Job overview
The clinical excellence lead role is intended to provide a clear focus on the clinical and quality standards across the two adult acute in-patient wards, to work collaboratively with Ward Managers and other members of the leadership team to champion and embed a culture of best practice.
The post holder will act as a learning leader and be at the forefront of identifying and delivering clinical and social skills training to the nursing team to ensure continual practice improvement is in place.
The post-holder will work collaboratively with the borough Head of Quality and Acute Service Manager to identify and develop quality improvement plans and initiatives specifically for the adult acute in-patient service line and will be expected to take a key role in delivering the plans successfully.
The Clinical improvement lead will deliver a number of sustainable projects within the adult acute in-patient setting that supports the Trust’s 4 big ambitions : people with lived experience shape every decision we make, all staff feel engaged and are involved with improvement, every service user has the opportunity to live a life they
find fulfilling and outstanding care.
Main duties of the job
To ensure nursing practice is delivered from an accepted evidence base
and in accordance with the NMC Code of Conduct, Mental Health Act,
Community Care Legislation and the policies and procedures of Pennine
Care.
To provide a learning leader role and a focus on the learning requirements for staff, commissioning learning and acting as an authority on practice improvement.
To promote developments in nursing within the Inpatients Services in line with the Trust’s 5 year plan and overarching quality strategy.
To establish a forum to offer support and clinical supervision to the in
patient team.
To be a visible and pro-active clinical leader and role model within the multi disciplinary team and actively participate in the delivery of clinical issues care at ward level including clinical risk assessment.
To support the service area in achieving clinical governance objectives by assisting in individual service reviews, ensuring action plans are formulated and best practice is shared.
Maintain own skills and clinical credibility by appropriate updates.
To undertake clinical work as a way of measuring standards and identify areas of concern and excellence.
To keep up to date with current clinical practice for own area of work.
Support ward staff in the management of complex cases
Act as a resource to all staff.
Ensure and promote research-based practice.
Working for our organisation
We are proud to provide high quality mental health and learning disability services, both inpatient and in the community across five boroughs of Greater Manchester - Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport and Tameside and Glossop.
Our vision is for a happier and more hopeful life for everyone in our communities and our staff work hard to deliver the very best care for the people who use our services. We’re really proud of our #PennineCarePeople and do everything we can to make sure we’re a great place to work.
All individuals regardless of race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership are encouraged to apply for this post. We would also encourage applications from individuals with a lived experience of mental illness, either individually or as a carer.
If you come and work for us we will offer a range of benefits and opportunities, including:
* Generous annual leave entitlement for Agenda for Change and Medical and Dental staff.
* Flexible working opportunities to support your work/life balance
* Access to Continued Professional Development
* Involvement in improvement and research activities
* Health and Wellbeing activities and access to an excellent staff wellbeing service
* Access to staff discounts across retail, leisure and travel
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To provide a learning leader role and a focus on the learning
requirements for staff, commissioning learning and acting as an authority on practice improvement.
To participate in audit activities that support the improvement of Nursing Practice and care standards.
To lead or participate in programmes of work directed by Service Line
Groups
To work collaboratively with the nursing team to develop processes that ensure’s patients, their carers and families are directly involved in
decisions which affect their care,
Ensure that patient care records are multidisciplinary and that the
standard of record keeping, patient assessment, care planning, risk
assessment and management are delivered in accordance with the Care
Programme Approach.
To initiate patient focussed interventions that recognise the diverse
social, cultural, religious and spiritual needs of the individual.
Ensure that Quality Assurance, Governance and Risk Management
Strategies are implemented at ward level. To develop and monitor any
action plans arising from Incident reporting.
Person specification
Educational Qualifcations
Essential criteria
* Professional nursing qualification / registration
* Educated to degree level or equivalent in relevant health related area of practice
* Experience of change management within health related area of practice.
