OPD Manager

University Hospitals Sussex; Chichester; On-site; GBP 47,000 - GBP 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent NHS Trust in the UK is seeking a dynamic Band 7 Manager for their Outpatient Department. This role involves providing leadership and support, managing staff, and ensuring high quality patient care. Candidates must demonstrate excellent communication and organizational skills, along with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. The position offers a salary of £47,810 - £54,710 per annum and opportunities for professional development. Closing date for applications is 15/02/2026.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Flexible working options

Extensive wellbeing program

Qualifications

• Proven experience working within the NHS.
• Band 6 experience required.
• Experience managing a team.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership within the Outpatient Department.
• Manage nursing staff competency assessments.
• Develop and implement nursing services.

Skills

Excellent communication

Interpersonal skills

Time-management

Clinical organisational skills

Leadership

Education

Educated to Diploma/Degree Level

NMC registration

Job description

View all our vacancies across our hospitals in Sussex. Search, find and apply for a job with us today.

Employer University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site St Richards Town Chichester Salary £47,810 - £54,710 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 15/02/2026 23:59

At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to deliver Excellent Care Everywhere for our patients, our people and our communities. Whatever your role here at UHSussex you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us deliver Excellent Care Everywhere. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We value compassion, inclusion and respect as our core values . We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our wellbeing programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research , we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

As part of our commitment to access for all, please see the different ways you can access the application form: https://apps.trac.jobs/accessibility?_ts=1

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Job overview

We are excited to recruit a dynamic, enthusiastic Band 7 Manager to the Outp atient Department at St Richards Hospital .

The post holder will be required to provide leadership and support within the Outpatient Department. You will be fully supported by the OPD Matron and the OPD Deputy Manager.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential along with the resilience to meet the challenges of our busy and stimulating work environment. You should have proven time-management and clinical organisational skills as you will be required to manage this busy outpatient department.

The post holder will be responsible for maintaining standards and quality in the day to day management of the department. This role will enable you to gain or demonstrate clinical skills in leadership people management within the clinical environment. Your primary responsibilities will be to take charge of the department whilst supporting and developing junior staff by being a mentor and role model. You will manage the department ensuring appraisals, mandatory training and competency assessments for all nursing staff are kept up to date. You will manage the e‑roster and the allocation of staff to clinics whilst ensuring they are working within their level of competence.

In return we will encourage your professional development by enhancing your skills and knowledge through a personal development plan with access to educational resources both locally and beyond.

Main duties of the job

The post-holder will be a clinically based practitioner who will take a key role in strengthening the nursing contribution to patients and service users within the areas of outpatients across the organization. The post holder will have specific responsibility for the clinical leadership, management of resources including staff, budgets and quality assurance.

In partnership with the multi-disciplinary team (MDT), and in association with the OPD Matron, the post-holder will develop, implement and evaluate a seamless nursing service. The role is vital in delivering the highest standards of clinical care and supporting efficiency to drive improvements in outcomes.

Using expert nursing practice; takes personal responsibility for managing clinics across areas/sites. The post-holder will demonstrate highly developed knowledge and expertise and will be responsible for contributing to the ongoing development of innovative practice and standards of care. The post holder will provide clinical leadership for nursing staff and further develop the Outpatient Service in line with both local and national strategies and in association with the OPD Matron; assist the OPD Matron with strategic input for the ongoing development and provision of services, linking closely with users of the outpatient services; manage the nursing compliment to accomplish the objectives of the outpatient specialty and Trust, as set out in the operational business plan and corporate strategy.

Working for our organisation

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

This role is for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria. For example, applicants for the Senior HCA role must be able to evidence a minimum of 2 years’ experience in the same role to qualify for sponsorship.

If you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.

Main duties and responsibilities

Communication

• Work collaboratively with clinical nursing experts including OPD Matron, Clinical Teams, Consultant Nurses, Nurse Specialists and Practice Development Nurses in the development of expert, personal centred practice.
• Provide professional leadership within the department ensuring that all staff use evidence based practise and adhere to the NMC code of professional conduct.
• Be able to demonstrate a high degree of motivation and innovation.
• Deal with patient / relative complaints proactively to minimise the risk of them becoming formal. Appropriately investigate complaints in a timely manner, and provide response as required.
• Communicate effectively with the department team ensuring that there are daily huddles and ensure robust systems exist so that staff feel informed.
• To contribute positively to the effectiveness and efficiency of the teams in which he/she works.
• Be able to work in a multi-professional environment ensuring most effective use of all members of those professional teams.
• Display strong leadership and positivity to the department team during times of increased pressure on resources, staffing crises, or bed pressures, working with divisional leads to assess risks across the division and how these can be minimised.
• Ensure any safeguarding issues are raised appropriately to lead nurses to enable investigation in relation to vulnerable adults or children.
• Report / action any accidents, incidents or undue occurrences reported to you or witnessed by you in line with Trust policy. Ensure proactive investigation of any clinical incidents, undertaking root cause analysis if indicated, ensuring action plans are developed as needed.
• Ensure that Infection control audits such as high impact interventions and hand hygiene audits are undertaken as required, and any issues or trends in poor compliance are addressed.
• Strive to continually improve department environment to high standards ensuring action plans from patient environment audits are maintained.
• Work in collaboration with clinical leads in relation to national initiatives, Care quality commission standards and NICE guidelines.
• Contribute to the process of risk management within the Divisions particularly with regard to issues related to nursing and other professional matters.

