Deputy Ward Manager

NHS; Manchester; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health service provider in Manchester is seeking a dedicated professional to join their Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). The role involves supporting the Ward Manager and supervising junior staff to ensure high standards of care are met. Candidates should possess NMC registration and have experience in acute mental health settings. The position offers opportunities for professional development and a supportive team environment. This is a chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals with complex mental health needs.

Benefits

27 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Cycle to work scheme

Salary sacrifice car scheme

Blue Light Card Discounts

Qualifications

• Experience supervising staff in a healthcare setting.
• Experience working with severe mental health problems in acute phases.
• Ability to conduct clinical and risk assessments.

Responsibilities

• Support the Ward Manager in clinical operations.
• Provide supervision to junior staff.
• Implement changes to enhance patient care.

Skills

Empathy

Emotional resilience

Continuous learning

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Education

NMC Registration

Job description

Our Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) is at the forefront of a Trust-wide transformation, shaped by national experts and driven by a commitment to excellence. We're building a service that sets the standard for high-quality, trauma-informed psychiatric care across the UK.

Join us and become part of a skilled, compassionate multidisciplinary team working in a modernised, safe, and therapeutic environment -- where innovation meets impact.

You're someone who:

• Brings a genuine passion for supporting individuals with complex mental health needs
• Can remain calm, focused, and safe in high-pressure or challenging situations
• Values continuous learning and thrives in a collaborative team setting
• Demonstrates empathy, respect, and emotional resilience
• Ideally has experience in health, social care, or acute/PICU environments

You will assist the Ward Manager in providing Leadership and Operational Management to the Ward ensuring the provision of quality nursing care to all service users on the ward/department. The post holder will assess, plan and implement care, and provide specialist nursing advice and carry out specialist nursing procedures in the agreed care group. You will provide clinical and managerial leadership to junior staff, providing supervision to junior staff and students.

Ready to make a meaningful difference? We'd love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

• Support the Ward Manager in the clinical and operational running of the ward
• Support and supervise junior staff and students
• Implement change on the ward to improve the quality of patient care and staff wellbeing
• Provide preceptorship for newly qualified staff
• To act as a role model within the team continually promoting a highstandard of care for all patients admitted to the ward, which iseffective and responsive to the needs of service users.
• Act as bleep holder for the unit as required.

About us

Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 122 locations.

We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.

Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.

Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.

Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.

Job responsibilities

Education and Experience

• NMC Registration
• Evidence of Continuous Professional Development
• Completion of preceptorship
• Experience of working alongside people with severe mental health problems particularly in their acute phase of illness
• Experience of supervising staff
• Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team
• Experience of conducting clinical assessments including risk assessments
• Experience of working within an Inpatient environment /PICU

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Knowledge of relevant legislation, e.g. Mental Heath Act (1983).
• Awareness of research methods and clinical audit cycle
• Ability to utilize evidence‑based clinical assessments and therapeutic interventions relevant to the client group.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to communicate in a clear and unambiguous way
• Excellent negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to develop effective professional relationships with others
• Ability to develop good therapeutic relationships
• Establish and maintain communication with individuals and groups about difficult or complex matters overcoming any differences in communication
• Develop own skills and knowledge and provide information to others to help their development
• Participate in partnership working with individuals, groups, communities and agencies
• Organising and co‑ordinating the activities of others within the ward environment
• Co‑ordinating ward meetings
• Demonstrate knowledge of the carers agenda.
• Demonstrate a knowledge of gender specific issues within inpatient services.
• Planning off‑duty rotas
• Implementation of quality improvements

Other Essential Criteria

• Work an internal rotation across 24 hours, 7 days a week, including bank holidays.
• Ability to carry out PMVA Training
• Ability to administer medication as required.
• Ability to use manual handling techniques.
• There is an occasional requirement to travel across the wide footprint of the Trust to attend meetings and events relevant to the role

Please see attached job description and person specification

Band

Saturday (midnight to midnight) and any week day after 8pm and before 6am

All time on Sundays and Public Holidays (midnight to midnight)

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
• Cycle to work scheme
• Salary sacrifice car scheme
• Blue Light Card Discounts

Person Specification

Education and Experience

• NMC Registered
• Evidence of supervising students
• Experience working in PICU or acute mental health settings
• Supervision of junior staff

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Good knowledge of the Mental Health Act
• Delegation, Leadership skills
• Participation in Quality Improvements
• Planning off‑duty
• ILS Trained

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.