Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for experienced and enthusiastic senior critical care nurses to join our team at Oxford Road Campus as ward manager for ICU and HDU, MFT. You must have significant experience as a band 6 within Critical Care.

Manchester Foundation NHS Trust is part of a leading integrated health, teaching, research and innovation campus in the thriving city of Manchester and our Critical Care Service was rated as outstanding by the CQC. We offer a unique range of services to the local and national population, treating and managing the simplest to the most complex conditions and diseases. For our nurses, this means the chance to gain diverse experience in pioneering teams.

Our Critical Care Unit is comprised of 28 bed General Adult Intensive Care Unit, 20 bed High Dependency Unit, our 5 bed High Care Unit Unit (on the Trafford site) and 4 Obstetric High Care Beds (based in St, Mary's Hospital) plus a 9 bed Elective HDU. We are looking for a flexible candidate who is willing to work on a rotational, managerial programme within the Critical Care Unit.

To succeed, you must have substantial experience in an intensive care environment and hold relevant leadership experience. You will need excellent communication, organisational and leadership skills and the ability to work collaboratively with the critical care MDT and the wider teams across Manchester Foundation Trust.

Main duties of the job
The post holder should be an expert in the assessment, planning and implementation of all areas of nursing care. They will manage ward/unit staff including appraisals, rota's, recruitment, incidents, complaints and selection and the supervision of learners and support as well as support and lead a team of nurses in the delivery of evidence based patient centered care.

Postholder will be responsible for ensuring all care is delivered according to Trust policies and procedures maintaining associated records. Utilising clinical audit, research, supervision of practice and teaching, they will monitor and improve standards of care by efficient and effective use of resources.

Post holders will be expected to participate fully in their personal development and review process in order to achieve the knowledge and skills required for the role.

About us
Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward-thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement.

Whether you're beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working - empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.You'll be part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives.

At MFT, you'll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions.Your journey at MFT is more than a job - it's an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We'll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.

Details
Date posted: 28 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year
Per Annum (Pro Rata)
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time
Reference number: 349-CSS-8226921-RL3
Job locations: Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
IMPORTANT CANDIDATE INFORMATION
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Documents to download heading.

Explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place
To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place. This welcoming onestop hub gives you a real sense of who we are, what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others. Youll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.

To access Inside MFT Your Candidate Place, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the Documents to download heading and once opened, you can either scan QR code or click on the link provided.

Closing vacancy listings early
We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.

Diversity Matters MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application
Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU, for our patients, our communities, and each other.As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role specific questions is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.

What is a DBS Check?
A DBS check is a background check that reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. The level of check required depends on the role:

• Standard DBS: Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.
• Enhanced DBS: Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police thats considered relevant to the role.
• Enhanced with Barred Lists: Includes all of the above, plus checks against the childrens and/or adults barred lists.

Who Needs a DBS Check
Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check. The job advert and recruitment team will let you know if this applies to your role.

The Costs for a DBS
At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment. If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.

For more information about the cost of the various types of DBS, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-fees-are-changing-in-december

DBS Update Service
Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Registration with NMC
• Recognised teaching qualification.
• Recognised post registration Critical Care Qualification
• Recognised ILS or ALS Qualification.

Desirable

• Recognised management or leadership qualification
• Evidence of having undertaken relevant further study or training as required for the post.

Experience/Skills
Essential

• Substantial post-registration experience in speciality
• Substantial experience of working at band 6 level managing a team on a shift by shift basis
• Managing recent change
• Participation in Quality Assurance
• Good communication skills (written & verbal)
• Leadership skills
• I.T skills computer literate
• Evidence of the acquisition of relevant skills associated with the role
• Evidence of ongoing personal and professional development
• Willingness to undertake relevant further study as required for the post
• Understanding of Clinical Governance and Health and Safety issues
• Knowledge of the code of practice in nursing
• Experience at Band 6 within specialty

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name: Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://mft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Matron
Sandra Stannard
sandra.stannard@mft.nhs.uk
01617011702