Adult Critical Care Clinical Lead - South East ODN

Job Overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced and motivated Clinical Lead for Adult Critical Care, with a primary focus on the Kent, Surrey and Sussex (KSS) locality. This is a network role and can be undertaken remotely, based at the Clinical Lead’s current employing organisation within the network region.

Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job

The Critical Care Strategic Network (CCSN) is a newly established regional network for 2025/26, operating across the South East of England. It brings together existing Operational Delivery Networks (ODNs) for Adult Critical Care and Neonatal Critical Care under a single strategic umbrella, strengthening collaboration, consistency, and system-wide improvement.

The CCSN Supports Services Across Two Major Localities

• Thames Valley and Wessex (TVW)
• Kent, Surrey and Sussex (KSS)
  
  

Working closely with commissioners, Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), and provider organisations, the network delivers against seven core functions:

Service Delivery, Resources, Workforce, Quality, Collaboration, Transformation, and Population Health.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Clinical Lead for Adult Critical Care, with a primary focus on the Kent, Surrey and Sussex (KSS) locality. This is a key leadership role within the new CCSN structure an

d will be instrumental in shaping and delivering regional priorities for adult critical care services.

The Strategic Network for Critical Care plays a vital role in supporting and coordinating critical care services across the South East. As part of the SNCC, you will work within a collaborative, clinically led network that values partnership, innovation, and shared learning.

Working for our organisation

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.

We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

You will provide senior clinical leadership to the Adult Critical Care Network within KSS, supporting safe, effective, and equitable critical care services across the system.

Working closely with network colleagues, clinical teams, and system partners, the Clinical Lead will:

• Provide expert clinical leadership across the Adult Critical Care Network
• Support delivery of the SNCC workplan aligned to national and regional priorities
• Contribute to service improvement, quality assurance, and transformation initiatives
• Promote collaboration across providers, ICBs, and professional groups
• Support workforce development, sustainability, and best practice
• Contribute to population health approaches and reducing variation in outcomes
  
  

Essential

• Senior clinician with significant experience in Adult Critical Care
• Strong understanding of NHS systems, networks, and pathways
• Credibility to lead and influence at regional and system level
• Excellent communication, leadership, and collaborative skills
  
  

Desirable

• Experience working within or alongside clinical networks or ODNs

Experience of service improvement, quality, or transformation work

For an overview of the position, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification document. This includes a detailed breakdown of the key responsibilities, role expectations, and the qualifications we are looking for. It outlines the essential criteria for the role and is designed to support you in preparing your application by helping you evaluate how your skills, experience, and professional background align with the requirements of the role.

Additional Information

Important Additional Information Relating To Your Employment:

All Applicants Invited To Interview Will Be Asked To Confirm And Agree The Following Which Will Be Managed Through An MOU Between The Network And The Employing Trust

• Employing manager’s approval required to undertake the role
• email address (included on application form)
• Please provide confirmation that your employing Trust can release you for 2PA and that this time will be dedicated to the network within your job plan
• Please confirm that your employing organisation has agreed to your application understanding that reimbursement for Clinical Leads is standardised to employing Trust at the BMA rate of 8-13yrs experience. For 25/26 this is expected to be £16,907 Per Annum, which is the basic rate plus NIC and employer pension contribution.

Any other awards or added payments that consultants receive are not included in the reimbursement from NHSE and as such will need to be paid by the employing trust.

Individual Clinical Lead salary is unaffected by the standardised reimbursement rate.

Tenure will be for 3 years with a maximum of 2 terms (6 years)

The successful candidate will be employed under the terms and conditions of service for Consultants (England) 2003.

Proposed interview date: 20th February 2026

This vacancy closes on or before: week commencing 9th March 2026

Person specification

Qualifications, Training & Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience working within the specialty at a senior level
• Demonstrable track record of leading change
• Experience of multi-disciplinary teamwork
• Experience working across organisational boundaries in the Health Service achieving collective success and demonstrates listening, respect and learning from the contribution for others
• Knowledge and experience of working in formal clinical networks within the NHS
• Clinical governance and risk management concepts and techniques

Good understanding of how to use data to improve quality and productivity

MBBS or equivalent medical qualification

GMC registration with a licence to practise

Appropriate knowledge base, and Specialist training in relevant area

Desirable criteria

• Senior leadership experience in the NHS at Trust level e.g. departmental or divisional lead clinician or GP principal if pathways extend to primary care
• Knowledge of service improvement tools and techniques
• Understanding of commissioning and contracting function and processes
• Management qualification
  
  

Aptitudes and skills

Essential criteria

• Evidence and ability to work effectively in multi-professional teams
• Excellent leadership skills and the ability to build & motivate high performing teams
• Highly effective interpersonal and communication skills including listening skills (verbal and written communication skills in English)
• Understanding of equality and diversity and how this affects patients, visitors and staff
• Research, audit and clinical governance experience
• Ability to deal with conflict and challenge

Ability to manage complex issues where high degree of judgement required

Ability to think strategically and support the network with transformational change where this is necessary to meet standards

Desirable criteria

• Involvement in regional or national speciality training or curriculum development