Job details
- Job reference: 254369
- Salary: Band 7 (£52,845 - £61,466)
- Job closing date: 16/09/2026
- Job Type: Nursing and Midwifery
- Location: Porterfield H M Prison
- Employment type: Permanent
- Hours Per Week: 36
- Job posted date: 25/08/2026
- Employer (NHS Board): NHS Highland
- Department: HMP Inverness/HMP Highland Health Centre
NHS Highland is seeking an exceptional and compassionate Team Lead for Prison Healthcare to join our established multidisciplinary team and play a key leadership role in delivering high-quality healthcare to people in custody.
This is a rare and exciting opportunity to lead a dynamic team of nurses, advanced practitioners, allied health professionals and healthcare support workers while helping shape the future of prison healthcare in the Highlands.
As Team Lead, you will provide day-to-day clinical and operational leadership across Primary Care, Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol Recovery Services within the prison environment. You will work alongside the Service Manager to ensure the delivery of safe, effective and person-centred healthcare, supporting staff development, service improvement, patient safety and partnership working with the Scottish Prison Service and a wide range of health and social care partners.
A significant attraction of this post is the opportunity to be part of the transition into the newly built HMP Highland, one of Scotland's most modern custodial environments. This major investment in healthcare facilities, staff wellbeing and patient care will create exciting opportunities to influence service delivery, drive innovation and help establish a modern, integrated healthcare model from the outset. This is an exciting time to join a service that is evolving and growing to meet the needs of the future.
As Team Lead, you will provide visible and compassionate leadership to a highly skilled multidisciplinary team, creating an environment where staff feel valued, supported and empowered to deliver excellent care. You will lead workforce development, supervision, appraisal and recruitment activities, while promoting a culture of continuous quality improvement and service innovation. Working closely with colleagues across NHS Highland, the Scottish Prison Service and partner organisations, you will contribute to strategic service development, support service reviews and investigations, and ensure healthcare provision remains responsive to the complex and often challenging needs of the prison population.
We are looking for an experienced and motivated registered nurse who is passionate about improving health outcomes for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. You will be an inclusive and credible leader with excellent communication, organisational and people management skills, capable of building strong relationships across professional and organisational boundaries. You will bring a commitment to quality improvement, service development and person-centred care, together with the resilience, adaptability and professional curiosity required to lead within a complex and evolving environment. Experience of managing multidisciplinary teams and delivering change within healthcare services would be advantageous.
Working in prison healthcare offers a unique opportunity to make a genuine difference to people's lives. Many individuals in custody experience significant health inequalities, complex trauma, substance use issues and unmet healthcare needs. As part of our prison healthcare team, you will have the opportunity to lead services that improve health outcomes, reduce inequalities and support rehabilitation and recovery.
Beyond the role itself, the Highlands offers an exceptional quality of life. Whether you are looking for outdoor adventure, a strong sense of community or a better work-life balance, the region provides a unique opportunity to combine professional fulfilment with an outstanding lifestyle. From world-renowned scenery and outdoor pursuits to vibrant local communities and excellent opportunities for leisure and family life, the Highlands is an extraordinary place to live and work. Whether your passion is hillwalking, cycling, running, water sports or simply enjoying some of Scotland's most spectacular landscapes, there are few places where your career and lifestyle can be so rewarding.
Join us and help shape the future of prison healthcare in the Highlands while becoming part of the exciting journey to HMP Highland.
Informal enquiries to Lauren Veitch, email: lauren.veitch@nhs.scot
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Team Lead - Prison Healthcare with NHS Highland in Porterfield H M Prison, GB. It is listed as a Band 7 Manager and corporate role. The advertised salary is £52,845 - £61,466. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 16 Sep 2026.
Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (25 Aug 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
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