Service delivery and improvement

• Be able to develop, motivate and lead a team by using objectives in line with department, sub-specialty and corporate goals.
• Actively audit and proactively manage essential care against complaints, improvements, critical incidents and the essence of care benchmarking.
• Ensure the department objectives are set in line with the Divisional and Trust objectives.
• Ensure that the quality of patient care is assured by involvement in the implementation of essence of care and regular benchmarking of the standards at department level.
• Ensure that the clinical environments reflect a high standard of cleanliness, be proactive in response to any issues raised in cleaning audits or patient environment inspections.
• Demonstrate a logical, flexible and innovative approach to problem solving.
• Monitor key performance indicators, identify trends and take action to maintain levels of acceptable performance.
• Prepare and evaluate staffing rosters, adjust accordingly to provide cover with the required skill mix making best use of resources available. Minimise the use for bank and agency staff by relocation of staff as needed to cover rota effectively.
• Assume responsibility for appointing staff to your area in line with recruitment policy and budget allocation.
• Assess current and future manpower needs including a continual review of skill mix in conjunction with the OPD Matron.
• Ensure equipment is regularly maintained and serviced in line with hospital policy and manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Ensure medical devices folder for all equipment on the ward is kept updated with any new equipment and training records are up to date.
• To have responsibility for risk management and health and safety in the workplace, by being proactive in raising risks with divisional management team and ensuring adequate controls are in place to manage these risks.
• Work with PALS to ensure that areas of concern are addressed effectively.
• Support and promote the development and implementation of nursing care services that reflect the principles of Clinical Governance.
• To contribute to a healthy and safe working environment by adhering to health and safety regulations and Trust policies.
• Ensure high levels of patient satisfaction; ensure patient questionnaires are monitored and any required actions implemented.
• Manage the department budget under the guidance of the OPD Matron. Ensure that pay and non-pay costs are examined monthly and examine ways to bring budget in line, or raise cost pressures with OPD Matron.

People management and development

• Ensure a supportive teaching and learning environment is in place.
• Ensure all staff are working to their required level of clinical and professional competence, developing all staff to attain competence as highlighted at appraisal.
• Act as a role model and ensure effective staff supervision with clinical practice, working with staff and patients in an advisory, teaching and support capacity and maintaining professional competence, authority and credibility.
• To lead on and ensure appraisals are undertaken for all team members on an annual basis ensuring feedback on performance is given at regular intervals throughout the year. Recommend the needs for staff development and training where identified by this process, ensuring training needs analysis is provided for the department.
• Teach and facilitate learning for all nursing students in liaison with the University, and for health care assistants undertaking NVQ /care certificate training.
• To provide induction for new staff members which meet with legal requirements such as Health & Safety, Drugs etc. and set standards.
• Ensure newly qualified nurses are provided with a preceptorship period.
• To promote the principles of Improving Working Lives amongst your team ensuring fairness and equity.
• Ensure staff sickness is managed proactively within Trust policy.
• To fully participate in the Trust’s appraisal system review and personal development planning process on an annual basis.

Responsible for carrying out duties in line with the Trust’s e‑rostering processes, including managing rosters, supporting staff allocation, and contributing to effective budget reconciliation and workforce planning.

Act as an expert practitioner demonstrating specialist knowledge, skills and expertise within the area of work and within the context of changing health care provision.

Ensure the control and custody of all medications and drugs in accordance with U H S ussex trust policy and statutory regulations.

Ensure the needs of older people and their supporters are kept central to practice and service development.

Ensure privacy and dignity of patients and clients is key in provision of nursing care and clinical practice of all staff.

Learning and development

• Attend mandatory training updates as required.
• Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with the line manager as part of the personal development process.
• Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales.
• Identify own learning needs and jointly plan training requirements with your line manager.
• Participate in the Trust’s appraisal process to discuss how your role will help deliver the best possible care to our patients and help to deliver any changes in service.

This job description is an outline of the role and responsibilities. From time to time due to the needs of the service, we may ask you to flexibly undertake other duties that are consistent with your role and banding, including project work, internal job rotation and absence cover.

The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the department and the organisation.

Person specification

Professional registration

• Educated to Diploma/Degree Level
• Practice Supervisor/Practice Assessor

Experience/qualifications

• NMC registered
• Band 6 experience
• Experience working within the NHS

Skills

• Extensive clinical and professional knowledge
• Demonstrates a high standard of patient care
• Audit skills
• Understanding of budget management

People Management

• Experience managing a team
• Experience managing rosters and skill mix
• Conflict management and negotiation skills
• Managing staff appraisals
• Sickness and behaviour management
• Supporting staff with personal and professional development

Equality, diversity & inclusion

• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues

Important information for applicants:

A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.

Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.

Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.

Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.

DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check . We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.

UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications

Further Information

For help with the application process for Nursing vacancies, please email [e-mail].

For help with the application process for Non-Nursing vacancies, please email [e-mail].

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

This advert has been capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, it will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in this post to prevent you from missing out on applying for this opportunity.