Purpose of Job
The post-holder is responsible and accountable for the strategic leadership, management, and clinical governance of the Anaesthetic, Recovery, and Enhanced Care services. The role ensures the delivery of high-quality, safe, and effective perioperative care across the patient pathway (pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative phases), in line with CQC standards, national guidance, and organisational objectives. The post-holder will provide overarching leadership to both services, working in partnership with the Deputy Anaesthetic Lead and Deputy Recovery Lead, who will support day‑time operational management. The post-holder will exercise professional accountability in accordance with NMC/HCPC Codes of Conduct.
Principal Accountabilities
* Leadership & Management
* Provide strategic and operational leadership across Anaesthetics, Recovery, and Enhanced Care services.
* Line manage and support senior staff, including Deputy Leads, ensuring effective day‑time service delivery.
* Promote a culture of safety, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
* Ensure appropriate staffing levels and skill mix across all perioperative areas.
* Coordinate workforce planning, rota management, and escalation processes.
* Lead recruitment, retention, appraisal, and performance management processes.
* Support staff wellbeing, development, and succession planning.
* Clinical Leadership
* Maintain oversight of clinical standards across the perioperative pathway.
* Ensure delivery of high-quality anaesthetic assistance and post‑anaesthetic care.
* Act as a clinical expert and role model in perioperative practice.
* Support the management of deteriorating patients and complex cases.
* Ensure safe patient flow between theatre, recovery, and enhanced care.
* Participate in the emergency response team and on‑call rota as required.
* Governance & Patient Safety
* Lead clinical governance across Anaesthetics, Recovery, and Enhanced Care.
* Ensure compliance with CQC standards and national guidance (e.g. NICE, NatSSIPs, LocSSIPs, NCEPOD, RCoA).
* Oversee incident reporting, investigation, and learning dissemination.
* Lead audits, quality improvement initiatives, and service evaluations.
* Ensure robust documentation standards and data quality.
* Act as a key member of relevant committees (e.g. Resuscitation Committee).
* Drive a culture of openness, learning, and continuous safety improvement.
* Operational Management
* Ensure effective day‑time coordination of perioperative services through delegated leadership to Deputy Leads.
* Oversee patient flow, theatre efficiency, and recovery capacity.
* Ensure equipment safety, maintenance, and asset management.
* Manage stock control and procurement processes in collaboration with relevant departments.
* Respond proactively to service pressures, incidents, and operational challenges.
* Communication & Collaboration
* Act as a key liaison between theatre teams, ward teams, medical staff, and senior management.
* Communicate effectively with patients, relatives, and carers, managing concerns and improving patient experience.
* Provide expert advice on perioperative practice across the organisation.
* Ensure effective multidisciplinary team working to optimise patient outcomes and service delivery.
* Education & Workforce Development
* Promote a culture of continuous learning and professional development.
* Ensure staff meet mandatory training and competency requirements (including anaesthetic and critical care competencies).
* Support teaching, mentorship, and student placement programmes.
* Develop and deliver training aligned with service needs and governance priorities.
* Financial & Resource Management
* Contribute to budget management and ensure cost‑effective use of resources.
* Monitor workforce KPIs (agency usage, sickness, turnover).
* Identify and elevate requirements for capital equipment and service development.
* Support procurement processes and evaluation of equipment and consumables.
* Strategy & Service Development
* Lead and support service development across perioperative care pathways.
* Identify opportunities for innovation, efficiency, and service expansion.
* Support redesign of services to improve patient outcomes and flow.
* Lead and deliver quality improvement and transformation projects.
Clinical Responsibilities
* Ensure safe delivery of anaesthetic and post‑anaesthetic care.
* Maintain high standards of infection prevention and control.
* Ensure safe medicines management practices.
* Provide emergency care and support escalation of critically ill patients.
* Maintain accurate, contemporaneous patient records.
Professional Responsibilities
* Maintain active NMC/HCPC registration.
* Adhere to professional codes of conduct and organisational policies.
* Maintain and develop own professional knowledge and leadership skills.
* Act as a role model for professional practice and behaviour.
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