Ward Manager

The Regional Neurological Rehabilitation Unit (RNRU) is a 27 bedded unit that specialises in early inpatient rehabilitation for young adult patients after single incident neurological events other than spinal injury. It is a custom built ground floor Unit specifically designed to meet the needs of our patients.

We are seeking to recruit a highly motivated and dynamic individual to take on the role of the Ward Manager to provide leadership, management and support to the ward team and is responsible for the provision of patient care, ensuring that it is evidence based and of a high standard and to maintain 24 hour responsibility for the clinical area. The post holder will ensure that patients receive the necessary care and treatment to enable progress in accordance with the British Society of Rehabilitation Medicine (BSRM) guidelines. This will be achieved through the application of specialist knowledge, skills and practice.

Main duties of the job

• To be responsible for the overall ward management on a 24 hour basis.
• To ensure the development, implementation and evaluation of cost‑effective nursing care and the setting of standards of care on a ward.
• To lead the nursing team and to participate in their career development.
• To act as an expert resource and as a role model in the delivery of care.
• To maintain effective communication links with the multi‑disciplinary team and other ward/departments.
• To ensure that effective discharge planning procedures are followed for all patients.
• To keep up to date with clinical developments and issues pertinent to nursing at local and National levels.
• To support the delivery of objectives set by the Trust’s Nursing Strategy and directorate business plan.
• To develop ward objectives on an annual basis in collaboration with the Directorate Senior Nurse and report regularly on their progress.
• To co‑ordinate and monitor activity ensuring that nursing skill mix is utilised appropriately in order to maintain patient safety.
• To review the overall workload of the ward on a daily basis, ensuring that the level and skill mix of nursing staff is appropriate.
• To liaise closely with the Matron/Directorate Senior Nurse when services cannot be maintained or when a lack of resources poses a risk to the safe delivery of patient care.
• To ensure that medical equipment is maintained and that all staff using it are competent to do so.
• To contribute to the Directorate’s developments and reviews.
• To ensure sickness, establishment and agency usage figures are monitored monthly and to take necessary action to remedy problems.
• To assess the unit for potential risks in order to maintain health and safety requirements.
• To report all incidents and complaints to the appropriate personnel and take the necessary action to ensure that staff learn from them and that the risk of further occurrence is reduced.
• To performance manage staff as required.
• To manage the recruitment of staff – or contribute to generic recruitment initiatives - and to develop strategies to ensure staff progression and retention.
• To ensure that Trust policies and protocols are adhered to by the unit staff.
• To work with the Matron and Directorate Senior Nurse to ensure the ward/dept functions within its agreed budget.
• To produce a report on a quarterly basis outlining areas of greatest spend and in particular will be able to account for any overspends and also include strategies to deal with overspends.
• To attend monthly Directorate Senior Nursing Staff Meeting and monthly Multidisciplinary Departmental Meeting.

Working for our organisation

Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a high performing and flourishing organisation serving the population of Hackney, East London, The City and beyond. We are extremely proud of the fact that Homerton Hospital has recently attained the highest possible rating of "Outstanding" from the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Our integrated Trust provides comprehensive hospital and community health services for its local population and a range of specialist services for a wider group of patients. In addition, the Trust manages services out of St Leonard's Hospital and the Mary Seacole Nursing Home. Homerton aims to ensure equality and value diversity, and we are committed to inclusion for all of our staff. This is reflected in our policies, procedures and People Plan. All of our staff are expected to embody our Trust values at all times. We are also committed, through our Fair Recruitment Standards, to ensuring all applicants are treated fairly. Homerton has a proud tradition of supporting and developing its staff, including its well‑regarded and valued nursing community, and all staff are able to take advantage of a great range of benefits. Homerton is proud to have been included on the HSJ & Nursing Times Best Places to Work list.

Person specification

Skills and Abilities

• The ability to effectively function as part of a multi‑disciplinary team.
• The ability to support professional development and create a learning environment.
• Substantive experience as a Band 6 staff nurse in an acute setting.

Trust Values, Equal Opportunities and Other Requirements

• Understanding and demonstration of the Trust Values.

We are committed to achieving equality and inclusion at Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, and we respect and value the diversity and differences of our patients and our people, ensuring everyone is enabled to thrive, feels a sense of belonging, and is able to be their authentic self. We offer a range of flexible working options that enable you to balance your work and personal life, including part-time, compressed hours, remote working and job‑shares. We are committed to equal opportunities, and have been approved as a Disability Confident Employer.