Deputy Ward Manager

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated and enthusiastic band 6 to join a Becket Ward , specialising in General Medicine at Worthing Hospital

We are looking for a highly motivated nurse, with the possession of both a strong clinical knowledge base and relevant skill set. The post holder will provide nursing support within the 22 bed mixed sexed ward to acute patients with a variety of different conditions in medicine. You will be vital in the delivery of high quality, safe and effective care. This is a fantastic opportunity for an enthusiastic and dynamic individual who would like the opportunity to really make a difference.

The successful candidate will require a passion for teamwork to provide the highest standards of patient care. The post holder will be required to work a shift pattern covering days and weekends.

The successful candidate will require sufficient experience at band 5 and have a passion for supporting a team to provide the highest standards of patient care. The post holder will be required to work flexible hours and a confident experienced nurse.

We will offer development programme opportunities, supervision, reflective practice, mentoring and coaching and will ensure you are fully supported in your new role.

If you are a motivated individual who possesses good communication skills and are organised and flexible, we would love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

To have continuing 24-hour responsibility supporting the ward sister for the effective management of the area and deputising in their absence. In addition, the post holder will provide nursing leadership within this area, ensuring an effective quality nursing service, with responsibility for standards of nursing care and patient safety.

The deputy sister / charge nurse will be responsible for supporting the ward sister the budget management of the ward, staff performance and appraisal.  To manage an appropriate patient workload across the service, providing expert support and advice. Developing the teams and ensuring a seamless service for patients working closely with the ward sister.

We welcome applications from those who currently hold a UK NMC registration. If you currently hold an overseas nursing qualification and require sponsorship we are not currently direct hiring Internationally Qualified Nurses.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Communication

• Act as a role model and ensure effective staff supervision with clinical practice, working with staff and patients in an advisory, teaching and support capacity and maintaining professional competence, authority and credibility.
• Work collaboratively with clinical nursing experts including Heads of Nursing, Clinical Teams, Consultant Nurses, Nurse Specialists and Practice Development Nurses in the development of expert, personal centred practice.
• Be able to develop, motivate and lead a team by using objectives in line with department, sub-specialty and corporate goals
• Provide professional leadership within the department alongside the band 7 ensuring that all staff use evidence-based practise and adhere to the NMC code of professional conduct
• Be able to demonstrate a high degree of motivation and innovation.
• Communicate effectively with the department team ensuring that there is a monthly team meeting and ensure robust systems exist so that staff feel informed.
• To contribute positively to the effectiveness and efficiency of the teams in which he/she works.
• Work with PALS to ensure that areas of concern are addressed effectively.
• Be able to work in a multi-professional environment ensuring most effective use of all members of those professional teams.
• Display strong leadership and positivity to the department team during times of increased pressure on resources, staffing crises, or bed pressures, working with divisional leads to assess risks across the division and how these can be minimised.

Service Delivery and Improvement

• Demonstrate a logical, flexible and innovative approach to problem solving.
• Monitor key performance indicators, identify trends and take action to maintain levels of acceptable performance.
• Ensure that patient activity is monitored and that all patient information is entered into the Careflow system.
• Ensure the department objectives are set in line with the Divisional and Trust objectives
• Ensure any safeguarding issues are raised appropriately to lead nurses to enable investigation in relation to vulnerable adults or children.
• Ensure equipment is regularly maintained and serviced in line with hospital policy and manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Ensure medical devices folder for all equipment on the ward is kept updated with any new equipment and training records are up to date
• Report / action any accidents, incidents or undue occurrences reported to you or witnessed by you in line with Trust policy.  Ensure proactive investigation of any clinical incidents, undertaking root cause analysis if indicated, ensuring action plans are developed as needed.
• To have responsibility for risk management and health and safety in the workplace, by being proactive in raising risks with divisional management team and ensuring adequate controls are in place to manage these risks.
• Work in collaboration with clinical leads in relation to national initiatives such as the CNST / NHSLA, Essence of Care, Care quality commission standards and NICE guidelines.
• Contribute to the process of risk management within the Divisions particularly regarding issues related to nursing and other professional matters.
• To contribute to a healthy and safe working environment by adhering to health and safety regulations and Trust policies
• Manage the department budget under the guidance of the Matron and Head of nursing.  Ensure that pay and non-pay costs are examined monthly and examine ways to bring budget in line, or raise cost pressures with Matron
• Ensure the principles of lean working/ productive ward are embedded into the department culture and reflected in practice, to ensure most appropriate use of resources both staff and consumables and raise standards of care

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details