Cardiac Ward Manager

Cardiac services are embarking on an exciting programme of change in order to meet the challenges of providing a world leading cardiac programme. We have an exciting opportunity for a strong and dynamic leader to join our Cardiac Team at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Bear offers specialist inpatient care for neonates and children with congenital and acquired heart disease; conditions include pre- and post-surgical care, heart transplant, thoracic, inherited cardiovascular disease, pulmonary hypertension. Children on the Berlin heart are also cared for on Bear ward. Based in a new state of the art clinical building, Bear offers a child friendly environment featuring 16 en-suite single rooms and two four bedded bays. Development of the Cardiac ward will allow us to manage a specific cohort of 8/9 children outside of the Bear ward environment, enabling the development of expanded Paediatric Critical Care (HDU) level 1 & 2 beds within the Bear Ward footprint.

Candidates need to be driven and motivated to ensure our patients and their families receive the highest possible levels of care. You need to have excellent clinical knowledge and demonstrable leadership qualities and experience. You will join a close-knit, hardworking and supportive multidisciplinary team, making it an enjoyable and rewarding environment to work in. In return we offer excellent development opportunities including coaching and leadership support.

Main duties of the job

You will support the next exciting phase of the Cardiac Units development. You will demonstrate strong leadership working closely with all Cardiac Teams to ensure the provision of high quality, expert care to patients and families. As a Unit we are committed to your professional development and offer educational opportunities which can be individually structured to include study to degree or Masters Level. We have a team of Nurse Practice Educators who support staff professional development. The successful applicant will have support and opportunity to work closely with a team of Ward Sisters/Charge Nurses who lead and manage other Wards within the Heart and Lung Directorate. Informal visits are strongly advised.

Working for our organisation

GOSH is committed to recruiting the best person for the job, based solely on their ability and individual merit as measured against the criteria for the role; through a process that is fair, open, consistent and free from bias and discrimination. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture where all staff are valued, respected and acknowledged. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, disability status or length of time spent unemployed. We particularly welcome applications from BAME communities, people with disabilities and/or long-term health conditions and LGBT+ community members. We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants and employees are treated fairly and consistently. We are proud to be accredited as a Disability Confident Employer, a member of Business Disability Forum and a Stonewall Diversity Champion. We have active and Executive supported BAME, LGBT+ and Allies, Disability and Long-Term Health Conditions and Women’s staff networks. Staff networks are employee-led groups formed around interests, issues and a common bond or background. Staff network members create a positive and inclusive work environment at Great Ormond Street Hospital by actively contributing to the Trust’s mission, values and efforts specific to inclusion. All of our staff networks are open to any employee.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required.

Person specification

• NMC Registered Nurse (Child or Adult)
• Evidence of on-going dynamic continuing professional development within the specialty linked to demonstrable clinical competencies and level 3 academic study
• Relevant First Degree in health care related subject
• Assessing and mentoring qualification/Training
• Leadership or management training
• APLS/EPLS
• Attendance on a clinical leadership programme
• Relevant Master’s Degree or working towards

Experience/Knowledge

• Demonstrable experience of taking charge of a department and deputising for the ward/department ward sister/charge nurse.
• Experience of leading and managing a team of nurses.
• Experience of change management and problem solving.
• Experience of handling clinical incidents, safeguarding and complaints.
• Thorough specialty knowledge relevant to the department.
• Understanding of professional and current issues in children’s nursing.
• Understanding of resource management, health and safety, clinical risk and quality issues.
• Awareness of equality and diversity.
• Ability to work as part of a Multidisciplinary team.
• Understanding of audit and research methodologies.

Skills/Abilities

• Excellent paediatric clinical skills with extensive paediatric cardiothoracic experience.
• Demonstrates Compassion in practice.
• Excellent managerial, leadership and organisational skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Able to motivate and develop a team of staff.
• Able to problem solve and initiate change.
• Administration of IV drugs.
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to prioritise own workload and that of others.
• Ability to delegate and prioritise.
• Financial management skills.
• Able to develop staff through mentoring/coaching/clinical supervision.
• Able to recognise and promote wellbeing in the workforce.