Job summary
The Divisional Head of Nursing and Allied Healthcare Professionals (AHPs) provides senior professional and clinical leadership across the Clinical Support and Cancer Services Division. The role is responsible for ensuring the highest standards of nursing and AHP practice, quality, safety, and patient experience, while supporting the strategic aims and operational delivery of the Division and the Trust. As a member of the Divisional Leadership Team, the post holder works in close partnership with the Divisional Director, Divisional Clinical Chair, and Head of Clinical Administration and Governance. Together, they provide collective leadership for clinical governance, workforce performance, service improvement, and delivery of high-quality, safe, and effective care. The post holder leads the professional development, performance, and wellbeing of nursing and AHP staff, ensuring services meet national, professional, and regulatory standards. This includes responsibility for safe staffing, workforce planning, education and training, and the development of advanced and evolving clinical roles. The role plays a critical part in assuring quality and safety by embedding a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and learning. The post holder acts as a visible, credible clinical leader, championing patient-centred care and representing nursing and AHP perspectives at divisional, Trust-wide, and external forums.
Main duties of the job
Lead and inspire Nursing and Allied Health Care Professional (AHP) teams across the Division, ensuring high standards of care for patients and families.
Champion safe, compassionate, and person-centred care that meets national and professional standards.
Work closely with senior clinical and operational leaders to ensure services are well-led, safe, and continuously improving.
Be a visible and approachable leader, promoting Trust values and supporting a positive, inclusive workplace culture.
Support and improve patient experience by listening to feedback and turning learning into meaningful change.
Oversee nursing and AHP workforce planning, ensuring teams are safely staffed and well supported.Lead staff recruitment, development, appraisal, and wellbeing, helping colleagues to grow and succeed.
Support education, leadership development, and the growth of advanced and innovative clinical roles.
Contribute to divisional performance and sustainability, ensuring quality care is delivered efficiently.
Use data and insight to support improvement and informed decision-making.
Represent nursing and AHP services at Trust and system level, working in partnership with others to improve care.
Ensure clear communication between frontline teams and senior leadership.
Participate in the senior on-call rota and support operational and clinical decision-making when required.
About us
The Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) is the main provider of acute and specialist care services in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. It serves a population of around 470,000 people, a figure that can increase significantly with visitors during the busiest times of the year. We employ approximately 6,700 staff and have a budget of approximately £740 million.
RCHT is responsible for the provision of services at three main sites with approximately 780 inpatient beds:
Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro
St Michael's Hospital in Hayle
West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance
We are a teaching hospital in partnership with the University of Exeter Medical School, University of Plymouth School of Nursing and Midwifery, and Peninsula Dental School.
Keeping at the forefront of medical advances, we are continually developing our clinical services as well as our facilities, and are committed to maximising the range of specialist care that can be offered locally. Allied to this is a growing reputation for research and innovation.
The Knowledge Spa on the Royal Cornwall Hospital site is the base for medical and nursing as well as ongoing education for health professions in clinical and non-clinical roles. This plays a vital part in attracting and retaining highly skilled teams of doctors, nurses and other health professionals who support the care of well over half a million people each year.
Job description
Job responsibilities
PLEASE NOTE: To view the full Job Description and Person Specification, please click the supporting document on the right-hand side.
To be an employee of the NHS you need to successfully complete the following:
- Identity Checks
- Professional registration and qualification checks
- Employment history and reference checks
- Occupational Health clearance
- Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check
- Right to work in the UK
For further information please visit:
https://www.nhsemployers.org/topics-networks/employment-standards-and-regulation
We reserve the right to close this advert early.
We may be able to offer flexible working. Please discuss at interview.
We may be able to offer sponsorship but this is not guaranteed.
Job description
Job responsibilities
PLEASE NOTE: To view the full Job Description and Person Specification, please click the supporting document on the right-hand side.
To be an employee of the NHS you need to successfully complete the following:
- Identity Checks
- Professional registration and qualification checks
- Employment history and reference checks
- Occupational Health clearance
- Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check
- Right to work in the UK
For further information please visit:
https://www.nhsemployers.org/topics-networks/employment-standards-and-regulation
We reserve the right to close this advert early.
We may be able to offer flexible working. Please discuss at interview.
We may be able to offer sponsorship but this is not guaranteed.
Person Specification
Qualities
Essential
- Able to prioritise in challenging situations and lead / direct care
- Have a flexible approach to working
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Healthcare Professional either NMC or HCPC registration
- Mentor qualification
- Masters Degree or currently studying towards
- Post registration courses / equivalent level of experience
Desirable
- Leadership programme
- Management qualification
- Education / teaching certificate
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of experience within operational management in an acute hospital setting in a senior Nurse/Midwife/AHP role
- Matron or equivalent level experience
- Clinically credible role model
- Knowledge and experience of leading change, demonstrating sustained improvements
- Track record of effectively handling competing priorities, meeting challenging deadlines and delivering under pressure.
- Experience of developing non-medical clinical business and workforce plans in line with future service requirements
- Experience of budgetary control; Integrated Governance; Health and Safety and Human Resources.
- Leadership skills - excellent leadership and influencing skills with the ability to enthuse, motivate and involve individuals and teams
- Understanding of professional and current issues
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Effective managerial, leadership and organisational skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Effective decision making skills in challenging environments
- Able to work across professional teams and organisational boundaries
- Committed to patient centred care.
- Information and technology literate
Person Specification
Qualities
Essential
- Able to prioritise in challenging situations and lead / direct care
- Have a flexible approach to working
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Healthcare Professional either NMC or HCPC registration
- Mentor qualification
- Masters Degree or currently studying towards
- Post registration courses / equivalent level of experience
Desirable
- Leadership programme
- Management qualification
- Education / teaching certificate
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of experience within operational management in an acute hospital setting in a senior Nurse/Midwife/AHP role
- Matron or equivalent level experience
- Clinically credible role model
- Knowledge and experience of leading change, demonstrating sustained improvements
- Track record of effectively handling competing priorities, meeting challenging deadlines and delivering under pressure.
- Experience of developing non-medical clinical business and workforce plans in line with future service requirements
- Experience of budgetary control; Integrated Governance; Health and Safety and Human Resources.
- Leadership skills - excellent leadership and influencing skills with the ability to enthuse, motivate and involve individuals and teams
- Understanding of professional and current issues
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Effective managerial, leadership and organisational skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Effective decision making skills in challenging environments
- Able to work across professional teams and organisational boundaries
- Committed to patient centred care.
- Information and technology literate
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
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