Job summary
Ward F5 have a great opportunity for a passionate candidate to join our team.
We are looking for someone who is flexible, organized, professional and motivated to provide excellent patient care. You will be required to show great leadership skills and will manage a group of colleagues which you will promote and monitor performance and development. Good communication skills are essential as the role requires you be part of a band 6 team which provides safe and effective care, being a role model for junior members of staff.
F5 is a busy 33 bedded ward caring for a variety of surgical patients. You will be joining a diverse team passionate in providing patients with the best possible experience. You will also be working within the Surgical Same Day Emergency Care Unit with the aim to treat and discharge.
The post is full time 37.5 per week.
Main duties of the job
As a band 6 on ward F5 you will be in charge of leading and managing care for your patients within the ward. Ensuring all delivery of care is at the highest standard and remains safe at all times. It will be your duty to ensure communication is at the expected standard within your team.
Ongoing education and training are essential and you will promote this through your team.
Acting and leading the team in the absence of the ward manager and taking part in the audit process.
About us
#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community
We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.
The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.
Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.
We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.
With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.
We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.
Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?
Details
Date posted
10 February 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 6
Salary
£38,682 to £46,580 a year Per Annum Pro Rata
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
12 months
Working pattern
Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number
S
Job locations
West Suffolk Hospital
Hardwick Lane
Bury St Edmunds
IP332QZ
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see job description for full details.
Leading/Managing Care
* Ensure a high standard of nursing is delivered by self and others based on an assessment of care needs and the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care, identifying priorities and realistic goals involving patients, relatives and the multi-disciplinary team.
* Utilise leadership skills ensuring that the ward runs smoothly in the absence of the Ward Manager.
* Assist and support the Ward Manager in the safe, effective management of the area including management of personnel, facilities and the associated systems and processes.
* Supervise and monitor the work of staff within the ward, ensuring that practice is evidence based and agreed protocols adhered to.
* Co-ordinate care across the ward/department deploying staff and prioritising as necessary.
* Ensure that staff rotas are planned in advance to provide adequate staffing and skill mix. Identify when shortfalls occur, or are likely to occur, taking appropriate remedial action.
* Assist the Ward Manager to manage resources within agreed budgets as set by the Clinical Manager.
* Assist the Ward Manager in the recruitment and selection of staff following agreed personnel policies.
* Be fully conversant with all policies and procedures, including major incident, fire, health and safety, disciplinary, complaints and grievance and follow these as necessary.
* Assist the Ward Manager to identify and manage performance issues including attendance, professional conduct, capability etc.
* Actively promote professional development amongst staff within the area.
* Assist the Ward Manager to ensure that all staff have agreed objectives and personal development plans.
* Carry the area bleep in the absence of the Ward Manager.
Delivery of Care
* Act as a role model in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of individual programmes of care for patients.
* Review and evaluate the care given by other team members, ensuring that realistic goals are set in partnership with the patient, and interventions enable the achievement of optimal outcomes.
* Identify the need for changes to practice and the implications (including budgets). Agree these with the Ward Manager and lead agreed practice change.
* Ensure an approach to care which recognises the needs and views of patients and their carers, and which places the patient at the centre of all activities.
* Ensure an approach to care which minimises clinical risk and maximises clinical effectiveness.
* Ensure clinical and other untoward incidents are reported through the Trusts incident reporting mechanism and that staff are supported in this process.
* Assist in the investigation of clinical incidents and errors and to identify and support any required change to nursing practice.
* Assist in the investigation of complaints through the Trusts complaints procedure, using these as a learning opportunity and support the Ward Manager to change practice as a result, when appropriate.
* Assist the Ward Manager in the setting of evidence-based clinical practice standards, guidelines and protocols, which are regularly audited.
* Support the development of multidisciplinary clinical audit at ward level.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see job description for full details.
Leading/Managing Care
* Ensure a high standard of nursing is delivered by self and others based on an assessment of care needs and the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care, identifying priorities and realistic goals involving patients, relatives and the multi-disciplinary team.
* Utilise leadership skills ensuring that the ward runs smoothly in the absence of the Ward Manager.
