Job summary
- Main area
- Urgent Care
- Grade
- Band 7
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 210-2026-63
- Employer
- Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Countess of Chester Hospital
- Town
- Chester
- Salary
- £47,810 - £54,710 pa
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 17/02/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Ward Manager
Band 7
Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, staff pride themselves on not only leading through clinical excellence, but also by creating an environment where all staff are valued and appreciated. To achieve this, the Trust has embarked on an exciting new strategy focused on continuous improvement.
Our vision is to improve the lives of our community and provide excellence in healthcare, through partnership and innovation
Our High Performance Culture will support everyone to be the best version of themselves by being true to our Trust vision, values and behaviours.
We welcome applications from colleagues from our local and neighbouring communities of all backgrounds and identities, who are currently under-represented within our region such as Black, Asian, Minority ethnic and those with disabilities.
As a region we are reviewing the way we work, and exploring how new working practices that support flexible working can create a positive work-life balance. As part of our recruitment process we will explore how our inclusive employment policies, flexible working, staff engagement forums, Trust facilities and services can be of mutual benefit.
Job overview
Working Full time: 37.5 hours per week
An opportunity has arisen for an individual who is experienced, highly motivated, proactive and adaptable to become the unit manager for our Urgent Care Escalated Areas within the SDEC department.
This post offers the successful candidate the opportunity to enhance and develop their managerial skills in leading a team of Nurses and Healthcare Professionals. You will be pivotal in ensuring the unit runs efficiently and effectively by working closely with Multidisciplinary team patient safety and flow through the area.
You must have excellent leadership qualities and be able to act as a role model for the Nursing Team to ensure the highest standards of care and patient safety.
As the Unit Manager you will be accountable for the quality of care delivered to patients and families by your team over a 24 hour ward cycle.
Through your leadership you will effectively manage all resources, including your budget whilst ensuring the highest standards of care to patients.
Through excellent communication and commitment to your team you will ensure compliance with all Corporate and Divisional objectives and continuous professional development.
Main duties of the job
Main duties of the job
- You will lead in establishing and maintaining effective communication with patients, relatives and carers to always ensure their involvement in the decisions about treatment, planning and the delivery of their care.
- You will lead in maximising best use of clinical resources, the monitoring and evaluation of patient flow, admission and discharge planning and take responsibility for initiating improvements.
- You will lead in providing the highest standard of evidenced based care to all patients and families through on-going comprehensive assessments of patient's requirements, and to plan, implement and evaluate care delivery to patients with varying levels of complexity.
- You will manage and ensure patient records are maintained and monitored in accordance with the Trust's data collection policy and procedure, ensuring that documentation reflects the care provided and that you address any issues or concerns that arise.
- You will take responsibility in supporting the patient and public involvement activities in the ward/department area, leading to service improvement.
Working for our organisation
The Trust’s services are provided from three locations:
• The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 473 general and acute beds.
• Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 60 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility.
• Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.
The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust employs 5,964 staff (headcount) to provide care and treatment to a population of over 400,000 people living in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire.
The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System. Due to its location on the border with North Wales, the Trust also works closely with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
The Trust treats patients from England and some parts of Wales. During 2024/2025, there were approximately 643,000 patient attendances (inpatient, A&E, outpatient and diagnostic) ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major cancer surgery
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
See Job Description for further details.
Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs will be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.
You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16 per year applies.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Registered Adult Nurse
- Post-registration qualification or evidence of further study
- Management qualification (ISM)
- Mentorship & Assessing qualification
Desirable criteria
- Leadership development
- Relevant speciality qualification, may be required for certain areas e.g. Critical Care)
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience as a Deputy Ward Manager or equivalent role
- Completion of the Trust’s toolkit competencies within allotted timescale
- Experience in staff management, able to persuade, influence others & handle conflict
- A broad range of clinical experience, including, speciality experience and knowledge
- Basic IT skills in word processing & spreadsheets
- Experience in initiation & implementation of change
- Knowledge of professional and NHS issues
Desirable criteria
- Participation in service development projects
- Knowledge of, and participation in, financial management within the clinical setting
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.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Nick Lloyd
- Job title
- Emergency Department Matron
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01244 362377
- Additional information
Maria McLeod
List jobs with Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Nursing and Midwifery or all sectors