Ward Manager

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF JOB ROLE

The Ward Manager is accountable to the Director of Patient Services for the smooth running of the ward. The post holder is responsible for ensuring attainment of agreed clinical standards and professional development supported by other senior nursing staff, Integrated Governance Lead and the Director of Patient Services.

2. MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

2.1 Clinical:

To be competent in identifying and acting on changes in patient condition, making safe, timely decisions appropriate to the situation

Decisions on CPR policy, clinical manual, competency, care plan

Provide clinical expertise and knowledge to the nursing teams, participate in the direct nursing care of patients and collaborate with relevant external and internal groups in this provision

Clinical manual, competency,care plan,clinical governance

Ongoing informal and formal assessment of patients, working with multi-disciplinary team in providing comprehensive clinical report to relevant professionals (e.g. commissioner)

To work with patients and multi-disciplinary team to set realistic and achievable goals, acting as an effective key worker to allocated patients

To be competent in organising patients admission, discharge, transferring and death process, managing patients internal and external clinical appointments efficiently

To manage a hospital wide emergency situation effectively in accordance with hospital business continuity plan, providing feedback and recommendation as appropriate

Hospital business continuity plan policy

To monitor clinical records both written and electronic, ensuring they are recorded timely, accurately and legibly in accordance with hospital policy and national NICE guidelines

Health record policy

To actively participate and contribute in team meetings and case reviews (MDT, goal setting, ward round, Best Interest Meeting, CCG review, family review, etc.)

Ensure effective communication to ensure nursing staff are aware of operational procedures, policies and hospital developments to enable safe delivery of care.

Communication policy, policies and operational standard

Participate in the development of clinical and operational nursing projects and the development of policies and procedures to support practice.

To direct and support staff in working in a manner that maintains and protects the safety, confidentiality, consent, privacy and dignity of patients, their families and friends

Information management policy, consent policy

To provide support to relatives, keeping them informed as necessary in line with patient confidentiality policy.

Communication policy, safeguarding, confidential policy

To demonstrate a sound knowledge of safeguarding and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS) and the importance of this in people with complex disabilities and be confident in advising and educating staff as matters occur

Safeguarding manual, MDT notes and care plans on DOLS

To manage nurses and nursing services by organising the duty rota and patient allocation, anticipating requirements when clinical activity increases/decreases, assisting in forward planning of absences and the effective use of temporary staff ensuring correct grade and skill mix are in place to deliver care and in accordance to agreed establishment figures.

Manager competency framework

To provide consistent, clear, clinical and professional leadership and act as a mentor for all staff demonstrating professional awareness and accountability in care.

Manager Competency Framework

Ensure strong levels of nursing staff engagement, providing visible leadership and direction.

Manage direct reports effectively, delegating appropriately and holding them accountable for the delivery of specific objectives and targets, maximising their performance through regular performance coaching and review, and reflective practice, ensuring they meet the required standards in their current job whilst developing their skills and knowledge.

Ensure that, where performance issues have been identified, personnel policies are adhered to and specialist advice is sought where required.

Assist the Director of Patient Services and HR manager by identifying workforce requirements and participate in the recruitment and selection process in accordance with Hospital policies and procedures.

Lead specific improvement projects as required.

Ensure that conflicts, disagreements and misunderstandings are handled promptly and effectively.

Conflict Management

Ensure that all communications and interactions entered into with external agencies are conducted professionally, thoroughly and effectively so that the organisations reputation and standing is promoted and enhanced.

2.3 Integrated Governance and Risk Management

Ensure a culture within the ward that ensures consistent compliance with internal policy and external regulatory standards, through monitoring and driving improvements on clinical indicators for nursing.

Hospital policies, clinical manual and operational standards

Co-ordinate compliance with standards in respect of all legislative requirements, including but not limited to CQC, ICB, Fire, BLS, Manual Handling, Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults, Information Security and Infection Control.

Hospital relevant policies and manual

Monitor nursing effectiveness / success utilising monitoring systems such as clinical incident reporting; undertake investigations, identify and provide solutions to nursing issues and take action to deliver improvement at ward level.

