The closing date is 13th Sep 2026
Anticipated Interview date(s) Monday 22 September 2026
Job summary
We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join the Clinical Governance team at Royal Papworth Hospital.
This key role will support the Quality Accreditation Assessment programme and self assessment against CQC regulations, including monitoring and follow up of action plans. You will play an important part in providing a clear, transparent view of regulatory compliance and in supporting the Trust's ongoing commitment to outstanding patient care, delivered in line with our values of compassion, excellence and collaboration.
The successful candidate will bring proven experience in a similar or quality compliance-focused role, alongside strong organisational, time management and team working skills. You will have a keen eye for detail, a proactive approach to improvement, and excellent written and verbal communication skills. You will work collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation, demonstrate compassion in all interactions, and strive for excellence through continuous improvement.
In return, you will join a friendly and supportive team at the UK's largest specialist heart and lung hospital. Based at Royal Papworth Hospital, with flexibility to adjust hours in line with service needs. The role includes line management responsibility within the Clinical Governance team.
Interviews will be on 22nd September 2026 in person at Royal Papworth Hospital.
Main duties, tasks & skills required
- Lead and coordinate the Trust's CQC selfassessment process, providing a clear and accurate view of regulatory compliance.
- Lead the planning and delivery of unannounced Quality Accreditation Assessment (QAA) visits, supporting the Trust's quality assurance programme.
- Act as an advocate for continuous improvement, supporting action plans arising from QA assessments to help sustain the Trust's CQC Outstanding rating.
- Serve as a specialist resource for regulation and quality compliance, supporting the Trust's preparation and ongoing readiness for CQC activity.
- Provide quality monitoring, analysis and reporting as part of the Clinical Governance team, supporting the Chief Nurse and senior leadership.
- Ensure documentary evidence is robust, up to date and aligned with the Trust's Quality Strategy and annual Quality Accounts.
- Oversee quarterly divisional reports to the Quality & Risk Management Group (QRMG), Health & Safety Committee and Harm Free Care Panel escalating key themes and exceptions to the subboard Quality & Risk Committee Monthly.
We welcome applications from candidates with quality compliance experience across a range of sectors, not limited to the NHS. When applying, please clearly demonstrate how your skills and experience reflect the requirements of the role and align with Royal Papworth's values of compassion, excellence and collaboration.
About us
Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is the UK's leading heart and lung hospital, delivering care to more than 50,000 patients a year in its new state-of-the-art hospital in Cambridge. We perform the most heart and/or lung transplants in the UK and carried out the UK's first successful heart transplant in 1979. It also offers emergency heart attack treatment, sleep centre care and is one of just five centres nationally for those in severe respiratory failure.
Based on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus the largest centre of medical research and health science in Europe the Trust is at the heart of treatments of the future. Royal Papworth became the first hospital trust in the country to be rated outstanding in all five areas assessed by the Care Quality Commission - a rating it still holds today. The Trust holds its values of compassion, excellence & collaboration at its core, and all colleagues joining the team are expected to uphold these in their day-to-day roles & interactions. Royal Papworth is proud of its diverse workforce and encourages people to embrace their individuality.
The Trust values difference and welcomes all applications irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy & maternity, race, religion & belief, sex and sexual orientation. Providing they meet the minimum post criteria, applicants with disabilities will be offered an interview.
For a street view tour: https://royalpapworth.nhs.uk/virtual-tour
Job description
On this page you will find a Role Profile which provides information about the hospital and full details about the role. We recommend that you review this and refer to it as you complete your application. Please include how you will meet the Trust Values Compassion, Excellence and Collaboration. If you would like more information about the role or working at Royal Papworth Hospital, please get in touch with the contact for this role.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree-level qualification or equivalent specialist knowledge, supported by significant post-qualification experience.
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Line management qualification to at least Level 5 Diploma or equivalent
- Trained to RSA Level 3 typing skills or equivalent experience
Desirable
Teaching / training qualification
Experience
Essential
- Aware of what quality of care and good clinical governance mean in practice.
- Experience of operating in a management / leadership role in the NHS.
- Demonstrates that the patient is centre to all practice and has a priority to get it right for every patient every time.
- Ability to deal with complex and sensitive issues.
- Experience of quality assurance processes and reporting
- Evidence of ability to work outside of traditional professional boundaries
- Demonstrates effective Leadership skills
- Experience of supervision of staff
- Specialist knowledge in CQC regulatory requirements and Fundamental Standards, quality compliance, governance, project management and staff management, acquired through postgraduate diploma-level study or an equivalent combination of advanced training, professional development and substantial practical experience.
- Excellent written & oral communication skills, with high standards regards attention to detail.
- Able to form and maintain professional relationships with all members of the multi professional team
- Evidence of Project Management success and introducing new ideas, ensuring sustainability.
- Ability to articulate NHS priorities and how these could translate into practice.
- Computer literate and experience of database management, outlook, power point, word and excel.
- Ability to write a comprehensive report for all audiences including Board level.
- Effective influencing and persuasive skills
- Effective problem-solving skills (in order to be able to respond independently to unexpected situations)
- Ability to deal with complex time critical situations
- Good team worker with effective interpersonal skills
- Able to work autonomously and have the confidence to make decisions
- Able to maintain professional standards
- Ability to manage own workload, prioritise work, delegate where appropriate and work well against a background of change and uncertainty.
- Able to undertake/seek out supervision as required
- Ability to foster good working relationships, motivate others and use influencing and negotiating skills
- Excellent IT skills with working knowledge of Microsoft Office
Desirable
- Knowledge of assurance & risk management
- Experience of how to effect cultural and behavioural change
Additional Criteria
Essential
As well as being able to demonstrate examples of how they work in a way that is consistent with our values of compassion, excellence and collaboration the successful candidate will be able to clearly demonstrate a commitment to driving culture change through equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Can demonstrate an innovative, flexible and adaptable approach
- Has realistic knowledge of personal strengths and areas for development
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.
For help with your application, contact:
Claire McGregor
[email protected]
01223638038
Pay scheme
Agenda for Change
Band
Band 6
Salary
£39959.00 to £48117.00 Yearly
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-Time
Reference number
175-2627-CG1877
Job locations
Royal Papworth Hospital
Papworth Road
Cambridge Bio Medical Campus
Cambridge
CB2 0AY
