Ward Manager

NHS; Worcester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A local healthcare provider in Worcestershire seeks an experienced Ward Manager for the Minor Injuries Unit. You will provide clinical leadership, oversee operations, ensure high standards of care, and support staff development. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in urgent care and possess strong leadership and decision-making skills. Join us to shape the service and positively impact community healthcare.

Qualifications

• Substantial post-registration experience in urgent care, emergency care, or minor injury unit.
• Autonomous decision-making and patient management experience.
• Experience in leadership, line management, or clinical team coordination.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the day-to-day operation of the Minor Injury unit.
• Deliver excellent clinical care by assessing, diagnosing, treating and discharging patients.
• Act as a clinical leader and line manager, supporting and supervising clinical staff.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Decision-making

Communication

Time management

Compassion

Education

Registered Nurse (NMC)

Degree-level study

Minor Injuries/Minor Illness qualification at level 6/7

Job description

Overview

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic nurse leader to join our team as Ward Manager for the Minor Injuries Unit. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a highly skilled team delivering safe, effective, and patient-centred care to individuals presenting with a wide range of minor injuries and urgent conditions. As Ward Manager, you will provide visible clinical leadership, ensure high standards of care, and oversee the day-to-day operational management of the unit. You will be instrumental in shaping the service, supporting staff development, and driving innovation to meet the needs of our community.

Main duties

• Provide clinical and professional leadership to the Minor Injuries Unit team.
• Ensure safe, high-quality, and efficient care for all patients attending the unit.
• Manage day-to-day operations, including staffing, patient flow, and resources.
• Support, develop, and appraise staff, fostering a positive and supportive work culture.
• Oversee compliance with clinical governance, infection control, and safeguarding standards.
• Lead service improvement initiatives and contribute to strategic planning.
• Act as a role model, promoting evidence-based practice and patient-centred care.

Role responsibilities

The post holder will provide clinical and managerial leadership for the Minor Injury unit, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective, and high-quality patient care. They will:

• Lead and oversee the day-to-day operation of the Minor Injury unit, combining clinical autonomy with management leadership.
• Deliver excellent clinical care by autonomously assessing, investigating, diagnosing, treating and discharging or referring patients presenting with minor injuries.
• Act as a clinical leader and line manager, supporting and supervising clinical staff, promoting high standards of care, and contributing to the development of multidisciplinary team pathways.
• Facilitate service redesign and development initiatives, enhance patient flow, integrate with other healthcare settings, and sustain a dynamic, best practice MIU service.
• The ideal candidate is both a skilled autonomous clinician and an effective leader with a proactive, innovative approach.

About us

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a larger population in Herefordshire and beyond. The Trust operates hospital-based services from three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester. Our workforce is more than 7,000 strong, and our caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred care. We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us. Our values, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin our everyday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do: Being open and honest; Ensuring people feel cared for; Showing respect to everyone. We are proud to have achieved Timewise accreditation - this means we are committed to embedding flexible working within our organisation as a flex positive employer.

Essential and Desirable qualifications

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse (NMC)
• Degree-level study
• Minor Injuries/Minor Illness qualification at level 6/7; evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

• Independent/non-medical prescribing (V300)
• Leadership/management qualifications
• X-ray Interpretation (IRMER) qualification

Personal qualities

Essential

• Acts as a positive role model and professional leader. Committed to patient-centred care and service improvement. Flexible and adaptable to changing service needs. Compassionate, resilient, and supportive of others. Assertive, reliable, time-management, open and honest.

Experience

Essential

• Substantial post-registration experience in urgent care, emergency care, or minor injury unit.
• Autonomous decision-making and patient management experience.
• Experience in leadership, line management, or clinical team coordination.
• Experience in mentoring or teaching junior staff/students; understanding of Emergency Care compliance targets.

Desirable

• Experience in service development, audit, or quality improvement; involvement in multi-agency or pathway development work.

Knowledge and skills

Essential

• Advanced assessment, diagnostic, and decision-making skills; safeguarding, governance, and infection prevention and control knowledge.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to prioritise, delegate, and work under pressure; competent IT skills and experience with clinical systems.
• Ability to challenge poor behaviour; role model and lead by example; self-motivated with ability to motivate others.
• Time management and organisational skills; clear analytical and decision-making abilities; experience with PDRs, sickness management, and handling complaints.

Desirable

• Experience in HR policies and procedures; knowledge of health and safety compliance; knowledge of safe staffing levels.

Regulatory and employer details

Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a DBS check. UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration. See NHS Careers website for details.

Employer: Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. Address: Charles Hastings Way, Worcester, WR5 1DD. Additional site: Kidderminster General Hospital, Bewdley Road, Kidderminster, DY11 6RJ. Website: https://www.worcsacute.nhs.uk/