Lead the Way. Lead HR Management.

Research shows that patient mortality rates improve in acute hospitals where a human resources director is on the Trust board. While work done by Aston University shows that organisations with good HR management have better outcomes for patients and lower stress for clinical staff.

NHS managers have already overseen the largest healthcare recruitment programme in the world – overseeing the recruitment of an additional 281,639 since 1996.

So we see the development and implementation of effective HR policies as crucial to obtaining, retaining and developing a high performing workforce – essential to delivering local and national healthcare priorities. And that makes a HR career here much more than just work: we want to develop world-class HR professionals to lead us through a wide-ranging programme of workforce development, improvement and change.

Join us here and you’ll develop the sound HR practices fundamental to a far-reaching career that includes delivering the sophisticated HR strategies and services that in turn enable comprehensive, patient-led healthcare.

The Scheme

Your programme and placement managers are fully supported to ensure that trainees receive the correct balance of attaining professional credibility through a staged professional development programme, along with opportunities to lead on strategic issues. The scheme is aimed at ensuring the "10 High Impact Changes" can be met along side the HR Leadership Qualities Framework (HRLQF) and other new initiatives and also allows for practical application of the foundation cross-specialism learning.

Recently commissioned analysis of DH guidance and research into competitor HR schemes, along with feedback from current HR trainees, NHS HR directors and other stakeholders, has been collated and used to create an updated HR competency framework and placement structure. This new framework will help to develop such leaders of the future in HR/workforce who can articulate the clear line of sight between HR practices and the delivery of high quality services.

We’ve also taken on board advice from stakeholders who emphasise the need for trainees to demonstrate substantial practical experience in an HR adviser role as a significant element of their development and overall professional credibility.

The HR director’s role

Making a contribution that extends beyond transactional delivery of systems, policies and procedures, the HR director’s role extends to transformational vision and leadership. HR director’s take the lead on ensuring their organisation’s workforce planning and talent management strategy results in highly skilled, diverse and capable individuals who contribute individually and collectively to not only the demands of today’s NHS in the delivery of quality patient care, but also the future NHS.

For more information on HR roles within the NHS please visit the NHS Careers website.