Ward Sister in Healey

We want talented and enthusiastic people from all backgrounds to join Team MWL. You can learn, grow and develop your career, realising your ambitions and aspirations. Whatever you’re looking for in your career, you’ll find it here at MWL.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 6 NIV Nurse on Ward 2C. The post holder will join our dedicated team on Ward 2C at Whiston Hospital. The post requires experience in an acute setting and in caring for patients who require Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV). Ward 2C is a 37-bed Respiratory ward, including a six-bed NIV unit. The ward cares for patients with acute respiratory conditions (e.g., COPD, asthma, lung fibrosis, TB) including patients stepping down from ICU/HDU. We provide high quality patient care with staff education and development. Our multidisciplinary team embraces latest innovations and technology for respiratory care, including acute NIV and CPAP.

We are looking for a Band 6 NIV Nurse who will bring experience, knowledge and leadership to the existing team. You should have a positive approach to supporting and developing the team to maintain high standards of care. We welcome applicants with a special interest in Respiratory care and a willingness to lead the further development of care in an acute setting. There are strong links with respiratory nurse specialists, community staff and the MDT to provide quality care for patients. The NIV Nurse should be dynamic and enthusiastic and ensure the highest standards of care are maintained.

Responsibilities

• Prior experience of working in an acute setting is essential
• Evidence of relevant ongoing professional development
• Clinical leadership
• Use of expanded nursing role
• Previous experience as Band 5 within the acute medical setting
• Ability to deputise in the Ward Manager's absence

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 9,000 across 21 sites. We strive for Five Star Patient Care.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Provide leadership, management and team development as delegated by the Ward Manager, including workload allocation.
• Contribute to setting goals and quality benchmarks; develop tools to improve services and coordinate clinical care across the ward.
• Coordinate and manage patient flow within the unit, including admissions and discharges, aligning with national targets where possible.
• Promote the unit and Trust positively to patients, relatives and the local population.
• Maintain knowledge of relevant national and local health policies and their impact on the service.
• Escalate concerns about care standards to the Ward Manager / Matron and develop appropriate actions.
• Assist and lead in developing and implementing local and Trust policies and protocols relevant to the specialty.
• Manage stock and equipment, ensuring economical use of resources.
• Represent the Directorate in corporate groups and relevant conferences at regional and national levels.
• Promote effective communication within the multidisciplinary team and with other wards/departments.
• Participate in business planning to identify service development opportunities.
• In the absence of the Ward Manager, initiate investigations of incidents and assist with complaints following Trust policies.

Clinical Management

• Provide senior nursing advice and support for high quality, individualised patient care in collaboration with the MDT.
• Manage complex clinical situations and respond to emergencies as required.
• Be clinically competent in the use of specialised equipment across varied settings.
• Act as a clinical role model and leader for the nursing team, ensuring continuity of care.
• Assess, plan, implement and evaluate care plans with evidence-based practice considerations and a holistic approach.
• Contribute to standards of nursing care and liaise with medical staff and other disciplines.
• Ensure care is delivered within the Nursing and Midwifery Code and promote patient involvement in care decisions.
• Share responsibility for delivery of patient care by all nursing staff on the unit.
• Maintain safe custody of drugs and ensure safe administration procedures.
• Undertake relevant training to expand clinical skills and ensure safe staffing levels during shifts.
• Identify clinical risks and act in accordance with Trust risk management policy.
• Ensure Nursing records meet Trust standards.

People Management

• Assess and develop action plans for individual development needs.
• Participate in orientation for newly appointed nursing staff.
• Monitor performance and participate in appraisal and revalidation processes.
• Encourage and motivate staff for personal and professional development.
• Deploy and utilise staffing resources effectively and efficiently.
• Support team members and refer to appropriate services.
• Assist in selecting, appointing and inducting new staff.
• Ensure staffing levels and skill mix reflect workload and patient needs.
• Assist in coordinating and monitoring off duty, annual leave and sickness.

