[Hiring] Lead Nurse - Virtual Ward/Hospital at Home @Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Role Description

Is responsible for the delivery of excellent care and compassion in the Virtual Ward and Hospital at Home Setting.

• All patients admitted to the virtual ward receive a comprehensive assessment, including clinical risk, frailty, and social needs.
• Individualised care plans are developed, agreed, and regularly reviewed using remote monitoring and clinical assessment.
• Patients and carers are actively involved in care decisions and understand treatment plans.
• Risk assessments (e.g. deterioration, falls, safeguarding, medicines) are completed and acted upon.
• Clear escalation pathways are in place for deterioration, including rapid access to acute care if required.
• Patients receive education on self-management, equipment use, and digital platforms.
• Care is delivered with dignity, respect, and cultural sensitivity in the home setting.
• Patients have a clear expected pathway, including admission criteria and discharge plans.
• Discharge processes are proactive, coordinated, and timely.
• MDT collaboration (GPs, acute teams, AHPs, social care) is embedded into all care planning.
• Patient feedback is actively sought and used to improve services.
• With the agreement of the patient, their family, carers, advocates or significant others are involved and updated about the patient's progress.
• Bearing in mind confidentiality, relatives and family are regularly asked if they have any concerns about the care being provided.

Is responsible for workforce planning and resource management.

• Develop and maintain flexible staffing models to meet fluctuating demand in the virtual ward.
• Ensure safe staffing levels for:
  • Remote monitoring
  • Home visits
  • Clinical decision-making
• Oversee E-Rostering and workforce deployment across a geographically dispersed team.
• Monitor demand, caseload acuity, and service capacity.
• Escalate risks related to staffing or service delivery in line with governance processes.
• Ensure timely recruitment and retention of staff.
• Minimise agency use and promote a sustainable workforce model.
• The staff on duty and whole team work flexibly and willingly not only in their own area but across the organisation as required to meet the needs of patients in accordance with roster policy and chain of command protocol.
• They actively engage in the 6 monthly nursing and midwifery staffing and skill mix review process.
• Any changes to service or casemix (e.g. development of a new ward-based clinic, significant increase in acuity over a period of time) are highlighted to the Matron and Nursing directorate for proactive management of staffing and skill mix.
• The recruitment process for any impending vacancies/secondments/maternity leave is commenced without delay.
• The whole ward team is engaged in reducing sickness and maintaining a sickness level below 3%.
• Staff sickness and absence is managed in accordance with Trust policy.
• Predicted future shortfalls or other concerns about the number of staff available to work are raised with the Divisional management team (Matron HON and GM) and the Nursing Directorate (AND or DN).
• The electronic rostering system analysis tools are accessed regularly to support monitoring of the delivery of efficient rosters.

Is responsible for staff support, development and leadership.

• Provide visible and accessible leadership to a non-ward-based workforce.
• Ensure all staff receive:
  • Induction to virtual ward pathways and technology, including the allocation of preceptor/buddy or mentor.
  • Appraisals and personal development plans.
  • Clinical supervision and support.
• Promote competencies in:
  • Remote assessment and monitoring.
  • Digital systems.
  • Acute care delivered in the home.
• Foster a learning culture, supporting innovation, research, and service improvement.
• Ensure compliance with mandatory training and professional standards.
• Support staff wellbeing and resilience in a community-based environment.
• Manage performance issues effectively and in accordance with relevant policies and procedures.
• All members of the team have been trained to support bereaved and distressed patients/relatives compassionately.
• A climate exists where ideas for improvement, research, and innovation are encouraged and welcomed.
• Participate and lead innovations and improvements in services, including the 'productive' programme.
• The team works together to meet and exceed required standards to provide student placements.
• All eligible qualified staff achieve mentorship status and are involved in mentorship of students and preceptorship of junior staff.
• All staff are supported to achieve revalidation and professional registration requirements.
• The team is involved in appraising best evidence for application to practice and contributing to new evidence through research and evaluation projects.
• The ward team is a cohesive and supportive group who understand the importance of teamwork.

Is responsible for operational management & service delivery.

• Ensure effective daily coordination of the virtual ward, including patient flow and caseload oversight.
• Lead daily huddles / board rounds to review patient status and risks.
• Monitor and improve key performance indicators including:
  • Admission avoidance
  • Length of stay
  • Readmission rates
• Ensure safe and effective use of digital technology and remote monitoring systems.
• Maintain oversight of clinical quality and documentation standards.
• Lead on incident reporting, investigation, and learning.
• Ensure compliance with all Trust policies and governance frameworks.

Qualifications

• Appropriate NMC Registration
• Mentorship qualification
• Post Registration Qualifications relevant to the role
• Diploma or Degree in Nursing
• Evidence of Education to Degree Level
• Successful completion of a leadership and development programme equivalent to the Internal Band 6 Leadership and Development programme

Requirements

• Able to perform clinical duties commensurate to that of the role e.g. IV medications, Cannulation
• Experience in acute, community, or integrated care settings
• Experience managing teams and services
• Ability to implement changes within nursing practice
• Knowledge of Clinical Governance and Safeguarding and the relevance of these to practice
• Knowledge of relevant policies and procedures
• Knowledge of ethical issues
• Evidence of clinical competence in area of specialty e.g. surgery

Benefits

Thanks for taking the time to view this advert; we're looking forward to receiving your application. You should be aware that the vacancy may close earlier than the published date if sufficient applications are received so it would be best to apply as soon as you can. We'll contact you by e-mail to update you on the progress of your application so please check the e-mail account that you applied from (including spam/junk) regularly.

We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership, neurodiversity or veteran status are encouraged to apply for this post.