Band 6 Sister / Deputy Ward Manager

Job overview
The Band 6 Sister/Deputy Ward Manager is an experienced registered nurse who must be able to communicate and collaborate effectively with colleagues at all levels of the nursing, midwifery, and multidisciplinary teams. The post holder is expected to represent their department professionally, supporting both the Clinical Leadership Team and the wider clinical workforce in the delivery of high-quality, standardised, evidence-based care.

The role requires the provision of effective, holistic, individualised, and patient-centred care to patients and their families, ensuring that care is delivered to the highest possible standards. The post holder is responsible for maintaining evidence-based practice at all times, continually developing their knowledge and skills in line with Trust policies, best practice guidelines, multidisciplinary working, and the NMC Code.

As a senior member of the ward team, the Band 6 Sister/Deputy Ward Manager demonstrates strong leadership skills, contributes actively to service improvement and development, and supports the implementation of change to enhance patient outcomes and experience. The post holder works collaboratively within the team to support, supervise, and develop junior staff and students, fostering a positive learning environment that encourages professional growth, continuous development, and high standards of care.

Main duties of the job
Clinical Practice

• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care, ensuring individualised, holistic, and evidence-based care is delivered in partnership with patients, families, carers, and the multidisciplinary team.
• Coordinate the delivery of care across the ward/department, ensuring patient needs are met safely, effectively, and compassionately.
• Act as a clinical role model, providing specialist knowledge, advice, and support to nursing colleagues, healthcare professionals, patients, and relatives.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive patient records in accordance with Trust policies, professional standards, and legal requirements.
• Ensure patients and relatives receive clear, accurate, and sensitive information, enabling them to participate in decisions regarding their care and treatment.
• Support the implementation of clinical guidelines, policies, and evidence-based practice, participating in audits and quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient outcomes.
• Work collaboratively with Ward Managers, Matrons, Heads of Nursing, and the multidisciplinary team to continuously improve standards of care, patient safety, and patient experience.
• Promote health education and wellbeing by providing patients and families with information and support to maintain healthy lifestyles and self-manage health conditions where appropriate.

Education and Research

• Support the education, induction, supervision, and professional development of registered nurses, healthcare support workers, apprentices, and students.
• Act as a Practice Supervisor, Practice Assessor, Mentor, or Preceptor as required, ensuring staff and students receive appropriate guidance, support, and competency assessment.
• Contribute to the development of a positive learning environment that encourages lifelong learning, reflective practice, and professional development.
• Participate in and contribute to educational programmes, training sessions, and teaching activities within the ward, department, and wider directorate.
• Promote the use of research, innovation, and evidence-based practice to improve patient care and service delivery.
• Participate in clinical research projects and service improvement initiatives where appropriate.

Leadership and Management

• Act as Deputy Ward Manager in the absence of the Ward Manager, providing effective operational, clinical, and professional leadership to ensure the safe and efficient running of the ward or department.
• Coordinate the day-to-day activities of the clinical area, ensuring appropriate staffing levels, skill mix, and deployment of staff in response to patient acuity, dependency, and service demands.
• Support workforce management through the completion of staff appraisals, performance reviews, personal development plans, attendance management, sickness monitoring, return-to-work interviews, and staff wellbeing initiatives in accordance with Trust policies.
• Assist with recruitment, retention, induction, preceptorship, and ongoing development of staff, promoting a culture of support, accountability, inclusivity, and continuous improvement.
• Lead, supervise, and mentor an identified group of staff, monitoring professional development, clinical competence, mandatory training compliance, and performance against agreed objectives.
• Liaise with the multidisciplinary team, Bed Managers, Site Managers, and other departments to facilitate effective patient flow, timely admissions, safe transfers, and efficient discharge planning.
• Contribute to the effective management of ward resources, ensuring the cost-effective use of staffing, equipment, supplies, and clinical resources.
• Promote patient safety by ensuring incidents, accidents, near misses, and concerns are reported, investigated, and acted upon in accordance with Trust policies and governance processes.
• Support the investigation and management of complaints, concerns, and patient feedback, contributing to service improvements and enhanced patient experience.
• Ensure high standards of cleanliness, infection prevention and control, health and safety, and environmental standards are maintained within the clinical area.
• Resolve day-to-day operational issues and support the management of conflict, maintaining effective communication and positive working relationships within the multidisciplinary team.
• Take a leadership role during emergency and crisis situations, coordinating care, resources, and staff to ensure patient and staff safety.
• Attend and contribute to ward, departmental, and organisational meetings, ensuring relevant information, policy updates, and service developments are effectively communicated to the team.
• Escalate concerns relating to patient safety, staffing, quality of care, performance, and operational risks to the Ward Manager, Matron, or appropriate senior leaders as required.
• Support service development, quality improvement initiatives, audits, inspections, and governance activities to continuously improve patient outcomes and staff experience.

