Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Deputy Chief Nurse is a senior nursing leader within the Nursing and Quality Directorate, reporting directly to the Group Chief Nurse/Executive Director of Nursing, AHPs and Quality. The post holder provides visible, credible and compassionate professional nursing leadership across the Trust, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and high‑quality care. Working with significant autonomy, they support the Chief Nurse in driving quality improvement, professional standards, patient safety, workforce development and organisational assurance.
The role works closely with Operational Directors, Clinical Directors, Heads of Nursing and Care Delivery Pathway leadership teams to ensure nursing, quality and patient safety priorities are embedded in operational delivery and strategic planning. The Deputy Chief Nurse provides expert advice, support and constructive challenge in relation to clinical governance, risk management, safeguarding, patient experience, regulatory compliance and continuous improvement.
Key responsibilities include leading and contributing to Trust-wide quality improvement programmes; supporting robust ward‑to‑board assurance arrangements; overseeing the management of quality and safety risks; and ensuring learning from incidents, complaints, audits and patient feedback is translated into measurable improvements. The post holder contributes to Executive Management Board and senior governance forums, providing professional nursing leadership and assurance on complex issues.
The Deputy Chief Nurse acts as Deputy Director of Infection Prevention and Control, supporting the delivery of infection prevention strategies, assurance and improvement across the organisation. They also deputise for the Group Chief Nurse as required and participate in the senior on‑call rota, responding to urgent operational, quality and safety issues.
The role requires strong partnership working with internal and external stakeholders, including regulators, commissioners, system partners and education providers, while promoting a culture of inclusion, continuous learning, professional excellence and compassionate leadership.
Person specification
Knowledge and experience
Essential criteria
- Registered Nurse in Mental Health (RNLD/RMN) or Registered Nurse in Learning Disabilities (RNLD) with current NMC registration and evidence of ongoing fitness to practise.
Knowledge and experience
Essential criteria
- Masters level qualification or equivalent senior leadership experience, supported by evidence of continuing professional development at strategic leadership level.
Knowledge and experience
Essential criteria
- Extensive senior nursing leadership experience within a large, complex NHS provider organisation, including experience of operating at or immediately below Executive Director level.
Knowledge and experience
Essential criteria
- Strong knowledge and experience of clinical governance, patient safety, CQC/regulatory requirements, risk management, quality improvement and board assurance arrangements.
Skills and abilities
Essential criteria
- Proven ability to provide senior professional nursing leadership, support and challenge across multiple services/directorates, including working with Executive Directors, Operational Directors, Clinical Directors and senior leaders to improve quality, safety, patient experience and professional standards.
Knowledge and experience
Desirable criteria
- Experience of formally deputising for a Chief Nurse or Executive Director of Nursing, AHPs and
Knowledge and experience
Desirable criteria
- Experience as Deputy Director of Infection Prevention and Control or equivalent senior IPC leadership responsibility
Knowledge and experience
Desirable criteria
- Leadership, management, QI, project management or coaching qualification
Knowledge and experience
Desirable criteria
- Experience of specialist commissioning, forensic and secure services, regional/national specialist services, or complex mental health/community service environments
Knowledge and experience
Desirable criteria
- Evidence of wider professional contribution, such as research, teaching, publication, coaching, mentoring, or regional/national professional representation
Important Information
We are an equal opportunities employer, which aims to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons from all backgrounds.
All roles are subject to the home office immigration rules and therefore eligibility must meet certain requirements for any sponsorship to be considered. Please visit the government website for more information regarding eligibility,
At NHFT we support many of our colleagues to work flexibly and we will consider requests for flexible working from day one. For this role, we are open to discussing a range of options including flexible hours, agile/home working, compressed hours and part time hours. Please have a conversation with the recruiting manager about the flexibility you need and we will promise to explore what is possible with you.
Applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria for the job will be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme. If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process please make the recruitment services team aware as soon as possible.
All posts that are engaged in a regulated activity will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and a DBS re‑check on a three yearly basis whilst employed in such a role. Staff employed in these posts will therefore be asked to register with the DBS Automatic Update Service upon receipt of their DBS certificate and must update yearly, the annual fee will be reimbursed subject to Trust policy. For further information please visit:
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