Paediatric Ward Manager

St. Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust; Ormskirk; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking a permanent Paediatric Ward Manager for Ormskirk Hospital. The role leads a 17-bed inpatient ward, 4 day-case beds and a 6-bed Observation Unit, caring for children from 0-16 years.

You will provide leadership, oversee quality improvement and ensure safe, effective care across a 24/7 service, working closely with the Paediatric Matron and other managers to maintain high standards.

Qualifications

• Registered Children's Nurse with degree or diploma level.
• Current NMC Registration and active practising status.
• Evidence of continued professional development.
• Leadership training or qualification or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of NMC standards for practice and code.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and management to nursing and support staff for effective ward operation.
• Offer specialist advice and support to nursing teams for appropriate patient assessment and care planning, and maintain records.
• Liaise with other agencies to plan care and health/education programmes.
• Manage the ward/department budget.
• Work within the NMC Code and nursing guidelines.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Communication

Organisation

Change agent

Budget management

Computer literacy

Education

Registered Children's Nurse, Degree/Diploma level

Current NMC Registration

Tools

Electronic patient record

Job description

Job overview

Paediatric Ward Manager - Ormskirk

Band 7, Full Time

Due to the promotion of the current Ward Manager, an exciting opportunity has arisen for a permanent Ward Manager on our Children's Ward at Ormskirk Hospital.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated leader to manage our Children's Ward which includes 17 inpatient beds, 4 day case beds and a 6 bed Assessment and Observation Unit, caring for children from 0 - 16 years.

You will be responsible and accountable for the leadership, development quality improvement and management of services within the Children's Ward ensuring the provision of safe, efficient and quality of care to children, young people and their families across a 24 hour period, 7 days a week.

You will work closely with the Paediatric Matron and other Paediatric Managers to ensure the safe running of the Department.

Main duties of the job

Responsible for providing leadership and management to nursing and support team and associated staff to ensure effective running of ward/department.

Provide leadership, specialist advice and support working with nursing teams to ensure appropriate assessment of patients needs, development of care plans, implementation of care plans and maintenance of associated records.

Liaise with other agencies in planning programmes of care and/or health and education programmes

Responsible for ward/department budget management

To work within the NMC Code and professional nursing guidance

Working for our organisation

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 10,500 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.

Acute Care

Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.

Primary Care

Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.

Community Services

Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.

Specialist Regional Services

We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.

Achievements:

• Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
• Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
• National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see Job Description and Person Specification attached.

Advertising Date: 15th October 2026

Closing Date: 29th October 2026

Shortlisting Date: 30th October 2026

Proposed Interview date: 10th November 2026

Please note this vacancy may close early if a high number of applications is reached.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Registered Children's Nurse. Degree / Diploma Level
• Current NMC Registration
• Evidence of continued professional development
• Leadership training or qulification or equivalent experience

Knowledge and Experiece

Essential criteria

• Able to demonstrate knowledge of NMCprofessional standards for practice contained within the code
• Experience of managing teams
• Experience of service development, such as clinical pathway management
• Substantial experience of working in a clinical environment
• Understanding of budget management within the NHS at departmental level
• Experience of involvement in relevant research/audit to underpin evidence-based practice
• Understand key features of clinical governance and risk

Skills

Essential criteria

• Current up to date and relevant clinical skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent organisational and management skills
• Able to act as a leader, effectively managing staff in the department
• Accountable for own professional actions
• Ability to network and build relationships at all levels act as a change agent
• Computer literacy eg experience of electronic patient record

Other

Essential criteria

• Frequent sitting or standing in a restricted position; occasional moderate effort for several short period.
• Walks, stands most of shift; occasionally moves, occasional manoeuvres patients.
• Frequent concentration, work pattern unpredictable Concentration for patient clinical work
• Dealing with frequent interruptions and competing demands
• Occasional highly distressing or emotional circumstances. Deals with patient complaints, conveys unwelcome news, management of complaints/concerns arising from incidents, communicating to patients and relatives
• Working in ward environment providing direct clinical care
• Potential blood or body fluids exposure

Values

Essential criteria

• We are kind
• We are open
• We are inclusive

Thank you for considering an application to work for Mersey West Lancashire NHS Trust. MWL is an exciting and forward-thinking NHS Trust who are one of the best places to work for in England.

Given sometimes we receive a high volume of applications to work for us, please be aware, that we may close a vacancy earlier than stated should a sufficient number of applications be received from which a shortlist can be confirmed. Therefore, you are advised to apply at your earliest convenience.

The Trust may contact you during the recruitment process for your feedback on your experience. We always aim for continuous improvement in our practice.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

We actively cultivate a professional environment of fairness, equality, dignity, and respect for all individuals. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and value the unique skills, perspective and experience you bring. We are grounded in the belief that diversity enhances our collective strength, fostering innovation and excellence within our workforce. We welcome all applications irrespective of people's race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we commit to offering an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification.