Lead Nurse- Surgical and Critical care

An existing opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic Senior Nurse with excellent leadership skills to apply for the position of Lead Nurse and join the Inpatient Services Team. We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced nurse who will embrace this dynamic and challenging role.

This post is pivotal in providing professional and clinical leadership to the nursing teams across Inpatient Services. To ensure that the highest standards of practice are maintained and that safe effective person centered care is delivered to the highest standard.

This is an exciting opportunity, the successful individual will have the skill and vision to develop a first class nursing service with a can do attitude focused on achieving a performance that ensures a safe patient experience.

The post holder will and work closely with the Service Manager for Emergency and inpatient care and report to the Deputy Chief Nurse for Emergency and Inpatient Care and will be expected to deputise in their absence.

As a member of the management team, the applicant will provide clinical expertise and management support to the Head of Nursing in the day to day operation of services. As well as this they will promote, develop and manage designated services to facilitate the delivery of appropriate care to the patient population to local and national standards.

The post holder will take a lead role in working with the SCN’s to deliver NHS Forth Valley’s Assuring Better Care programme. The post holder will provide care assurance and the delivery of safe, quality nursing services, to the Deputy Chief Nurse and across the organization.

The applicant will require being educated to degree level or equivalent with substantial post registration experience in a clinical/managerial setting.

For further information and informal visits please contact, Louise Boyle,

Interview date - Thursday 10th September 2026

The duties of this post require the successful candidate to be a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme. More information on this scheme can be found at

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applicants who require sponsorship to work in the UK are advised to carefully review the eligibility criteria for the Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker visa routes. NHS Forth Valley may be able to offer sponsorship for certain roles, provided the post meets the minimum salary threshold and any other required criteria. If you are currently working in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa, transitional arrangements may apply.

Please note that sponsorship is not guaranteed and is assessed on a case‑by‑case basis following interview and at the commencement of pre-employment checks. For further information on visa requirements and sponsorship eligibility, please refer to the UK Government guidance.

NHS Forth Valley is positive about disabled people and is committed to offering an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job. Please contact the Recruitment Office on  if there are any reasonable adjustments we can make to assist you with your application and/or interview.

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.