Person specification

Qualifications

• Registered allied health care professional or registered nurse
• Degree/ masters level qualification relevant to community practice or Evidence of recent CPD
• Post-graduate management and/or leadership training
• Clinical supervisor training
• Specialist Community Practitioner/District Nursing qualification

Experience

• Significant post-qualification experience in a relevant clinical field
• Demonstrate broad experience post registration working in a variety of core areas: o Care of Elderly o Elderly Rehab o Orthopaedics / MSK o Neurology o Respiratory o Palliative Care o Long term conditions
• In depth experience of working within multi agency / multidisciplinary team
• Experience of working with single assessment process
• Experience participating in a research or audit project and implementing full audit cycle
• Experience in mentorship role
• Experience of leading and managing a team
• Experience of managing a budget
• Experience of managing and investigating complaints
• Experience of managing and investigating serious incidents

Skills

• Experience of implementing change management programmes e.g. service development
• Demonstrate advanced leadership & management skills
• Advanced computer literacy

Other

• Experience of electronic clinical systems
• Experience of delivering a mobile working solution

We review all applications carefully to ensure fairness and verify references. At interview, you will be asked about your experience, so be honest and ensure all information is accurate. The use of AI during interviews is not permitted.

CLCH Trust does not recommend relying solely on AI when completing your application.

CLCH Commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

CLCH is proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential for providing exceptional patient care. We are dedicated to attracting and retaining talent from all backgrounds, including ethnic minorities, the LGBTQ+ community, and people with disabilities.

As a Disability Confident employer, we pledge to:

• Guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for a role.
• Provide reasonable adjustments to support diverse needs throughout the recruitment and employment process.
• Challenge misconceptions about disability and foster an inclusive culture for everyone.

We are committed to building a workplace where all staff feel valued and have the opportunity to thrive. Simply let us know how we can support you.

Learn more about our equal opportunities policy on our website: Equal opportunities: Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust clch.nhs.uk

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.