Job summary
Are you a dynamic, motivated and compassionate leader looking to take the next step in your nursing career? We are seeking an experienced nurse with a passion for providing high quality care, to lead our busy Acute Surgical Ward (Ward 22).
This is an exciting opportunity to oversee the daily running of a 30-bed ward, caring for patients with a wide range of acute surgical needs. You will be responsible for the leadership and management of over 40 staff, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective, and high-quality patient care in line with Trust values.
Main duties of the job
As Ward Manager, you will:
- Provide visible leadership and act as a role model to staff and students.
- Lead on quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient safety and experience.
- Manage staffing, budgets, and resources effectively.
- Support professional development, education, and wellbeing of your team.
- Work closely with the senior nursing and surgical teams to drive innovation and service improvement.
We are looking for someone who is:
- A registered nurse with significant experience in surgical nursing.
- Passionate about developing others and fostering a positive ward culture.
- Confident in leading and motivating multidisciplinary teams.
- Committed to delivering exceptional care and continuous improvement.
About us
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will be responsible for the overall leadership, management, and delivery of high-quality nursing care on Ward 22 (30 beds, acute surgical unit). They will lead a team of over 40 staff, ensuring safe and effective care for surgical patients, while supporting the professional development and wellbeing of the workforce.
The Ward Manager will play a key role in clinical governance, workforce planning, budget management, and service improvement, ensuring compliance with Trust, NMC, and national standards.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will be responsible for the overall leadership, management, and delivery of high-quality nursing care on Ward 22 (30 beds, acute surgical unit). They will lead a team of over 40 staff, ensuring safe and effective care for surgical patients, while supporting the professional development and wellbeing of the workforce.
The Ward Manager will play a key role in clinical governance, workforce planning, budget management, and service improvement, ensuring compliance with Trust, NMC, and national standards.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse (Adult) - NMC Registration
- Evidence of post-registration study/continuing professional development.
- Leadership/management training
Desirable
- Masters degree or working towards higher-level qualification
- Mentorship/teaching qualification
Experience
Essential
- Significant post-registration experience in acute/surgical nursing.
- Demonstrable experience in a leadership/management role.
- Experience of managing staff performance, rotas, and resources.
- Evidence of involvement in clinical governance, audit, or service improvement.
Desirable
- Previous experience as Deputy Ward Manager/Ward Manager or equivalent Band 6/7 role.
- Experience of change management and service redesign.
- Experience in research, audit, and dissemination of outcomes.
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- In-depth knowledge of safeguarding, infection prevention, and medicines management.
- Strong understanding of clinical governance, CQC standards, and NHS quality frameworks.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
- Ability to manage budgets, staffing, and ward resources.
- Strong organisational and time-management skills.
Desirable
- Knowledge of digital health systems and data-driven performance management.
- Understanding of workforce planning at organisational level.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse (Adult) - NMC Registration
- Evidence of post-registration study/continuing professional development.
- Leadership/management training
Desirable
- Masters degree or working towards higher-level qualification
- Mentorship/teaching qualification
Experience
Essential
- Significant post-registration experience in acute/surgical nursing.
- Demonstrable experience in a leadership/management role.
- Experience of managing staff performance, rotas, and resources.
- Evidence of involvement in clinical governance, audit, or service improvement.
Desirable
- Previous experience as Deputy Ward Manager/Ward Manager or equivalent Band 6/7 role.
- Experience of change management and service redesign.
- Experience in research, audit, and dissemination of outcomes.
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- In-depth knowledge of safeguarding, infection prevention, and medicines management.
- Strong understanding of clinical governance, CQC standards, and NHS quality frameworks.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
- Ability to manage budgets, staffing, and ward resources.
- Strong organisational and time-management skills.
Desirable
- Knowledge of digital health systems and data-driven performance management.
- Understanding of workforce planning at organisational level.
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