Professional Development

• Maintain professional registration and practise in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code and Trust values.
• Take responsibility for maintaining clinical competence and ensuring knowledge and skills remain up to date through continuing professional development.
• Participate in annual appraisal, personal development planning, and performance review processes.
• Maintain a professional portfolio and evidence of learning to support revalidation and ongoing professional development.
• Complete all mandatory and statutory training requirements within agreed timescales.
• Demonstrate commitment to lifelong learning, service improvement, leadership development, and the delivery of high-quality patient-centred care.
• Actively contribute as a valued member of the multidisciplinary team, promoting collaboration, professionalism, equality, diversity, inclusion, and excellence in patient care.

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality services. We are part of the Neighbourhood Wave—a national programme that's changing how care is delivered by focusing on prevention, early support, and more joined-up services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector.

This means we're working more closely with local partners to bring care closer to home and support people to live healthier, more independent lives.

We're a supportive and inclusive organisation that values its people. We offer development opportunities, flexible working, and a strong focus on wellbeing. As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences.

Join us and help shape the future of care in West Essex.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Band 6 Sister/Deputy Ward Manager is responsible for supporting the Ward Manager in the leadership, operational management, and clinical governance of the ward or department, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, safe, effective, and patient-centred care. The post holder will act as Deputy in the absence of the Ward Manager, taking responsibility for the day-to-day management of the clinical area, including patient flow, staff deployment, resource management, and maintaining standards of care.

The post holder will provide visible clinical leadership, acting as a role model for professional practice and ensuring that care is delivered in accordance with Trust policies, national guidelines, evidence-based practice, and the NMC Code. They will lead and coordinate the nursing team, supporting staff to deliver compassionate, individualised care while promoting a positive patient experience.

The role includes responsibility for workforce management, supporting the Ward Manager with staff supervision, appraisal processes, attendance management, sickness monitoring, return-to-work interviews, performance management, recruitment, retention, and staff development. The post holder will identify training and development needs, support mandatory training compliance, and create a learning environment that encourages professional growth for registered nurses, support workers, apprentices, and students.

The Deputy Ward Manager will ensure the effective utilisation of human, financial, and physical resources, maintaining safe staffing levels and skill mix to meet the changing needs and acuity of patients. They will contribute to rota planning and coordinate care delivery to ensure the department runs efficiently and safely at all times.

The post holder will be responsible for monitoring and maintaining clinical standards, undertaking audits, supporting quality improvement initiatives, investigating incidents and complaints, and implementing actions to improve patient safety and service delivery. They will recognise, escalate, and manage risks appropriately, ensuring that concerns relating to patient care, staffing, safeguarding, infection prevention and control, or health and safety are addressed promptly.

Working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team, the post holder will ensure effective communication with patients, relatives, carers, and colleagues, providing clinical expertise, guidance, and support in complex situations. They will contribute to service development and the implementation of local and national initiatives to continuously improve quality, patient outcomes, and staff experience.

The role requires the ability to work independently, make informed clinical and operational decisions, prioritise workload effectively, and respond to changing demands within a busy clinical environment. The post holder will maintain their own professional development, competency, and revalidation requirements while promoting a culture of excellence, accountability, equality, diversity, inclusion, and continuous improvement across the department.

The post holder will be expected to demonstrate flexibility in working practices and undertake any other duties appropriate to the grade and scope of the role, supporting the wider objectives of the Trust and ensuring the provision of outstanding patient care.

Equal opportunities: The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust is an equal opportunities employer and Disability Confident.