Oxford Health NHS Trust

Deputy Ward Manager - Phoenix Ward

The closing date is 23 April 2026

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Job summary

Are you highly motivated and experienced registered nurse who is looking for a new challenge?

We're looking for a nurse with excellent communication skills, and a flexible and positive attitude to lead and inspire others as a Deputy Ward Manager on a full time basis to join Phoenix Ward.

Phoenix Ward is a 18-bedded male acute ward for males of working age (18-65 years-of-age) with a diagnosis of mental illness and/or personality disorder. Phoenix Ward also has a Health Based Place of Safety of which Phoenix Ward nursing staff support in the care and treatment that is provided to patients brought in under a Section 136 and 135 MHA.

You should have a caring, non-judgmental, and inclusive attitude and be committed to the delivery of safe, high quality care to patients and their loved ones. Experience in an acute setting would be an advantage, but is not essential as we will provide you with all the training required.

Our team works hard to ensure high quality, patient centred-care is at the heart of everything we do. You will be part of a motivated, supportive and cohesive multi-disciplinary Mental Health Team where your contribution is highly important. The team actively promotes a multi-disciplinary approach to the care coordination of our patients.

If you think you have the right skills and values to perform this role, please apply.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Main duties of the job

  • Support the ward manager in delivering the units objectives in terms of patient care, staff development and service development. You will be responsible for clinical leadership of the ward environment, working in a way that promotes the principles of recovery, to ensure individualised, safe and effective care provision for all patients.
  • In the absence of the ward manager you will also take the necessary managerial action to ensure compliance with organisational and stakeholder requirements.
  • Undertake personal development and participate in staff appraisal and clinical supervision. As a team leader you will need to articulate a clear vision of the standards expected within your team and actively contribute to a positive learning environment providing supervision and mentorship to qualified and unqualified staff, creating an environment in which excellence in care flourishes through effective leadership and staff management / development.
  • You will be auditing standards of care and dealing with and be confident in your human resource management approach

About us

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust provides physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset.

Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible

Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: "Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"

Our values are: "Caring, safe and excellent"

At Oxford Health, we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:

  • Excellent opportunities for career progression
  • Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
  • 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
  • NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
  • Competitive pension scheme
  • Lease car scheme
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Employee Assistance Programme
  • Mental Health First Aiders
  • Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists may apply)
  • Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team

Details

Date posted

09 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

267-OA7867686

Job locations

Phoenix Ward, Littlemore Mental Health Centre

Littlemore Mental Health Centre, Littlemore

Oxford

OX4 4XN


Job description

Job responsibilities

We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.

The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.

Job description

Job responsibilities

We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.

The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Registered Mental Health Nurse
  • Ability to communicate with a high level of effectiveness both verbally and in writing
  • Ability to work effectively in acute situations in order to maintain the safety of staff and patients.
  • Acute Inpatient Ward Experience

Desirable

  • Have experience in a leadership and management role
  • Has experience of facilitating teaching/learning sessions with junior staff
  • Experience of supporting student nurses as a practice supervisor and/or assessor

Knowledge

Essential

  • Theoretical knowledge of MHA legislation including the Mental Health Act 1983
  • Knowledge of safeguarding children and adults policy
  • Knowledge of neurodiversity and the impacts experienced by neurodiverse patients when admitted to mental health hospitals
  • Understands and works effectively within the principles of and structures for clinical governance

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Effective leadership and motivational skills
  • Excellent communication and presentational skills
  • Able to take direction, instruction and appropriately delegate tasks to colleagues.
  • Able to organise and prioritise own time effectively.
  • Works effectively as part of MDT
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Registered Mental Health Nurse
  • Ability to communicate with a high level of effectiveness both verbally and in writing
  • Ability to work effectively in acute situations in order to maintain the safety of staff and patients.
  • Acute Inpatient Ward Experience

Desirable

  • Have experience in a leadership and management role
  • Has experience of facilitating teaching/learning sessions with junior staff
  • Experience of supporting student nurses as a practice supervisor and/or assessor

Knowledge

Essential

  • Theoretical knowledge of MHA legislation including the Mental Health Act 1983
  • Knowledge of safeguarding children and adults policy
  • Knowledge of neurodiversity and the impacts experienced by neurodiverse patients when admitted to mental health hospitals
  • Understands and works effectively within the principles of and structures for clinical governance

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Effective leadership and motivational skills
  • Excellent communication and presentational skills
  • Able to take direction, instruction and appropriately delegate tasks to colleagues.
  • Able to organise and prioritise own time effectively.
  • Works effectively as part of MDT

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Address

Phoenix Ward, Littlemore Mental Health Centre

Littlemore Mental Health Centre, Littlemore

Oxford

OX4 4XN


Employer's website

https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Address

Phoenix Ward, Littlemore Mental Health Centre

Littlemore Mental Health Centre, Littlemore

Oxford

OX4 4XN


Employer's website

https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Ward Manager

Hannah Leslie

Hannah.Leslie@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk

01865902382

Details

Date posted

09 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

267-OA7867686

Job locations

Phoenix Ward, Littlemore Mental Health Centre

Littlemore Mental Health Centre, Littlemore

Oxford

OX4 4XN


Supporting documents

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