Role Overview

Provide visible and effective clinical leadership throughout every shift, taking responsibility for the safe, efficient, and professional running of the ward in the absence of the Ward Manager, whilst maintaining high standards of patient care and staff performance.

Take full accountability for the coordination, delivery, and evaluation of patient care, ensuring all patients receive safe, compassionate, person-centred care and feel valued, respected, and cared for throughout their hospital journey.

Lead, motivate, and develop staff through coaching, teaching, and professional support, acting as an exemplary role model who promotes excellence in clinical practice, professionalism, teamwork, and patient experience.

Demonstrate initiative and proactive leadership by identifying areas requiring improvement within the ward, taking ownership of solutions, driving change, and implementing actions that enhance quality, safety, patient outcomes, and staff performance.

Maintain a culture of high expectations and accountability by constructively challenging poor practice, addressing concerns promptly, and ensuring all members of the team consistently deliver the standards expected of the ward and organisation.

Responsibilities

• Deputise for the Ward Manager as necessary, ensuring effective staff management, and appropriate prioritisation of safe care.
• Participate in the recruitment, selection, and retention of staff by sitting on interview panels and taking an active role in their development and induction.
• Work in close collaboration with the Ward Manager in ensuring that junior staff are equipped with the knowledge to deal with emergencies and untoward incidents that may occur on the ward. Through training and coaching.
• Evaluate the quality of nursing care delivered via clinical audit/patient storytelling/multi-disciplinary feedback, by discussing results at ward team meetings and other forms, in order to improve patient care.
• Facilitate and support junior staff ensuring high standards of care is delivered in accordance with Trust policies and procedures, on a day-to-day basis through supervision, teaching, coaching, and appraisal.
• Act as a Role Model/Mentor for junior staff/student nurses/Health Care Assistants, by actively supervising and assessing them.
• Participate in the management of poor performance in conjunction with the Ward Manager and Human Resources manager.
• Participate in risk assessments and the identification of potential risks to promote a safe environment.
• Assist in the investigation of complaints and incidents on the ward ensuring appropriate action is taken and action plans are implemented.