About this role
Job summary
Exceptional patient care is built on exceptional leadership. Join us to shape the future of quality, safety and compassionate care at one of the UK's leading specialist hospitals.
The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (RJAH) is one of the UK's leading specialist hospitals and a nationally recognised centre of excellence for orthopaedic care.
Renowned for our clinical outcomes, innovation and patient-centred approach, we provide specialist services to patients from across the UK and beyond. Our reputation has been built by exceptional people who are committed to delivering the highest standards of care, safety and compassion.
We are now seeking an exceptional Chief Nurse and Patient Safety Officer to join our Board and Executive Team and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our organisation.
This is a unique opportunity for an inspirational nursing leader to influence strategy, drive quality improvement, strengthen our culture of safety and ensure every patient receives outstanding care and experience.
Main duties of the job
As Chief Nurse and Patient Safety Officer, you will be a key member of the Trust Board and Executive Team, providing strategic leadership for nursing, allied health professionals, patient safety, quality, patient experience and clinical governance.
You will ensure the highest standards of quality and safety are embedded across the organisation, while fostering a culture in which staff feel empowered, supported and able to continuously improve care.
Working closely with clinical leaders, Executive colleagues and system partners, you will help shape the future direction of one of the UK's leading specialist hospitals.
Key responsibilities include:
Providing strategic leadership for nursing, allied health professionals, quality and patient safety. Delivering Board-level assurance on quality, patient experience, safety, safeguarding and clinical governance. Leading a culture of continuous improvement, learning and innovation. Executive Lead for patient safety, ensuring robust systems for learning from incidents, complaints, audits and feedback. Championing the voice of patients, families and carers in service design and delivery. Serving as Director of Infection Prevention and Control (DIPC). Providing Executive leadership for Estates, Facilities and Health & Safety. Working collaboratively across the Integrated Care System and with regulators to improve outcomes. Supporting the development of future clinical leaders and strengthening professional practice.
About us
RJAH is a specialist orthopaedic hospital based in Oswestry, serving patients locally, regionally and nationally.
We are recognised for delivering some of the most complex orthopaedic care and are proud of our reputation for innovation, research and clinical excellence. Our services include:
Nine inpatient wards and thirteen operating theatres. Specialist spinal injuries services. Nationally recognised bone tumour services. Paediatric orthopaedics. Complex rehabilitation and specialist orthopaedic care. Our vision is simple: Improving lives through excellent, innovative care.
Joining RJAH means becoming part of a collaborative, supportive and forward-looking organisation that values continuous improvement and compassionate leadership.
We offer:
A rare opportunity to join the Board of a leading UK specialist hospital The chance to influence quality, patient safety and clinical excellence An engaged Executive Team and Board committed to improvement A strong, supportive organisational culture Excellent leadership development opportunities Flexible working and a commitment to staff wellbeing Access to a range of NHS benefits The opportunity to work in a beautiful part of the country This is an outstanding opportunity to shape the future of patient care within one of the UK's most respected specialist NHS organisations.
If you are an ambitious and compassionate leader who is committed to excellence, innovation and improving lives, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Job description Job responsibilities
To apply, please submit
A comprehensive curriculum vitae including employment references covering a full 6 yearsA supporting statement demonstrating how your experience, leadership style and values align with the requirements of the role. Please DO NOT apply through completion of the application form.
Applications should be sent to: Mary Bardsley, Assistant Trust [email protected]
We are looking for an exceptional and authentic leader who is passionate about patient care, quality improvement and creating the conditions in which people can thrive.
You will bring:
Experience
Significant senior nursing leadership experience at Board level, or operating at an equivalent strategic level within a complex healthcare organisation. A proven track record of delivering measurable improvements in quality, safety and patient outcomes. Experience of leading organisational change and service transformation. Demonstrable success in developing high-performing clinical teams and nurturing positive organisational cultures. Extensive experience of clinical governance, risk management and regulatory compliance. Skills and Knowledge
Exceptional strategic leadership and influencing skills. Deep understanding of contemporary patient safety frameworks and quality improvement methodologies. The ability to foster a culture of openness, learning and psychological safety. Strong understanding of NHS policy, quality governance and professional standards. The credibility and emotional intelligence to work effectively with patients, clinicians, regulators and partners. Strong organisational, workforce and financial leadership capability. Qualifications
Registered Nurse with current NMC registration. Master's degree or equivalent level of professional and leadership development. Evidence of continued executive and professional development. Most importantly, you will be a visible and compassionate leader who inspires confidence, builds trust and shares our commitment to delivering exceptional care.
Person Specification
Qualifications/Training Essential
Registered Nurse (RN) with current NMC registration Master's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Nursing, Healthcare Leadership, Patient Safety, Quality Improvement) or equivalent senior level experience Evidence of ongoing professional development aligned to executive level nursing leadership
Desirable
Leadership or management qualification (e.g., ILM, NHS Leadership Academy programmes) is desirable Formal training in patient safety, quality improvement, human factors, or clinical governance (e.g., IHI, QI methodology) is highly desirable
Experience Essential
Extensive experience at senior nursing leadership level within a complex healthcare organisation, ideally within the NHS Proven track record of improving patient safety outcomes, reducing harm, and embedding safety culture Demonstrable experience leading large, multi disciplinary clinical teams and influencing across organisational boundaries Experience overseeing clinical governance, risk management, incident investigation, and regulatory compliance Evidence of leading quality improvement programmes at scale, with measurable impact Experience working with external regulators and partners (e.g., CQC, NHS England, ICS partners) Experience managing large budgets, workforce planning, and strategic resource allocation Experience of leading through major change, transformation, or organisational challenge
Skills and Competencies Essential
Exceptional strategic leadership with the ability to set vision and direction for nursing, AHP and patient safety Highly developed communication and influencing skills, able to engage credibly with staff at all levels, patients, families, and external partners Ability to analyse complex data, identify trends, and translate insights into improvement actions Skilled in building safety culture, psychological safety, and open reporting Strong decision making skills, especially under pressure or in high risk situations Ability to lead and support investigations, ensuring learning and accountability Competence in financial management, workforce planning, and resource optimisation Ability to inspire, motivate, and develop the nursing and AHP workforce Politically astute, with the ability to navigate complex systems and competing priorities
Knowledge Essential
Deep understanding of NHS policy, national patient safety frameworks, and regulatory requirements Expert knowledge of clinical governance, risk systems, incident reporting, and learning from harm Strong understanding of human factors, safety science, and high reliability organisation principles Knowledge of workforce strategy, professional standards, and the NMC Code Understanding of health inequalities, safeguarding, and inclusive care delivery Awareness of digital transformation, data quality, and how analytics support patient safety
Personal Qualities & Trust Values Essential
Demonstrates compassionate leadership, aligned to NHS values and the People Promise Visible, credible, and approachable; acts as a role model for professional nursing standards Committed to patient centred care, safety, dignity, and reducing inequalities Champions diversity, inclusion, and fairness in all aspects of care and workforce management Promotes a culture of learning, transparency, and continuous improvement Demonstrates resilience, integrity, and sound judgement Advocates for staff wellbeing and a positive working environment
Other Essential
Ability to work flexibly, including out of hours leadership if required Willingness to act as Executive Lead for safeguarding, infection prevention and control, Estates and Facilities or other portfolios as required Commitment to ongoing professional development and reflective practice
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaeduc Hospital
Oswestry
SY10 7AG
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.rjah.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)