Deputy Ward Manager

NHS; Wirral; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Deputy Ward Manager for Ward 22 in the Department of Medicine for the Elderly. You will provide clinical leadership, support the nursing team and deliver safe, compassionate care to older patients.

You will work closely with the Ward Manager to manage a busy ward, develop staff, participate in audits and drive quality improvement while maintaining high standards of dignity and respect for patients and their families.

Qualifications

• 1st Level Registered Nurse with relevant area of work.
• Diploma or degree, or due for completion within 12 months.
• Minimum of three years post-registration experience, with two years on Primary Nurse or equivalent.
• Recognised teaching qualification.

Responsibilities

• Designated to take regular charge of the ward/department in the absence of the Ward/Departmental manager.
• Ensure appropriate use of resources supporting the ward manager in maintaining a balanced budget.
• Act as an expert practitioner within the appropriate specialty, participating in direct patient care and demonstrating an advanced level and practice and knowledge.
• Ensure the effective and timely admission and discharge of patients.
• Assist in creating a therapeutic environment which meets the needs of patients, relatives and carers.
• Assist in promoting a critical, analytic approach to delivery of care and implementing changes to approve systems.
• Participate in audits and implement change, based on audit outcomes
• Act as preceptor and mentor to junior staff.
• Lead the team in the absence of the Ward or Department Manager.
• Participate in the recruitment, selection and appraisals of Junior staff.

Education

1st Level Registered Nurse (relevant to area of work)

Diploma / degree or due for completion within 12 months

Minimum of three years post-registration experience

Job description

Main area Medicine Grade Band 6 Contract Permanent Hours

• Full time
• Job share
• Flexible working

37.5 hours per week (days/nights/weekdays/weekends) Job ref 408-26-891

Site Arrowe Park Hospital Town Wirral Salary £39,959 - £48,117 per annum pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 16/11/2026 23:59

Job overview

We are seeking a highly motivated, experienced and dynamic Deputy Ward Manager to join Ward 22, our busy Department of Medicine for the Elderly (DME) ward. The successful candidate will be a strong, visible and inspirational leader with a genuine passion for elderly care and a commitment to delivering safe, compassionate and high-quality patient care.

Working closely with the Ward Manager, you will play a key role in the operational management of Ward 22, providing clinical leadership, supporting and developing the nursing team, and ensuring the delivery of effective, person-centred care. You will be confident in leading a busy ward environment, managing competing priorities, supporting complex clinical decision-making and promoting excellent standards of care, dignity and respect for older people.

We are looking for someone with excellent communication and organisational skills who can motivate staff, lead by example, manage challenges proactively and foster a positive culture of teamwork, accountability and continuous improvement. A commitment to staff development, patient safety, quality improvement and collaborative working with the multidisciplinary team is essential.

This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate and resilient nursing leader who wants to make a real difference to the care and experience of older people.

Main duties of the job

• Designated to take regular charge of the ward/department in the absence of the Ward/Departmental manager.
• Ensure appropriate use of financial and other resources supporting the ward manager in maintaining a balanced budget.
• Act as an expert practitioner within the appropriate speciality, participating in direct patient care and demonstrating an advanced level and practice and knowledge.
• Ensure the effective and timely admission and discharge of patients.
• Assist in creating a therapeutic environment which meets the needs of patients, relatives and carers.
• Assist in promoting a critical, analytic approach to delivery of care and implementing changes to approve systems.
• Participate in audits and implement change, based on audit outcomes
• Act as preceptor and mentor to junior staff.
• Lead the team in the absence of the Ward or Department Manager.
• Participate in the recruitment, selection and appraisals of Junior staff.

Working for our organisation

All new colleagues can expect to receive a warm and friendly Wirral welcome from the very first time they make contact with us. We are described as “competent and caring staff” by our patients.

Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is situated on The Wirral peninsula which has a stunning coastline and beautiful countryside surroundings, with great activities for its residents.

We are one of the largest and busiest acute Trusts in the North West of England, comprising of the Wirral’s only Emergency Department. We provide a high quality range of acute care services and employ over 6,000 staff, who serve a population of approximately 400,000 people across Wirral, Ellesmere Port, Neston, North Wales and the wider North West footprint.

We have approximately 855 beds trust-wide and our financial turnover is in excess of £337m.

The Wirral is easily accessible with excellent transport links including motorway, train, bus or ferry and within easy reach to the major cities of Liverpool, Chester and Manchester as well as neighbouring North Wales.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see Job overview & attached Job description for further information about the Deputy Ward Manager position available with WUTH.

Qualifications, Specific Experience & Training

• 1 st Level Registered Nurse (relevant to area of work)
• Relevant diploma / degree or due for completion within 12 months
• Minimum of three years post-registration experience of which two years should be at Primary Nurse or equivalent
• Recognised teaching qualification

Knowledge and Skills

• Relevant Clinical knowledge/experience of the speciality
• Evidence of ability to act as a preceptor/mentor to new staff
• Evidence of involvement in producing teaching strategies/packages

General Information

By applying for this post you are agreeing to Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust viewing and managing the information contained in the application.

Please note that the cost of the DBS check, and any associated administration charges are subject to periodic review and may change from time to time.

For substantive employees, the DBS costs are recovered through salary deductions following commencement in post in 3 equal instalments.

For bank workers and individuals appointed to honorary positions that require a DBS check, the cost must be paid in advance via the Trusts payment link before a start date can be confirmed.

The cost of the DBS check would vary depending on the level required for the role:

The Trust would encourage all post holders who require a DBS for their role to registered with the DBS Update Service. You can find out more information and guidance on how to do this at DBS Update Service - GOV.UK

Please note that it is the responsibility of applicants to assess their own eligibility for apprenticeship opportunities in relation to the role they are applying for. Eligibility is determined by specific residency requirements set by government funding rules and is assessed on a case‑basis. Our organisation cannot guarantee eligibility for all applicants.

UK nationals or individuals with the right of abode typically meet the residency requirement if they have been ordinarily resident in the UK, the British Overseas Territories, or the Crown Dependencies (Channel Islands and Isle of Man) for at least three years prior to the start date of the apprenticeship.

Eligibility to work in the UK will be verified during the final stages of the selection process. All candidates must either already have the right to work in the UK before commencing employment or meet the Home Office criteria for visa sponsorship. Please note that it is the responsibility of applicants to assess their own eligibility for visa sponsorship in relation to the role they are applying for. Our organisation cannot guarantee sponsorship for all roles, and eligibility is determined by the UK Home Office’s points-based immigration system on a case‑basis. For further information please see: Skilled Worker Visa Eligible Occupations and Codes .

For further details on skilled worker sponsorship, please consult the UK Home Office guidance: Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK. Additionally, the New guidance for overseas applicants | NHS Employers provides helpful information on the recruitment process for candidates applying for roles in the UK.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to check that they meet the current English language requirements before submitting an application for a role where they would require a visa application. Full details are available here Skilled Worker visa: Knowledge of English - GOV.UK

This information does not constitute legal advice, and we strongly recommend seeking independent legal guidance tailored to your individual circumstances.

Safeguarding

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all unborn babies, children and adults and is signed up to both the Wirral Safeguarding Children’s Partnership and the Wirral Safeguarding Adults Partnership Board associated policies and procedures. All Trust staff must be familiar with, and adhere to these procedures. It is the post holders responsibility to attended the Trusts mandatory training Protecting Vulnerable People training, and to follow the relevant Trusts polices and practice guidance.

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.