Operational Lead - Unplanned Care

Central London Community Health Trust; Watford; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Central London Community Healthcare is recruiting an experienced Band 8a Operational Lead for the Unplanned Care team based at BRE Building, Watford. The post involves operational and clinical leadership of patient care services across the Unplanned Care team and integration with primary, acute and community services.

The role focuses on seamless, integrated services, workload and capacity management, professional leadership, and data quality information with line management of Band 7 leads.

Qualifications

• Applicants must have relevant clinical, leadership and management experience.
• Effective communication and relationship-building skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Accountability for workload allocation and capacity management.
• Professional leadership and development of data and quality information.
• Direct line management of Band 7 Community Practitioner leads.
• Deliver safe, high-quality, person-centred care 24/7 in line with service model.
• Work independently and in collaboration with colleagues and external providers.

Job description

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:

• Rapid Response
• Early Intervention Vehicle
• Discharge to Assess pathway
• Frailty Hospital at Home
• General Medical Virtual Hospital
• Overnight Service

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 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 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., 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.

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.