Spinal Network Lead Nurse

Job Summary

Provide professional nursing leadership by developing standardised practice across nursing teams in specialised spinal clinical skills within orthopaedic units across South East. Promote professional development and high‑quality spinal nursing care across London and Kent (SELK) and the East London Neurosciences Network, using the network’s objectives, the Get it Right First Time (GIRFT) framework and NHSE specifications. Champion shared learning to improve nursing skills and knowledge when caring for spinal patients.

• Design a tool to assess the clinical skills of nursing staff across the SELK who care for spinal patients.
• Work collaboratively with CNSs, Ward Sisters/Charge Nurses and Clinical Leads within each orthopaedic unit across SELK to initially assess the clinical skills of nursing staff.
• Lead the design and development of the in‑house spinal education programme based on the outcomes of the assessment tool results.
• Provide facilitation, coaching, supervision and shadowing opportunities to individuals to support their development in spinal clinical skills.
• Be flexible and adaptable and respond to pressures within orthopaedic units when delivering specific training to nursing staff.
• Provide constructive feedback to staff on their performance, taking remedial action when performance falls below the required standards.
• Be responsible for developing and sustaining own knowledge, management & clinical skills and professional awareness in accordance with CPD requirements and maintain professional profile.
• Be accountable for and ensure own practice is current and relevant.
• Provide support and guidance for CNSs, Ward Sisters/Charge Nurses, Practice Assessors and Practice Supervisors.
• Evaluate the training programme and present the outcomes to CNSs, Ward Sisters/Charge Nurses across the SELK.

• Meet with the SELK Neurosciences Network manager to regularly update on progress.
• Feedback to Network Boards to identify and agree proposed objectives for the delivery of the in‑house training programme for nursing staff.
• Develop strong relationships with Sisters/Charge Nurses within the orthopaedic wards across SELK to meet the educational needs of their teams, who care for spinal patients.
• Present formal reports and presentations as required at meetings.

• Ensure potential risks for all staff and patients related to the training programme are identified, action taken as required and relevant reporting procedures adhered to.
• Identify risks across the region in relation to nursing competency and measure the maturity of this.
• Develop and maintain a nursing risk register for the Network.
• Bring partner organisations together to develop solutions to minimise risks and improve standards of care.
• Draw up action plans to minimise and manage risk as required.
• Identify and address opportunities for shared learning resulting from incidents and complaints from spinal patients to improve nursing care.

• Set up and chair a spinal nursing group.
• Meet regularly with the lead nurses and practice educators across SELK to ensure progress is made against agreed work plans.
• Attend and advocate for nursing to ensure their needs are reflected at the Network Board and other senior leaders’ meetings as required.

• Promote a culture that encourages enquiry, innovation and quality improvement, ensuring nurses are equipped to be leaders of service improvement with patients at the forefront.
• Support the development and implementation of nursing research and nurse‑led innovation in conjunction with others.
• Support nursing staff to lead quality improvement, practice development and research projects and contribute to multidisciplinary projects.
• Design and implement strategies to promote spinal nursing care, considering regional and national agenda.
• Design an education programme in accordance with valid evidence for spinal nursing care.
• Devise, implement and promote initiatives to develop and enhance nurses’ professional development in spinal care.
• Encourage, promote and support spinal nursing research activity across the Spinal…