Job overview
To lead on strategic direction and jointly manage the development of services within the Surgical Assessment Unit (SAU) with the Chief or Hospital Director.
To be accountable for the stewardship and performance of the SAU clinical area, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, modern, patient-centred services within available resources
To be accountable for the delivery of service levels and key performance targets within agreements and resources.
To provide clinical leadership across the area of SAU and to direct the clinical governance strategy (including training, research and development) and audit programme and lead on implementation.
To contribute to the Division’s and the Trust’s corporate interests.
Main duties of the job
The clinical lead for SAU will take overall responsibility for overseeing delivery of the SAU. This oversight comes with the expectation that sizeable parts of the workload outlined below will be delegated to other surgical specialty clinical leads with specified and defined roles and responsibilities. The three broad categories where clinical leadership will be needed are:
1. Operational issues
a. Work with the directorate manager and divisional team to keep medical spend within the
departmental budget and highlight and understand any discrepancies therein.
b. Conduct, capability and health issue management for all grades of medical staff.
c. Co-ordinating development projects within the SAU in conjunction with the Trust and Divisional goals and objectives. This will include regular meetings with the wider Divisional team.
d. Developing a clinical leadership structure within the SAU that supports the operational goals outlined above.
e. Liaise with the surgical specialities’ clinical leads to develop protocols and procedural pathways.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, & can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) & a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme, for staff which is extensive & designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching & training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us & throughout your career we will help you to grow & develop. We hope that in choosing UHSx you are choosing a long & happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make & feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
1. ·To oversee CPD/CME practice of clinicians within in Department, ensuring that activity balances service and individual needs, and making information available to the Clinical Director for the purposes of Consultant appraisal.
2. ·To lead implementation of and to direct the clinical governance strategy & audit programme within the areas of responsibility and integrate this within the Division by supporting
3. ·To actively contribute to Directorate plans to improve patient access, working with other Lead Clinicians to facilitate effective implementation of those plans across the Division.
4. ·To contribute to effective budget management within the service.
5. ·To contribute to identifying and delivering annual cost reduction/improvement plans
6. ·Explore any complaints by clinical and non-clinical staff involving other members of the SAU team, to provide appropriate sanctions/feedback.
7. ·Liaise with the CEPOD coordinator and attend CEPOD meetings to help develop effective emergency surgery pathways.
8. ·Liaise with the nursing Ward Manager to look at the department as a whole and interactions between the surgical specialities’ clinical staff and SAU’s nursing staff.
Person specification
Knowledge - non clinical
Desirable criteria
9. Minimum three years’ experience in substantive consultant role
10. Significant evidence of success in a Consultant leadership role
11. Operational management experience
12. Business/service planning in management or educational role.
13. Management of Human Resource issues
Clinical
Essential criteria
14. Consultant or Specialist
Communication & interpersonal
Essential criteria
15. Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills
16. Written and verbal communications
Analytical and judgemental
Essential criteria
17. Environmental and political awareness
18. Service improvement skills
Planning and organisational
Essential criteria
19. Evidence of organising and chairing consultant level meetings
Information and Communication technology
Essential criteria
20. Computer and keyboard skills: to include Word, Excel and Powerpoint.
Financial
Essential criteria
21. Analytical and numeracy skills Financial management skills
Supervisory and HR management
Essential criteria
22. Strong Leadership skills
23. Performance Management skills
24. Ability to develop others
Previous clinical lead role
Desirable criteria
25. Held the position of clinical lead
Personal attributes
Essential criteria
26. High level of self-awareness, and openness to self-improvement
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications