Ward Manager - Acute Stroke Unit

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King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1.8 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across 5 main sites in South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local hospital services across its different sites, and specialist services from King's College Hospital (KCH) sites at Denmark Hill in Camberwell and at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) site in the London Borough of Bromley.

We encourage all our staff to have a healthy work/life balance. In doing so, you can apply for flexible working from the beginning of your employment. We offer a range of options which are designed to suit different circumstances and priorities in line with service requirements.

flexible-working

Job overview

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Acute Stroke Ward Manager to provide clinical and operational leadership for the ward. This role offers an exciting opportunity to lead a multidisciplinary team in delivering high-quality, evidence-based, patient-centred stroke care while ensuring strategic development and operational excellence of the service.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the operational management, clinical leadership, financial oversight, and strategic development of the ward, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement within a safe and effective care environment. The Acute stroke ward manager works closely with HASU stroke ward manager providing cross cover as required and in conjunction with the teams within Integrated Medicine Care Group and across the Division and Trust.

Main duties of the job
• Provide daily visible clinical and operational leadership to the multidisciplinary team, ensuring delivery of high-quality, evidence-based, person-centred safe care. You will be clinically expert in the care of stroke patients, with a developed acumen for management of change and quality improvement.
• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills to support delivery of professional advice or care guidance which is well understood by patients' relatives/carers members of the multidisciplinary team and nursing team.

Working for our organisation

The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Leadership and Operations
• Provide clinical and operational leadership to the multidisciplinary team, ensuring delivery of high-quality, evidence-based, person-centred care
• Maintain robust oversight of staffing levels, skill mix, and resource allocation to ensure safe and effective service delivery
• Lead by example in promoting evidence-based practice and maintaining professional standards across the ward
• Oversee ward performance metrics and implement strategic changes to improve efficiency and patient outcomes
• Ensure good patient flow planning so that individual patients needs are met with an appropriate plan of action and involving the multiprofessional team as required. To include supporting the outlying patient base.
• Develop strong links with the clinical site management team, the patient flow co Ordinator and our receiving trusts for stroke patients.
• To have holistic patient assessment skills) i.e.: history taking and physical examination skills, to support prompt clinical decision making and appropriate action occurs in the best interest of the patient's wellbeing.
• Ensure adherence to NMC Code of Professional Conduct and support all staff in maintaining professional standards
• Champion innovation and best practice, leading service development initiatives

People Management and Development
• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills to support delivery of professional advice or care guidance which is well understood by patients' relatives/carers members of the multidisciplinary team and nursing team.
• Lead on staff recruitment, selection, and retention strategies, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement
• Work collaboratively with the Practice Development nurse and Stroke Clinical Nurse Specialist so that's staff receive appropriate speciality development.
• Manage staff performance effectively through regular appraisals, objective setting, and addressing performance concerns promptly
• Provide clinical supervision, mentorship, and support to nursing staff and junior team members
• Oversee effective roster management, creating and maintaining staff schedules that meet service needs while supporting work-life balance
• Monitor and manage staff unavailability including annual leave, study leave, and sickness absence, ensuring fair allocation and adequate service coverage
• Implement robust processes for managing long-term sickness absence and supporting staff return to work
• Lead on talent development, succession planning, and building a resilient, skilled workforce
• Maintain own professional development and NMC registration through continuous learning and reflection
• Support staff in maintaining professional registration and meeting revalidation requirements
• Work collaboratively with teaching staff to ensure effective development programs for all staff levels

Financial Management and Resource Allocation
• Manage the ward's budget and resources effectively, ensuring optimal staffing levels and efficient use of resources
• Monitor financial performance against budgetary targets and implement corrective actions as required
• Justify and present business cases for additional resources or service developments

Quality and Governance
• Actively participate in Care Group quality initiatives and governance meetings, contributing to trust-wide improvement projects
• Implement and embed quality assurance frameworks and regulatory compliance standards
• Drive quality improvement initiatives based on patient feedback, clinical audits, and national performance metrics
• Ensure robust governance processes are in place to maintain patient and staff safety
• Lead incident investigation and learning processes, implementing improvements to prevent recurrence
• Maintain comprehensive, contemporaneous record keeping and ensure all staff adhere to documentation standards
• Champion patient confidentiality, dignity, and privacy standards across the service

