Job overview
As a member of the corporate nursing team, the post holder will demonstrate strong professional and clinical leadership, taking a lead role in implementing nursing and midwifery workforce strategic plans in collaboration with the Clinical Service Line (CSL) teams. They will be responsible for monitoring compliance with workforce KPIs and producing both regular and ad hoc reports for the Trust Board and its sub‑committees. The post holder will work closely with, and provide support to, the Associate Director of Nursing – Workforce, Education and Professional Standards (ADoN) in responding to organisational needs and wider system priorities, ensuring the Trust is prepared for emerging strategic opportunities and challenges. They will also be an active member of the Senior Nursing and Midwifery Management Team across the Trust.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will:
1. Monitor and, where required, coordinate nursing and midwifery (N&M) recruitment activity for both permanent and temporary posts.
2. Work collaboratively with the Clinical Service Lines (CSLs) and the HR Workforce and Recruitment Teams to ensure the efficient recruitment of N&M staff in line with organisational needs.
3. Lead, alongside the ADoN, on the Trust’s Safer Staffing processes and policies, reviewing their effectiveness and developing them as necessary to ensure the N&M workforce profile supports the delivery of high‑quality patient care and experience.
4. Work with the ADoN to plan and deliver the implementation of new and emerging Trust and national initiatives.
5. Take responsibility for delivering strategic nursing and midwifery workforce plans and initiatives across the Trust, ensuring the safe and effective deployment of staff so that the right skills are available in the right place at the right time.
6. Develop long‑term recruitment strategies with the ADoN to meet the anticipated needs of the CSLs while reducing the Trust’s reliance on temporary staffing.
7. Lead and support the implementation of new initiatives and procedures within the Trust, such as values‑based and strengths‑based recruitment in N&M.
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 across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. 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. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
8. Contribute to the development and implementation of the Trust’s Nursing and Midwifery Strategy across the Clinical Service Lines (CSLs), working closely with Heads and Deputy Heads of Nursing and Matrons to support the delivery of a modern, patient‑focused service. This includes setting a clear vision for staff at all levels through strong leadership, motivation and influencing skills.
9. Work with, advise and support CSLs to ensure robust safer‑staffing processes and systems are in place, enabling effective monitoring and compliance with staffing levels, skill mix requirements and evidence‑based acuity and dependency models.
10. Support CSLs in monitoring site safety, ensuring risks are identified, mitigated and documented, with unresolved concerns escalated appropriately.
11. Act as the clinical and professional lead for the SafeCare system, providing development and training for managers and staff to ensure accurate use of the system and reliable acuity/dependency scoring.
12. Provide leadership in delivering nursing productivity work, offering scrutiny, support and constructive challenge in relation to roster key performance indicators.
13. Lead six‑monthly establishment reviews and benchmark findings against similar organisations, using evidence‑based tools and National Quality Board safer‑staffing guidance to inform safe staffing decisions.
Please refer to the attached JD.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
14. Registered Nurse
15. Leadership Course or Experience at Band 8a or above
16. Educated to Masters Level or equivalent experience
Desirable criteria
17. Management Qualification
Experience
Essential criteria
18. Experience of managing the delivery of complex work plans / projects.
19. Experience of working in partnership with a wide range of teams
20. Experience of planning and modelling complex workforce plans to deliver against local and national requirements
21. Experience of presenting complex or contentious material to a range of audiences across the trust and to the public.
22. Experienced in use of Allocate Health Roster system
Desirable criteria
23. Strong clinical skill base
24. Experience of working in a range of services / specialties
Knowledge and Skills
Essential criteria
25. In depth knowledge of workforce issues
26. In depth knowledge of e-Rostering
27. In depth knowledge safe staffing standards
28. In depth knowledge of Human Resource Management and workforce planning
Desirable criteria
29. Research awareness
30. Experience of policy/protocol development
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.