Deputy Manager Frailty Virtual ward

NHS; Halifax; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Halifax is seeking a Deputy Manager for the Frailty Virtual Ward. Responsibilities include overseeing patient care and managing a team to enhance clinical services. The role demands a health-related degree, strong leadership skills, and the ability to provide compassionate care. This is a full-time, permanent position offering a salary of £46,148 to £52,809 per annum.

Qualifications

• Evidence of leadership, change management and negotiation skills.
• Non-medical prescriber or willingness to undertake this.
• Experience caring for patients with complex long-term conditions.

Responsibilities

• Manage defined caseloads strategically to meet service standards.
• Conduct virtual ward community visits, performing assessments and IV therapies.
• Communicate complex and sensitive information compassionately.

Skills

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Decision-making capabilities

Ability to work under pressure

Empathy

Education

Health-related degree (e.g., nursing or AHP)

Registered with HCPC/NMC

Job description

Job Summary

Are you looking to be part of an exciting model of care? If so, we have a fantastic opportunity for a Deputy Manager for the Frailty Virtual Ward to bring their expertise and knowledge to assist in the ongoing delivery of clinical care as part of the integrated Virtual Ward clinical team which runs over seven days a week, covering the hours of 8am to 8pm. The role involves working closely with existing specialist teams and acute teams and is a pivotal role ensuring all patients within the Virtual Ward receive the best possible care and service. The Deputy Manager will be responsible for the operational management and the effective and efficient delivery of the Frailty Virtual ward service.

They will manage staff within the service and work in partnership with the Locality Manager, Directorate Matron, General Manager and Clinical Director on planning, development and continuous improvement of patient care processes. They will provide evidence‑based, clinically effective practice within the community, facilitating step down from the acute hospital and step up from the community, promoting effective self‑management, preventing unnecessary hospital admissions and improving quality of life.

Responsibilities

• Prioritise patients referred to the service via triage and day‑to‑day planning of workload, reactive or proactive as required.
• Deliver holistic care through assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation, working with other specialities and the MDT.
• Conduct virtual ward community visits, which may include holistic assessment, IV therapies, ECGs, venepuncture, catheter management, bowel management, prescribing and pain assessments.
• Manage defined caseloads strategically to meet service standards and objectives.
• Maintain an extensive knowledge base around falls, frailty, complex multi‑pathologies, mental health and end‑of‑life care.
• Support patients and carers to adapt to their functional and social situations, providing psychological support.
• Utilise therapeutic assessments and treatment modalities appropriate to the clinical area, including referral pathways.
• Plan transfer of care and discharge from the service.
• Assess the home environment for suitability and safety.
• Communicate complex and sensitive information compassionately, using excellent interpersonal skills.
• Work flexibly over a 7‑day week as part of a planned rota.

Professional Duties

All duties are carried out within CHFT policy and service‑specific standard operating procedures. Key duties include:

• Partner with patients to encourage appropriate use of resources, social care agencies and voluntary sector, raising the profile of frailty needs across Calderdale and Huddersfield, considering diversity and equality.
• Collaborate with acute trust and primary care colleagues to identify patients requiring MDT support to prevent frequent admissions.
• Maintain and extend knowledge and skills to meet patient needs within professional practice scope.
• Provide therapeutic care that anticipates and responds to patient needs, striving for continuous improvement.
• Ensure safe use of equipment, adherence to service policies and maintain and record accurate documentation.
• Engage in professional development, meeting NMC/HPC requirements and participating in clinical supervision and PDR reviews.
• Manage crisis and end‑of‑life care episodes in the community or patients’ own homes, exercising initiative.
• Serve as a role model for quality care, promoting evidence‑based interventions and compassionate care.
• Conduct ongoing service reviews informed by user involvement, professional opinion and audits.
• Support reviews of patient/carer information and produce new information as per local, network and national guidelines.
• Improve quality and safeguard standards, maintaining patient‑focused service and meeting financial targets.
• Complete mandatory training and work with line manager to develop and review personal development plans.

Contract Details

Band 7 – Permanent, Full‑time, Flexible working – Salary £46,148 to £52,809 per annum (pro‑rated). Job location: Dean Clough Mills, Halifax, HX3 5AX. Reference #372‑COM2602.

Qualifications and Experience

• Essential:
  • Health‑related degree (e.g., nursing or AHP)
  • Evidence of leadership, change management and negotiation skills
  • Evidence of continuing professional development
  • Non‑medical prescriber or willingness to undertake this
  • Registered with HCPC/NMC
• Desirable:
  • Introduction to management/leadership training
  • Masters level or working towards a masters level degree or similar workplace experience
• Essential Knowledge, Experience & Expertise:
  • Substantial experience caring for patients with complex long‑term conditions
  • Recent relevant experience in end‑of‑life care
  • Experience contributing to service improvement initiatives
  • Experience leading, managing and developing staff
  • Experience dealing with difficult issues relating to individuals and groups of staff
• Desirable Experience:
  • Service development or change management
  • Experience of lone working
  • Experience working within a community setting
  • Experience of end‑of‑life care
• Essential Communication & Relationship Skills:
  • High level of presentation skills and delivery of training
  • Leadership skills and excellent decision‑making capabilities
  • Hold a UK driving licence and have reliable access to a vehicle
  • Excellent communication skills
  • IT awareness
  • Flexible and adaptable
  • Sensitive and empathic
  • Ability to work collaboratively and maintain good working relationships
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Self‑motivated and able to use own initiative
  • Ability to work in various locations within Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust network
  • Ability to fulfil health requirements with reasonable adjustments as recommended by Occupational Health
• Desirable Communication & Relationship Skills:
  • Introduce change and innovation
  • Awareness of CHFT values and vision

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) is required to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the NHS Careers website.

Employer Details

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust

Dean Clough Mills

Halifax

HX3 5AX

Website: https://www.cht.nhs.uk