Job summary
Bantham Ward is a busy 24-bedded elective orthopaedic unit specialising in the delivery of high-quality care for patients undergoing day case and short-stay hip and knee replacement surgery. The ward is recognised for its focus on enhanced recovery, patient flow, and excellence in patient experience, supporting patients from admission through to discharge.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Senior Sister/Ward Manager to provide strong clinical, operational, and professional leadership to the multidisciplinary team. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of safe, effective, and patient-centred care, whilst maintaining high standards of quality, governance, and workforce management.

The post holder will lead and inspire a diverse team, promoting a positive culture that supports continuous improvement, staff development, and excellent patient outcomes. They will work closely with the Matron, Orthopaedic Directorate, and wider multidisciplinary teams to ensure efficient patient pathways, effective bed utilisation, and achievement of performance targets.

Please note that applications from temporary workers who have been engaged with the Trust for a minimum of 3 months are welcome.

Available as a fixed term contract or secondment opportunity. (With current line manager's agreement).

Main duties of the job
Key Responsibilities

• Provide visible and effective leadership across the ward.
• Ensure the delivery of high-quality, safe, and compassionate patient care.
• Lead workforce planning, roster management, recruitment, and retention.
• Maintain compliance with clinical governance, quality, and patient safety standards.
• Monitor and improve key performance indicators, including patient experience, harm-free care, and discharge efficiency.
• Support and develop nursing and support staff through appraisal, supervision, and education.
• Work collaboratively with orthopaedic surgeons, anaesthetists, therapists, and operational teams to ensure seamless patient pathways.
• Drive continuous service improvement and oversee the implementation of Trust initiatives.

This role would suit an aspiring or established ward leader with a passion for elective orthopaedic care, enhanced recovery programmes, and delivering exceptional patient outcomes.

About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Job responsibilities
Clinical Leadership

• Provide visible, professional and compassionate leadership to all ward staff.
• Ensure the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based care to all patients.
• Promote a culture that places patient safety, dignity and experience at the centre of care delivery.
• Ensure compliance with Trust policies, procedures and professional standards.
• Act as a role model for nursing excellence and professional practice.
• Maintain clinical credibility through regular involvement in patient care and support of the clinical team.
• Lead the implementation of enhanced recovery pathways for elective orthopaedic patients.

Operational Management

• Hold continuing responsibility for the day-to-day operational management of Bantham Ward.
• Ensure safe staffing levels are maintained through effective roster management and workforce planning.
• Monitor patient flow to ensure timely admission, treatment and discharge.
• Work collaboratively with theatre teams, therapy services, discharge teams and bed management colleagues.
• Lead daily safety huddles and operational meetings as required.
• Ensure ward resources are utilised effectively and efficiently.
• Promote effective communication between all members of the multidisciplinary team.

Workforce Leadership and Management

• Lead, motivate and support nursing, administrative and support staff.
• Undertake recruitment, selection and retention activities in accordance with Trust policy.
• Complete appraisals, performance reviews and personal development plans.
• Manage sickness absence, performance concerns and employee relations issues.
• Support staff wellbeing and promote a positive working culture.
• Ensure all staff complete mandatory and essential training requirements.
• Identify learning and development needs and support succession planning.
• Create an environment that promotes learning for students, apprentices and newly qualified staff.

Quality and Patient Safety

• Lead the ward's quality agenda and ensure delivery of safe patient care.
• Monitor and improve quality indicators including:
• Patient falls
• Pressure ulcer prevention
• Infection prevention and control
• Medication safety
• Patient experience measures
• Harm-free care indicators
• Investigate incidents and complaints in line with Trust requirements.
• Develop and implement action plans following incidents, audits and patient feedback.
• Ensure learning from incidents is shared across the team.
• Lead on risk identification and risk management within the ward environment.

Governance and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with Care Quality Commission standards and Trust governance requirements.
• Lead and participate in clinical audits and quality improvement initiatives.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure standards of documentation are met.
• Monitor compliance with safeguarding, information governance and professional standards.
• Ensure ward policies, guidelines and protocols are implemented effectively.
• Support preparation for inspections, audits and accreditation processes.

Financial and Resource Management

• Manage ward resources responsibly and support the achievement of financial targets.
• Monitor expenditure and identify opportunities for efficiency and cost improvement.
• Ensure effective utilisation of staffing resources to minimise agency expenditure where possible.
• Promote responsible use of equipment and consumables.
• Work closely with the Matron and Directorate Management Team to support budgetary control.

Service Development and Improvement

• Lead and support quality improvement initiatives.
• Participate in service redesign to enhance patient care and operational efficiency.
• Use patient, staff and performance data to drive improvements.
• Support implementation of Trust-wide programmes and strategic objectives.
• Identify opportunities to enhance patient outcomes and experience.
• Encourage innovation and best practice across the ward.

Communication and Relationships

• Develop effective working relationships with colleagues across the multidisciplinary team.
• Communicate effectively with patients, relatives and carers.
• Provide professional advice and support to nursing staff and other healthcare professionals.
• Represent the ward at meetings and forums as required.
• Foster collaborative working across the Orthopaedic Care Group and wider Trust services.

Responsibility for People Management
The post holder will have line management responsibility for registered nurses, healthcare support workers and administrative staff within Bantham Ward. This includes:

• Recruitment and selection.
• Appraisal and performance management.
• Attendance management.
• Staff development and training.
• Professional supervision and support.
• Workforce planning and roster approval.

Responsibility for Patient Care
The post holder will be accountable for ensuring:

• Delivery of safe, effective and person-centred care.
• Timely assessment, planning and evaluation of patient care.
• Excellent patient experience throughout the elective surgical pathway.
• Promotion of enhanced recovery and early mobilisation programmes.
• Safe discharge planning and coordination with community services where appropriate.

Key Leadership Expectations
The Senior Sister/Ward Manager will:

• Lead by example.
• Demonstrate compassionate leadership.
• Promote a culture of openness, learning and continuous improvement.
• Support and develop future leaders.
• Ensure Bantham Ward consistently provides outstanding care and achieves high standards of quality, safety and patient experience.

Person Specification
KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE
Essential

• Demonstrable experience in an acute setting
• Proven ability to work clinically with credibility
• Up to date with current government initiatives and Nursing strategies.

Desirable

• Demonstrable experience within a similar role.
• Previous demonstrable surgical experience.
• Demonstrable experience in leadership

QUALIFICATIONS
Essential

• Registered Nurse.
• Leadership course or the willingness to undertake.

Desirable

• Second registerable qualification relevant to the clinical area.
• Computer literate (ECDL).
• Recognised teaching qualification

APTITUDE & ABILITIES
Essential

• Good organisational and communication skills, written and verbal, with ability to demonstrate fluency, clarity and effectiveness at all levels
• Numerate
• Effective influencing skills: in general and with senior health care professionals
• Teaching and mentoring skills.

Desirable

• Proven knowledge of managerial techniques

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.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.