Ward Manager - Ward 22

NHS; Luton; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Luton is seeking an experienced Ward Manager for Ward 22, focusing on acute surgical care. Responsibilities include overseeing a 30-bed unit, managing a team of over 40 staff, and ensuring high-quality patient care. Ideal candidates will have significant nursing experience, strong leadership skills, and a commitment to professional development. This role offers opportunities for training and growth within a supportive environment.

Benefits

High-quality training and development

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse with significant experience in surgical nursing.
• Evidence of continuous professional development.
• Demonstrable experience in a leadership role.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and management on Ward 22.
• Ensure safe and effective care for patients.
• Manage budgets and resources effectively.

Skills

Leadership

Conflict resolution

Communication

Organizational skills

Education

Registered Nurse (Adult) - NMC Registration

Masters degree or higher-level qualification

Leadership/management training

Job description

Go back Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Ward Manager - Ward 22

The closing date is 06 October 2025

Are you a dynamic, motivated and compassionate leader looking to take the next step in your nursing career? We are seeking an experienced nurse with a passion for providing high quality care, to lead our busy Acute Surgical Ward (Ward 22).

This is an exciting opportunity to oversee the daily running of a 30-bed ward, caring for patients with a wide range of acute surgical needs. You will be responsible for the leadership and management of over 40 staff, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective, and high-quality patient care in line with Trust values.

Main duties of the job

As Ward Manager, you will:

• Provide visible leadership and act as a role model to staff and students.
• Lead on quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient safety and experience.
• Manage staffing, budgets, and resources effectively.
• Support professional development, education, and wellbeing of your team.
• Work closely with the senior nursing and surgical teams to drive innovation and service improvement.

We are looking for someone who is:

• A registered nurse with significant experience in surgical nursing.
• Passionate about developing others and fostering a positive ward culture.
• Confident in leading and motivating multidisciplinary teams.
• Committed to delivering exceptional care and continuous improvement.

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job

Job responsibilities

The post holder will be responsible for the overall leadership, management, and delivery of high-quality nursing care on Ward 22 (30 beds, acute surgical unit). They will lead a team of over 40 staff, ensuring safe and effective care for surgical patients, while supporting the professional development and wellbeing of the workforce.

The Ward Manager will play a key role in clinical governance, workforce planning, budget management, and service improvement, ensuring compliance with Trust, NMC, and national standards.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse (Adult) - NMC Registration
• Evidence of post-registration study/continuing professional development.
• Leadership/management training
• Masters degree or working towards higher-level qualification

Experience

• Significant post-registration experience in acute/surgical nursing.
• Demonstrable experience in a leadership/management role.
• Experience of managing staff performance, rotas, and resources.
• Evidence of involvement in clinical governance, audit, or service improvement.
• Previous experience as Deputy Ward Manager/Ward Manager or equivalent Band 6/7 role.
• Experience of change management and service redesign.
• Experience in research, audit, and dissemination of outcomes.

Knowledge & Skills

• In-depth knowledge of safeguarding, infection prevention, and medicines management.
• Strong understanding of clinical governance, CQC standards, and NHS quality frameworks.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to manage budgets, staffing, and ward resources.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills.
• Knowledge of digital health systems and data-driven performance management.
• Understanding of workforce planning at organisational level.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust