Ward Manager / Charge Nurse

responsible for the effective leadership and management of the ward/ unit team, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, patient-centred care within available resources. The post holder will act as a senior clinical leader, providing guidance, support, and mentorship to all staff, and ensuring the smooth operational functioning of the ward. They will uphold the Trust's values, promote evidence-based practice, and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement and shared learning across the service, Lead and manage a progressive nursing team, fostering a positive and supportive environment that encourages professional growth and development.

• Act as a senior presence on the ward, providing visible leadership and being a key point of contact for site issues relating to the ward and surrounding areas, escalating concerns
appropriately.
• Ensure the delivery of consistently high standards of patient care, maintaining patient safety, dignity, and respect at all times.
• Develop, implement, and monitor evidence-based practice to advance nursing care and improve patient outcomes.
• Manage the ward's resources effectively, including staffing, equipment, and supplies, to meet service needs and budgetary requirements.
• Be proactive in the operational management of the ward, identifying and addressing any issues that may impact service delivery.
• Support and deputise for the Matron in delivering the Trust's Nursing Strategy, objectives, and targets, as required.
• Attend relevant meetings and provide feedback on governance, risk management, and quality assurance, ensuring shared learning from incidents and audit results.
• Lead and participate in the completion of monthly audits and scorecards, analysing data and implementing action plans to address any areas for improvement.
• Deputise for the Matron on-site or remotely, as needed, ensuring continuity of leadership and service provision, Promote open, effective communication within the multidisciplinary team, patients, and their families.
• Ensure all information is conveyed clearly, accurately, and in a timely manner, adapting style to suit the audience.
• Act as a role model for professional standards of communication, demonstrating empathy, respect, and confidentiality at all times
Maintain and develop own professional knowledge and skills, and support the ongoing education of the team.
• Undertake annual appraisal and participate in clinical supervision, identifying areas for development and setting objectives accordingly.
• Encourage a culture of continuous learning and improvement within the ward team
Ensure compliance with all Trust policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor and manage clinical risk, investigating incidents and complaints, and implementing recommendations for improvement.
• Contribute to the development and review of local policies and guidelines to ensure best practice
Carry out any other duties commensurate with the role, as required by the service or senior management team.
• Work flexibly to meet the needs of the service, which may include occasional weekend or outof-hours responsibilities
  
  Evidence of ongoing professional development and NMC revalidation
• Experience of clinical governance, audit, and risk management
• Significant post-registration experience in a relevant clinical area
• Ability to manage complex, sensitive, or challenging situations
• Proven leadership skills with ability to motivate and develop teams
• Experience managing resources (staffing, budgets, rota management)
• Ability to lead service improvement and change initiatives
• Ability to communicate complex or sensitive information effectively
• Strong multidisciplinary working and collaboration skills
• Demonstrates compassion, respect, and professionalism
• Commitment to continuous improvement and learning
• Resilient and able to work under pressure
• Self-aware and open to feedback
• Experience managing staff performance (e.g. appraisals, supervision)
• Advanced clinical knowledge within specialty
Desirable criteria
• Experience in service development or transformation projects
• Experience developing policies, guidelines, or protocols
• Experience in education, teaching, or staff development beyond mentorship
• Knowledge of wider NHS policy and strategic priorities
• Interest in research or evidence-based practice development, You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
  
  Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research.
The Trust comprises of four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury. Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence. These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel., Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury. Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence, and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence. These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel. In 2023 NHS England launched its first sexual safety charter, and our Trust proudly signed it. We pledge zero tolerance for inappropriate sexual behaviour and commit to the ten core principles Oxford University Hospitals promotes a safe, respectful hiring environment. If you want to make a difference with us, come and join our team. Together, we will uphold the highest standards of care and professionalism.