Band 6 sister / Deputy Ward Manager

The Band 6 Sister/Deputy Ward Manager is responsible for supporting the Ward Manager in the leadership, operational management, and clinical governance of the ward or department, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, safe, effective, and patient-centred care. The post holder will act as Deputy in the absence of the Ward Manager, taking responsibility for the day-to-day management of the clinical area, including patient flow, staff deployment, resource management, and maintaining standards of care. The post holder will provide visible clinical leadership, acting as a role model for professional practice and ensuring that care is delivered in accordance with Trust policies, national guidelines, evidence-based practice, and the NMC Code. They will lead and coordinate the nursing team, supporting staff to deliver compassionate, individualised care while promoting a positive patient experience. The role includes responsibility for workforce management, supporting the Ward Manager with staff supervision, appraisal processes, attendance management, sickness monitoring, return-to-work interviews, performance management, recruitment, retention, and staff development. The post holder will identify training and development needs, support mandatory training compliance, and create a learning environment that encourages professional growth for registered nurses, support workers, apprentices, and students. The Deputy Ward Manager will ensure the effective utilisation of human, financial, and physical resources, maintaining safe staffing levels and skill mix to meet the changing needs and acuity of patients. They will contribute to rota planning and coordinate care delivery to ensure the department runs efficiently and safely at all times. The post holder will be responsible for monitoring and maintaining clinical standards, undertaking audits, supporting quality improvement initiatives, investigating incidents and complaints, and implementing actions to improve patient safety and service delivery. They will recognise, escalate, and manage risks appropriately, ensuring that concerns relating to patient care, staffing, safeguarding, infection prevention and control, or health and safety are addressed promptly. Working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team, the post holder will ensure effective communication with patients, relatives, carers, and colleagues, providing clinical expertise, guidance, and support in complex situations. They will contribute to service development and the implementation of local and national initiatives to continuously improve quality, patient outcomes, and staff experience. The role requires the ability to work independently, make informed clinical and operational decisions, prioritise workload effectively, and respond to changing demands within a busy clinical environment. The post holder will maintain their own professional development, competency, and revalidation requirements while promoting a culture of excellence, accountability, equality, diversity, inclusion, and continuous improvement across the department. The post holder will be expected to demonstrate flexibility in working practices and undertake any other duties appropriate to the grade and scope of the role, supporting the wider objectives of the Trust and ensuring the provision of outstanding patient care.