Deputy Ward Manager #1194

Douglas Macmillan Hospice; Stoke-on-Trent; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 35 days

Healthcare plan

Pension scheme

DBS paid

Learning & Development

Free parking

Job summary

Douglas Macmillan Hospice in Stoke-on-Trent is seeking a Deputy Ward Manager for the 28-bed In-Patient Unit. You will provide leadership and oversee night service, ensuring high-quality specialist palliative and end-of-life care.

The role involves supervising clinical teams, supporting the Ward Manager, and engaging in governance, patient safety and continuous service improvement. Salary is £49,000 per annum, 37.5 hours per week, Nights, with some day shifts.

Responsibilities

• Provide visible clinical and professional leadership for the In-Patient Unit.
• Lead the night service with senior clinical nursing leadership outside of normal hours.
• Deputise for the Ward Manager and oversee service in their absence.
• Contribute to workforce development, clinical supervision and mentorship.
• Support clinical governance, quality assurance and patient safety initiatives.

Job description

The Dougie Mac Adult In-Patient Unit is a specialist 28-bed palliative care service providing high-quality, person-centred care to patients with complex palliative and end-of-life care needs. The service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, ensuring continuous access to specialist support for patients and their families.

The In-Patient Unit delivers holistic assessment, care, and symptom management for individuals with life-limiting illnesses, supporting them through periods of complex need, symptom crisis, rehabilitation, and end-of-life care. Working within a multidisciplinary team, the service aims to enhance quality of life, promote dignity and choice, and ensure care is tailored to the individual goals and preferences of each patient.

The team provides physical, psychological, emotional, social, and spiritual support to both patients and those important to them, recognising the significant impact of serious illness on families and carers. Care is delivered in partnership with wider healthcare professionals and community services to ensure seamless, coordinated care and effective discharge planning where appropriate.

The service is committed to delivering compassionate, evidence-based specialist palliative care while maintaining the highest standards of clinical practice, patient safety, and experience. Patients and families are at the centre of everything we do, ensuring that care is responsive, respectful, and aligned with their individual needs and wishes.

Key Responsibilities

Reporting to the Ward Manager, the Deputy Ward Manager will support the leadership, management and operational delivery of the In-Patient Unit, ensuring the provision of high-quality specialist palliative and end-of-life care for patients and those important to them.

The post holder will provide visible clinical and professional leadership, supporting the Ward Manager to deliver safe, effective, responsive and compassionate services. They will promote a culture of excellence, professionalism, teamwork and continuous quality improvement, ensuring that patients and families remain at the centre of all decision-making and care delivery.

A key component of the role is the leadership and operational management of the night service, providing senior clinical nursing leadership outside of normal working hours. The Deputy Ward Manager will act as the designated nursing lead for the In-Patient Unit overnight, supporting clinical decision-making, patient flow, workforce coordination, effective resource management, the escalation of concerns and the maintenance of service continuity.

The Deputy Ward Manager will deputise for the Ward Manager as required, providing leadership and oversight of the service in their absence. They will contribute to workforce development, clinical supervision, education and mentorship, fostering a positive learning environment that supports staff wellbeing, professional growth and high standards of care.

The post holder will play a key role in clinical governance, quality assurance, patient safety and service improvement initiatives, ensuring compliance with professional, regulatory and organisational standards. They will work collaboratively with multidisciplinary colleagues and external partners to support the delivery of seamless, coordinated care and contribute to the achievement of the Hospice's strategic objectives and values.

Why Join Dougie Mac?

At Dougie Mac, we care deeply about the people who make our work possible. Whatever your role, you’ll be part of a supportive, values-led organisation where everyone is encouraged to grow, contribute, and make a real difference.

As a Dougie Mac employee, you’ll benefit from:

• 35 days of annual leave, rising with length of service
• Options to buy and sell annual leave
• Hospice-paid Healthcare Cash Plan
• Competitive Pension Scheme
• DBS paid for by the hospice
• Learning & Development opportunities
• Free on-site parking

Join us and be part of a local charity that puts people at the heart of everything we do.

Salary: £49,000 per annum + Anti Social Enhancements

Hours: 37.5 hours a week working Nights, with some day shifts required

Applications close: Sunday 8th November 2026

Interviews: Wednesday 18th & Friday 20th November 2026