Job overview
Band 7 Risk and Governance Lead- Theatres
We are seeking an exceptional individual with a Nursing/ODP background to lead Theatres and support colleagues in all aspects patient safety, clinical risk and governance and the quality agenda, keeping our patients and staff safe during the perioperative journey.
Thisrolerequiresthe provision of robust risk and governance leadership, ensuring that the Department provides high quality services and is fully compliant with all regulatory requirements to deliver strong quality governance, in support of the Head of Theatres, Theatre's Manager, Lead Nurse and General Manager.
This role requires a professional clinical leader, passionate about risk and quality governance so that they partner with the operational and clinical leads to deliver best practice, proactive risk and governance strategies to provide the safest possible care to our patients.
This is an opportunity for an individual who has the compassionate leadership attributes to empower and enable their teams to shape their area to provide the highest quality, most effective care for the benefit of our patients and the whole department.
This posts will be interesting, challenging and provide plenty of variety, including the opportunity to use your clinical expertise working alongside your team to care for our patients.
Main duties of the job
Lead the Patient Safety / Governance agenda for the Department and ensure that the highest standards of corporate and clinical governance are maintained
Key publications to be adhered to and to coordinate the delivery of - National Patient Safety Strategy, NHS Single Oversight Framework and NHS Contract – Quality Schedule.
Take a lead in the Quality and Patient Safety Agenda ensuring that the quality of care in the Department,
Patient experience, patient safety and clinical effectiveness is of the highest standard, meeting national and local outcomes.
Be responsible for coordinating the implementation of actions and provision of evidence to support service improvement and compliance with organisational standards as part of the overall Assurance Framework
Ensure that the Quality, Patient Safety and Risk Management Framework is embedded within the Department
Lead the management, investigation and approval process for all InPhase reporting in the dept and producing reports as necessary
Manage and update Dept Risks as necessary
Manage and update patient experience and report key findings/opportunities for improvement as necessary
Produce the necessary reports for risk and governance aspects within remit for Exec and department reporting
Provide an environment where all incidents are investigated, actions are implemented and lessons are learned from and shared for future improvement
Working for our organisation
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas at our hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics.
It is an exciting time at the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital as maternity, neonatal, critical care and theatre services have been moving to the brand new Acute Services Block (ASB) and New Ward Block since October 2025. Care is now being delivered in modern, uplifting and fit for purpose environments and will enhance the patient experience.
You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high-quality training and development to help you grow your career.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.
All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please look at Job Description and Person Specification for full job details/roles and responsibilities
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. •Registered Professional (NMC / HCPC).
2. •UK recognised Diploma/Degree in nursing studies / operating department practice or equivalent experience
3. •Practice Assessor / Supervisor
4. •Management/leadership qualification or equivalent experience.
5. •Evidence of Continuous Professional Development
Desirable criteria
6. risk related qualification e.g. Capsticks or equivalent
Experience
Essential criteria
7. •Extensive post-registration experience in the peri-operative care setting
8. •Experience of leading and motivating a team
9. •Experience of change management
10. •Experience of producing protocols and guidelines
11. •Experience of resource management
12. Experience in the InPhase process- and managing various components of the process- from assigning investigator to approval
13. Ability to produce reports when required to support the risk and governance process
Desirable criteria
14. •Evidence of individual research, Quality Improvement or audit of nursing / peri-operative practice
Knowledge
Essential criteria
15. •Experience in incident investigations
16. •Good understanding of clinical and corporate governance
17. •Knowledge of HR principles and procedures
18. •Appraise, interpret and apply suggestions, recommendations and directives to improve services
19. •Able to use IT systems including Microsoft Office
20. •Understanding of the current NHS agenda and health policy
21. •Extensive Knowledge of risk management and governance
22. •Knowledge of best practice in health, safety and security
23. •Able to evaluate, review and implement policies within the department and specialist areas.
Desirable criteria
24. •Knowledge of service improvement and project management.
Personal Skills
Essential criteria
25. •Excellent communication skills
26. •Able to work independently and as part of a team
27. •Assumes accountability for own actions and those of junior staff
28. •The ability to develop oneself and contribute to the development of others
29. •Ability to demonstrate and further develop analytical skills to enable the practitioner to deal with complex situations, both clinical and non-clinical
30. •Able to perform well under pressure
31. Ability to prioritise, problem solve and change focus as necessary
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.