Leadership Development

• Promote an environment conducive to learning.
• Participate in staff education, orientation and supervision; act as mentor and resource for learners and the nursing team.
• Contribute to a positive learning environment for colleagues, patients and visitors.
• Assess learning and development needs of ward staff.
• Assist in developing and monitoring specialty-based teaching programs.
• Maintain own professional development and revalidation readiness.
• Oversee the continuing professional development and performance of staff delegated by the Charge Nurse or Senior Sister.
• Supervise and support junior nurses, students and HCAs to sustain high standards of care.
• Share specialist knowledge and contribute to ward and Trust-wide practice.
• Provide channels for sharing good practice within the ward and Trust.

Budget responsibilities

• Ensure effective use of resources, stock management and equipment care.
• Manage patients' valuables securely.
• Authorize timesheets for temporary nursing and support staff as appropriate.

Research And Audit

• Develop and implement methods to audit nursing practice within the unit.
• Promote awareness of current nursing research among unit members.
• Introduce and apply research findings to nursing practice where relevant.
• Promote dissemination of research findings locally, nationally and internationally.
• Identify audit needs, conduct audits and analyse data with support.
• Coordinate collection and analysis of audit and research data as required.
• Participate in data collection to improve patient care.
• Use data to contribute to service improvement.

Personal Development

• Maintain own continuing professional development and identify development needs within the Trust framework.
• Identify areas for self-development and training requirements within performance planning and development review.
• Maintain a professional portfolio and reflective diary for development and revalidation.

Person specification

• Registered Nurse Diploma / degree level or equivalent experience
• Current NMC Registration
• Evidence of continuous professional development
• Leadership training or qualification (minimum Level 3 ILM or equivalent) or working towards

Knowledge & Experience

• Knowledge of NMC codes of practice
• Experience leading a team in a clinical environment
• Research awareness and commitment to evidence-based practice
• Experience of clinical risk assessment and risk management
• Understanding of Clinical governance
• Knowledge of audit procedures

Skills

• Up-to-date clinical skills to ensure quality of care on the ward
• Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills
• Ability to lead and manage staff; act as a change agent
• Ability to coordinate with MDT members
• Computer literacy, including electronic patient records

Other

• Frequent sitting or standing; occasional moderate physical effort
• Occasional distressing or emotional circumstances; handles patient concerns professionally
• Works in a ward environment providing direct clinical care

Thank you for considering an application to work for Mersey and West Lancashire NHS Trust. MWL is an exciting and forward-thinking NHS Trust committed to being one of the best places to work.

Note: we may close vacancies earlier than stated if a sufficient number of applications is received. Please apply at your earliest convenience.

The Trust may contact applicants for feedback during the recruitment process to support continuous improvement.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

We promote a fair, equal, dignified and respectful professional environment. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and value diverse skills and perspectives. We are committed to ensuring equal opportunity and diversity in our workforce. We offer Disability Confident and armed forces veterans guaranteed interview schemes where eligible, and provide reasonable adjustments where requested. We operate anonymous shortlisting and collect equality monitoring information to improve recruitment practices.

Certificate of Sponsorship: check eligibility if applying from outside the UK for visa sponsorship considerations.
eVisa updates: information for successful candidates on visa routes, including advice on how to access the eVisa share code.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks: Some posts require DBS disclosure; applicants may need to pay for the DBS check and are encouraged to join the DBS Update Service where applicable.
Flexible Working: MWL supports flexible working. You may request flexible working from day one of employment and there is no limit on the number of requests. We will consider flexible working options at interview stage.

Working for Team MWL: We recognise staff through performance reviews, generous pension, annual leave (pro rata), NHS discounts and staff wellbeing programs. The Trust is non-smoking on all sites; adherence is required. You may be asked to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Compliance: You must ensure that your application and supporting information are truthful and accurate. The Trust monitors for AI-generated content; applications will be checked accordingly.

Additional Information: Review the Trust's Values and Behaviours: We are KIND, OPEN, and INCLUSIVE. An applicant guide is available in supporting documents. Good luck with your application—we hope to welcome you to Team MWL soon.