Ward Manager

Job summary
Are you highly motivated, enthusiastic with excellent communication skills?

Are you looking for a job where you can lead and motivate the staff to provide high quality patient focused care?

The successful candidate will be an experienced nurse preferably with oncology experience with the vision and passion to help optimise high quality patient care.

As a Ward Manager you would bring a positive attitude and foster a supportive, friendly and encouraging work environment.This is a demanding but very rewarding role and based within a trust that is one of the leading cancer centres in Europe.

Ward 4 and The Brachytherapy Unit is a friendly, welcoming and supportive team.

Ward 4 is a specialist head and neck ward and the designated altered airway ward.

We also provide specialist brachytherapy and molecular radiotherapy treatments.

We promote a healthy work-life balance. The trust offers a complimentary therapy service where you can access discounted on-site massage, chiropody and reiki therapy. We understand that cancer care is a challenging field but our friendly team work closely together to adopt a supportive culture. The trust also offers free and confidential counselling support.

We are dedicated to our staff development and invest in your career development with access to further education and secondment opportunities for your progression.

Main duties of the job
o To coordinate and lead the team, communicating effectively with members of the multidisciplinary team to deliver high quality evidence-based care to patients.o To advocate for patients and exercise clinical judgement about patients' needs in terms of plans and long termo goals.o To communicate openly with the team at safety huddles, cascading important information that impacts the team / patient care.o To participate in the transition of Ward 4 moving to Ward 14 and 15 and supporting Brachytherapy training and education.o Ensuring the ward is safely staffed, working in line with PSIRF principles of governance, promoting a positive culture of learning.o Oversee the teams PDRs, staffing, sickness monitoring, liaising closely with the band 6 team and clinical educator for training and education ensuring the right people, with the right skills, are in the right place at the right time.

About us
The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country. We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years. We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.

Job responsibilities
MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONAL
A motivated and dynamic leader, striving for improvement in care and practice, and acting as positive role model to all staff.

Demonstrate christie behaviours and values maintains a high visibility within the clinical areas, providing support and advice to all staff.

Provide management support for the Ward 4, MR and Brachytherapy team

Liaise closely with all ward managers/nursing teams and matrons across all inpatient and outpatient settings to promote best possible care for patients requiring urgent review.

To liaise with the bed manager, triage and the hotline team to ensure optimal bed usage.

Work closely with the infection prevention and control team to reduce patient risk of infection

Liaise closely with critical care outreach team to understand needs and prioritise care of acutely unwell patients and safe escalation, including vulnerable patients with altered airways.

Foster and demonstrate creativity, energy and inspiration into ward team to improve patient care.

Assess, plan and implement clinical care and maintain associated patient records.

Be aware of Health and Safety issues and ensure relevant risk assessments are undertaken.

Report and record all accidents and complaints according to the agreed policy, investigating speedily and compassionately

Ensure all trust policies and procedures are adhered to and new ones implemented as necessary

Ensure each designated staff member participates in a personal development plan and act to maximise the potential of others

Assist in nursing recruitment process when required

Take a progressive approach to the management of short and long-term sickness/absence in collaboration with the Department manager/Senior Nursing team

Continuously review the service and implement change to the service to support ongoing improvements

Participate and lead, where appropriate, the daily staffing and bed capacity meetings, gathering appropriate concise information.

Ensure effective communication between patients, their families and the healthcare team in order to maintain continuity in care and that appropriate and consistent information is conveyed to patients and their families.

Maintain links with specialist nurses, GPs and nursing teams in the community to ensure continuity of care

Be innovative in approach to move the service forward in line with Trust and National frameworks including inpatient and primary care initiatives to improve inpatient capacity challenges.

Work as a professional role model, providing leadership at all times and work as the patient advocate, when necessary, which reflects the Trusts values and behaviors.

Take appropriate action in relation to any disciplinary matter when the need arises and follow procedures as laid down by the Trust.

Supervise the requisition of stocks and equipment with care and economy

CLINICAL
Provide high-quality, evidence-based nursing/clinical care to patients on Ward 4, MR and Brachytherapy. Conduct timely assessments, observations, and interventions in accordance with local and national clinical guidelines. Support rapid diagnostics (e.g. point-of-care testing, ECGs, venepuncture, cannulation) and assist with minor procedures. Work collaboratively with medical and allied health professionals to develop and implement individualised care plans. Safely manage deteriorating patients, and those with altered airways escalating appropriately to senior staff and the medical team. Promote early discharge by ensuring patients are medically optimised and supported with appropriate follow-up plans. Contribute to patient education, health promotion, and self-management strategies. Clinically assess patient provided information and provide appropriate safe care for a range of clinical issues.

