Job description

African Medical Centre of Excellence

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has announced the commencement of its African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) project in Abuja, Nigeria. It will provide world-class care to both low and high-income patient groups across the continent. The AMCE in Partnership with King’s College Hospital London will be located in Abuja, which is a hub for travel in Nigeria and West Africa, enabling it to attract patients across the region.

The African Medical Centre of Excellence will be implemented in four phases over a six-year period, starting with a 170-bed specialist hospital before expanding to a 500-bed facility. The centre will have the potential to provide services to over 200,000 patients in Nigeria and a further 150,000 patients from neighbouring West African countries within its first five years of operation.

The clinical areas the centre will specialise in are: Cardiology, Haematology and Oncology. This will include specialist diagnostic services for genomics and oncology and state of the art imaging and treatment capabilities. A range of businesses providing relevant health support will support this facility and provide commercial services to its patients and staff, thus creating a healthcare ecosystem sustainably designed to deliver long-term value to its community and region.

It is important to note that Africa’s disease burden is shifting towards a higher proportion of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Across West Africa, Cardiovascular ailments, Cancers and Haematological disorders are the highest contributors to disease burden from NCDs and together represent 81% of all NCD mortality (Source: WHO). This makes the NCDs a priority area for the West African Health Sector. The AMCE will aim to enable low-income patients access NCD care in a sustainable commercial model through a mix of funding sources including cross subsidization, fundraising and discounted (volume based) contracts with State Health Insurance Schemes and not for profit / CSR based patient programmes.

This is an outstanding initiative and creates a unique opportunity to be involved in the opening chapter of this exciting project that is set to make a decisive impact on non-communicable disease care across Nigeria and West Africa. The AMCE will benefit millions of people in Nigeria and over the wider regions of West Africa. The institution will act as a beacon of healthcare in Africa and will be the employer and healthcare provider of choice across the region. What makes this facility even more special is its very close partnership with King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

The AMCE will be located in Abuja, Nigeria which has the highest GDP in Africa, estimated at USD 448 Billion (World Bank, 2019), and a leading oil producer in Africa. Nigeria is also multi-ethnic and culturally diverse with a population of about 200.9 million people spread across a federation of 36 autonomous states and the Federal Capital Territory. Nigeria is also blessed with many natural landmarks and wildlife reserves which have waterfalls, dense rainforest, savanna and rare primate habitats including Protected areas such Cross River National Park and Yankari National Park and one of the most recognizable sites in Abuja, Zuma Rock.

Job Summary

As an Executive Director, the Chief Nursing Officer will be a full member of the AMCE’s Executive Management Team and will share corporate responsibility for the decisions of the Board. You will play a key role in the establishment of the AMCE through the set-up and planning phases (design, build, planning) through ramp-up and into the full operational phase and beyond.

The Chief Nursing Officer is accountable and responsible for nursing practice in the AMCE and will provide advice to the Chief Executive and Company Board on all nursing issues and lead clinical collaboration within the organisation and with partner providers such as King’s College Hospital London and The Christie Hospital.

The Chief Nursing Officer has a key role in developing nursing leadership through the management model which will deliver a robust Clinical Services Strategy that supports effective and efficient models of service delivery and high-quality safe patient care. They will work alongside the Chief Medical Officer to provide strong joint clinical leadership that is visible to nursing and clinical colleagues as well as commissioners, insurance providers and all partners.

The Chief Nursing Officer will contribute to the development and delivery of the wider clinical care systems and organisational agenda, and will work with the Chief Operating Officer to ensure effective service delivery.

The Chief Nursing Officer will work with the Chief Medical Officer to provide a nursing viewpoint to elements of Patient Safety and patient experience, including all aspects of clinical governance.

The Chief Nursing Officer will also work in conjunction with the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Medical Officer to manage and deliver large complex plans such as Quality Assurance and Workforce planning.

The Chief Nursing Officer, with their clinical colleagues and the Head of Human Resources, will support the development and enhanced clinical practice of the registered professional groups in the AMCE. They will be innovative in maximising clinical productivity and safety to be able to scan the horizon for opportunities which will benefit clinical delivery of services. Using networks and strong partnerships to identify such opportunities as well as influence the delivery of urgent care in Abuja, Nigeria and West Africa.