* Assist and support the Ward Manager in the safe, effective management of the area including management of personnel, facilities and the associated systems and processes.
* Supervise and monitor the work of staff within the ward, ensuring that practice is evidence based and agreed protocols adhered to.
* Co-ordinate care across the ward/department deploying staff and prioritising as necessary.
* Ensure that staff rotas are planned in advance to provide adequate staffing and skill mix. Identify when shortfalls occur, or are likely to occur, taking appropriate remedial action.
* Assist the Ward Manager to manage resources within agreed budgets as set by the Clinical Manager.
* Assist the Ward Manager in the recruitment and selection of staff following agreed personnel policies.
* Be fully conversant with all policies and procedures, including major incident, fire, health and safety, disciplinary, complaints and grievance and follow these as necessary.
* Assist the Ward Manager to identify and manage performance issues including attendance, professional conduct, capability etc.
* Actively promote professional development amongst staff within the area.
* Assist the Ward Manager to ensure that all staff have agreed objectives and personal development plans.
* Carry the area bleep in the absence of the Ward Manager.
Delivery of Care
* Act as a role model in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of individual programmes of care for patients.
* Review and evaluate the care given by other team members, ensuring that realistic goals are set in partnership with the patient, and interventions enable the achievement of optimal outcomes.
* Identify the need for changes to practice and the implications (including budgets). Agree these with the Ward Manager and lead agreed practice change.
* Ensure an approach to care which recognises the needs and views of patients and their carers, and which places the patient at the centre of all activities.
* Ensure an approach to care which minimises clinical risk and maximises clinical effectiveness.
* Ensure clinical and other untoward incidents are reported through the Trusts incident reporting mechanism and that staff are supported in this process.
* Assist in the investigation of clinical incidents and errors and to identify and support any required change to nursing practice.
* Assist in the investigation of complaints through the Trusts complaints procedure, using these as a learning opportunity and support the Ward Manager to change practice as a result, when appropriate.
* Assist the Ward Manager in the setting of evidence-based clinical practice standards, guidelines and protocols, which are regularly audited.
* Support the development of multidisciplinary clinical audit at ward level.
Person Specification
Education and qualifications
Essential
* RGN Level 1
* Mentorship course
Desirable
* Degree level study
* Supervisor experience
Experience and knowledge
Essential
* Surgical environment experience
* Leadership course
* Research and Audit experience
Desirable
* Senior band 5 experience providing education and training
* Leadership experience
* Knowledge of ward quality assurances
Skills and abilities
Essential
* Excellent clinical skills
* Experience of nursing in a variety of surgical specialities
* Ability to take charge of the ward and facilitate timely interventions
* Effective communication skills
* Ability to learn and develop new skills
* Evidence of continued professional development
* Demonstrate evidence based best practice ensuring quality patient care
Desirable
* Experience of change management
* Understanding of Enhanced recovery
* Involvement in developing pathways
Personal qualities
Essential
* Ability to motivate, support and encourage
* Ability to cope under pressure
* Attention to detail
* Flexible approach to working hours and duties
Person Specification
Education and qualifications
Essential
* RGN Level 1
* Mentorship course
Desirable
* Degree level study
* Supervisor experience
Experience and knowledge
Essential
* Surgical environment experience
* Leadership course
* Research and Audit experience
Desirable
* Senior band 5 experience providing education and training
* Leadership experience
* Knowledge of ward quality assurances
Skills and abilities
Essential
* Excellent clinical skills
* Experience of nursing in a variety of surgical specialities
* Ability to take charge of the ward and facilitate timely interventions
* Effective communication skills
* Ability to learn and develop new skills
* Evidence of continued professional development
* Demonstrate evidence based best practice ensuring quality patient care
Desirable
* Experience of change management
* Understanding of Enhanced recovery
* Involvement in developing pathways
Personal qualities
Essential
* Ability to motivate, support and encourage
* Ability to cope under pressure
* Attention to detail
* Flexible approach to working hours and duties
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Address
West Suffolk Hospital
Hardwick Lane
Bury St Edmunds
IP332QZ
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Address
West Suffolk Hospital
Hardwick Lane
Bury St Edmunds
IP332QZ
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)