Deputy Ward Leader - JCW

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Deputy Ward Leader on JCW, a Private Patient Orthopaedic Ward at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

If you are forward thinking, dynamic and have experience of working in a surgical environment then we would like to hear from you.

The post is 36 hours per week, covering  Monday - Sunday, a flexible working approach is necessary for this role, and you must be able to work weekends and rotate to night shifts.

Main duties of the job

JCW is surgical unit that covers elective orthopaedic surgery both day case and inpatient stays. We have an Out Patients Department attached to our ward that will need leadership oversight.  We are seeking to appoint a dynamic, highly motivated and caring nurse with ward management/coordination experience. Candidates must be knowledgeable about elective surgery, have excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills, and must provide high standards of care at all times, putting the patient at the heart of everything that we do.  The Deputy Ward Leader will support the Ward Leader to drive forward the ward with high standards and improve clinical pathways for patients based on up-to-date evidence-based practice. The post holder will be able to work under pressure and manage difficult situations effectively with support from both the Ward Leader and the Matron.

Out of hours the Deputy Ward Leader will also be expected to work on a bleep rota overseeing the safety of the site out of hours, managing safe care, safe staffing, problem solving and being part of the resuscitation team.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Manage the ward in the absence of the Ward Manager, coordinating the activities of the ward team and deploying resources effectively.
• Ensure that effective communication is maintained both within the ward itself and with relevant external agencies or individuals.
• Organise own workload and adjust priorities in response to issues arising in the workplace.
• Recognise and respond appropriately to issues which require urgent or immediate attention, reporting to other members of the multi-disciplinary/management team as necessary.
• Deputise for the ward manager as requested at meetings and other events.
• Maintain ward management records and produce timely management reports at the request of the ward manager or as required in his/her absence.
• Maintain comprehensive clinical records.
• Maintain an awareness of current identified best practice within the relevant sphere of nursing.
• Deliver nursing care on the basis of available valid evidence and as detailed in clinical guidelines and protocols.
• Take a lead role in the audit of nursing care within the ward, share learning with others and assist in ensuring that identified scope for improvement is realised.
• Maintain effective registration in accordance with NMC standards.

Planning and Organisational Duties

• Participate in the directorate senior nurse bleep rota as required dealing with emergency/urgent situations, the redeployment of staff and giving advice to staff on other wards as the need arises.
• Ensure that effective communication is maintained both within the ward itself and with relevant external agencies or individuals.
• Organise own workload and adjust priorities in response to issues arising in the workplace.
• Manage the ward in the absence of the Ward Leader, co-ordinating the activities of the ward team and deploying resources effectively.

Communications and Key Working Relationships

• Assess, plan, implement and evaluate the nursing care of patients in accordance with their clinical pathway and individual needs.
• Liaise with patients and their families daily and deal efficiently with their questions or concerns
• Ensure that nursing care delivered within the ward is compliant with legal, professional and organisational standards
• Supervise and direct the work of more junior staff.

Responsibility for Finance

• Contribute to ensuring the effective use of all resources.
• Bring any potential efficiency savings or anticipated budgetary pressures to the attention of the ward manager.

Responsibility for Human Resources

• Support the ward manager in managing attendance within the ward area in accordance with trust policy.
• Participate in the IPR/PDP process, undertaking the IPR/PDP of staff as required by the Ward Manager.
• Assist the ward manager in ensuring that all newly appointed staff receive induction to the ward and preceptorship as appropriate.

Responsibility for Teaching

• Facilitate a supportive learning environment for all levels of staff including student nurses.
• Undertake the role of mentor/preceptor/supervisor to other members of the ward team.
• Assist members of the ward team to identify their own training and development needs and support them in achieving individual goals.
• Formally assess the competence of staff and students producing verbal and written reports required by the ward manager, the university or other departments or agencies. Deliver health education to patients and their families in accordance with their needs.