Overview
The Ward Manager role is a pivotal nursing position in the delivery of excellent standards of care through effective leadership and management. We are looking for an experienced Registered Nurse with a high level of clinical competency in the acute setting, strong leadership skills and proven management experience to take on this challenge. This role is based at Southport Hospital and involves managing a 28-bedded Unit accepting Acute Medical Admissions and Short Stay patients. Applicants must possess the knowledge and skills outlined in the job description and personal specification to apply.
The successful candidate will be highly visible to staff, patients and relatives, deliver direct patient care while managing, leading and coordinating the Unit, provide decisive and effective clinical input and demonstrate leadership qualities, communication skills, flexibility and the ability to work under pressure. The ward manager will work some clinical shifts and will identify service development needs and contribute to operational planning, development and evaluation of the service.
The Ward Manager carries 24-hour continuing responsibility for the Unit. The postholder will primarily work Monday to Friday office hours but will participate in out-of-hours work to support service delivery.
Thank you for considering an application to work for Mersey West Lancashire NHS Trust (MWL).
Responsibilities
* Provide leadership, management and team development to designated staff, acting in a consultative capacity to ensure safe and effective service delivery.
* Provide specialist advice, leadership and support to the wider MDT with the patient at the centre of all decisions.
* Ensure high quality care through assessment planning, implementation and evaluation of care delivery.
* Maintain staff and patient records in compliance with Trust policy.
* Liaise with internal departments and external agencies to provide evidence-based care and contribute to policy and practice changes.
* Manage delegated budget in line with Trust’s standing financial instructions.
* Uphold standards of professional practice, promoting high quality patient care.
* Overall responsibility for department management and accountability for the quality of care in line with Trust policy and standards.
* Lead and maintain a highly visible presence, being responsive and accessible to patients, carers and staff.
* Clinical Management: responsibility for delivering high-quality patient care by the team; implement and maintain infection control policies; participate in quality inspections and action planning; maintain safe staffing levels; ensure accurate patient records; maximise clinical resources; maintain clinical competence; act as an expert clinician; participate in investigations of complaints and incidents; respond to concerns; provide data and statistical returns.
* People Management: coordinate rosters, leave and sickness; plan orientation; ensure mandatory training; supervise staff with development plans; manage performance and conduct; recruit and retain staff; develop teaching and learning programmes; meet educational needs of students.
* Leadership and Development: involve patients and carers in planning; monitor standards of care; develop policies and protocols; deliver service improvements with evidence-based practice.
* Budget Management: act as budget holder, report variances at monthly meetings, achieve financial and operational objectives, ensure efficient use of resources and equipment.
* Research and Audit: develop and implement audits; promote current research; apply findings to practice; disseminate results; audit nursing practice.
* Personal Development: maintain own professional development, identify learning needs, maintain a professional portfolio, support team wellbeing, represent the directorate and participate in business planning and delegated projects.
Qualifications and Other Requirements
Applicants must possess the necessary knowledge and skills as outlined in the job description and personal specification to apply.
Additional Information
* Shortlisting Date: 25 September 2025
* Interview Date: 7 October 2025
* Equality, Diversity and Inclusion statements and Guaranteed Interview Schemes for disabled applicants and armed forces veterans are included as part of the recruitment process.
* Flexible working is supported; NHS terms and conditions apply.
* Good luck with your application. MWL serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 9,000 across 21 sites.
About MWL
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust provides acute, primary, community and specialist regional services. Our values are We are KIND, We are OPEN, We are INCLUSIVE. Details on sponsorship, DBS, criminal records checks, eVisa, and other recruitment information are provided in the original job description.
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