This is an exciting opportunity for an exceptional clinical leader to shape, influence and drive the future of deteriorating patient care across West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. As the Deteriorating Patient Team Lead, you will play a pivotal role in strengthening the Trust’s response to clinical deterioration, leading a dynamic and highly skilled multi‑professional team that includes the Acute Care Response Team (ACRT), Resuscitation Service and Sepsis service. This role is for someone who thrives on variety, strategic influence, and the chance to make a tangible difference to patient outcomes every day. It is ideal for someone passionate about service development and innovation. You will lead on the evolution of the ACRT, support the development of Enhanced Care Practitioners, trainee Advanced Practitioners and qualified Advanced Practitioners, and work closely with Higher Education Institutes to influence education and training pathways. You will also collaborate with senior nursing, medical and operational leaders to ensure that the Trust’s approach to deteriorating patients is aligned with national guidance, emerging evidence and best practice. The role is dynamic and varied, combining direct clinical practice with strategic leadership, education, quality improvement and research. You will be required to work Monday – Friday and participate in the Trust Senior Manager on‑call rota.
With a new hospital planned for Watford, work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, this is an exciting time to join us. We are building on the success of our award‑winning virtual hospital and re‑imagining models of care, working closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are a priority, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience.
Responsibilities
* Lead the Acute Care Response Team (ACRT) and provide senior clinical and strategic leadership across the Trust, ensuring that patients who are acutely unwell receive timely, expert and compassionate care.
* Drive service development, influence Trust‑wide pathways and support the strategic direction of the deteriorating patient agenda.
* Deliver Trust‑wide training on the recognition and management of deterioration, support Advanced Life Support education and create a positive learning culture where staff feel confident, supported and empowered.
* Collaborate with matrons, ward managers and senior clinicians to strengthen clinical capability and improve patient outcomes.
* Act as a trusted expert advisor, providing specialist input into complex cases, contributing to business planning, service evaluation and governance processes.
* Work cross‑site and participate in the Trust Senior Manager on‑call rota, fulfilling full‑time responsibilities Monday–Friday.
* Take responsibility for line management of the ACRT and Resuscitation Team Lead, providing day‑to‑day leadership, supervision and development for the whole deteriorating patient team.
* Work with senior nursing and medical leaders to design, implement and evaluate pathways, policies and guidelines that strengthen the Trust’s approach to recognising and responding to deterioration.
* Deliver Trust‑wide training, including ALERT and Advanced Life Support, support academic modules with HEIs, develop competency frameworks and foster a positive learning culture across clinical areas.
* Lead and contribute to QI projects, audits, research activity and service evaluation; support business planning and procurement; ensure compliance with national guidance and Trust policies.
* Act as a senior clinical resource for teams across the organisation, providing specialist advice on complex cases, escalation decisions and best practice in acute and critical care.
* Oversee staff performance, appraisals, recruitment, sickness management and workload allocation, manage delegated budgets and ensure cost‑effective use of resources.
Additional Information
Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive.
We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work‑life balance. www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking
If you have a disability or long‑term health condition and require support or guidance please contact westherts.recruitment@nhs.net.
If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick “Member of the Armed Forces Community” on the application form.
We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion. This advert closes on Tuesday 28 Apr 2026.
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