Job summary
- Main area
- Continuous Quality Improvement
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 7
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 374-LC5426
- Employer
- East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Eastbourne District General Hospital
- Town
- Eastbourne
- Salary
- £49,387 - £56,515 per annum, pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 09/04/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Improvement Practitioner
NHS AfC: Band 7
We are proud to provide ‘Outstanding’ care and be a great place to work.
East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust provides safe, compassionate and high quality hospital and community care to the half a million people living in East Sussex and those who visit our local area.
We are one of the largest organisations in East Sussex with an annual income of £700 million and we are the only integrated provider of acute and community care in Sussex.
Our extensive health services are provided by over 8,000+ dedicated members of staff working from two acute hospitals in Hastings and Eastbourne, three community hospitals in Bexhill, Rye and Uckfield, over 100 community sites across East Sussex, and in people’s own homes.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated us as ‘Good’ overall, and ‘Outstanding’ for being Caring and Effective. The Conquest Hospital in Hastings and our Community Services were rated ‘Outstanding’ and Eastbourne DGH was rated ‘Good’ Our two acute hospitals have Emergency Departments and provide 24 hour a day care, offering a comprehensive range of surgical, medical, outpatient and maternity services, supported by a full range of diagnostic and therapy services.
Job overview
At ESHT we are about to embark on a multi-year year journey to develop and deploy a systematic approach to Continuous Improvement – a central component of the Trust’s refreshed Strategy.
We’re extremely excited to have a CEO who understands how important – and central - Continuous Improvement is to doing the best for our Patients and Colleagues.
We’re looking for highly motivated people to join our team in stretching roles that are going to be critical to leading the Trust in achieving it’s priorities.
Our team will be extremely involved in deploying the Trust’s Strategy which is aimed at:
- Improving the quality of care for our patients
- Developing and empowering staff to be confident working with improvement tools and methodologies
- Being much more systematic and structured/standardised in how the Trust solves its most complex challenges in the short and long term
The Trust will need to have a culture of Continuous Improvement - where all of our team’s and staff “live improvement” – day in day out for the benefit of our patients.
This role will be a key part of the team responsible for delivering the Trust's Improvement Programme, training people in Improvement tools and methodologies and deploying a new Quality Management System at ESHT.
Main duties of the job
Core elements of the role:
- Work with frontline teams to apply Continuous Improvement (CI) tools and methods to operational challenges.
- Build capability across the Trust by training colleagues in CI tools and methodologies.
- Actively support the deployment of the Trust’s Quality Management System (QMS).
Team expectations:
- Embed the team’s delivery model and ensure effective operation.
- Follow the Trust’s performance and development processes.
- Promote and model an Improvement Culture across the Trust.
Core responsibilities:
- Learn and use Improvement Tools to support delivery of the Trust’s Strategy.
- Support implementation of the QMS to achieve strategic objectives.
- Contribute to the Trust’s CQI Programme and ensure a standardised approach to CI aligned with governance and focused on measurable outcomes.
- Deliver training and coaching in the QMS and Improvement Tools effectively and on time.
- Promote learning by communicating QMS activity through various forums and platforms.
- Ensure Trust-wide improvements have clear objectives, measurable benefits, and alignment to strategic priorities.
- Manage delivery of key strategic improvement projects.
Other responsibilities:
- Work within agreed governance for change, including escalation and risk processes.
- Build relationships with leaders and identify opportunities to support their development.
- Act as an ambassador and advisor, championing Improvement Tools and methodologies Trust-wide.
Working for our organisation
A wide range of staff benefits are available to our staff including staff development, enrolment in the NHS pension scheme, auto-enrolment to our Temporary Workforce Service, access to onsite nurseries. staff restaurants and accommodation.
In addition to an internal Occupational Health department, all staff also have access to free psychological support through our confidential Employee Assistance Programme. Onsite parking is available from only £50 a year.
