Founded by passionate clinicians on a mission to provide expert patient-centred services, Mountain Healthcare leads the clinical forensic healthcare provisions sector in the UK. A premier partner of NHS England and the police, our unique provisions include Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs), Police Custodial Healthcare, Secure Estate Healthcare and clinical telephone advice.
Driven by our values Be Kind and Do the Right Thing, Mountain Healthcare provides holistic and trauma-informed care that improves the immediate and long-term health outcomes of patients across the criminal justice system. Through innovative technologies and strategic partnerships, our expert clinicians ensure equal, effective and efficient services to all our patients and always put their health, safety and rights first.
Join the Best Provider, Make the Greatest Difference
Clinical forensic healthcare is a rapidly growing career path as demand for specialist critical services has greatly increased in recent years. At Mountain Healthcare, we understand that to provide the highest quality services for our patients and customers, our people must be the best in the field. We are proud to offer unrivalled staff training and development opportunities such as our unique Forensic Practitioner Gateway, our wide range of accredited and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses, and access to events across the health and justice sector.
Are you a female NMC registered nurse ready to step into a leadership role that blends clinical expertise, forensic standards and service management?
The Emerald Centre SARC in Bedford is looking for a Clinical SARC Manager to lead a specialist, trauma informed service that supports adults and children following sexual assault.
You will combine management leadership with two clinical days each week, while guiding a team who deliver safe, compassionate and high quality care.
If you want a role where your impact is immediate, meaningful and aligned with national forensic and safeguarding standards, this is the opportunity for you.
LOCATION: The Emerald Centres SARC, Bedford.
SALARY: £47,035 pre probation, once probation passed £48,616 and once CQC registered £50,707 pro rata based on a 40 being the FTE working week.
HOURS: 40 per week
The Emerald Centre SARC provides specialist clinical care, forensic examinations and emotional support to people affected by sexual assault. As Clinical SARC Manager you will lead the full operational, clinical and forensic delivery of the service. This is a permanent, full time role, 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, with the need to cover clinical shifts 9 - 9 when required..
Flexible rota over seven days a week Monday to Sunday.
Your responsibilities will include:
Service Leadership
- Oversee the day to day running of the Horizon SARC so the service is safe, effective and well led
- Act as the CQC Registered Manager once your application is submitted
- Build a positive, trauma informed service culture that supports both staff and clients
- Act as the operational single point of contact for SARC doctors
Clinical and Forensic Delivery
- Support or undertake forensic examinations once trained
- Maintain high standards of forensic practice including contamination control, evidence handling, chain of custody and Oasis documentation
- Ensure equipment, kits, medication and consumables are safe, in date and compliant with UKAS requirements
- Lead daily case reviews, clinical oversight, referrals and follow up processes
Governance and Quality
- Ensure compliance with CQC, ISO 15189, the Forensic Science Regulator Code of Practice and all safeguarding requirements
- Manage the SARC risk register, quality manual, asset register and incident reviews
- Oversee audits, action plans, environmental monitoring and data accuracy
- Act as Information Asset Owner, ensuring confidentiality, safety and secure handling of records and forensic samples
- Drive continuous improvement based on service user feedback and audit findings
People Leadership
- Lead all SARC staff including recruitment, induction, supervision and ongoing performance management
- Oversee rota management, shift approval, leave planning and out of hours coverage
- Ensure staff maintain training compliance, safeguarding passports, revalidation and professional registrations
- Provide supportive leadership that promotes wellbeing, development and a strong clinical culture
Partnership and Multi Agency Work
- Build strong relationships with police forces, commissioners, safeguarding boards, NHS partners and local agencies
- Prepare quarterly performance reports for NHSE
- Represent the service at operational groups, MDT meetings and SARC management reviews
- Identify service gaps and contribute to business cases to enhance the service
This role includes clear salary progression after probation and further uplift when your Registered Manager application is submitted. You will receive SOE training, clinical supervision, peer review and management development, along with support from a wider network of SARC Managers.
Essential
- NMC registered nurse with a minimum of three years post qualification
- Leadership or management experience within a clinical setting
- Confident working with vulnerable adults and children
- Strong communication, clinical judgment and organisational skills
- Ability to remain calm and professional in emotionally challenging situations
- Full UK driving licence
- Willingness to work outside core hours when needed to support the 24 hour rota
- Female applicants only, as permitted under the Sex Discrimination Act Section 7(2)b and 7(2)e
Applicants must live within 60 minutes travelling time to their appointed/local SARC.
Desirable
- Experience within SARCs, forensic healthcare, sexual violence services or safeguarding
- Training or experience in forensic examinations
- Experience working with police, commissioners or multi agency safeguarding partners
Mountain Healthcare aims to create and encourage an environment that is committed to promoting equality, diversity, working inclusively, and valuing the differences that individuals can bring to the workplace. We uphold these principles in our organisational values and behaviours towards each other and our patients. We welcome applications irrespective of age, disability, sex, gender identity and gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexuality, or other personal circumstances.
