Job requirements
Essential
6 listedRequirements the employer expects applicants to meet.
- Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience
Active registration with a regulated Healthcare Professional Body
- Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience
Evidence of ongoing professional development through maintenance of a professional portfolio and registration revalidation
- Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience
Able to prioritise own workload and that of others as appropriate
- Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience
Acts as a role model and reinforces the Trust's values and behaviours
- Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience
Resilient when managing the challenges associated with a large team
- Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience
Able to escalate concerns effectively and appropriately to reduce risk and promote patient safety
Desirable
3 listedAdditional qualities the employer would prefer.
- Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience
Working towards an advanced practice qualification in leadership and development
- Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience
Keeps up to date with professional issues influencing discharge practice, management, education and research
- Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience
Able to develop, implement, monitor and evaluate relevant policies, protocols and guidance
Job overview
Are you passionate about helping people return home from hospital safely, effectively and with their voice at the centre of every decision?
Would your patients and colleagues describe you as a clinician who leads with compassion, influences positive change and champions outstanding discharge planning?
We are seeking an experienced and motivated clinician to join our Onward Care Team (OCT) as Deputy Clinical Lead, providing maternity leave cover for one of our two deputy leadership posts.
This is a fixed-term opportunity for 6 months, with the potential for a further 6-month extension, offering the chance to play a key role in supporting patients across Gloucestershire Royal and Cheltenham General Hospitals to achieve the right discharge outcome at the right time.
As part of the OCT senior leadership team, you will help lead a team of specialist clinicians, provide expert advice on complex onward care planning, support workforce development and contribute to the continued transformation of discharge services across Gloucestershire.
We are looking for a dynamic, proactive and compassionate leader who can embrace change, inspire others and help shape the future of onward care planning for the people of Gloucestershire.
The proposed interview date is: 9th October
Main duties of the job
As Deputy Clinical Lead for the Onward Care Team, you will provide leadership and expert clinical support to deliver safe, timely and person-centred discharge planning. Working across Gloucestershire Hospitals and the wider health and care system, you will support patients to return home wherever possible, develop colleagues, lead service improvements and help shape the future of Home First and integrated discharge planning
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Deputy Clinical Lead for the Onward Care Team (OCT) is a senior clinical leadership role responsible for supporting safe, timely and person-centred discharge planning across Gloucestershire Royal and Cheltenham General Hospitals. Working as part of the OCT senior leadership team, the postholder will help shape discharge practice across the Trust and wider health and care system, ensuring patients are supported to achieve the right discharge outcome at the right time.
Key responsibilities include:
- Providing clinical, operational and professional leadership within the Onward Care Team.
- Supporting and developing a team of specialist clinicians across both hospital sites.
- Delivering expert advice and guidance on complex onward care planning and discharge arrangements.
- Promoting a Home First approach that maximises independence and supports patient choice.
- Working collaboratively with ward multidisciplinary teams, community services, local authority partners and other stakeholders.
- Leading education, training and workforce development initiatives that strengthen discharge planning practice.
- Contributing to service improvement, audit and quality initiatives to improve patient flow and reduce avoidable delays.
- Supporting the development, implementation and review of discharge-related policies, guidance and standards.
- Deputising for the Clinical Team Lead when required and contributing to the ongoing development of the service.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced registered healthcare professional who is passionate about improving patient outcomes, leading teams and influencing system-wide change. The role offers significant opportunities to contribute to the continued development of integrated discharge planning and transfer of care arrangements across Gloucestershire.
Additional working pattern details: If successful candidate is internal will be offered as a secondment. Possible 6 month extension dependent on wider Discharge coordination redesign work
Additional working pattern details: Part time applications will be considered against key responsibilities of the role and viability of fulfilling these
Applicant requirements
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.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Onward Care Team Deputy Clinical Lead, Band 7 with Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Cheltenham, England. It is listed as a Lead (legacy management group) role. The advertised salary is £49387.00 to £56515.00. The contract type is Fixed term: 6 months (If successful candidate is internal will be offered as a secondment. Possible 6 month extension dependent on wider Discharge coordination redesign work). The application deadline is 30 Sep 2026.
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