Ward Manager

NHS; Bedford; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job description

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dynamic and experienced senior nurse to lead a Nursing Team at Bedford Hospital.

We are looking for a reliable, motivated and enthusiastic Ward Manager to manage our Reginald Hart Ward, which is a 31 bedded Trauma and Orthopaedic Ward.

The individual will be required to provide clinical leadership and direction to the ward team. The successful candidate should be a team player and a good administrator with clinical governance and management experience.

We strive to provide the highest standard of evidence based care, by utilising the Orthopaedic, Orthogeriatric and Multidisciplinary team approach in order to facilitate timely surgical interventions, appropriate hospital care and timely and safe discharges back into the community.

The applicant will have energy, commitment and the desire to develop nurses in this particular area of healthcare by working with the multi disciplinary team to develop pathways to ensure patients receive high standards of care that is in line with our Trust values.

The ward Manager role will also involve managerial activity, facilitated learning for staff and clinical input with support of the Surgical Practice Development Nurse.

A proven track record in managing change and leading teams through change would be an advantage.

The applicant will be expected to demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills and provide evidence of continuous professional development.

Main duties of the job

The post holder carries continuing responsibility for the 24 hour clinical nurse management of Reginald Hart Ward and for the associate utilization of staff, assessment, planning and delivery of care needs and ensuring that the clinical area is a suitable learning environment for nursing students. The post holder is responsible for setting, maintaining and monitoring the standard of care and service provided.

1. Develop nursing professional practice skills and competences in the area of responsibility.
2. Provide professional supervision of nursing and support staff in the area of responsibility.
3. Co-ordinate the reception and discharge of patients in conjunction with medical and bed management staff.
4. Responsible for holding and managing the devolved Ward Budget.
5. Create an appropriate educational climate for staff development.
6. Ensures effective communication systems are in place in order to consult with and update staff.
7. Investigate and respond to relevant complaints and clinical risks in line with Trust procedures and the Clinical Governance agenda.
8. Identify through Training Needs Analysis educational requirements of self and staff and to facilitate achievement of these through internal and external training, ensuring statutory needs of the service are given priority over desirable educational needs.

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Date posted: 08 April 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 7

Salary: £46,148 to £52,809 a year pa

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 418-NUR7370-SJ

Job locations

Bedford Hospital

Kempston Road

Bedford

MK42 9DJ

Job responsibilities

The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this job, please review for the full details and responsibilities

1. Develop nursing professional practice skills and competences in the area of responsibility.
2. Provide professional supervision of nursing and support staff in the area of responsibility.
3. Responsible for working towards the maintenance of morale of staff in difficult and stressful situations by providing regular feedback and an environment which encourages open communication.
4. Ensure the maintenance of an environment in which patients nursing needs can be assessed, plans developed, implemented and evaluated in an holistic manner, involving all members of the multidisciplinary team, patients and their carers as appropriate.
5. Ensure the maintenance of accurate nursing records and staff signature log in line with NMC guidance Record Keeping 2000.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse
• Practice Assessor or Supervisor/SLIP course /ENB 998/MSPP
• Evidence of ongoing development related to specialty

Desirable

• Degree level of qualification or equivalent through previous experience
• Leadership programme

Experience

Essential

• Relevant experience at Deputy Level in a relevant clinical setting.
• Knowledge of surgical nursing
• Experience in mentoring, assessing, coaching
• Experience of sickness absence management
• Have undertaken appraisals
• Up to date knowledge of relevant political & professional issues in health care

Desirable

• Demonstrates knowledge and application of clinical governance
• Experience of change management
• Previous ward manager experience

Knowledge

Essential

• Transformational leadership style
• Being a role model
• Organisational ability
• Audit /research

Personal Skills

Essential

• Excellent personal and communication skills
• Ability to facilitate and support learning

Desirable

• Demonstrate ability to think creatively and laterally

Other

Essential

• Enthusiastic and self-aware
• Team focused

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name: Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address:

Bedford Hospital

Kempston Road

Bedford

MK42 9DJ

Employer's website: https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/ (Opens in a new tab)