Deputy Ward Manager

Greater Manchester Mental Health; Prestwich; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Evenings and weekends pay enhancements

27 days annual leave plus increments

Cycle to work scheme

Salary sacrifice car scheme

Blue Light Card Discounts

Job summary

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Deputy Ward Manager for John Denmark Unit in Prestwich. The post is a 18-bed deaf specialist unit, requiring resilient, driven nurses to lead on nursing issues, provide high-quality care and support the ward manager in leadership and development.

The role involves rotating shifts, mentoring staff, and ensuring strong communication with the care team and external services.

Qualifications

• RMN/RNLD registered nursing qualification.
• Deaf-specific qualifications/Training; experience in deaf MH setting desirable.
• Willingness to engage in BSL Level 1 and 2 training.

Responsibilities

• Deputise for the ward manager and lead nursing issues.
• Promote MDT working and oversee nursing care on the unit.
• Supervise junior staff and mentor new staff and junior nurses.
• Oversee medication management and physical health provision on the ward.
• Support ward manager with HR tasks, wellbeing monitoring and audits.
• Ensure accurate and timely clinical documentation.
• Manage shifts as nurse in charge and conduct risk assessments.

Skills

Deaf skills

Leadership

Nursing care

Education

RMN/RNLD

Job description

Main area Mental Health Grade Band 6 Contract Secondment: 12 months Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Happy to discuss flexible working) Job ref 437-8265788

Site John Denmark Unit Town Prestwich, Greater Manchester Salary £39,959 - £48,117 per annum pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 29/09/2026 23:59

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for deputy ward manager to become part of the team on John Denmark Unit, which is an 18 bedded, deaf specialist, mixed gender acute /rehab unit. The John Denmark Unit is based at Prestwich, Manchester and is part of the Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. The JDU provides high standards for specialist NHS mental health services to deaf people throughout the nort h of England, Wales and Scotland.

Our ideal candidate would have experience of caring for people with functional illnesses such as depression, schizophrenia etc, and dementia. Experience of working within a deaf mental health residential setting would be desirable .

We are looking for an individual who is resilient, driven and passionate to provide high quality nursing care to our patients, whist supporting the leadership within the unit.

The post holder will take charge of the shifts on a rotational basis, act as a primary nurse to service users and their carers , as well as being responsible for the establishment and maintenance of effective communication with all relevant personnel who contribute to the care of the service user both internal and external to the Trust.

The post holder will, in collaboration with the ward manager, ensure continuous clinical and professional development for the nursing team through on-the-job coaching, mentoring, audit, regular supervision, and ward-based training of less experienced staff .

Main duties of the job

• To deputise for the ward manager as required
• Promote multi-disciplinary team working whilst leading predominantly on nursing issues
• Willing to engage in training and learning - BSL Level 1 and 2 training provided
• To uphold the values of the ward promoting openness, transparency and learning
• Supervision of junior staff
• Enthusiastic mentor to new staff , newly qualified nurses and junior staff
• Oversee certain areas of clinical expertise such as medication management and physical health provision on the ward
• Support the ward manager with HR tasks such as Wellbeing monitoring, audits , action plans
• Ensure a accurate and timely clinical documentation
• Manage shifts as a nurse in charge
• Conducting thorough assessments of risks and risk management plans to support incidents on the unit
• Must be willing to participate in 24-hour rotation of day and night shifts
• Must be able to carry out a full range of caring duties, including moving and handling and Control and Restraint (Training Provided)

Working for our organisation

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 their service users.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

See attached detailed job description and person specification:

• Pay Enhancements - 30% additional for Evenings (8pm onwards) and Saturdays and 60% additional for Sundays and Bank holidays.
• 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

Qualification and Experience

• RMN/RNLD, experience/education
• Deaf Specific qualifications/Training/Worked in Deaf MH setting

Skills and Knowledge

• Deaf specific knowledge/skills

Important Information about working for GMMH:

All positions within the Trust are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, for further information on the checks required please visit the NHS Employers website www.nhsemployers.org

The Trust mandates all post holders who require a DBS for their role to subscribe to the DBS Update Service. You will be required to enrol for this service for a fee of £16 per year and maintain registration throughout your employment with GMMH.

Applicants are encouraged to apply for posts at Greater Manchester Mental Health who have direct experience of mental health, learning disability or drug and alcohol services either as a service user or a carer.

The Trust is also committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We are aspiring to ensure our workforce is representative of the diverse communities that we serve, and we are strongly committed to removing barriers to employment for candidates from under-represented groups, for example BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ communities. If you would like to have an informal chat about the recruitment process for this role or would value some additional support, we’d love to hear from you.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) when writing job applications

A candidate may utilise the help of AI when writing job application. The assessment of an application is made on its entirety and most times AI-generated content does not fully grasp the context and requirements of the job one applies for thus producing inaccurate and misleading information, especially in the supporting statement section of an application that can lack real life examples of one’s achievements, success and challenges.

We have added a disclaimer to our application process advising that the use of AI is monitored. GMMH reserves the right to follow up with a candidate at the interview on specific responses and those examples used in the supporting statement to explore it further.

Sponsorship

We are proud to be an approved sponsor for the Skilled Worker visa. Applications from individuals who require sponsorship will be considered alongside all other applications. Please be aware that not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible roles and salary requirements on the UK Government's website.

If you are offered a role with us and you require sponsorship, we will check your eligibility in line with the information on the above website. Your offer of employment could be withdrawn if the role is not eligible for sponsorship, and you are not otherwise able to evidence your right to work in the UK.

The Home Office introduces new changes from 22/07/2025 that impact the health and care sector, you may wish to familiarise with it here.

Do you have experience outside the NHS?

We want to attract and retain people with diverse skills and experience, to deliver inclusive healthcare services to our communities.

We will consider relevant experience outside the NHS to calculate your salary on appointment. Please contact our Recruitment Team for more information.

Please note, this vacancy may be closed at any time if sufficient applications have been received

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

As a service user, relative or carer using our services, sometimes you may need to turn to someone for help, advice, and support.