Job overview
Are you a dynamic, motivated and compassionate leader looking to take the next step in your nursing career? We are seeking an experienced nurse with a passion for providing high quality care, to lead our busy Acute Surgical Ward (Ward 22).
This is an exciting opportunity to oversee the daily running of a 30-bed ward, caring for patients with a wide range of acute surgical needs. You will be responsible for the leadership and management of over 40 staff, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective, and high-quality patient care in line with Trust values.
Main duties of the job
As Ward Manager, you will:
1. Provide visible leadership and act as a role model to staff and students.
2. Lead on quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient safety and experience.
3. Manage staffing, budgets, and resources effectively.
4. Support professional development, education, and wellbeing of your team.
5. Work closely with the senior nursing and surgical teams to drive innovation and service improvement.
We are looking for someone who is:
6. A registered nurse with significant experience in surgical nursing.
7. Passionate about developing others and fostering a positive ward culture.
8. Confident in leading and motivating multidisciplinary teams.
9. Committed to delivering exceptional care and continuous improvement.
Working for our organisation
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The post holder will be responsible for the overall leadership, management, and delivery of high-quality nursing care on Ward 22 (30 beds, acute surgical unit). They will lead a team of over 40 staff, ensuring safe and effective care for surgical patients, while supporting the professional development and wellbeing of the workforce.
The Ward Manager will play a key role in clinical governance, workforce planning, budget management, and service improvement, ensuring compliance with Trust, NMC, and national standards.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
10. Registered Nurse (Adult) – NMC Registration
11. Evidence of post-registration study/continuing professional development.
12. Leadership/management training
Desirable criteria
13. Masters degree or working towards higher-level qualification
14. Mentorship/teaching qualification
Experience
Essential criteria
15. Significant post-registration experience in acute/surgical nursing.
16. Demonstrable experience in a leadership/management role.
17. Experience of managing staff performance, rotas, and resources.
18. Evidence of involvement in clinical governance, audit, or service improvement.
Desirable criteria
19. Previous experience as Deputy Ward Manager/Ward Manager or equivalent Band 6/7 role.
20. Experience of change management and service redesign.
21. Experience in research, audit, and dissemination of outcomes.
Knowledge & Skills
Essential criteria
22. In-depth knowledge of safeguarding, infection prevention, and medicines management.
23. Strong understanding of clinical governance, CQC standards, and NHS quality frameworks.
24. Excellent communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
25. Ability to manage budgets, staffing, and ward resources.
26. Strong organisational and time-management skills.
Desirable criteria
27. Knowledge of digital health systems and data-driven performance management.
28. Understanding of workforce planning at organisational level.
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.