Service Development and Strategy
• Develop and implement strategic plans to enhance service delivery and patient outcomes
• Support delivery of the Care Group's strategic objectives through local action plans and initiatives
• Lead service development initiatives and contribute to divisional and trust-wide change management programs
• Stay current with research developments and ensure implications for practice are implemented appropriately
• Act as a clinical expert and professional role model, promoting excellence in nursing practice

Stakeholder Engagement and Patient Experience
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure seamless patient pathways
• Establish effective partnerships with community providers, discharge services, and other external agencies
• Lead on collection, analysis, and implementation of patient and family feedback to drive service improvements
• Liaise effectively with discharge coordinators and bed managers to ensure effective patient flow and discharge planning
• Promote patient and family involvement in care planning and health education initiatives
• Ensure clear, accurate communication is provided to patients, families, and all stakeholders

Clinical Excellence and Professional Development
• Maintain clinical competency and provide clinical expertise to support complex patient care decisions
• Keep up to date with current evidence-based practice and ensure its implementation across the ward
• Support and contribute to research activities and evidence-based practice development
• Participate in Trust and Divisional initiatives to develop nursing practice and support change
• Act as a practice supervisor, preceptor, and mentor for nursing staff at all levels

General

• The post holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety and wellbeing and that of work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with this post.
• To observe the rules, policies, procedures and standards of King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations.
• To undertake any other duties appropriate to the grade, which may be required from time to time.
• We want to be an organisation where everyone shares a commitment to delivering the very best care and feels like their contribution is valuable and valued.
• At King's we are a kind, respectful team:

Kind. We show compassion and understanding and bring a positive attitude to our work

Respectful. We promote equality, are inclusive and honest, speaking up when needed

Team. We support each other, communicate openly, and are reassuringly professional

• To observe and maintain strict confidentiality of personal information relating to patients and staff.
• To be responsible, with management support, for their own personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues.
• This job description is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not intended to be definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some of the duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review in consultation with the post holder.
• All employees must hold an 'nhs.net' email account which will be the Trust's formal route for email communication.

Safe Guarding

The Trust takes the issues of Safeguarding Children, Adults and addressing Domestic Abuse very seriously. All employees have a responsibility to support the organisation in our duties by;

• attending mandatory training on safeguarding children and adults
• familiarising themselves with the Trust's processes for reporting concerns
• reporting any safeguarding child or adult concerns appropriately

Infection Control Statement

The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to make to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene requirements of this role.

These requirements are set out in the National Code of Practice on Infection Control and in local policies and procedures which will be made clear during your induction and subsequent refresher training. These standards must be strictly complied with at all times.

Take leadership responsibility for infection control standards and compliance across the ward

Ensure all staff are familiar with and comply with infection control and hygiene procedures

Monitor and audit compliance with National Code of Practice on Infection Control and local policies

Lead by example in maintaining the highest standards of infection prevention and control.

Person specification

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria

• Evidence of effective multi-disciplinary working
• Has demonstrated leadership skills in a supervisory/team leader context
• Demonstrates evidence of developing innovative practice and of being proactive in the management of change

Desirable criteria

• Experience of audit
• Previous involvement in quality initiatives.

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Registered Nurse (RN1) with active NMC registration
• Mentorship qualification

Desirable criteria

• A management qualification or training, or the willingness to undertake this

IMPORTANT

• Check your email account regularly as this is how we will communicate with you
• If you delete the job from any of your accounts, you may be prevented from accessing further communications
• To enquire about your application or inform us of any changes in your circumstances, please contact the named person on this advert
• Please provide email addresses for referees where possible
• Click here to see the range of benefits we offer
• Please review the documentation on our recruitment microsite, particularly the Trust's criminal records checking policy
• All staff have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and for ensuring they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.
• Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. On occasion, we might close a vacancy early due to a high number of applications being received. You are advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Annual Reports and Other Corporate Publications

King's Health Partners Academic Health Science Centre Website

King's College Hospital is part of King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre (AHSC), a pioneering collaboration between King's College London, and Guy's and St Thomas', King's College Hospital and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

• JD (PDF, 400.4KB)
• Denmark Hill Site Map (PDF, 1.2MB)
• Princess Royal (PRUH) Site map (PDF, 1.4MB)
• Visa and Sponsorship Information (PDF, 344.6KB)
• Recruitment Pack -Deputy Director of DEI & OD (PDF, 2.5MB)