Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated nurse to join our Neurosurgery team as a Deputy Ward Leader. This post is a 12 month fixed term secondment.

The post holder will play a key role in the day-to-day management of the ward, leading and developing staff, coordinating patient care, promoting patient safety, and driving quality improvement initiatives.

The post holder will have delegated responsibility and will be supported by the department leader based at the Royal Stoke University Hospital, to lead and manage the team in their absence.

With indirect supervision, the post holder will be supported to lead the day to day running of the neurosurgical ward, promoting care excellence and positive patient experience. This role offers the opportunity to make a real difference to patient outcomes while developing your leadership and management skills within a supportive multidisciplinary team.

Main duties of the job

• Supporting the Ward Manager in the delivery of safe, high-quality patient care within a busy Neurosurgical ward.
• Providing clinical leadership, coordinating daily ward operations, managing patient flow, supporting and developing staff, and promoting patient safety, quality improvement, and effective multidisciplinary working.
• Acting as Ward Manager in their absence and ensuring compliance with Trust policies and professional standards.
• Responsible for the day-to-day management of the staff, providing clinical and managerial support to Registered Staff and support staff.
• Responsible for work allocation and checking of tasks of support staff and/or less experienced staff.
• Possesses, or is willing to develop, specialist knowledge and expertise in the care and management of patients with neurosurgical conditions.
• Deputise for theward leaderatDirectorate/ Divisional meetings and working groups.
• Facilitate communication, which results in clear responsibilities being identifiedwithin the multi-professional team.

About us
University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust is one of the largest and most modern in the country. Based across two sites, Royal Stoke in Stoke-on-Trent and County Hospital in Stafford, we are proud to serve around three million people and we're highly regarded for our facilities, teaching and research. We are the specialist centre for major trauma for the North Midlands and North Wales.

All of our employees make a valuable contribution regardless of role here at UHNM and we are proud of our wide range of development packages aimed at ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their true potential.

UHNM create and encourage a culture of inclusion, providing equal opportunities for career development that are fair and transparent. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture in which all staff feel valued and respected. In return we ask all of our employees to make a commitment to the values, co-created by or staff, patients and carers, and that unite us as a Trust.

At University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust we know that investing in, supporting and developing our staff has a direct impact on the quality of care that we deliver. Our employees are as important as our patients and the population that we serve.

Job responsibilities
For further details about the deputy ward leader/ department leader role, please see job description and person specification.

Person Specification
Essential Qualifications
Essential

• Current NMC registration
• Evidence of degree level study
• Mentorship course or equivalent

Desirable

• Formal leadership & management training

Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Essential

• Minimum of 3 years experience post registration
• Minimum of 1 years experience undertaking Band 6 responsibilities
• Ability to lead change or new ways of working

Desirable

• Experience within a Neurosurgical setting or knowledge of Neurosurgery.

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.

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).

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

Employer details
Employer name
University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust
Address
Royal Stoke University Hospital
Newcastle Road
Stoke-on-Trent
ST4 6QG
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.uhnm.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Ward / Department Leader
April Gwilt
April.Gwilt@uhnm.nhs.uk
01782675276

Details
Date posted
24 August 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 6
Salary
£39,959 to £48,117 a year
per annum
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
12 months
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
205-8218968
Job locations
Royal Stoke University Hospital
Newcastle Road
Stoke-on-Trent
ST4 6QG
United Kingdom