Deputy Ward Leader- Ward A | Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh NHS Foundation Trust; Wigan; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK healthcare provider seeks a Deputy Ward Leader for Ward A in Wigan, working 36 hours per week on a full rota including days and nights. The role demands excellent interpersonal communication skills, conflict resolution abilities, and a basic understanding of the Deputy Ward Leader responsibilities. You will help manage patient care, coordinate audits and research, and maintain effective working relationships within a multidisciplinary team. Commitment to patient care and staff welfare is essential.

Qualifications

• Understanding of audit and research would be beneficial.
• Basic knowledge of Deputy Ward Leader role requirements.
• Experience in a fast-paced ward environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist in meeting immediate patient needs within the hospital.
• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care.
• Coordinate drug trials and assist in audit projects.

Skills

Interpersonal communication skills

Conflict resolution

Empathy

Education

Relevant nursing qualifications

Job description

We are looking to recruit a Deputy Ward Leader at Wrightington on Ward A. The role is 36 hours per week and involves working a full Monday–Sunday rota including days and nights.

Wrightington is a centre of excellence and also orthopaedic hub for Greater Manchester. Elective orthopaedic procedures are carried out for patients the length and breadth of the country and even the Falkland Islands.

Ward A is a short stay ward which is extremely fast paced.

If you are interested in furthering your career in orthopaedic care or are ready for the challenge of stepping up to a Band 6 position then please apply.

You will possess excellent interpersonal communication skills able to interact with the wider multidisciplinary team to ensure smooth running of the ward.

You will have a basic knowledge of what is expected to fulfil the Deputy ward leader role. Have the skills to defuse conflict/disagreements but also be able to empathise to the needs of staff and patients.

An understanding of audit/research would be beneficial.

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are the proud providers of acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, we value our staff believing that 'happy staff, makes for happy patients'. We have a recognised track record in staff engagement, and living our values 'the WWL Way'.

WWL are committed to placing the patient at the heart of everything we do, and in the provision of safe, effective care that acknowledges and ensures dignity. With this in mind we are seeking to recruit people who share our values and beliefs.

At WWL we value the benefits a rich and diverse workforce brings to our community and therefore welcome applications from all sections of society.

Key results from the job holder

• To assist in the response to immediate patient needs within hospital setting.
• Assess, plan, implement and evaluate the nursing care of patients in accordance with their clinical pathway and individual needs.
• Assist in research and audit projects, both medical and nursing orientated and provide statistical information by which clinical trials can be measured. Assist in the co‑ordination of drug trials.
• Development of and involvement in committees, working parties and meetings concerned with on‑going developments of the ward.
• Develop and co‑operate with local Health Education Units in information exchanges.
• Liaise with consultants on the outcome of all assessments, monitoring and meetings where appropriate.
• Observe the NMC Code of Professional Conduct. Ensure compliance with policies, procedures and clinical guidelines for self and others, participate in the development of same.
• Continually monitor standards of care and lead the improvement of care, be responsible for benchmarking, audit and research within the ward environment.
• Promote everyone’s equality, diversity and rights.

Planning and Organisational Duties

• Manage the unit area in the absence of the unit manager, co‑ordinating the activities of the unit team and deploying resources effectively.
• Ensure that all drugs and treatments are correctly administered in accordance with NMC Guidelines, Nursing Procedures and Drug Policies.
• Ensure effective emergency plans and procedures are in place and that staff are able to respond appropriately in emergency situations.
• Ensure that all work is carried out in a safe manner and with due care to Health and Safety regulations.
• Assist in ensuring a safe place of work is maintained and that defects in plant, premises or equipment are identified and reported for corrective action promptly.
• Comply with Mandatory training in accordance with Trust policy.
• Participate on a rostered basis carrying the senior nurse bleep, dealing with emergency situations and offering advice to ward areas.
• Organise own workload and adjust priorities in response to issues in the work place.
• Assist in analysing and forecasting the workforce needs for service development.
• Undertake regular departmental audit and the development and implementation of action plans.

Communications and Key Working Relationships

• Establish an effective working relationship with medical staff and other disciplines within the hospital.
• Recognise and respond to issues which require urgent attention, reporting to other members of the multi-disciplinary/management team as necessary.
• Expeditiously handle complaints and problems providing accurate and timely follow up after consultation with Modern Matron/Departmental Head.
• Ensure effective communication is maintained between the rheumatology unit and the rheumatology specialist team.

Responsibility for Finance

• Ensure and manage the effective use of all financial resources in providing and delivering the service.
• Identify and implement cost improvement and SAVI programmes within the service.

Responsibility for Human Resources

• Adhere to Trust policies and maintenance of the professional Code of Conduct.
• Using developed listening skills and insight into the organisational culture; formulate and implement policies to enable teams to make their best contribution to effective care delivery.
• Participate in annual performance review to identify staff members’ personal development needs and ensure that issues of poor competence are addressed.
• Support the unit manager in managing staff absence in accordance with the Trust policies.

This advert closes on Sunday 28 Dec 2025