Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust

Deputy Ward Manager - Development Role

The closing date is 04 March 2026

Job summary

An exciting and innovative opportunity has arisen for a registered Mental Health nurse to join the team on Athelon Ward as part of a development programme within the inpatient pathway. This programme will culminate in promotion to Band 6 after 12/18 or 24 months dependent upon previous experience and completion of competencies. This is a highly valued, rewarding, and challenging role with opportunities to improve the delivery of inpatient services and patient experiences.

Athelon Ward is a 14 bedded, mixed gender Acute Mental Health ward situated in Worcester and part of the provision of acute inpatient services across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. It is a vital service for supporting those with acute mental health difficulties of varying complexities. Applicants should have an interest in both mental and physical health care delivery. There are exciting opportunities for staff to be involved in collaborative work with patients to improve their experiences and promote a culture of care. We want to embed a culture within the organisation that encourages and supports the drive to improve what we do.

This is full time post, but we would consider applicants looking for part time.

Main duties of the job

The role will include the development of a combination of clinical and operational duties which will support the maintenance of quality and standards for the patient experience. The role will consist of a strong clinical focus on the ward to support the maintenance of quality and leadership for the patient experience as well as a strong staff focus, inclusive of HR processes, rostering and the facilitation of staff appraisals.

We pride ourselves in providing outstanding care to patients across Herefordshire and Worcestershire and you will develop to become part of the leadership team to ensure that is maintained. We will provide you with resources to develop and progress a long-term career as well as flexibility, continual professional development, as well as a wide range of wellbeing and support.

About us

At Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, we are working together to deliver outstanding care. We run community hospitals and community health services across Worcestershire and provide mental health and learning disability services across both Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Our people (all 4500+ of them) provide services for people of all ages, experiencing both physical and/or mental health conditions from over 100 sites.

We will support you to thrive; offer flexible working options for a great work-life balance, help you fulfil your ambitions, and empower you to make positive changes within your team or service. We value diversity and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities.

What we offer;

  • 27 days leave plus bank holidays, increasing up to 33 days with long service
  • Generous NHS pension and enhanced pay when you work unsocial hours
  • Flexible and agile working opportunities
  • Great maternity, paternity, and adoption support
  • Wide range of supportive staff networks
  • Health and wellbeing opportunities

If you would like to know more, please visit our website.

We encourage you to read the attached applicant guidance notes.

Sharing your data - As a data controller we may sometimes need to process your data to pursue our legitimate business interests, for example to request a survey from you (optional), to support the Trusts understanding of where you gained interest in working for the Trust.

Details

Date posted

10 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year pro rata for part time

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9798-2022

Job locations

Athelon Ward, Newtown Hospital

Newtown Road

Worcester

WR5 1JG


Job description

Job responsibilities

As a service, we provide inpatient facilities for working age adults with acute mental health problems and we are looking for caring, compassionate individuals to work within our acute service who are committed to providing high quality care and treatment to our patients. Working in an acute environment can be challenging, but with the right team, positive attitude and resilience we are rising to the challenge and reaping the reward of being able to support people during their most difficult times.

With you in our team, we will empower you to work innovatively, showing a commitment to providing compassionate care and a strong desire to improve the patients experience. You will be able to apply the philosophies of engagement, recovery and positive care in your work with your patients.

Your career with us will be enjoyable and rewarding as you develop specialist skills and make a real difference for some of the most vulnerable people in society.

For full details of the duties and criteria for the role please refer to the job description and person specification attached.

Job description

Job responsibilities

As a service, we provide inpatient facilities for working age adults with acute mental health problems and we are looking for caring, compassionate individuals to work within our acute service who are committed to providing high quality care and treatment to our patients. Working in an acute environment can be challenging, but with the right team, positive attitude and resilience we are rising to the challenge and reaping the reward of being able to support people during their most difficult times.

With you in our team, we will empower you to work innovatively, showing a commitment to providing compassionate care and a strong desire to improve the patients experience. You will be able to apply the philosophies of engagement, recovery and positive care in your work with your patients.

Your career with us will be enjoyable and rewarding as you develop specialist skills and make a real difference for some of the most vulnerable people in society.

For full details of the duties and criteria for the role please refer to the job description and person specification attached.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • RN Mental Health, RN (Adult) or RNLD
  • Registered on the NMC register
  • Evidence of continuing professional development
  • I understand that I will be asked to provide original certificates to verify my qualifications at point of offer.

