Ward Manager - Ward 22

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Detailed job description and main 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

Essential criteria

• Registered Nurse (Adult) - NMC Registration
• Evidence of post-registration study/continuing professional development.
• Leadership/management training

Desirable criteria

• Masters degree or working towards higher-level qualification
• Mentorship/teaching qualification

Experience

Essential criteria

• 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.

Desirable criteria

• 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

Essential criteria

• 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.

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of digital health systems and data-driven performance management.
• Understanding of workforce planning at organisational level.

It is an exciting time to join the newly formed Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We run two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Our 7,500 staff provide high quality care for a growing population of around 700,000 across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.

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. Travel between hospital sites may be required. We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post.

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

• Job Description (PDF, 217.3KB)
• Person Spec (PDF, 115.6KB)
• Functional requirements (PDF, 136.6KB)
• L&D Hospital site map (PDF, 96.8KB)
• Disclosure & Barring Information and Recruitment of Ex-Offenders (PDF, 78.5KB)
• Staff Diversity Network (PDF, 140.3KB)
• Information for Disabled Applicants (PDF, 98.7KB)
• Staff Benefits (PNG, 1.6MB)