Ward Manager

We are excited to announce an excellent opportunity for an experienced children's nurse seeking a new challenge. We are looking for an outstanding nurse who is a compassionate and inclusive leader with a dedication and passion for children's care to join our team as the Manager of the Childrens Ward at Pinderfields Hospital. In this role, you will be managing Gate 46 Children's Ward, a 26-bed unit with an additional 12 Day Case Surgical beds. You will work in a supportive environment alongside other Managers of Childrens Services, Nurse Educators, and the current Band 6 team, with opportunities to develop and advance your skills in paediatric nursing and leadership. Main duties of the job As the Children's Ward Manager, you will lead, advise, and support nursing, medical, and allied health professional (AHP) colleagues in the acute care setting, focusing on enhancing patient experience and optimizing resources. You will support the senior nursing team across all areas, providing daily operational management of the acute inpatient ward and day case beds to ensure effective delivery of paediatric services. Additionally, you will work proactively with the Matron to achieve both clinical governance objectives and the national childrens agenda locally, ensuring the highest quality, most efficient care for children, young people, and their families., The Ward Manager will create, lead andmaintain a nursing culture which is open to change, new ideas,concepts and innovation, whilst influencing Trust strategyanddirection. A commitment to patients centred values. Working with patients / families / carers and the multi-disciplinaryteam to providetherapeutic carethat anticipates and responds to the needs of patients. Developing a philosophyofcare which involves the rights of patients, carers and staff. Creating a shared vision with the team, integrating and embracing risk taking, flexibilityandchange. Providing clear direction and leadership for nurses with regard to legal, ethical andprofessionaldimensionsor care. Promoting peoplesequality, diversity and rights. Promoting anorganisational philosophyand structure philosophywhichenables appropriate delegation of authority toall levels andencourages staffto take up development opportunities, within existingornew roles. Facilitating an environment in which critical appraisalof practice is fostered alongsideinnovative practice. Being responsible for taking an overview of the contribution that other disciplines make totheir clinical area and takingaction to ensure efficiency is achieved. Developing annual ward objectives, establishingservicedevelopments in line with Directorate and organisational plans. Maintaining awareness of national and regional initiatives and subsequent transfer of these into practice. Being proactive in the development and facilitation of the 10 key rolesfor nursing. Retaining a productive workforce. Instigating, managing and facilitating others to lead organisational change for the benefitofpatients. Actively being involved in the delivery of anynewstrategies for patient care that impacts on their clinical environment and taking the lead in promoting the nursing contribution. Fostering and demonstrating creativity, energy and inspiration in leading the nursingteam. Supervising and facilitating staff in guided structured reflection in complete situations,utilising a range of skills which may include clinical incident analysis and practice reviewprocesses. Supporting and contributing to the Trusts Shared Leadershippractice development councils. Participating in ProfessionalForums. Fulfilling the role of the senior nurse bleep holder when required in Division or when rostered.

• Experience in a senior nursing role
• Relevant experience in the specialty
• Experience in research and audit
Desirable Experience in caring for C&YP with mental health and complex needs,
• Has a caring, compassionate and sympathetic nature
• Ability to work closely with work colleagues and within a team.
• Ability to discuss personal coping mechanisms for potentially stressful situations
• Demonstrates self-motivation, common sense and organisational skills.
• Understands the need to work in a multicultural environment and non-discriminatory way
Qualifications Essential
• Registered Children's Nurse
• Evidence of ongoing professional development.
• Recent post registration experience in an acute children's setting.
• Evidence of competency in teaching and assessing
• Evidence of further study within speciality
Desirable
• First level degree or evidence of working towards a degree.
• Evidence of post graduate study in clinically related subject
• Management qualification
• Experience of caring for children requiring surgical care
• Professional Nurse advocate
Knowledge and awareness Essential
• Demonstrates an understanding of the role of the Ward Manager
• Demonstrates an understanding of leadership.
• Demonstrates an understanding of accountability.
• Knowledge of health and safety issues and processes
• Knowledge of governance and processes
• Demonstrates disability awareness and the need to make reasonable adjustments.
• Awareness of own limitations
  
  We are an acute trust caring for over one million people in Wakefield and Kirklees. Our 10,000 staff work in patients homes, the community, and our three hospitals in Pontefract, Dewsbury, and Pinderfields (Wakefield).
We prioritise our people and values so we can deliver the best possible care to patients. Our team is friendly, passionate, and innovative, always seeking better ways to work. We support work-life balance and foster a diverse, inclusive environment where everyone belongs. Our staff networks offer safe spaces to share ideas and concerns so we can increase awareness and appreciation of equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and especially encourage members of the LGBTQ+ community, ethnic minority groups, and people with disabilities or neurodivergence to apply, as they are currently underrepresented in the Trust. If you value caring, high standards, improvement, and respect, join the MY team to make a difference every day.