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Job summary

Main area
Paediatric Haematology & Oncology
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 7
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
  • Job share
37.5 hours per week
Job ref
358-7211114-W&C-A
Employer
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Leicester Royal Infirmary
Town
Leicester
Salary
£46,148 - £52,809 pa
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
10/06/2025 23:59

Employer heading

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust logo

Ward Leader Childrens Haematology/Oncology & TYA

NHS AfC: Band 7

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Job overview

An opportunity has arisen to join the team on our Children's Haematology & Oncology Ward at Leicester Royal Infirmary (Ward 27, LRI). We need an experienced, highly motivated and dedicated individual who can work with our team to deliver high quality patient care. The role of the Ward Leader is pivotal in providing leadership and support to our nurses, whilst ensuring that the ward is managed effectively. A successful applicant will be offered the opportunity to gain skills in leadership, management and quality improvement. 

Ward 27 is a fast paced ward which specialises in the care of patients aged 0-24 who require haematology & oncology care. In addition, we provide care for  patients on a day care basis from our separate day care unit.

We work closely with our partners in adult  services & provide care for Teenage Young Adult patients undergoing stem cell transplantation. We also work very closely with the Children's services at Nottingham.  This wide range of service provision exposes staff to a variety of ongoing professional development opportunities.  

This is an exciting time to join the team at Leicester's Children's Hospital with a new Children’s Hospital being planned. Now is the time to become part of our amazing transformation!

Main duties of the job

The post holder(s) will be accountable and responsible for Ward 27 & the Day Care  Ward. They must be visible, accessible and responsive to the needs of the staff, service users, patients, carers and the public.

The post holders will be an expert clinical practitioner in the field, be required to work clinical shifts as well as providing managerial cover, and be an enthusiastic integral member of our committed team, with over 40 members of nursing staff, providing and supervising the delivery of excellent quality care.

Wider responsibilities include; creating a supportive learning environment for continuing development; reporting to the Matron and supporting the wider organisation; reduction of risk and audit; managing resources and information; and co-coordinating activity and flow and the provision of care at Ward level and across the Children's Hospital. 

You should be positive and adaptable to a changing environment that prides itself on quality and efficiency. You will be given the opportunity to role model best practice to junior staff. This role will also allow for further development opportunities within our team. A calm, diplomatic and caring approach is necessary and you must have the ability to deal with the varied and challenging demands. You must have the ability to multi-task and prioritise under pressure, work within a large multi-disciplinary team and ensure the trust values are incorporated in to practice

Working for our organisation

Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030).

We have four primary goals: 

  • high-quality care for all, 
  • being a great place to work, 
  • partnerships for impact, and 
  • research and education excellence

And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.

Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:

  • we are compassionate,
  • we are proud, 
  • we are inclusive, and 
  • we are one team 

This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.

About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust:

http://www.leicestershospitals.nhs.uk/aboutus/work-for-us/current-vacancies/

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

KEY RESULT AREAS

 Leadership

  • To be a visible, accessible and assertive figure to whom patients, relatives and staff can turn for assistance, advice and support.
  • In the absence of the Matron lead the unit team and build successful links between nursing and other professions to support and promote effective multi-disciplinary team working.
  • To lead and support the unit team through a process of change, demonstrating tenacity, drive, professional integrity, balance and perspective.
  • To develop the role of other team members, supporting them in gaining the appropriate competencies to achieve the required standards of care.
  • To motivate all team members and lead innovation and expertise in clinical practice by example.
  • Through effective communication, disseminate information across the healthcare teams.
  • To resolve conflict and ensure feedback and planning for the future occurs.

Care Delivery

  • To practice clinically at an expert level to ensure that all patients within the unit have their needs assessed and that programmes of care are developed to meet those needs and are delivered in accordance with the unit philosophy.
  • To act as the lead specialist for the area on a shift with responsibility for interpreting clinical information and having freedom to act while discussing findings and plans of care with other members of the multi-disciplinary team.
  • Advise other members of the multidisciplinary team on clinical issues, determining how the clinical aspects of the care is delivered by others on the shift (within care protocols)
  • Act as a resource and adviser, responsible for the allocation of patients to staff and the co-ordination of care delivery to the critically ill patients.
  • Maintain efficient and effective communication with the Matron on issues relating to the unit and patient care and make autonomous decisions in their absence.
  • Monitor the quality of patient care and participate in the regular evaluation of patient satisfaction. Identify areas of poor performance, developing and implementing strategies to improve performance.
  • Build working relationships with other departments, referring hospitals and wards. Facilitate communication regarding shared care and meeting the needs of patients and carers.
  • Undertakes expanded clinical responsibilities that utilise advanced knowledge and skills, and work autonomously, following education and/or update of skills, in relation to extended clinical tasks/roles required for this post.
  • Facilitate change, act as a role model and identify and lead the implementation of appropriate new practices.
  • To proactively identify opportunities to expand roles, working in conjunction with Professional Development Nurses to devise protocols accordingly.
  • Together with the Matron and Head of Nursing develop auditable standards of care, supporting the national bench marking scheme.
  • To act at all times with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct, rules and code of practice.

Person specification

Training & Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Registered Children's Nurse or NMC registered with appropriate experience in the speciality
  • Evidence of continued professional development
  • Degree level education in health related sciences
  • Recognised NMC teaching and assessing qualification
  • Oncology & chemotherapy qualification
Desirable criteria
  • Working towards Master’s degree in related health care sciences or willing to undertake

Skills & Abilities

Essential criteria
  • Expert clinical practitioner within paediatric nursing
  • Teaching and assessment skills
  • Effective communication skills is complex situations
  • Evidence of effective leadership skills
  • Evidence of involvement in quality improvement projects
Desirable criteria
  • Expert skills in paediatric haem/onc care

Communication Skills

Essential criteria
  • Good verbal and written communication skills
  • Evidence of creative and innovative thinking
  • Effective communicator and negotiator during complex situations
  • Experience in formal teaching
  • Able to motivate self and others
  • Evidence/experience in change management
Desirable criteria
  • Experience in planning, implementing and evaluating staff development
  • Able to prioritise
  • Ability to lead a team

Resource Utilisation

Essential criteria
  • Knowledge of budgetary management and effective use of resources
Desirable criteria
  • Experience utilising electronic rostering systems to ensure efficient staff management.

Equality & Diversity

Essential criteria
  • Demonstrates a commitment and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Suitable post registration clinical experience and appropriate experience at Band 6
  • Experience in clinical audit and interpreting and actioning results
  • Previous experience in supporting staff well-being
  • Evidence of innovations in clinical practice
Desirable criteria
  • Previous Ward Leader experience

Analytical & Judgement Skills

Essential criteria
  • Effectively co-ordinates a multi-disciplinary team
  • Demonstrates leadership skills
  • Self confidence and ability to cope under pressure

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoCare quality commission - Goodhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/kickstart-scheme-employer-resources/kickstart-scheme-brand-guidelinesMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident committedHappy to Talk Flexible Working

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.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Jennifer Sneller
Job title
Ward Leader
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07483952387
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