Norman Ward Band 7
Full Time - 37.5 hours per week
An exciting opportunity has arisen for the post of Ward Manager to support and provide leadership in Bromley Inpatient Services on Betts Ward.
We are looking for an experienced and highly motivated leader to support and manage the delivery of high quality inpatient mental health care on a 20 bedded acute male ward.
You will be responsible for promoting and developing clinical leadership by acting as a positive role model who practices evidence-based care. You will be joining a supportive senior nursing team who encourage personal development through supervision, PDR, CPD training programmes and further education.
Key responsibilities include providing supervision, mentorship and leadership for staff at Band 2 to 6 and student nurses as appropriate and also providing support to the Unit’s Duty Senior Nurse (DSN). Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust operates a probationary period. Further details are available on request. This post may close earlier if there is a high number of applicants.
Overview of the Post
* Responsible for the operational management of clinical area.
* Lead and effectively manage the ward nursing team.
* Ensure high standards of evidence-based, patient centred care is maintained.
* Establish and maintain systems for clinical governance.
* Effectively and efficiently manage ward budget and resources.
* Promote good communication within the team and with external agencies.
Key Tasks and Responsibilities
* Provide management and leadership of all staff and resources within the units, incorporating implementation of change and delivering standards of care.
* Signatory for budget management.
* Maintain clinical role; expected 25% clinical and 75% management, flexible to unit needs.
Staff Management and Supervision
* Exercise strong clinical leadership to support and inspire colleagues, improve standards and quality and develop professional practice.
* Be visible and accessible for all team members and other Heads of Department.
* Act as Team Leader within the nursing framework and work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team.
* Ensure adequate staffing levels and balanced cover to meet the patients' needs within the financial restraints placed on the unit budget.
* Coordinate the nursing teams in providing care for the patients with the ward.
* Ensure all staff have yearly job development reviews.
* Monitor and manage sickness absence within the team.
* Ensure annual leave is taken and cover is maintained.
* Lead in selection and recruitment of staff within each ward.
* Ensure safe practices are in place and act on areas of concern (e.g., Health and Safety).
* Ensure staff rota covers the ward’s needs in line with resource management.
Financial Management
* Manage the ward's current budgets.
* Ensure all members of the ward team take financial constraints into account during the working day.
* Adhere to financial constraints in relation to ad-hoc usage of temporary staff.
* Meet monthly with the service manager to discuss budgets and identify potential cost pressures/savings.
Quality and Standards
* Responsible for infection control including audits, best practice and use of protocols within the ward environment.
* Responsible for ward cleanliness in association with Initial Services.
* Handle complaints from patients, members of the public and staff in accordance with the Trust's Policies and Procedures.
* Implement policies and propose changes to practice and procedure for own area.
* Contribute to policy and practice changes arising from audits and complaints.
* Investigate complaints and prepare a structured response following investigation of complaints or clinical incidents.
* Evaluate the service against national and international benchmarks; promote further improvements in services through networking and comparison.
* Set, monitor, audit and lead on appropriate practice protocols and standards within the Trust's clinical governance framework.
* Undertake clinical audits and surveys to maintain best practice in compliance with the Trust's clinical audit programme.
* Play a key role in clinical governance by providing expert advice and liaising with other disciplines to influence quality improvements.
* Participate in clinical audit and review results that affect own area and patient care.
* Provide leadership in evaluating service against national benchmarks (Essence of Care, National Service Framework for Older People, NHS plan).
* Deputise for Service Manager at clinical meetings.
Training, Research and Development
* Ensure the maintenance of the correct educational environment for student nurses and other learners and collate yearly learning needs analysis.
* Participate in student assessment and liaise with educational staff where appropriate.
* Act as an effective role model, mentor and preceptor.
* Organise and participate in the orientation/induction of new staff to the ward.
* Lead in ward and trust teaching programmes.
* Act as a resource and advisor to junior colleagues in the delivery of research-based programmes of care, ensuring appropriate assessment, planning and evaluation take place.
* Initiate research within the ward environment.
Professional Responsibilities
* Maintain high standards of communication and collaboration with the multi-professional network.
* Ensure all nursing records and documentation is completed accurately and legibly to meet legal requirements.
* Maintain and develop own professional practice, keeping abreast of new developments and concepts, clinically and professionally.
* Maintain knowledge on the administration of drugs and ensure a structured training programme is rolled out to all nurses working.
* Maintain own record of professional development in the form of a personal professional profile.
* Advise the most appropriate person of any change in circumstances which may affect patient care.
* Act in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct.
* Provide role in Hospital Major Incident Plan.
* Manage the beds on a day-to-date basis.
Communication and Working Relationships
* Liaise with other care providers pre-admission and discharge to optimise ward bed usage and ensure stakeholders are aware of the ward role.
* Hold and chair monthly ward meetings.
* Act as coordinator and lead for patient, relative and carer enquiries.
* Maintain regular contact with all levels of Trust nursing staff, consultants in elderly care, older persons service, senior management team, multi-disciplinary team members, social care, health, voluntary and independent organisations and academic institutions.
* Develop negotiating skills.
* Communicate with clarity and confidence in demanding and difficult situations.
* Receive and manage sensitive and complex information concerning patients' medical condition and health needs.
* Possess persuasive, reassurance and networking skills to promote ongoing team development.
Vulnerable Adults, Children and Young People
All members of staff have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of vulnerable adults, children and young people in all relevant areas of their work. This will include timely attendance at relevant training events and compliance with agency safeguarding procedures.
Clinical Obligations
* Maintain statutory/professional registration at all times.
* Maintain continuous professional development to meet registration requirements.
* Work within the boundaries of relevant Professional Code of Conduct.
* Adhere to national guidelines and best practice for infection control.
* Comply with the Trust's clinical policies and those adopted by the Trust.
* Participate in the Trust's clinical governance structure.
Job and Development Review
All employees are entitled to have at least an annual job and development review with their Line Manager, which will include drawing up a personal development plan and reviewing the job description.
Trust Identity Badges
Trust ID badges must be worn at all times while on duty.
Major Incidents
On limited occasions, the Trust may be asked to respond to a major incident, called by the emergency services. All staff will be expected to respond to a major incident if required and may be required to remain at work until relieved.
This advert closes on Monday 17 Nov 2025.
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