Deputy Ward Manager

NHS; Runcorn; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity exists for a Deputy Ward Manager to support the Clinical Team Manager in delivering high-quality care. The role requires excellent problem-solving skills, leadership qualities, and the ability to work in a multidisciplinary team. The post holder will ensure continuity of care while promoting a respectful attitude towards service users and their choices.

Qualifications

• Experience in an acute environment.
• Mentorship and staff coordination experience.
• Knowledge of the Recovery Model.

Responsibilities

• Implement caseload supervision to monitor service user care standards.
• Maintain a clinical environment that promotes health and dignity.
• Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team.

Skills

Leadership

Problem-solving

Effective communication

Interpersonal relationship development

Education

Current professional registration with the NMC

Post-registration training relevant to the role

Leadership/management training

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a secondment as a Deputy Ward Manager on Weaver Ward to support the Clinical Team Manager and Clinical Leadership Team in delivering high-quality, safe, and effective care.

This demanding role requires resilience, excellent problem-solving and interpersonal skills, and the ability to provide sound clinical and managerial support to team members.

The post holder will demonstrate a passion for coaching leadership, quality improvement, and a respectful attitude that values service users' choices, working alongside them and their carers to ensure they are central to care planning.

This post is subject to an enhanced check with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Main duties of the job

The post holder will assist the Clinical Team Manager in maintaining professional and managerial responsibility for the ward.

They will operate as part of an integrated multidisciplinary team, balancing managerial and clinical activities to ensure continuity of care for service users through the acute service.

About us

Mersey Care is one of the largest trusts providing physical and mental health services in the North West, serving over 1.4 million people across the region, and is commissioned for services covering the North West, North Wales, and the Midlands.

We offer specialist inpatient and community services supporting physical and mental health, including inpatient mental health, learning disability, addiction, and brain injury services. Mersey Care is one of only three trusts in the UK with high secure mental health facilities.

Our commitment to 'perfect care'—safe, effective, positively experienced, timely, equitable, and efficient—is at the core of our work. We support staff to excel and collaborate with service users, families, and carers to co-design future services. We are currently undertaking a programme of organisational and service transformation to improve quality and reduce costs safely.

Flexible working requests will be considered for all roles.

Job responsibilities

• Implement caseload supervision to monitor service user care standards and ensure record keeping aligns with professional and trust standards.
• Participate in regular clinical supervision as per trust policy.
• Assist in developing and implementing integrated care pathways, including assessments, referrals, and models of care.
• Provide information, education, and support for family members, carers, and relevant professionals.
• Engage in managerial and clinical supervision regularly as per trust policy.
• Maintain a clinical environment that promotes service users' health, safety, and dignity, respecting their personal, religious, and cultural beliefs.
• Ensure accurate record keeping in line with standards.
• Manage medicines safely, adhering to the NMC code and trust medicines policy.
• Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team.
• Promote positive intra-agency working and participate in setting service user care standards based on research.

Person Specification

VALUES

• Accountability
• Support
• High professional standards
• Responsiveness to service users
• Engaging leadership style
• Transparency and honesty
• Discretion
• Change orientation

EXPERIENCE/KNOWLEDGE

• Experience in an acute environment
• Mentorship, supervision, and staff coordination experience
• Care planning process experience
• Experience working within a multi-agency framework
• Contributions to change management
• Positive team leadership experience
• Problem-solving skills
• Knowledge of the Recovery Model
• Understanding of the Mental Health Act (1983)
• Effective Care Coordination
• Familiarity with relevant national policies and guidance
• Evidence-based and reflective practice
• Understanding of the Mental Capacity Act
• Knowledge of Vulnerable Adults Procedures and Child Protection
• Familiarity with Safety, Privacy, and Dignity Guidelines

SKILLS

• Leadership qualities and management understanding
• Knowledge of quality and change in clinical settings
• Delegation and coordination skills
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Assessment skills and tools proficiency
• Effective communication in various settings
• Accurate clinical record maintenance
• Factual reporting and referral skills
• Tact and diplomacy in sensitive issues
• Interpersonal relationship development
• Risk identification and minimization
• Project management
• Report formulation
• Resource and budget management

QUALIFICATIONS

• Current professional registration with the NMC
• Post-registration training relevant to the role
• Leadership/management training

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This role requires an enhanced DBS check, considering the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, to check for any previous convictions.