Divisional Director of Nursing, Medicine, Rehab and Support Services

Job overview

Interview's provisionally booked for 20th April and 1st May 2026.

The Divisional Director of Nursing (DDoN) will provide professional leadership and expertise to ensure the best experience and outcomes for patients, working closely with others to achieve equitable high standards throughout the Medicine, Rehabilitation and Support Services Division.

The role holder will be joining the organisation at an exciting time, after having recently implemented Electronic Health Records in the organisation. There is a focus on benefits realisation for digital solutions, and also a number of transformation programs planned for the next year. We are looking for someone who has a strong background in collaborative working and transformation experience.

The DDoN will be accountable for the delivery of nursing services within their division in a safe and effective way, in line with Trust vision and values. Working in partnership with the divisional leadership team the DDoN will provide expert advice on all matters pertaining to nursing and clinical quality.

Main duties of the job

The DDoN will be a key part of the divisional leadership team and will have line management responsibility for nurses within their division.

The DDoN will support the development and delivery of the strategy and business plan for nursing and clinical services. They will have specific responsibility for professional leadership and operational nursing management to ensure that services are delivered to a high level of quality and safety.

The DDoN will play a lead role in quality governance, including the investigation of incidents and complaints, ensuring recommendations and actions are delivered for improvement and change.

The DDoN will have a corporate nursing role reporting professionally to the Chief Nurse. The postholder will advise the Chief Nurse and Deputy Chief Nurse, on all matters pertaining to quality, safety, and patient experience and the education and deployment of the nursing workforce. They will play a leadership role in delivering the Trust strategic objectives for nursing, and take a lead for specific strategic work streams. They will lead innovative quality improvement projects, which support the Trust’s strategy and improve quality of care and patient outcomes, and in partnership with other services and clinical leaders.

The DDoN will deputise for the Deputy Chief Nurse/ Chief Nurse in their absence as required.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

Support the delivery of care through visible clinical leadership, working in partnership with senior colleagues, clinical leads and the multidisciplinary team, and maintain oversight of day-to-day operational delivery, quality of care and patient experience.

Work with the divisional leadership team to promote a culture that nurtures and promotes effective multi-professional team working to strengthen quality and safety and promote a culture of continuous improvement.

Have oversight of patient experience and quality of care, working with local clinical teams and service leads, advising the Divisional leadership team and Chief Nurse of any concerns and promoting quality improvement.

Professional Leadership and Management

Be a visible, clinical credible nurse leader and be well networked in nursing and associated specialties, ensuring that RNOH is well placed as a centre of excellence for orthopaedic/MSK nursing.

Through using highly developed leadership skills develop an environment in which staff deliver high quality services and are able to innovate and raise any concerns openly and safely.

Workforce and Education

Work in conjunction with the Training and Education Department to develop and maintain clinical learning environments that are fit for purpose, in line with quality assurance guidelines and other external regulatory bodies.

Ensure the division meets its responsibilities to provide clinical experience and mentor support for pre and post registration nurse education, and high-quality preceptorship across all areas, in line with external standards.

Provide professional leadership for nursing recruitment and retention across services and ensure timely recruitment takes place with the aim of maintaining vacancy factor targets and remove reliance on temporary staffing.

Quality Governance

Together with the Divisional Director of AHPs and the Divisional Medical Director oversee delivery of the divisional quality governance agenda, to ensure timely and effective responses and provide assurance to the Trust Executive.

Please refer to the attached JD/PS for full details