Job summary
- Main area
- Neonatal
- Grade
- Band 7
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Could be worked over 4 days)
- Job ref
- 279-7697778-JAN26-A
- Employer
- University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Worthing Hospital
- Town
- Worthing
- Salary
- £47,810 - £54,710 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 04/02/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Ward Manager
Band 7
About our Trust
At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.
Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to deliver Excellent Care Everywhere for our patients, our people and our communities. Whatever your role here at UHSussex you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us deliver Excellent Care Everywhere. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We value compassion, inclusion and respect as our core values. We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our wellbeing programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
As part of our commitment to access for all, please see the different ways you can access the application form: https://apps.trac.jobs/accessibility?_ts=1
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our team as Band 7 Ward Manager leading our Special Care Baby Unit at Worthing.
Beeding Ward is a level 1 unit. We have 2 HDU and 10 special care cots and look after babies from 31+6 weeks gestation. We work within the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Neonatal ODN.
In this position you will have the opportunity to develop leadership skills, work with different members of the MDT from a multitude of specialities and be pivotal in influencing the delivery of care.
Extensive Neonatal experience is essential in this role as well as excellent communication skills the ability to decision make, be proactive and forward thinking. You will provide leadership and direction to your team, alongside this being able to motivate and support staff is essential as well as having the ability to adapt to changing priorities.
You will be supported by our Neonatal Matron and the Neonatal Education team.
We welcome applications from those who currently hold a UK NMC registration. If you currently hold an overseas nursing qualification and require sponsorship we are not currently direct hiring Internationally Qualified Nurses.
Main duties of the job
The Ward Manager will be an integral member of the divisional management team supporting the division in the delivery of all key performance targets. They will be accountable for the provision of effective professional nursing leadership and proactive resource management for the clinical area of their responsibility. As an experienced practitioner the post holder will be expected to focus on providing a clean environment for care, ensuring best practice in infection control, improving clinical care standards and treating patients with dignity and respect within the defined resource allocated.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
· Leads and articulates clear standards of care for their clinical area including but not limited to; appropriate nurse-to-patient ratio, and acuity & dependency factors.
· Leads by example in the clinical setting maintaining professional behaviour and communications at all times.
· Demonstrates clinical competence in the speciality area they manage.
· Ensures there is an environment that provides caring and compassionate care in their area.
· Ensures their visibility in the clinical area, working with their team supervising and supporting nurses, mentoring band 6s to model the behaviour and standards expected.
· Proactively talks to patients and their relatives related to their condition, patient experience and discharge plans, to provide leadership and advocacy
· Ensures completion of Family & Friends survey reviews these scores and discusses them with the team to ensure improvements are made and good practice recognised.
· Effective and empathetic in their response to patient complaints including written responses and inclusive with team learning
· Demonstrates a leadership style that is consistent and congruent with empowerment
· Is responsible for the leading of care within their area to support the harm free care agenda at UHSussex.
· Provides nursing reports at Directorate meetings to highlight key areas of activity/ concern in their ward /clinical area
· Presents risks relevant to their clinical area at site Quality and Safety meetings
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Registered Nurse / Registered Sick Children’s Nurse
- Qualified in Speciality (Neonatal)
- Teaching and assessing (mentorship) Qualification
- Previous Band 6 in an acute neonatal area
- Graduate or Diploma level study
- Experience in a senior role within a Neonatal unit
- Significant and relevant post registration experience
- Car driver
Desirable criteria
- Previous experience in ward management
- NLS
- Post Graduate certificate in training and education to Masters level or equivalent
- Sign off Mentor Leadership/ Management course
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues .
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Abigail Seal
- Job title
- Ward Sister
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01903 285184
- Additional information
Please contact Abi Seal for any further information or to arrange an informal visit.
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