Head of Perioperative Services, South England NHS Trust

Location: South of England
Position Type: Full-time, 3 month interim
Salary: Band 8c

Are you a dynamic and experienced healthcare leader looking to make a significant impact on patient care? We are supporting an NHS Trust who are seeking a dedicated and visionary Interim Head of Perioperative Services to lead the service and drive excellence in surgical services, patient outcomes, and operational efficiency.

About Us:

The Head of Perioperative Services is a key member of the Surgery Division Management Team, responsible for the operational management and delivery of clinical and professional standards within perioperative services. Perioperative services include theatres, anaesthetics, critical care, decontamination and sterile services, admissions and pre-assessment across the Trust sites.

Role Overview:

The Interim Head of Perioperative Services will be responsible for overseeing and enhancing the management of perioperative services, including preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care. You will play a pivotal role in ensuring the surgical teams provide exceptional care, while leading efforts to optimize operational performance and resource utilization.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the perioperative services team, including surgery, anesthesia, nursing, and support staff, ensuring a collaborative, patient-centered approach.
• Ensure the highest standards of clinical care are maintained throughout the perioperative process.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance patient safety, surgical outcomes, and operational efficiency.
• Oversee the planning, budgeting, and resource allocation for perioperative services.
• Develop and implement policies and protocols to meet regulatory requirements and best practice standards.
• Foster a culture of excellence, accountability, and professional development among staff.
• Work closely with senior leadership, surgeons, anesthetists, and nursing teams to ensure effective communication and coordination of surgical services.
• Implement quality assurance processes and conduct regular audits to monitor performance and identify areas for improvement.
• Stay current with emerging trends, technologies, and practices in perioperative care, and incorporate them into departmental strategies.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Registered Nurse (RN), or relevant clinical qualification in perioperative nursing, anesthesia, or related healthcare field.
• Proven experience in a leadership role within perioperative services or similar healthcare settings.
• Strong knowledge of perioperative care standards, clinical guidelines, and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent organizational, managerial, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Experience in budgeting, resource planning, and quality management within a healthcare environment.
• A passion for driving patient safety, quality improvement, and operational efficiency.

If you are an experienced and visionary leader in perioperative services, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Sian Williams with an updated CV for a further discussion.