Ward Manager Position

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Ward Manager to lead our Oncology Critical Care Unit. As a key member of our team, you will be responsible for providing exceptional patient care and ensuring the delivery of high-quality services.

Main Responsibilities

As a Ward Manager, you will be responsible for:

• Providing management support for staff and acting as a preceptor to designated staff
• Leading patient services and reviewing and implementing changes to support ongoing improvements in clinical practice
• Liaising with all members of the MDT to ensure optimal bed usage
• Closing collaboration with medical staff to ensure realistic and efficient bed usage
• Assessing, planning, and implementing clinical care and maintaining associated patient records
• Organizing daily work schedules and off-duty rotas to ensure appropriate and effective skill mix and deployment of staff for patient needs
• Assisting in maintaining the staff and non-staff budget within agreed limits
• Collaborating with other service providers to ensure the highest possible standards of cleanliness and nutrition are achieved
• Being aware of Health and Safety issues and ensuring relevant risk assessments are undertaken
• Reporting and recording all accidents and complaints according to the agreed policy, investigating speedily and compassionately
• Ensuring all trust policies and procedures are adhered to and new ones implemented as necessary
• Ensuring all team members adhere to the uniform policy and maintain a professional image for the unit
• Reporting to the Lead Nurse on patient affairs/activity and staff development
• Supporting those senior staff acting as appraisers to ensure they have a meaningful and achievable appraisal
• Ensuring each designated staff member participates in a personal development plan and acts to maximize the potential of others
• Assisting/leading in the recruitment process for the ward
• Taking a progressive approach to the management of short and long-term sickness/absence in collaboration with the Lead Nurse and Human Resources
• Taking appropriate action in relation to any disciplinary matter when the need arises and following procedures as laid down by the Trust
• Supervising the requisition of stocks and equipment with care and economy
• Acting up as required

Clinical Responsibilities

As a Ward Manager, you will be responsible for:

• Assessing critically unwell patients, initiating treatment, and monitoring effects based on evidenced-based practice
• Liaising with the OCCU Consultant/patient team with patients causing concern
• Providing advice on appropriate airway management, oxygen therapy, and cardiovascular support in the event of acute deterioration
• Assessing and interpreting complex patient conditions using relevant blood results and investigations to compare and choose treatment options
• Providing emotional support for patients and their relatives, especially when discharged from OCCU to the ward environment
• Using a concise documentation framework when recording monitoring and treatment plans in the notes, ensuring clarity, and reinforcing with verbal communication to the relevant team
• Identifying clinical risks that potentially inhibit the identification and initial management of the deteriorating patient, working with senior nurses and matron to devise strategies to improve safe and effective care
• Working with members of staff to ensure smooth and safe transfer of patients from wards/theatre to the OCCU environment
• Ensuring clinical policies and guidelines relating to critical care are updated in response to clinical evidence
• Ensuring relevant National Guidelines relating to the critically unwell patient are adopted
• Working with the Lead Nurse and Clinical Governance lead to investigate the patient journey in response to adverse events or incidents, sharing good practice and areas for improvement
• Taking responsibility for personal clinical development

Training and Education

As a Ward Manager, you will be responsible for:

• Being up to date in education and training in relation to specialized Critical Care, including annual updates, and being competent in all areas of clinical practice
• Ensuring all staff have an appropriate level of training and are offered relevant support
• Presenting at training days and conferences
• Initiating and undertaking research and audit that will influence practice
• Being up to date and competent with other clinical skills, such as Intermediate Life Support and Advanced Life Support
• Attending all mandatory study days and ensuring attendance of all staff
• Working in conjunction with the Practice Educator for Critical Care to ensure the delivery of education and training required for the nursing team

Professional

As a Ward Manager, you will be responsible for:

• Having expert knowledge and being able to advise and support nursing staff within the Trust and externally regarding emergency admissions and associated issues
• Liaising closely with the medical team and other members of the MDT in respect of patient care, promoting the highest standard of care
• Participating in the on-call rota for hospital cover out of hours
• Representing the unit at the Band 7 forum
• Highlighting areas of improvement/development within the department and undertaking relevant projects
• Keeping abreast of issues influencing the Trust both internally and externally and ensuring senior colleagues and the team have a good understanding of the same
• Participating in policy writing for the unit and Trust
• Being fully aware of the divisional objectives and the Trust's corporate plan

Personal

As a Ward Manager, you will be responsible for:

• Demonstrating a pleasant and approachable manner and helping create and promote a good working relationship
• Showing professional and courteous manner while practicing excellent communication skills at all levels
• Showing respect for members of the team and endorsing the ward philosophy of giving mutual support
• Being aware of one's own limitations, maintaining confidentiality, and adhering to the NMC Professional Code of Conduct
• Cooperating in own performance review by indicating learning goals and support needs
• Actively seeking mentorship/supervision to enable reflection and development within the role
• Exercising effective leadership using sound organization skills and judgment, upholding equality and diversity of colleagues and patients

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• RGN Level 1 Degree or Diploma in Nursing Studies
• Post-Registration Certificate in Critical Care Qualification in teaching and assessing or equivalent

Desirable

• Management Course
• Oncology Course

Experience

Essential

• Critical Care experience
• Teaching and mentorship Involvement in development of protocols/clinical audit
• Managerial experience

Desirable

• Experience in Haematology/Oncology setting

Skills

Essential

• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent assessment skills
• Ability to deliver a high quality of care
• Computer literacy
• Management and leadership skills
• Excellent time organization/management skills

Desirable

• Understanding of need for evidence-based practice

Knowledge

Essential

• Committed to own personal professional development and that of all ward staff
• Excellent critical care knowledge
• Evidence of professional/clinical knowledge acquired through CPD and experience

Other

Essential

• Participate in on-call cover for Senior Nurses Team player