Job summary
Band 6 | Permanent and Fixed-Term Opportunities Available
Location: Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton
Are you an experienced paediatric nurse ready to take the next step in your career? Join our dynamic Children's Unit at Musgrove Park Hospital as a Deputy Ward Manager, providing clinical and operational leadership within a busy general paediatric ward.
About the Role
The Children's Unit at Musgrove Park Hospital is a welcoming team that works closely with medical and AHP colleagues to provide holistic care for children, young people, and their families. You'll work as part of our nursing leadership team to ensure the delivery of high-quality, family-centred care for children and young people. This role combines responsibility for safe and effective management of all patients, with a specialist interest in oncology, supporting those undergoing complex cancer treatments alongside a wide range of paediatric conditions.
Why Join Us?
- Supportive, welcoming team environment.
- Access to in-house paediatric education and CPD opportunities.
- External study options, including courses at Bristol Children's Hospital.
Main duties of the job
As Deputy Ward Manager, you will:
- Act as senior nurse on duty, leading the team and managing the ward.
- Deliver specialist oncology care, including systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) and symptom management.
- Coordinate multidisciplinary input and maintain compliance with national cancer standards.
- Oversee patient flow, bed management, and resource allocation.
- Mentor and supervise nursing staff, supporting education and professional development.
- Promote best practice, lead audits, and contribute to service improvement initiatives.
- Act as an advocate for children and families, ensuring safeguarding and emotional support.
- Support CPD through in-house training and external study opportunities.
Our unit includes:
- 31 beds across two wards, plus a Paediatric Assessment Unit.
- Level 2 HDU with two HDU beds.
- CAMHS liaison and a dedicated paediatric eating disorder nurse.
- 24/7 roster with long days and nights.
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
- Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
- NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
- Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
- A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will play a key leadership role within our Children's Unit, ensuring safe, effective, and compassionate care for all patients, with a specialist focus on oncology. Your responsibilities will include:
Clinical Leadership
- Act as deputy to the Ward Manager, assuming responsibility for operational management when required.
- Provide expert guidance and decision-making to maintain high standards of care across the ward.
Oncology Expertise
- Deliver specialist support for children and young people undergoing systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT).
- Manage complex treatment regimens and provide education for families on symptom management and home care.
Operational Management
- Oversee day-to-day running of the ward, including bed management, patient flow, and resource allocation.
- Ensure efficient use of staffing and equipment to maintain service continuity.
Multidisciplinary Coordination
- Work closely with consultants, allied health professionals, and external agencies to optimise care pathways.
- Facilitate effective communication within the MDT and across services.
Staff Development
- Mentor and supervise nursing staff, supporting professional growth and competency development.
- Facilitate oncology-specific training and CPD opportunities.
Quality and Safety
- Monitor compliance with clinical governance standards and national cancer care guidelines.
- Lead audits and implement evidence-based practice to maintain patient safety.
Safeguarding and Advocacy
- Act as a key advocate for children and families, ensuring their voices are heard in care planning.
- Respond promptly to child protection concerns and support junior staff in safeguarding processes.
Education and CPD
- Promote continuous learning through in-house paediatric education and external study, including courses at Bristol Children's Hospital.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will play a key leadership role within our Children's Unit, ensuring safe, effective, and compassionate care for all patients, with a specialist focus on oncology. Your responsibilities will include:
Clinical Leadership
- Act as deputy to the Ward Manager, assuming responsibility for operational management when required.
- Provide expert guidance and decision-making to maintain high standards of care across the ward.
Oncology Expertise
- Deliver specialist support for children and young people undergoing systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT).
- Manage complex treatment regimens and provide education for families on symptom management and home care.
Operational Management
- Oversee day-to-day running of the ward, including bed management, patient flow, and resource allocation.
- Ensure efficient use of staffing and equipment to maintain service continuity.
Multidisciplinary Coordination
- Work closely with consultants, allied health professionals, and external agencies to optimise care pathways.
- Facilitate effective communication within the MDT and across services.
Staff Development
- Mentor and supervise nursing staff, supporting professional growth and competency development.
- Facilitate oncology-specific training and CPD opportunities.
Quality and Safety
- Monitor compliance with clinical governance standards and national cancer care guidelines.
- Lead audits and implement evidence-based practice to maintain patient safety.
Safeguarding and Advocacy
- Act as a key advocate for children and families, ensuring their voices are heard in care planning.
- Respond promptly to child protection concerns and support junior staff in safeguarding processes.
Education and CPD
- Promote continuous learning through in-house paediatric education and external study, including courses at Bristol Children's Hospital.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- RSCN/RN Child
- Paediatric Systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) qualification and competencies
Desirable
- *Degree level qualification
Experience
Essential
- *Experience working with CYP in acute ward undergoing SACT treatments
- *Evidence of supervisory and mentoring skills
- *Able to lead and work within a Team
- SACT experience
Additional Criteria
Essential
- *Willingness to undertake training and develop competencies in the specialist skills of the Unit
- *Supervisor/ assessor qualification/training
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- RSCN/RN Child
- Paediatric Systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) qualification and competencies
Desirable
- *Degree level qualification
Experience
Essential
- *Experience working with CYP in acute ward undergoing SACT treatments
- *Evidence of supervisory and mentoring skills
- *Able to lead and work within a Team
- SACT experience
Additional Criteria
Essential
- *Willingness to undertake training and develop competencies in the specialist skills of the Unit
- *Supervisor/ assessor qualification/training
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).
