• Lead the development and implementation of patient safety strategies within the unit.
• Foster a culture of openness and learning where incidents, near misses, and concerns are reported and addressed effectively.
• Analyse patient safety data and trends to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Ensure dissemination of lessons learned from incidents and implementation of preventive actions.
• Support the development of human factors awareness and safety-focused behaviours amongst staff.

Lead Mortality Reviews, Quality Improvement Programmes, and Implementation of Recommendations

• Coordinate and contribute to mortality reviews and multidisciplinary case discussions.
• Lead quality improvement projects designed to enhance patient safety, experience, and outcomes.
• Analyse clinical outcomes and benchmark performance against national standards.
• Develop and implement action plans arising from audits, reviews, and quality assessments.
• Monitor progress against improvement objectives and report outcomes to senior management and governance groups.

Maintain Oversight of Patient Flow, Capacity Management and Escalation Processes

• Ensure effective management of critical care capacity and patient throughput.
• Coordinate admission, discharge, and transfer decisions in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team.
• Monitor bed occupancy, staffing levels, and patient acuity to ensure safe service delivery.
• Escalate capacity pressures and operational risks appropriately through Trust escalation processes.
• Work closely with site management teams to optimise patient flow across the organisation.

Lead the Day-to-Day Operational Management of the Critical Care Unit

• Provide overall operational leadership for the unit ensuring safe, effective, and efficient service delivery.
• Coordinate workforce, equipment, and clinical resources to meet service demands.
• Ensure operational objectives and performance targets are achieved.
• Manage competing priorities while maintaining high standards of patient care.
• Support service resilience through effective contingency and business continuity planning.

Ensure Safe Staffing Levels Through Effective Deployment of Workforce Resources

• Assess staffing requirements based on patient dependency, activity, and service needs.
• Oversee workforce deployment and adjust ensure safe staffing levels.
• Review skill mix regularly and implement workforce plans to support service delivery.
• Escalate staffing shortfalls and mitigate associated risks.
• Monitor compliance with safe staffing standards and provide assurance to senior nursing leadership.

Manage Ward Budgets and Authorised Expenditure

• Maintain accountability for delegated budgets and financial resources.
• Monitor expenditure and ensure effective use of resources.
• Identify opportunities for cost improvement while maintaining patient safety and quality.
• Authorise purchasing within agreed limits and ensure value for money.
• Contribute to annual budget setting and financial planning processes.

Monitor Workforce Metrics Including Sickness, Vacancies, Agency Usage and Turnover

• Analyse workforce data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Implement strategies to reduce sickness absence and improve staff retention.
• Monitor agency and bank usage and ensure appropriate controls are in place.
• Develop recruitment initiatives to address vacancies and workforce challenges.
• Report workforce performance indicators to senior management teams.

Lead Business Planning and Service Development Initiatives

• Contribute to strategic planning and development of critical care services.
• Lead service redesign projects and implementation of new models of care.
• Prepare business cases and support investment proposals.
• Engage stakeholders in service development and transformation programmes.
• Evaluate the effectiveness and impact of service improvements.

Ensure Effective Management of Equipment and Resources Within Allocated Budgets

• Ensure critical care equipment is maintained, serviced, and available for clinical use.
• Monitor equipment utilisation and replacement requirements.
• Maintain oversight of stock control and procurement processes.
• Ensure compliance with medical device management policies.
• Lead planning for future equipment and infrastructure requirements.

Line Manage Band 6 Nurses And Other Designated Staff

• Provide effective line management and professional support to allocated staff.
• Conduct regular supervision, performance reviews, and development discussions.
• Promote professional accountability and high standards of practice.
• Address performance concerns in a timely and supportive manner.
• Support career progression and professional development opportunities.

Undertake Recruitment, Appraisal, Performance Management and Disciplinary Processes

• Lead recruitment and selection processes in accordance with Trust policy.
• Ensure all staff participate in annual appraisal processes.
• Manage performance issues fairly and consistently.
• Undertake disciplinary, capability, and attendance management procedures when required.
• Support managers and staff through formal employment processes.

Develop Leadership Capability Within the Nursing Workforce

• Identify and nurture future nursing leaders within the service.
• Establish coaching, mentoring, and leadership development opportunities.
• Support Band 6 staff in developing management and leadership competencies.
• Promote a culture of accountability and professional growth.
• Encourage participation in local and national leadership programmes.

Promote Staff Wellbeing, Retention and Engagement

• Create a supportive working environment that prioritises staff wellbeing.
• Implement initiatives aimed at improving morale, engagement, and job satisfaction.
• Monitor workforce indicators relating to staff experience and wellbeing.
• Support flexible working and work-life balance where possible.
• Address concerns raised through staff surveys and feedback mechanisms.

Ensure Compliance With Mandatory Training, Revalidation, And Competency Requirements

• Monitor compliance with mandatory training and professional registration requirements.
• Ensure staff maintain critical care competencies and specialist skills.
• Support NMC revalidation requirements and reflective practice.
• Develop systems to monitor training completion and compliance.
• Escalate non-compliance and implement action plans as required.

Develop Succession Planning and Talent Management Strategies

• Identify future workforce requirements and potential leadership gaps.
• Develop talent management pathways for staff at all levels.
• Support internal career progression and retention of high-performing staff.
• Establish development plans for aspiring leaders and specialist practitioners.
• Work with organisational development teams to support workforce sustainability.

Lead and Facilitate Team Meetings and Clinical Governance Forums

• Chair and facilitate unit meetings, governance forums, and professional discussions.
• Ensure effective communication of organisational priorities and service developments.
• Promote staff involvement in decision-making and quality improvement activities.
• Ensure actions arising from meetings are implemented and reviewed.
• Foster effective multidisciplinary collaboration across the service.

Lead Investigations of Incidents, Complaints and Patient Safety Concerns

• Undertake and oversee investigations in line with Trust policy.
• Conduct root cause analyses and identify contributory factors.
• Ensure patients, relatives, and staff are supported throughout investigation processes.
• Develop action plans to prevent recurrence of incidents.
• Monitor implementation and effectiveness of recommended improvements.

Monitor Performance Against Quality Indicators

• Regularly review local and national quality metrics.
• Analyse trends relating to patient outcomes, safety, and experience.
• Benchmark service performance against comparable organisations.
• Develop improvement plans where standards are not achieved.
• Present performance reports to senior management and governance groups.