Recognise and escalate appropriately patients who are critically ill

Make clinical judgements from patient presentations, evaluating multiple options and courses of action to find the most appropriate route for the patient

Liaise within clinicians and arrange prescriptions and treatment plans for patients.

To co-ordinate and where necessary take responsibility for care of patients

Communicate with patients and/or cares regarding their care management dealing with highly sensitive information requiring empathy and reassurance

Be aware of possible barriers to understanding and use exceptional communication skills and specialist knowledge to overcome this

TRAINING & EDUCATION
Complete appropriate clinical skills and mandatory training as directed by management

Supervise clinical staff and disseminate knowledge and current developments. Ensure all staff have an appropriate level of training and are offered relevant support

Present at training days and conferences

Supervise and appraise nominated staff by establishing performance objectives and facilitating individual development opportunities through personal development plans.

Participate and undertake research and audit which will influence practice

To be up to date in all IV training programs including annual updates and competent in all areas of clinical practice including medicines management, moving and handling, assessment of critically ill patient and competent in performing ECGs

Attend all mandatory study days

Maintain awareness and competency within the role against national and regional initiatives and subsequently implement these initiatives into practice.

Take responsibility for training and education of the team and ensure equal opportunities for develop

Maintain professional accountability

PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP
Maintain a high-profile visible presence within wards and department areas whilst ensuring the highest standards are maintained

Work as a professional role model and patient advocate which reflects the Trusts values and behaviours

Contribute to local resolution of any informal or formal complaints and carry out any follow-up action as required

Provide leadership to promote the patient flow and operational agenda

Participate in professional forums where appropriate

Act as a role model and resource for junior staff, students, and new starters. Participate in clinical supervision, mandatory training, and continuing professional development. Contribute to audit, governance, and quality improvement initiatives within the unit. Maintain registration and compliance with professional codes of conduct (e.g., NMC).

COMMUNICATION & PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Act as a resource giving advice and support to nursing staff regarding emergency admissions and associated issues

Provide and receive highly sensitive confidential information concerning patients requiring empathy, persuasion and reassurance.

Deals with complex facts or situations requiring analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options

Liaise closely with the medical team and other members of the MDT in respect of patient care promoting the highest standard of care

To develop and maintain a professional interest in all aspects of nursing and associated research

To highlight areas of improvement/development within the department and undertake relevant projects

Foster and demonstrate creativity, energy and inspiration into ward teams toward efficient patient flows and pathways.

PLANNING & ORGANISATIONAL
Plan and organise complex activities or programmes requiring formulation, adjustment and involving multiagency

Provide highly specialised advice on trust status

Responsibility for financial and physical resources. hold delegated budget authority for patient flow

Responsibility for human resources. Day to day management of staffing levels for your team and when necessary, the division

Deal with and support the team through highly distressing or emotional circumstances e.g giving unwelcome news or challenging decision making

PERSONAL
Demonstrate a pleasant and approachable manner and help create and promote a good working relationship.

Show professional and courteous manner whilst practicing excellent communication skills at all levels

Undertake relevant projects

Represent the team at trust wide forums

Keep abreast of issues influencing the Trust both internally and externally

Participate in policy writing for the department and trust

Be fully aware of the divisional objectives and the Trusts corporate plan

To show respect for members of the team and endorse the departments philosophy of giving mutual support.

Being aware of ones own limitations, maintain confidentiality and adherence to NMC Professional Code of Conduct

Cooperate in own performance review by indicating learning goals and support needs.

Maintain confidentiality with regard to patient information both at work and outside working hours

Report and record all accidents and complaints according to the agreed policy

Actively seek mentorship / supervision to enable reflection and development within the role.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• RGN Level 1
• Degree or Diploma in Nursing Studies
• Post Registration Certificate in Cancer or equivalent experience

Desirable

• Teaching and Assessing certificate or equivalent
• Management Course
• Non-medical prescribing
• UKONS AO passport

Experience
Essential

• Oncology or medical care experience

Desirable

• Managerial Experience
• Performance Management
• Head and Neck/Altered Airway experience
• Brachytherapy experience

Skills
Essential

• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent assessment skills
• Computer Literacy
• Ability to deliver a high quality of care
• Excellent medicines management skills

Desirable

• Leadership skills
• Venepuncture and cannulation skills
• Advanced Life Support
• Evidence of Quality Improvement skills

Knowledge
Essential

• Understanding of need for evidence-based practice
• Committed to own personal development and that of colleagues

Desirable

• SACT knowledge
• MR/Brachytherapy
• End of Life Care

Values
Essential

• Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours

Other
Essential

• Ability to work well in a team
• Ability to work on own initiative
• Ability to organise and prioritise own workload

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