Job summary
As a Deputy Ward Manager in a hospice, making a
meaningful impact every day means leading with compassion, integrity, and
clinical excellence. By fostering a calm, supportive environment, the Deputy
Ward Manager ensures that every patient receives dignified, person-centred care
that honours their wishes and supports their families.
Working alongside the Ward Manager and
multidisciplinary team, the Deputy Ward Manager plays a pivotal role in
maintaining high standards of care, mentoring staff, and promoting continuous
improvement. From coordinating complex care plans to supporting nurses in their
professional development, this role balances strong leadership with hands-on
clinical practice. Every decision is rooted in empathy, safety, and
quality creating a culture where staff feel empowered and patients feel
respected, heard, and comforted.
Interviews will be held Monday 23rd March
Main duties of the job
As Deputy Ward Manager, you will:
Provide visible, compassionate clinical leadership,
supporting the Ward Manager to deliver outstanding, person-centred palliative
and end-of-life care.
Coordinate and oversee the daily running of the ward,
ensuring safe staffing levels, effective care planning, and the highest
standards of quality and compliance.
Act as a role model in specialist symptom management,
complex decision-making, and sensitive communication with patients and
families.
Support, supervise, and develop nursing and healthcare
staff through mentorship, appraisal, and ongoing professional development.
Drive continuous improvement by monitoring clinical
outcomes, leading audits, and promoting a culture of reflection, learning, and
excellence.
About us
At Halton Haven, our hospice team is united by a shared commitment to compassion, dignity and excellence in care. Every member of our teamclinical and non-clinical alikebrings a strong work ethic, professionalism and genuine kindness to everything they do. We support one another, work collaboratively, and always place patients and families at the heart of our decisions.
The atmosphere at Halton Haven is one of respect, warmth and encouragement. We understand the emotional nature of hospice care and foster a supportive environment where staff feel valued, listened to and empowered. Open communication, teamwork and mutual trust create a workplace where people can thrive, grow and feel proud of the care they provide.
Working at Halton Haven offers the opportunity to make a meaningful difference every day. Alongside the reward of delivering outstanding palliative care, we offer a range of benefits designed to support wellbeing, development and work life balance. From ongoing training and professional development to flexible working and a strong sense of community, Halton Haven is a place where dedication is recognised and people truly matter
Job description
Job responsibilities
The deputy ward manager will support the ward manager in the clinical, operational and professional leadership of the Inpatient unit, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, compassionate, person centred palliative and end-of-life care, in line with Halton Haven Hospices core values of compassion, accountability, respect and empathy.
The post holder will act as a clinical role model, support and develop staff, deputise for the ward manager in their absence, ensuring safe, effective and dignified care for patients and families.
Key Responsibilities
Living the Halton Haven Values
Demonstrate compassion and empathy in all interactions with patients, families, carers and colleagues
Act with accountability, taking responsibility for clinical decisions, leadership actions and professional conduct
Promote a culture of respect, inclusivity and dignity always.
Lead by example, embedding Halton Havens values into daily practice and decision-making
Clinical Leadership
- Provide expert clinical leadership and act as a role model for best practice in hospice and palliative care.
- Support complex symptom management, end-of-life care and advance care planning.
- Ensure care is holistic, individualised and responsive to the physical, emotional, spiritual and psychosocial needs of patients and families.
- Maintain high standards of professional practice in line with NMC code, hospice policies and national guidance.
Operational & Ward Management
- Support the ward manager in the day-to-day management of the IPU, including patient flow, staffing and bed utilisation.
- Act as nurse in charge when required, coordinating safe, effective care delivery.
- Support effective discharge planning and transitions of care, working collaboratively with community and acute partners.
- Ensure staffing levels are safe and appropriate, escalating concerns in a timely and accountable manner.
Staff Management, Support & Development
- Provide compassionate leadership, supervision and support to registered nurses and HCAs.
- Support induction, preceptorship, ongoing competency assessment and professional development.
- Contribute to staff appraisals, performance reviews and development planning.
- Promote staff wellbeing, psychological safety and a supportive team culture.
- Support sickness absence management and return to work processes with empathy and fairness.
Governance, Quality & Safety
- Promote a strong culture of clinical governance, accountability and continuous improvement.
- Support investigation of incidents, complaints and near misses in an open, learning-focused manner.
- Ensure accurate documentation and compliance with hospice policies and regulatory requirements.
- Participate in audits, service evaluation and quality improvement initiatives.
Communication & Teamworking
- Communicate effectively, sensitively and respectfully with patients and families, including during difficult or emotionally challenging conversations.
- Work collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team and across organisational boundaries.
- Represent the IPU at meetings and contribute to service development discussions as required.
Education & Professional Development
- Maintain professional registration and ongoing CPD in line with NMC requirements.
