Established in 2013, The Occupational Health Team based in Newry Co. Down, has experienced steady growth, evolving into a trusted provider of comprehensive occupational health services within both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland across a wide range of industries to include manufacturing, engineering, construction, food and pharmaceutical.
We are currently inviting applications from Registered Nurses with the relevant experience and knowledge for the permanent position of Head of Clinical Service, Governance and Assurance. We are particularly interested in candidates who are registered with both NMC and NMBI.
Job Purpose:
As a senior leader within the organisation, the Head of Clinical Service, Governance and Assurance plays a pivotal role in shaping, driving, and assuring the delivery of safe, effective, and high-quality clinical services across all client settings.
The post holder will provide visible, active leadership and strategic direction, ensuring excellence in governance, risk management, and assurance processes that underpin safe and effective service. They will lead on the development, implementation, and evaluation of governance frameworks such as SEQOSH and service delivery models, ensuring consistency, accountability, and alignment with regulatory standards, national evidence based best practice, and evolving organisational and occupational health priorities.
They will be accountable for providing assurance to the Managing Director and stakeholders on the quality and efficiency of services, ensuring that risks are identified, monitored, and addressed in a transparent and evidence-based way. In addition, they will champion continuous improvement initiatives by fostering a culture of shared learning and innovation, supporting staff development, and ensuring the organisation remains at the forefront of clinical excellence, quality assurance and continuous improvement.
Key Areas of Responsibility
* Strategic Leadership and Governance: Provide strategic leadership in clinical governance, ensuring effective systems are in place for monitoring quality, safety, and compliance. Lead the development of governance frameworks that support accountability, transparency, and assurance at every level of service delivery.
* Quality Assurance, Regulatory Compliance and Oversight: Oversee the delivery and evaluation of clinical services against national standards, CQC/NMC/NICE guidance, and organisational policies. Ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory frameworks, including safeguarding, infection prevention, and information governance. Apply advanced knowledge of occupational health nursing, legislation, and clinical governance (including SEQOHS standards) to ensure compliance.
* Risk Management and Assurance: Lead on the identification, assessment, and mitigation of clinical risks. Oversee incident reporting, investigation, and learning processes, ensuring findings are translated into sustainable improvements and assurance is provided to the Senior Leadership Team and relevant stakeholders.
* Managing and Team Development: Provide clinical leadership for Occupational Health staff and team development. Support and lead service improvement initiatives and innovation projects in line with organisational objectives.
* Service Development and Continuous Improvement: Drive the development and implementation of evidence-based policies, procedures, and service models. Foster a culture of innovation and improvement, using audit, benchmarking, and stakeholder feedback to inform service redesign and enhance outcomes.
* Workforce Development and Professional Standards: Model and promote professional accountability and integrity, supporting staff through supervision, mentorship, and opportunities for CPD. Ensure the clinical workforce is skilled, competent, and engaged, meeting revalidation and professional regulatory requirements.
* Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement: Work closely with the Senior Leadership Team and external regulators to provide assurance on the quality and safety of clinical services. Provide expert guidance to relevant stakeholders ensuring governance and assurance frameworks are embedded throughout the organisation.
* Data, Evidence, and Insight: Ensure the integrity of clinical data and records by leveraging information systems to enhance reporting capabilities that evidence compliance and decision-making protocols, highlighting areas for improvement.
* Culture and Values: Champion and promote a culture of shared learning, accountability, and excellence, ensuring that clinical governance and assurance are central to service delivery and organisational growth.
N.B. This list is not exhaustive, and the post holder may be required to undertake additional responsibilities within their scope of practice and competency, to support the strategic and operational needs of the organisation.
Personnel Specification
Essential Criteria:
Applicants must be able to demonstrate how they meet each element of the following essential criteria by the closing date:
1. Registered Nurse on Part 1 of the NMC Register (Adult Health Nursing) with current and valid registration.
2. Registered Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN) on Part 3 of the NMC Register, with proof of completion of an NMC-approved SCPHN qualification.
3. Continued professional development in Occupational Health practice.
4. Demonstrable management level experience in the delivery of a Healthcare service or improvement initiative.
5. Maintains and applies up-to-date knowledge of Occupational Health legislation, policies, and clinical governance frameworks (including SEQOHS), ensuring high-quality and compliant clinical service delivery.
Desirable Criteria
1. Master's level qualification (or equivalent) in Occupational Health, Public Health, or a related discipline.
2. Demonstratable experience in building and leading high performing teams to deliver high-quality, client-focused Occupational Health services.
3. Experience with regulatory inspections or external quality audits (e.g. SEQOHS, ISO).
4. Up to date training in audiometry and spirometry.
Special conditions of employment:
A current full driving licence and/ or access to a vehicle suitable for business purposes.
The company reserves the right to apply desirable criteria and/ or enhance the shortlisting criteria.
We are unable to offer sponsorship for employment under immigration laws. Therefore, applicants must have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom at the time of application.
Candidates with a disability who require assistance will be facilitated upon request. Candidates who wish to receive application forms and information packs in accessible formats are requested to advise The Occupational Health Team Ltd of their requirements as promptly as possible allowing for the fact that the closing date for receipt remains the same for all applicants as noted above.
The Occupational Health Team Ltd is an equal opportunities employer.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: From £45,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* Company pension
* Free parking
* On-site parking
* Private dental insurance
* Private medical insurance
Application question(s):
*
1. Registered Nurse on Part 1 of the NMC Register (Adult Health Nursing) with current and valid registration.
* Registered Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN) on Part 3 of the NMC Register, with proof of completion of an NMC-approved SCPHN qualification.
* Continued professional development in Occupational Health practice.
* Demonstrable management level experience in the delivery of a Healthcare service or improvement initiative.
* Maintains and applies up-to-date knowledge of Occupational Health legislation, policies, and clinical governance frameworks (including SEQOHS), ensuring high-quality and compliant clinical service delivery.
Work Location: In person