Manager competency framework, incident management policy

Ensure effective management of relatives and participate in complaint resolution. Ensure that learning from incidents and complaints takes place across the ward and organisation to prevent re-occurrences

Compliant policy

Implement quality and risk management tools and continually monitor their effectiveness within the ward area

Operational Standard and Risk Management

To actively participate in own clinical supervision, appraisal sessions and also be competent in conducting same sessions with nurses

L&D policy and planner, human resources policy

To take responsibility for own professional development, maintaining professional portfolio to meet NMC revalidation standards and support nursing colleagues to do the same

NMC professional code of conduct, L&D policy

To work with Learning and Development Lead and senior colleagues in identifying staff training needs and planning hospital learning and development programme, ensuring staff are equipped with an appropriate level of knowledge and skills. Be confident in delivery of informal or informal teaching sessions

To be confident in mentoring and coaching staff in terms of planning and providing holistic care interventions for patients in line with the needs and goals, carrying out formal or informal assessments to reflect the practice of validity and reliability

Clinical manual, Care plan, competency assessment, clinical governance

To participate as required in induction of new staff such as ensuring they are allocated a mentor during their orientation period and attend teaching sessions as required. Contribute to evaluation of induction with new staff and mentors.

To lead or work closely with hospital special interest groups (SIGs) in developing specialised fields and advising staff at an appropriate level

Care plan, Clinical manual, SIGs guidelines, clinical governance

2.4 Health and Safety

To participate or contribute as required in Health & Safety meetings and ensure any defects, accidents, incidents, hazards are reported in a timely manner. Lead or assist senior staff in the process of investigations. Be competent in conducting risk assessment and ensure control measures are in place

Management of incidents/accidents policy, risk assessment

To accept the role of Fire Team leader and Designated Nursing Officer for Medical Gas Pipeline Systems having acquired and kept updated the knowledge to discharge this function effectively under emergency conditions

Fire policy, Operational Policy for Medical Gas Pipeline Systems

2.5 Operation of equipment & care of ward environment

To ensure effective programmes are in place for decontamination and maintenance of equipment, ensuring a clean and appropriate ward environment is maintained at all times

Environment management policy, health and safety policy, infection control policy

To adhere to infection prevention and control policies in own practice and support Infection Prevention and Control Lead in complying , educating staff in best practice and in all ways promote the prevention and control of infection

Infection prevention and control policy and guidelines

To contribute to developing policy and clinical guidelines , and to implementing and reviewing them and ensuring compliance in own practice and the ward team

General policy and clinical manual

To support Integrated Governance Lead in clinical audits and quality assurance initiatives, identifying audit needs and plan audit in liaison with relevant teams providing feedback and action plans to staff in a positive constructive manner

Audit guidelines, infection control, clinical governance and health & safety manuals

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Level 1 registered nurse
• BSc degree (or equivalent)
• Leadership course
• Appropriate experience in a Sister/Charge Nurse role
• Evidence of continuous professional development
• Experienced in resource management
• Experience of successfully managing the implementation of change
• Experience in incident and risk management
• Experience in complaints management
• Experience in clinical audits
• Knowledge of the Health & Social Care Act 2008 and Care Quality Commission Requirements
• Knowledge of NMC Codes and guidelines and their implications for practice
• Knowledge of enhanced Safeguarding, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS)and Mental Capacity Act 2005
• Knowledge of neurological and respiratory care
• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal presentation skills & report writing
• Strong organisational, planning and budget management skills
• Demonstrates use of initiative
• Computer literate with good knowledge of MS word, outlook, Excel
• Advanced clinical decision-making skills
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Ability to work calmly under pressure

Desirable

• Management Certification

Experience

Essential

• Appropriate experience in a Sister/Charge Nurse role
• Evidence of continuous professional development
• Experienced in resource management
• Experience of successfully managing the implementation of change
• Experience in incident and risk management
• Experience in complaints management
• Experience in clinical audits

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

Holy Cross Hospital

Address

Holy Cross Hospital

Hindhead Road

Haslemere

Surrey

GU27 1NQ

Employer's website

https://www.holycross.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)