Ward Leader

University Hospital Southampton NHS FT; Southampton; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Band 7 Ward Leader for its 16-bedded specialist paediatric cardiology ward. The post is a fixed-term maternity backfill with a March 2027 end date, based in Southampton, offering opportunities to lead and develop nursing practice.

The role requires strong leadership, experience in managing teams, and commitment to advancing children’s cardiac services within a regional network.

Qualifications

• Registered nurse with NMC status and mentorship experience.
• Experience leading nursing teams and managing change.
• Band 6 level leadership experience and ability to role-model excellence in care.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a ward philosophy focused on patient-centred care.
• Undertake nursing bleep holding responsibilities within the designated area.
• Evaluate changes in clinical practice and support implementation in the ward.
• Be a role model for inter-professional teamwork and responsive to patient concerns.

Skills

Team leadership

Nursing leadership

Change management

Education

NMC Registered Nurse

Mentorship qualification

Degree in Nursing

Specialty course

Job description

Job Overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Job Title: Ward Leader

Contract Type: Fixed Term

Fixed Term Contract End Date: March 2027

Purpose for Fixed Term: Maternity Leave Backfill

Main duties of the job

This is an exciting opportunity to join our team on our 16-bedded specialist paediatric cardiology ward as the band 7 ward leader.

If you’re an excellent team leader with experience of leading and managing teams, supporting change and committed to helping us to shape the future of children’s Cardiac services, we’d love to hear from you.

You will join our friendly, supportive nursing team in one of only a handful of specialist regional centres of paediatric cardiology. We are part of the Oxford Southampton paediatric cardiac network and work closely with Oxford Children’s Hospital to provide cardiac services, carrying out surgical and interventional procedures at Southampton.

You will work in partnership with the Lead Clinician and ensure accountability for the delivery of the quality performance agenda and work closely with the Matron team to enhance nursing practice and strategy.

Working for our organisation

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.

We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 30% lower than London and 17 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

In this role, your key responsibilities will include:

• developing and maintaining a ward/department philosophy that has the patient at the centre of care delivery


• undertake nursing bleep holding responsibilities within designated area


• evaluate the relevance of changes in clinical practice and then support and facilitate implementation in the clinical area


• be a role model for all and contribute effectively to inter-professional team working


• to be responsive and to address patients concerns at an early stage

What We Are Looking For

• extensive experience in specialty to include considerable experience at Band 6 level


• excellent communication and organisational skills


• proven management experience


• ability to work flexible hours and fulfil service requirements

For an overview of the position, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification document. This includes a detailed breakdown of the key responsibilities, role expectations, and the qualifications we are looking for.

Qualifications, Knowledge, And Experience

Essential criteria

• 1st Level Registered nurse on relevant part of the NMC Register


• Recognised mentorship qualification and experience as a Sign Off mentor


• Degree or working towards


• Completion of appropriate specialty Course


• Higher Education Institute approved course in supporting learners in practice. Supporting a range of learners in practice Supporting colleagues to promote effective learning in practice


• Extensive experience in specialty to include considerable experience at Band 6 level


• Evidence of clinical leadership ability


• Proven management experience


• Expert clinical skills


• Evidence of continuing professional development


• Evidence of utilising evidence in practice

Desirable criteria

• Management Course (or equivalent)


• Experience as an NMC sign off mentor or clinical practice assessor
  
• Evidence of staff development and succession planning


• Broad range of post registration experience


• Experience of report writing

Trust Values and Behaviours

Essential criteria

• Patients First


• Always Improving


• Working Together