The Chief Nursing Officer will be expected to be visible within the clinical environment.

In Summary, The Chief Nursing Officer Will

• Provide dynamic managerial and clinical leadership to the nursing and AHP professions in the AMCE and play a major role in building high calibre, high performing multidisciplinary clinical teams.
• Be accountable for leading Safeguarding and Infection Control processes, procedures and implementation across the AMCE. Be accountable for leading on continuous improvement in quality, patient safety and patient experience across the AMCE.
• Be lead in Equality Diversity and Inclusion across the Nursing and AHP staff groups, insuring the AMCE meets national and organisational requirements.
• Be accountable for ensuring that Education and Training programmes and opportunities are available and delivered within the AMCE across Nursing and AHP staff groups.
• Be accountable for compliance and governance for registration of staffing groups – Nursing and AHPs.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership

• To provide exemplary and visible clinical leadership to our Nursing and AHP workforce, leading by example and ensuring the highest professional standards and evidence-based practice.
• To ensure that clinical objectives are achieved in line with the AMCE’s Clinical Service Strategy and operational priorities. In conjunction with the Chief Operating Officer, to develop effective nursing leadership across all services, ensuring they are highly motivated and responsive to the needs of staff, patients and the public.
• Appoint, create and develop a strong nursing leadership team that are able to support the AMCE’s needs for high-quality clinical care that is effective and supports the AMCE’s financial plans.
• Taking the lead role in ensuring continuous improvement in quality, patient safety and patient experience across the AMCE.
• To be the lead of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion across the Nursing and AHP staff groups, insuring the AMCE meets national and organisational requirements.

Strategic Development

• The Chief Nursing Officer is responsible for the development of comprehensive systems for monitoring and improving the quality of care, leading and providing line management for the patient experience, safety and clinical effectiveness functions of the organisation and coordinating with internal and external stakeholders, including statutory bodies such as the African Health Organisation (AHO), in relation to the quality of services provided in the organisation.
• You will lead on the activities and work with colleagues to achieve Joint Commission International Accreditation (JCIA) within 12-18 months of operations, which will underpin and demonstrate the commitment to deliver high-quality and safe patient-focussed services at the AMCE.
• You will act as a link to counterparts at KCH London via the Quality Assurance team and participate in associated meetings with KCH London to ensure quality systems are embedded and that integration initiatives and plans are safe and robust.
• The Chief Nursing Officer will plan, implement, evaluate and continuously improve operational effectiveness at the AMCE.
• You will lead and participate in strategic and operational planning processes to attain AMCE’s goals and will lead strategy implementation as appropriate.
• The Chief Nursing Officer is responsible to ensure that all operational and patient service policies, procedures and outcomes of AMCE’s facilities ensure quality and safety of patient care, excellent clinician relations, strong fiscal performance and high levels of employee and patient/family satisfaction.
• The Chief Nursing Officer, in close collaboration with the Divisional Management team and service lines, will work together to ensure the AMCE’s objectives and quality standards are achieved and that the patient experience and clinical governance agenda is embedded in practice.
• To work with the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Operating Officer to further develop our workforce strategy to enhance recruitment and retention and strengthen our position as the healthcare provider of choice to work for in Abuja and West Africa.
• To contribute to the AMCE’s strategic vision and, with the support of the Chief Executive, develop the AMCE’s relationships with key external partners and stakeholders including KCH London and The Christie Hospital.

Operational

• Work closely with the Chief Operating Officer and the Chief Executive Officer in ensuring we deliver high quality, safe and responsive care across all of our services.
• For example, assessing and reviewing the nursing workforce needs across the AMCE against the operational and strategic demands.
• Develop and implement systems and processes to demonstrate compliance for the AMCE’s Infection Prevention and Control Strategy.
• In conjunction with the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Medical Officer, provide accountability for the AMCE’s Controlled Drugs/Narcotics (Substances) Operating Procedures.
• To be accountable for leading on the development and implementation of Safeguarding processes and procedures across the AMCE.
• To work with KCH London via the Quality Assurance team and participate in associated meetings with KCH London to ensure quality systems are embedded and that integration initiatives and plans that are developed are safe and robust.
• Demonstrate compliance with healthcare regulatory standards, within the area of responsibility of the CNO.
• To lead on the production of the annual quality account report.