Experience

Essential

  • Where the post holder is on or above the 2nd KSF gateway they will support the Clinical Coordinator role, as described as exceptional circumstances in the job description
  • Promoting peoples equality, diversity and rights
  • Ensuring actions contribute to quality

Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge of and the ability to apply the principles of the NMC/HCPC Code of Professional Conduct
  • Knowledge of national and Trust policies and procedures and how to access them
  • Evidence of recent clinical update or training relevant to current post
  • Knowledge of national trends in mental health care
  • Promoting peoples equality, diversity and rights
  • Knowledge of Clinical Governance and a commitment to clinical supervision
  • Knowledge of the individuals responsibility towards health and safety
  • Understand the roles and functions of the Crisis Resolution, Home Treatment, Assertive Outreach and Community Mental Health teams, and liaise with them appropriately
  • Knowledge of other resources available locally that can provide more specialist help or advice if required

Additional Criteria

Essential

  • Motivated towards leadership development

Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Ability to challenge poor behaviour
  • Role modelling good behaviour
  • A positive attitude and able to act on feedback
  • Ability to praise and be supportive to others
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Ability to provide a consistent role model to others
  • Effective communication skills, written and verbal
  • Able to pass on information in a timely and coherent manner, whilst maintaining confidentiality
  • Ability to prioritise problems and use clinical judgment to deal with them
  • Skilled in dealing with psychiatric emergencies
  • Use own initiative and be able to make sound decisions
  • Skilled in report writing and maintain clear and legible documentation
  • Basic IT skills
  • Able to work as an effective team member
  • Able to assess, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of care
  • Able to demonstrate sound clinical skills
  • Ability to recognise own limits
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • RN Mental Health, RN (Adult) or RNLD
  • Registered on the NMC register
  • Evidence of continuing professional development
  • I understand that I will be asked to provide original certificates to verify my qualifications at point of offer.

Experience

Essential

  • Where the post holder is on or above the 2nd KSF gateway they will support the Clinical Coordinator role, as described as exceptional circumstances in the job description
  • Promoting peoples equality, diversity and rights
  • Ensuring actions contribute to quality

Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge of and the ability to apply the principles of the NMC/HCPC Code of Professional Conduct
  • Knowledge of national and Trust policies and procedures and how to access them
  • Evidence of recent clinical update or training relevant to current post
  • Knowledge of national trends in mental health care
  • Promoting peoples equality, diversity and rights
  • Knowledge of Clinical Governance and a commitment to clinical supervision
  • Knowledge of the individuals responsibility towards health and safety
  • Understand the roles and functions of the Crisis Resolution, Home Treatment, Assertive Outreach and Community Mental Health teams, and liaise with them appropriately
  • Knowledge of other resources available locally that can provide more specialist help or advice if required

Additional Criteria

Essential

  • Motivated towards leadership development

Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Ability to challenge poor behaviour
  • Role modelling good behaviour
  • A positive attitude and able to act on feedback
  • Ability to praise and be supportive to others
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Ability to provide a consistent role model to others
  • Effective communication skills, written and verbal
  • Able to pass on information in a timely and coherent manner, whilst maintaining confidentiality
  • Ability to prioritise problems and use clinical judgment to deal with them
  • Skilled in dealing with psychiatric emergencies
  • Use own initiative and be able to make sound decisions
  • Skilled in report writing and maintain clear and legible documentation
  • Basic IT skills
  • Able to work as an effective team member
  • Able to assess, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of care
  • Able to demonstrate sound clinical skills
  • Ability to recognise own limits

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust

Address

Athelon Ward, Newtown Hospital

Newtown Road

Worcester

WR5 1JG


Employer's website

https://www.hacw.nhs.uk/careers (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust

Address

Athelon Ward, Newtown Hospital

Newtown Road

Worcester

WR5 1JG


Employer's website

https://www.hacw.nhs.uk/careers (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Athelon Ward Manager

Jackie Reacord

jackie.reacord@nhs.net

01905520403

Details

Date posted

10 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year pro rata for part time

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9798-2022

Job locations

Athelon Ward, Newtown Hospital

Newtown Road

Worcester

WR5 1JG


Supporting documents

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