There has never been a better time to join East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, submit your application today.
Statement on the Use of AI
We value the individuality that each candidate brings to the application process. While we understand that AI tools are widely available, we strongly discourage applicants from using AI-generated content when applying for jobs with us. We believe that your application should reflect your true skills, experiences, and motivations, which are best conveyed through your own words and unique perspective.
Using AI for your application may not accurately represent your knowledge, skills, and experience and may result in a disconnect between your qualifications and our assessment of your application.
We encourage applicants to take the time to thoughtfully complete their applications; by doing so, you allow us to better understand your true potential and ensure a fair and transparent evaluation of your application. Over reliance on AI-generated content may diminish your chance of success.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please refer to the job description attached.
If you have any questions about this position please do not hesitate to contact us.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Educated to masters degree level or equivalent level of knowledge and experience
- Project management qualification or equivalent experience
- Training and experience in quality / service improvement techniques
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable criteria
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent
- Leadership or Coaching qualification
Skills
Essential criteria
- Provide and receive highly complex, sensitive or contentious information; agreement or co-operation required; Present highly complex, sensitive or contentious information to groups
- Positive and proactive approach to engagement and leadership
- Motivational skills to encourage collaborative working to improve services/performance where there may be resistance to change; Presents workshops to large groups of staff
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, negotiation, persuasive and facilitation skills and able to demonstrate an ability to manage conflict, seek resolution and influence peers and colleagues
- Proven ability to remain calm and efficient under pressure
- Ability to motivate others and manage resistance to change
- Knowledge of productivity, improvement and transformation methodologies such as LEAN or Six Sigma
- Knowledge of Change management methodologies such as DMAIC
- Knowledge of Data analysis tools for improvement such as statistical process control charts
- Strong data analysis skills, with proficiency in tools such as Excel, Power Bi or Tableau and statistical Process control Charts
- Plan, organise broad range of complex activities; formulates, adjust plans and strategies
- Plans and implements new ways of working, facilitate collaborative working, capacity planning
- Highly motivated and enthusiastic to learn/develop further
- Positive and proactive, takes own initiative
- Ability to work independently, make informed decisions and achieve objectives whilst working with continually changing demands and priorities
- Confidence in training colleagues in Improvement Tools, techniques and Methodologies (e.g. A3’s, Fishbones and other tools/models)
- Ability to gain confidence and credibility with a range of professionals – both clinical and corporate
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of the NHS Constitution, the Trust vision and current change agenda in the NHS
- Able to think strategically and evaluate the longer-term impact of proposals
- Occasionally undertake research and development activity
- Ability to clearly communicate the “bigger picture” and help others understand and deliver the vision whilst successfully navigating challenges
Experience
Essential criteria
- Knowledge of health service management, including change management and workforce re-design, acquired through training and experience to Masters’ level equivalent
- Experience of successfully managing and delivering improvement or change projects in challenging environments
- Experience of providing training in improvement tools and techniques
- Experience in change, transformation and productivity initiatives within healthcare or a comparable environment
- Experience working within complex projects, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams
- Experience using data to drive decision-making and measure success
- Examples of working on service improvement/workforce redesign projects
- Experience of programme planning and delivery, including all aspects of programme governance and control
- Practical experience of implementing lean/continuous improvement methodologies
- Experience of Improvement Tools and Methodologies and how to apply them to Change and Improvement Projects
- Experience of working within a team with a diverse background
Desirable criteria
- Experience of working in the NHS or other complex healthcare setting
- Experience working with a continuous improvement system within the NHS or public sector setting
- Experience of developing and implementing a benefits realisation framework
- Knowledge and experience of coaching practices, tools and models
- Experience in deploying a Quality Management System in a healthcare context
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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Applicant requirements
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Lee Madden
- Job title
- Sr Manager - Transformation Strategy & Improvement
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07483 913 334
- Additional information
Please contact me on email or MS Teams in the first instance.
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