Governance

• Ensure such processes are effective in rewarding exceptional contribution in service development and delivery, thereby supporting the AMCE in its objectives.
• Working in partnership with the Chief Medical Officer, to ensure that a robust and clear understood approach is taken to patient and healthcare governance, including clinical risk.
• To advise the AMCE Board of the outcome and implications of inspections conducted by external bodies (for example, JCIA, KCH London, local and national government regulators) and ensure that recommended actions are fully implemented and appropriately reviewed to ensure compliance.
• Work closely with Executive colleagues to develop and communicate the strategic vision for clinical governance and galvanise and support staff in promoting our commitment to governance and risk.
• Ensure that within each clinical area, effective systems and processes are established to enable the delivery of the clinical governance agenda.
• Participate in and support the assurance process for all aspects of governance as an attendee at key Board committees.
• Work with the Chief Medical Officer to ensure that all aspects of governance are robustly coordinated to enable the AMCE to deliver safe clinical services.

Teaching And Research

• Work with the Head of Human Resource and lead on the delivery of programmes of learning within the AMCE.
• Support the development of a strategy to ensure that Heads of Nursing and other nurse and AHP leaders have the leadership and management skills and competences required to perform effectively in their management roles.
• Ensure, with the Head of Human Resource, that all nursing and AHP staff have access to a development programme, which will enable them to develop as nurses and AHPs as appropriate.
• Ensure there is a proactive succession plan in place for senior nursing leadership roles, in conjunction with the Head of Human Resource.
• Ensure that standards of postgraduate nursing education and training meet national requirements and contribute to the successful recruitment and retention of nursing in training.
• Develop and sustain excellent relationships with Higher Education Institutions and providers including KCH London and The Christie Hospital on postgraduate training issues.

Corporate Responsibility and Governance

• As a member of the Executive Team, contribute to the key business decisions of the organisation and to contribute to the development, communication and promotion of corporate core purpose, vision, mission and values.
• Build relationships with key contacts to enable consistent and effective communication and processes within the organisation.
• Promote the AMCE at all times. Ensure consistency with processes.
• To provide professional leadership for all nurses and AHPs within the AMCE providing a source of advice, consultation and support.
• To be ultimately accountable for the provision of nursing care of the highest standard, including dealing with issues of professional misconduct and liaising with the appropriate regulatory bodies in relation to such issues.
• Any other reasonable duties as requested by the Chief Executive Officer.

Equality and Diversity

• Actively ensure that the organisation is meeting its statutory responsibilities in respect of equality and diversity.

Personal and Staff Development

• The AMCE actively encourages development within the workforce and employees are required to comply with AMCE’s mandatory training.

Other Responsibilities

• Fulfil statutory responsibilities as an AMCE Board member, and ensure that the AMCE adheres to appropriate policy and practice where required in the management of nursing & AHP staff and nursing & AHP staffing issues.
• In partnership with the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Operating Officer, ensure that complaints about service provision are responded to in a timely manner which promotes learning and service development.
• Take corporate responsibility in the shaping and delivery of the organisation’s strategic direction and the development of the organisation’s culture.
• Ensure clinical standards, working practices and performance are commensurate with the aspirations of a leading edge, learning organisation.
• In conjunction with the Chief Medical Officer develop and maintain systems of clinical governance which ensure that the AMCE places patient safety at the heart of the organisation’s functioning, and that systems and processes are integrated into the fabric of day to day service provision.
• Support all services in the management of the nursing and AHP workforce, ensuring that systems and processes are aligned to the success of the organisation and employee relations issues are dealt with efficiently and expeditiously.
• Maintain effective communications with nursing and AHP staff within the organisation, ensuring that the nursing and AHP workforce is actively engaged in the development of services and clinical policy and protocols.
• Establish and maintain excellent relationships with the local community, ensuring that the reputation of the AMCE is supported and maintained. This includes developing effective relationships with commissioners, insurance providers, charities, Trust fund providers and other important partner organisations such as KCH London and The Christie Hospital.

