Ward Manager – Theatre Recovery

Job/Role Summary

• Assessing, developing, implementing and evaluating programmes of care.
• Provision of high quality, cost effective service.
• Communicating with hospital personnel to ensure continuity of patient care.
• Set standards and regular audits.
• Maintain dependency figures and workload measurement.
• Training and education.
• Role model.
• Selection and recruitment of staff.
• Annual appraisal of staff.
• Review sickness/absence levels.
• Act within code of professional conduct. Ensure practice is evidence based where possible & create a learning environment conducive to research.

Specific qualifications and experience required

Five years as E Grade/Band 5 within the Recovery Department. A Degree/diploma relevant to area e.g. ICU, Coronary Care, HDU or be willing to work towards one.

Career Milestones

I have worked in Musgrave Park Hospital since 1988, with the exception of 2002, when I worked in Tyrone County Hospital in Omagh for 6 months in ICU. I have worked mostly in recovery ward and have gained the clinical competencies relevant to one area e.g. cannulation, venepuncture, IV drug administration. In 1998 I was King’s Fund Coordinator for 1 year and completed in-house management training programmes.

What attracted you to this job?

• The challenge!
• My experience.
• Time to further develop myself, now that my family are raised.
• Working in an area I enjoy, including the rapport between medical/nursing colleagues.

Enjoyable aspects of the job/role

• Again the challenge/buzz!
• Seeing a happy team & being facilitate.
• The respect the team afford me as a ward manager.

Important success factors

• Good/effective mentorship throughout my journey.
• Adequate/appropriate training for the area in which I work.
• The team around me.

Advice for those considering the type of job/role?

• Be prepared! The responsibilities are huge as is the challenge.
• Prepare for interview.
• Consider work life balance & are home conditions conducive?
• This job can be stressful and be prepared to delegate work to deputy/team when you can, you can’t do it alone.

Key skills that can be gained within this job/role?

• Communication skills & listening also.
• Organisation/delegation skills.
• I have also learned how to say ‘no’. Time management is essential in order to get tasks done. You cannot manage change etc above good team work & essential skill!

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