Ward Manager

Job overview

The post holder has continuing responsibility for the 24-hour clinical and operational management of the Surgical Assessment Unit, including the effective utilisation of staff, assessment, planning, and delivery of patient care. They will also ensure that the clinical area provides a supportive and appropriate learning environment for nursing students.

The post holder is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and monitoring high standards of care and service delivery within the unit.

In addition, the post holder will play an integral role in the ongoing development and future direction of the Surgical Assessment Unit, contributing to service improvement, innovation, and the delivery of high-quality patient care.

Main duties of the job

• Develop and promote professional nursing practice, ensuring staff maintain and enhance their clinical skills and competencies within the area of responsibility.
• Provide effective professional leadership, supervision, and support to nursing and support staff, fostering a culture of continuous learning and development.
• Maintain staff morale during challenging and stressful situations by providing regular feedback, support, and an environment that encourages open and effective communication.
• Ensure a safe and supportive environment where patients' nursing needs are comprehensively assessed, planned, implemented, and evaluated using a holistic approach, involving the multidisciplinary team, patients, and carers as appropriate.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and comprehensive nursing documentation is maintained in accordance with NMC Record Keeping standards and organisational policies, including staff signature records.
• Promote health and wellbeing initiatives for both patients and staff, applying health-promotion principles in everyday practice.
• Develop, implement, and maintain local clinical and professional policies that reflect current evidence-based practice and national standards.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Leadership and Professional Practice

• Develop and promote professional nursing practice, ensuring staff maintain and enhance the knowledge, skills, and competencies required within the clinical area.
• Provide effective leadership, supervision, mentorship, and support to registered nurses, healthcare support workers, and students.
• Foster a positive working environment that maintains staff morale, particularly during challenging and stressful situations, through effective communication, regular feedback, and visible leadership.
• Create and maintain an environment where patients' physical, psychological, social, and emotional needs are assessed, planned, implemented, and evaluated using a holistic, patient-centred approach.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and comprehensive nursing documentation is maintained in accordance with NMC standards, Trust policies, and legal requirements.
• Promote health and wellbeing initiatives for patients, carers, and staff, embedding health promotion principles into everyday clinical practice.
• Coordinate patient admissions, transfers, and discharges in collaboration with medical teams, bed management services, community providers, and multidisciplinary colleagues to ensure safe and effective patient flow.
• Provide support and guidance to patients, relatives, and staff during highly sensitive and distressing situations, including terminal illness, end-of-life care, and bereavement.
• Undertake comprehensive patient risk assessments and ensure safe moving and handling practices are carried out in accordance with Trust policies.
• Demonstrate resilience and professionalism when managing exposure to challenging clinical situations, including bodily fluids, violence, aggression, and other unpleasant working conditions.
• Maintain personal professional development and ensure compliance with mandatory training, professional registration requirements, and continuing education.

Management and Operational Responsibilities

• Hold delegated responsibility for the management of the ward budget, ensuring the effective and efficient use of financial, human, and physical resources in partnership with the Modern Matron.
• Manage staffing resources fairly and effectively, including workforce planning, sickness absence, annual leave, study leave, and overtime in accordance with Trust policies and service requirements.
• Create and sustain a positive educational environment that supports staff development, learning, and career progression.
• Lead on infection prevention and control within the unit, ensuring compliance with Trust policies, national guidance, and best practice standards.
• Ensure effective communication systems are established and maintained to keep staff informed, engaged, and involved in service developments.
• Deputise for the Modern Matron as required, providing operational and professional leadership across the service.
• Undertake additional duties and responsibilities as requested by senior management to support service delivery and organisational objectives.

Quality, Governance and Service Improvement

• Monitor, evaluate, and continuously improve standards of nursing care and service delivery within the clinical area.
• Develop, review, implement, and update local clinical policies, procedures, and guidelines to ensure alignment with evidence-based practice and organisational priorities.
• Ensure all staff comply with Trust policies, professional standards, statutory requirements, and regulatory frameworks.
• Promote and support the implementation of evidence-based practice, quality improvement initiatives, clinical audit, and research activities.
• Support the development of nursing practice in line with national healthcare priorities, the NHS Modernisation Agenda, and organisational strategic objectives.
• Ensure the Clinical Nurse Manager (Modern Matron) is informed of significant incidents, service developments, risks, and operational challenges.
• Investigate complaints, incidents, and clinical risks in accordance with Trust procedures and Clinical Governance requirements, ensuring lessons learned are identified, communicated, and embedded into practice.
• Participate in working groups, service improvement programmes, and research projects that contribute to the ongoing development of patient care and clinical services.
• Maintain effective working relationships with community services, social care providers, and multidisciplinary teams to facilitate high-quality patient care and continuity across care pathways.