COMMUNICATIONS AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Establish and maintain effective communication with lead nurses / AHPs and other nursing and AHP staff.
• Assist the Chief Executive, Chief Operating Officer, Site Director and Clinical Directors in maintaining regular dialogue with lead nurses / AHPs, through the various communication networks and mechanisms that currently exist, and through the development of new and improved ones.
• Maintain effective communications with lead nurses / AHPs in order to ensure a corporate approach to the development of nursing policy and clinical protocols.

Line Management

• Line manage the Deputy/Associate Directors/Heads of Nursing and provide clinical and professional support for all Nurses and AHPs working within the AMCE.
• Responsibilities as Line Manager to include: Recruitment including interviewing Induction and coordination of training End of probation reviews Annual Development Reviews & performance management Development of employees/ roles

To offer peer support to the Chief Medical Officer in order to provide aligned, consistent clinical leadership to staff and the wider system

Organisational Responsibilities

• To report and act on any incidences of safety breaches, including but not limited to accidents, complaints and defects in equipment.
• To ensure familiarisation with disaster recovery and emergency procedures.
• Complete all paperwork and maintain administrative systems appropriate to company needs.
• Provide assistance to colleagues ensuring smooth operations and to provide effective responses to both individual and group needs.
• Maintain a safe environment, taking care to avoid injuries and assist the company in meeting statutory requirements. Undertake all mandatory training and other training as required by the AMCE, the Chief Executive Officer and professional bodies. Attend staff meetings, check e-mails regularly and read all communications from the organisation in order to keep up-to-date with operational practices.
• Wear Identification Badges when on duty / carrying out duties on behalf of the organisation.
• Be conversant with local and organisational regulations and Health and Safety responsibilities. Conform and commit to AMCE Customer Service Standards and actively promote them with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Apply infection control measures within the organisation according to local and national guidelines and standard operating procedures.
• Abide by professional standards and codes of conduct.
• Always adhere to the highest professional standards of being a nursing professional.
• To ensure the nursing and AHP workforce is compliant by having all policies, protocols and procedures in place, this will include all staff members having specific training on: The safeguarding of vulnerable adults Infection prevention and control Equality and diversity Health and safety

Confidentiality

The post holder must be aware that Confidential Information and data to which the post holder will have knowledge and access to in the course of their employment with the AMCE is to be kept confidential, and this confidentiality is a condition of employment. The duty to maintain confidentiality continues even when the post holder is no longer employed.

This information is not to be shared with anyone outside of the AMCE under any circumstances, except to the extent necessary to fulfill any duties and responsibilities required within the role. Furthermore, upon termination with the AMCE Abuja, the post holder will return to the AMCE all confidential information held.

Other

Personal Professional Development

• To achieve a range of clinical competencies as required within the AMCE.
• To keep up-to-date with current literature and research in the specialty.
• To maintain your own personal and professional development in accordance with revalidation requirements, and attending mandatory study sessions as required.
• To undergo and actively participate in your own performance appraisal using the AMCE’s appraisal development system. To keep up to date with professional licensing & AMCE guidelines and protocols.
• To adhere to the professional licensing Code of Professional conduct working within and accepting responsibility for maintaining agreed levels of competence.

GENERAL

The post holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety and well-being and that of work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with this post.

• To observe the rules, policies, procedures and standards of AMCE together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations.
• To observe and maintain strict confidentiality of personal information relating to patients and staff.
• To be responsible, with management support, for their own personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues.

This job description is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not intended to be definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some of the duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review in consultation with the post holder.

All employees must hold an AMCE email account which will be the AMCE’s formal route for email communication. You are therefore required to check this regularly and to deal with such communication promptly.

Infection Control Statement

The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to make to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene requirements of this role. These requirements are set out in the AMCE Code of Practice on Infection Control and in local policies and procedures which will be made clear during your induction and subsequent refresher training. These standards must be strictly complied with at all times.