- Support education, teaching and learning within the IPU
- Act as a mentor or supervisor to students and newly appointed staff where appropriate.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The deputy ward manager will support the ward manager in the clinical, operational and professional leadership of the Inpatient unit, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, compassionate, person centred palliative and end-of-life care, in line with Halton Haven Hospices core values of compassion, accountability, respect and empathy.
The post holder will act as a clinical role model, support and develop staff, deputise for the ward manager in their absence, ensuring safe, effective and dignified care for patients and families.
Key Responsibilities
Living the Halton Haven Values
Demonstrate compassion and empathy in all interactions with patients, families, carers and colleagues
Act with accountability, taking responsibility for clinical decisions, leadership actions and professional conduct
Promote a culture of respect, inclusivity and dignity always.
Lead by example, embedding Halton Havens values into daily practice and decision-making
Clinical Leadership
- Provide expert clinical leadership and act as a role model for best practice in hospice and palliative care.
- Support complex symptom management, end-of-life care and advance care planning.
- Ensure care is holistic, individualised and responsive to the physical, emotional, spiritual and psychosocial needs of patients and families.
- Maintain high standards of professional practice in line with NMC code, hospice policies and national guidance.
Operational & Ward Management
- Support the ward manager in the day-to-day management of the IPU, including patient flow, staffing and bed utilisation.
- Act as nurse in charge when required, coordinating safe, effective care delivery.
- Support effective discharge planning and transitions of care, working collaboratively with community and acute partners.
- Ensure staffing levels are safe and appropriate, escalating concerns in a timely and accountable manner.
Staff Management, Support & Development
- Provide compassionate leadership, supervision and support to registered nurses and HCAs.
- Support induction, preceptorship, ongoing competency assessment and professional development.
- Contribute to staff appraisals, performance reviews and development planning.
- Promote staff wellbeing, psychological safety and a supportive team culture.
- Support sickness absence management and return to work processes with empathy and fairness.
Governance, Quality & Safety
- Promote a strong culture of clinical governance, accountability and continuous improvement.
- Support investigation of incidents, complaints and near misses in an open, learning-focused manner.
- Ensure accurate documentation and compliance with hospice policies and regulatory requirements.
- Participate in audits, service evaluation and quality improvement initiatives.
Communication & Teamworking
- Communicate effectively, sensitively and respectfully with patients and families, including during difficult or emotionally challenging conversations.
- Work collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team and across organisational boundaries.
- Represent the IPU at meetings and contribute to service development discussions as required.
Education & Professional Development
- Maintain professional registration and ongoing CPD in line with NMC requirements.
- Support education, teaching and learning within the IPU
- Act as a mentor or supervisor to students and newly appointed staff where appropriate.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Post registration experience ideally within palliative, end-of-life or complex care
- Experience working in an inpatient or ward-based setting
- Experience of acting as nurse in charge or co-ordinating shifts
- Experience supporting, supervising or mentoring staff
Desirable
- Previous experience in leadership or a deputy role
- Experience of audit, quality improvement or service development
Skills & Personal Attributes
Essential
- Sound knowledge of palliative and end-of-life care principles
- Ability to manage complex clinical situations and prioritise effectively
- Understanding of clinical governance, safeguarding and risk management
- Strong communication skills, including emotionally sensitive conversations
- Ability to lead, motivate and support teams with compassion and fairness
- Competent IT skills (e.g. electronic patient records, rostering system)
- Demonstrates compassion and empathy in all aspects of care and leadership
- Holds self and others accountable for professional standards and quality of care
- Treats patients, families and colleagues with respect and dignity
- Emotionally resilient, calm and professional under pressure
- Approachable, supportive and reflective in leadership style
- Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion
Desirable
- Teaching, mentoring or coaching qualification or experience
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse
- Qualified to degree level or equivalent
- Current NMC registration
Desirable
- Post registration qualification in palliative care, leadership or education
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Post registration experience ideally within palliative, end-of-life or complex care
- Experience working in an inpatient or ward-based setting
- Experience of acting as nurse in charge or co-ordinating shifts
- Experience supporting, supervising or mentoring staff
Desirable
- Previous experience in leadership or a deputy role
- Experience of audit, quality improvement or service development
Skills & Personal Attributes
Essential
- Sound knowledge of palliative and end-of-life care principles
- Ability to manage complex clinical situations and prioritise effectively
- Understanding of clinical governance, safeguarding and risk management
- Strong communication skills, including emotionally sensitive conversations
- Ability to lead, motivate and support teams with compassion and fairness
- Competent IT skills (e.g. electronic patient records, rostering system)
- Demonstrates compassion and empathy in all aspects of care and leadership
- Holds self and others accountable for professional standards and quality of care
- Treats patients, families and colleagues with respect and dignity
- Emotionally resilient, calm and professional under pressure
- Approachable, supportive and reflective in leadership style
- Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion
Desirable
- Teaching, mentoring or coaching qualification or experience
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse
- Qualified to degree level or equivalent
- Current NMC registration
Desirable
- Post registration qualification in palliative care, leadership or education
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
