Employer Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site North Middlesex Hospital Town London Salary £55,524 – £62,652 Per Annum (pro rata) Including HCAS Salary period Yearly Closing 23/11/2026 23:59
SDEC Unit Manager
NHS AfC: Band 7
Our trust has over 17,000 staff serving 2 million patients every year. It comprises Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital, the Royal Free Hospital, North Middlesex University Hospital and more than 30 services in the community. This larger scale organisation provides an unprecedented opportunity for us to continue our pioneering work, particularly in finding ways to deliver even better care to our patients.
Our mission is to deliver world class care and expertise in our clinical services, underpinned by world class teaching and research and we will continue to measure our progress against our five governing objectives: excellent outcomes, excellent patient and staff experience, excellent value for taxpayers’ money, being safe and meeting our external duties, and building a strong organisation.
Everyone is welcome at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. We’re proud of our diversity and we continue to undertake new initiatives to advance equality for LGBT+, BME, gender equality, staff carers and people with disabilities and lived experiences to promote good relations and understanding between our staff.
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The Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) Unit Manager is responsible for the operational leadership, management, and service delivery of the SDEC Unit, ensuring the provision of high-quality, safe, patient-centred care for patients requiring urgent assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and discharge within the same day whenever clinically appropriate.
The post holder will provide visible clinical and managerial leadership to the multidisciplinary team, ensuring effective workforce management, service planning, performance monitoring, and continuous quality improvement. They will be accountable for maintaining high standards of patient care, achieving key performance targets, supporting staff development, and ensuring compliance with Trust policies, national standards, and professional regulations.
Working closely with medical, nursing, allied health professional, operational, and corporate teams, the Unit Manager will lead the delivery and development of the SDEC service, promoting efficient patient flow, reducing unnecessary hospital admissions, and supporting the organisation’s urgent and emergency care objectives.
The post holder will foster a positive and inclusive working environment, champion patient safety, drive innovation and service improvement initiatives, manage resources effectively, and ensure that patients receive timely, evidence-based care within a dynamic and fast-paced clinical setting.
Main duties of the job
Operational Management
- Provide overall leadership and management of the SDEC Unit, ensuring efficient and effective daily operations.
- Ensure patient flow through the department is optimised to support same-day assessment, treatment, and discharge where clinically appropriate.
- Monitor and manage capacity, demand, and escalation processes to maintain service delivery and patient safety.
- Lead the coordination of staffing resources to ensure safe skill mix and workforce deployment across the unit.
- Participate in operational meetings and contribute to Trust-wide urgent and emergency care initiatives.
- Ensure achievement of key performance indicators, quality standards, and national access targets.
Working for our organisation
North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust is a busy and diverse NHS Trust serving the communities of Enfield, Haringey and the surrounding areas. Based in Edmonton, North London, the Trust provides a wide range of acute and community services to a population that is rich in culture, diversity and talent.
At North Middlesex University Hospital, we are committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate care and continually improving the experience of our patients, families and staff. Our values of being caring, fair and open underpin everything we do and help us create a positive and inclusive environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
The Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) service plays a key role in delivering modern urgent and emergency care pathways, enabling patients to receive rapid assessment, diagnostics and treatment without the need for unnecessary hospital admission. As SDEC Unit Manager, you will have the opportunity to lead a dynamic multidisciplinary team and make a significant contribution to the development of innovative services that improve patient outcomes and flow across the organisation.
We are committed to supporting the wellbeing, professional development and career progression of our staff. You will benefit from access to a range of learning and development opportunities, leadership programmes, staff networks, health and wellbeing initiatives, and flexible working options where service needs allow.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The SDEC Unit Manager is responsible for providing professional, operational, and clinical leadership to the Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) Unit. The post holder will ensure the delivery of high-quality, safe, effective and patient-centred care while maintaining efficient patient flow and supporting the Trust’s Urgent and Emergency Care objectives.
The post holder will lead and manage the nursing and support workforce, ensuring that patient care is delivered in accordance with Trust policies, professional standards, national guidance and regulatory requirements. They will be accountable for service performance, workforce management, governance, patient safety, quality improvement and the effective use of resources.
The Unit Manager will work closely with the Matron, General Manager, Medical Teams, Allied Health Professionals and wider multidisciplinary teams to support the ongoing development and transformation of Same Day Emergency Care services.
Person specification
Education and professional qualifications
- RGN – first level Degree in nursing or health related subject (or equivalent experience).
- Recognised NMC Teaching and Assessing Qualification or equivalent (SSSA)
- Evidence of Post registration Educational Continuing development or working towards
Experience
- Demonstrates a high level of clinical expertise in SDEC patients
- Good understanding of clinical governance for SDEC
- Ability to effectively problem solve
Skills and aptitudes
- Post registration experience of at least 2 years at Band 6 Level
- Evidence of innovation and achievements in Clinical Practice.
- Experience of working in SDEC/acute medical setting.
Applications are welcome from people wishing to job share or work flexible patterns. We are committed to equal opportunities.
Please note:
- Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date. Therefore please apply for this post as soon as you can, if you are interested and you meet the requirements of the Person Specification
- Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.
- Interview arrangements will be communicated via email so please check your email regularly following the closing date.
Please be advised that due to exceptionally high demand, all Royal Free accommodation is at full capacity and waiting lists are being held. Average waiting times are 12 months. Please do not rely on Trust accommodation when you commence your role and ensure you investigate alternative accommodation for your arrival.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
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.
Name Pinar Akar Gun Job title Matron Email address pinar.akar@nhs.net Telephone number 02088873392 Additional information
This is an exciting opportunity to lead and further develop a high-performing Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) service within North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust. The successful candidate will join a dedicated multidisciplinary team committed to delivering innovative, patient-centred care and supporting the Trust’s urgent and emergency care transformation agenda.
The post holder will be expected to work flexibly in accordance with service needs and will be required to provide visible leadership across the service, including participation in operational escalation processes and management responsibilities as required.
We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated and compassionate leader with excellent communication, organisational and decision-making skills. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate experience of managing teams within a fast-paced acute healthcare environment and have a strong commitment to quality improvement, patient safety and staff development.
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