Band 7 Waddington Ward Manager

Job overview

Are you looking for a new challenge? Do you want to make a difference to the lives of people with haematological malignancies?

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Haematology Ward Manager to lead Waddington Ward, our specialist 9-bedded haematology unit with an additional 8-bed extended care area.

The Department of Haematological Medicine at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is a leading centre for the treatment of leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma, aplastic anaemia, MDS and sickle cell disease. Services include Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT), Haematology Outpatients, the UK Leukaemia Ambulatory Care Unit, Apheresis and an expanding CAR-T Cell Therapy Programme.

You will provide strong clinical and operational leadership, ensuring safe, effective and compassionate care while leading multidisciplinary teams and driving service improvement.

Join us and help shape the future of haematology care at King’s.

Main duties of the job

As the Ward Manager for Waddington Ward, you will provide clinical, operational and professional leadership for a specialist haematology service comprising a 9-bedded inpatient ward and an 8-bedded extended care area. You will ensure the delivery of safe, effective and compassionate care for patients with haematological malignancies and complex blood disorders.

Working closely with the multidisciplinary team, you will promote high standards of patient care, patient flow, quality, safety and clinical governance. You will act as a visible clinical leader and role model, supporting staff in the delivery of complex haematology nursing care and driving a culture of excellence, learning and continuous improvement.

The role includes responsibility for workforce planning, recruitment, staff development, performance management and resource utilisation. You will lead quality improvement initiatives, manage risks and support service development, including innovative pathways such as stem cell transplantation and CAR-T cell therapy.

The post holder will maintain a strong clinical presence, provide expert support to staff and patients, contribute to the strategic development of the Haematology Service and deputise for the Matron when required.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Detailed Job Description and Main Responsibilities

The Ward Manager has continuing responsibility and accountability for the delivery of high-quality nursing care, operational performance, workforce management, patient experience, clinical governance and service development within Waddington Ward and its associated extended inpatient area. The post holder will provide expert clinical leadership, ensuring that patients receiving treatment for haematological malignancies and complex blood disorders receive safe, effective and compassionate care throughout their treatment journey.

Clinical Leadership and Patient Care

• Provide visible clinical leadership and maintain overall responsibility for the standards of nursing care delivered across the ward and extended inpatient area.
• Ensure patients receive high-quality, evidence-based care that meets professional, regulatory and Trust standards.
• Maintain expert knowledge of haematology, stem cell transplantation, cellular therapies and supportive care to guide clinical decision-making and service delivery.
• Demonstrate advanced patient assessment, clinical judgement and problem-solving skills in the management of complex and acutely unwell haematology patients.
• Ensure effective admission, transfer and discharge processes are in place, promoting patient flow and the timely delivery of treatment.
• Lead the management of clinical deterioration, infection prevention, medicines safety and patient safety initiatives within the ward environment.
• Maintain close working relationships with medical staff, Clinical Nurse Specialists, allied health professionals, pharmacy, apheresis, stem cell laboratory and other specialist services to ensure coordinated care.
• Act as a professional role model, promoting excellence in nursing practice and patient-centred care.

Operational Management

• Manage the day-to-day operational delivery of services across the ward and associated inpatient area.
• Ensure appropriate staffing levels and skill mix are maintained to meet patient dependency and service demands.
• Oversee patient flow, bed utilisation and capacity management to optimise access to specialist haematology services.
• Monitor and manage ward performance indicators including length of stay, patient outcomes, complaints, incidents and quality metrics.
• Work closely with the Matrons, Lead Nurse and multidisciplinary teams to support service objectives and operational priorities.
• Participate in business planning, service redesign and implementation of new pathways of care.

Leadership and Workforce Management

• Lead, motivate and develop a multidisciplinary nursing workforce, creating a culture of professionalism, compassion, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Undertake recruitment, retention and succession planning activities to maintain a highly skilled workforce.
• Conduct appraisals, performance reviews and personal development planning for nursing staff.
• Manage sickness absence, wellbeing initiatives and workforce productivity in accordance with Trust policies.
• Identify learning needs and support staff in achieving professional competencies relevant to specialist haematology practice.
• Foster an inclusive working environment that values diversity, equality and respectful behaviours.
• Support staff through periods of service change and transformation, ensuring effective communication and engagement throughout.

Quality, Safety and Governance

• Lead on clinical governance, risk management and compliance within the ward environment.
• Ensure incidents, complaints and patient concerns are investigated thoroughly, with lessons learned embedded into practice.
• Monitor compliance with infection prevention and control standards, safeguarding requirements and medicines management policies.
• Lead and participate in clinical audits, benchmarking exercises and quality improvement programmes.
• Analyse performance data and implement action plans to improve patient outcomes, experience and service efficiency.
• Ensure patient records, clinical documentation and information governance standards are maintained.

Education, Research and Professional Development

• Promote a positive learning environment for registered nurses, nursing associates, healthcare assistants and student nurses.
• Work collaboratively with Practice Development Nurses and educators to support training, competency assessment and professional development.
• Encourage the implementation of evidence-based practice and support staff participation in research, audit and service evaluation activities.
• Support the development of specialist knowledge in areas including chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation, cellular therapies and sickle cell disease management.
• Maintain own professional development and ensure continued compliance with NMC standards and Trust requirements.

Financial and Resource Management

• Manage the ward budget effectively and ensure responsible use of resources in line with Trust objectives.
• Monitor expenditure, staffing utilisation and non-pay budgets to maximise efficiency and minimise waste.
• Ensure safe and effective management of equipment, consumables and ward resources.
• Contribute to business cases and service development proposals supporting the growth and advancement of the Haematology Service.

Strategic Contribution

• Support the delivery of the Haematology Department's strategic objectives, including the expansion of advanced therapies such as stem cell transplantation and CAR-T cell therapy services.
• Contribute to Trust-wide quality improvement, nursing leadership and clinical excellence programmes.
• Deputise for the Matron as required and represent the service at internal and external meetings.
• Promote King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust values and contribute to developing a world-class haematology service recognised for outstanding patient care, education, research and innovation.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.