* Short courses and experience to Master's level
Desirable criteria
* Recognised leadership or management qualification
* Recognised project qualification or willingness to work towards e.g. PRINCE 2
Experience
Essential criteria
* Experience of leading clinical projects and implementing change
* Proven track record of achieving targets
* Experience in a leadership role and managing / developing more junior staff
* Experience of analysing and evaluating complex data
* Experience of writing and presenting high quality reports to a range of stakeholders
* Experience of delivering training or workshops across staff teams and disciplines
* Promotion and development of external and internal partnerships
* Experience of co-design and patient partnership initiatives
* Project management skills with demonstrable experience in leading projects.
Desirable criteria
* Previous management / leadership of a recovery / CQUIN initiative
* Experience of working with families and carers
Knowledge
Essential criteria
* Excellent knowledge of IT - Word, Excel, data collection models.
* Working knowledge of new code of practice (MHA 183) and other government policies to improve mental health services
* Awareness of whole person care
* Knowledge and awareness of the role of co-production in design and delivery of quality services
* Awareness of the importance of engaging those with lived experience in the design and delivery of quality care
* Awareness of the importance of engaging carers in the design and delivery of quality care
* Awareness of the importance of engaging staff in the design and delivery of quality care
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria
* Ability to prioritise work and manage time effectively and meet strict deadlines
* Ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of external and internal partners, patients and carers
* Excellent interpersonal skills both written and verbal.
* Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team.
* Evidence of supporting a range of staff in the delivery of project objectives
* Demonstrate Leadership Skills
* Ability to action plan and problem solve
* Ability to have vision and to work this up in to a meaningful action plan
* Ability to effectively evaluate projects and use ongoing improvement methodologies to plan changes
Work related circumstances
Essential criteria
* Undertake any other duties which are appropriate to grade as requested
* Willing to carry out all duties and responsibilities of the post in accordance with the Trust’s Equal Opportunities and Equality and Diversity policies
* Appointments to regulated and controlled activities require an enhanced DBS disclosure.
📝 Application support - We recommend tailoring your application to each role you apply for, particularly your supporting information. This gives you the best chance of success. Your supporting information should clearly explain, with examples, how your skills and experience meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role.
We understand that some candidates may use AI tools to help prepare their application. This is not restricted, however, any AI support should only be used to enhance your own writing and must reflect your genuine skills and experience. You will be asked to talk about your application at interview. Applications that contain false or misleading information may be removed from the recruitment process.
We also offer virtual application support sessions each month, where you will learn some hints and tips to support you in completing your application form. To secure your place, and to find out more visit the on our website.
🌍 Sponsorship Information - We are an approved sponsoring organisation. Applications will be considered from applicants requiring sponsorship alongside all other applications. Please be aware, not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible role and requirements on the
📬 After You Apply - Once your application is submitted, you’ll receive updates via email. Shortlisting is based on how well you meet the criteria outlined in the person specification. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview, and invitations will be sent by email.
✅ If You're Offered the Role - If successful, the hiring manager will contact you directly with a verbal offer. They will then notify the Recruitment Team and submit the necessary paperwork. You’ll receive a formal conditional offer via email
🔍 Pre-Employment Checks - To confirm your suitability for the role, we will carry out pre-employment checks in line with. These include:
* Identity verification
* Right to work check
* Disclosure and barring service (DBS)/Criminal record check (dependent on role)
* Professional registration and/or qualification check
* Occupational health assessment
* Employment history and reference validation
All applicants external to Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust will be required to provide their to cover the most recent three years employment. This information will used to validate employment history and references.
If you require sponsorship, we will assess your eligibility based on current If the role is not eligible and you cannot demonstrate your right to work, your conditional offer may be withdrawn.
🚀 Once Checks Are Complete -
The Recruitment Team will coordinate with you and the hiring manager to confirm a start date. You’ll be booked onto a Trust Welcome Session and receive your Pennine Care NHS Terms and Conditions.
📣 Additional Information -
We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds to help us grow, innovate, and improve.
If you wish to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, you will be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria for the role.
If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact us on 0161 716 3181 as early as possible so we can support you.
Please note:
* We do not accept unsolicited contact from recruitment agencies. Hiring managers should not be contacted directly.
* We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. If you have a disability or long‑term health condition and need extra time or adjustments to complete your application, please contact us as soon as possible. We will ensure you are not disadvantaged where a reasonable adjustment is appropriate.