Deputy Nurse Manager in Pontefract inPontefract PUBLISHED TUE 27 MAY 2025 Jump to job information section

To deputise for and support the Nurse Manager in leading the nursing team in developing, delivering and maintaining high quality palliative care to patients. To facilitate and maintain an atmosphere that reflects the Hospice values and behaviors. To support work across all Hospice clinical services.  To promote a culture of learning and enquiry.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Clinical Role

To act as an innovative and enthusiastic role model, providing leadership, guidance and advice to staff on operational and professional issues. To promote an honest and transparent culture;

Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the options for achieving symptom control and ability to give evidence-based professional advice to other health and care staff internally and externally to the organisation;

Perform comprehensive assessment of patients with sensitive and complex palliative care needs.  Assess family member/carer needs. Plan, implement and evaluate care delivery according to changing health care needs, wishes and culture. Act as patient advocate when appropriate;

Establish and maintain effective communication, often of a highly complex nature, with patients, carers and professionals across health and social care services, using advanced communication, negotiation and diplomacy skills and breaking down barriers to understanding with various individuals.  Use interpreters and other communication aids as required;

Identify issues deemed to be actual/potential palliative care emergencies/crises and develop, in a timely way, care plans accordingly involving other professionals, the patient and family members as appropriate;

Work in partnership with patients and carers to enable them to make informed choices, set goals and to identify and promote strategies to adapt to life-threatening and life-limiting situations.  Facilitate discussions around advance care planning, providing information and assisting with completion of documentation required.  Make decisions regarding resuscitation, discussing these with patients and carers as appropriate, communicate with professionals and ensure documentation is complete;

To ensure a clinical learning environment where students, junior staff and those on placement achieve their learning needs. To ensure expertise is shared with the wider health community;

To facilitate others to be proactive in preparing and delivering clinical information to promote the effectiveness of the MDT, acting as an equal member;

To ensure that high standards of nursing care are given and maintained, and to take appropriate action when standards are not being maintained;

To act as a clinical resource to others and to ensure the effective coordination of services to meet patients’/relatives’ needs;

Provide support and facilitate the induction and education of volunteers. Ensure appropriate levels of communication for them to fulfill their role;

Provide support to relatives and carers in their bereavement and be aware of the impact on other patients, junior staff and volunteers;

Access services for patients by referral to services within the Hospice and external agencies. Support junior staff in building their skill of how, when and why to refer;

To ensure the department has appropriate link nurses and support them in undertaking that role; and

To participate in clinical audit as required by the organisation and the Clinical Governance agenda.

Managerial Role

Deputise for the Nurse Manager in day-to-day management;

Exercise effective leadership and communication skills with the Nurse Manager, patients, relatives and members of the MDT;

Work as an expert practitioner and act as a role model within the multi-disciplinary team, demonstrating highly developed specialist knowledge and skills through theory, nursing practice and experience;

Support the Nurse Manager in the management of human and other resources effectively within the budget allocation. This includes performance management and the management of sickness absence;

To ensure an appropriate skill mix when planning rotas, delegating tasks, etc.;

Participate as necessary in the recruitment, induction and retention of staff and volunteers;

To create and maintain accurate contemporaneous patient records and to ensure all staff adhere to The Prince of Wales Hospice and the Nursing and Midwifery Council guidelines for record keeping;

In liaison with the Nurse Manager undertake and participate in the annual appraisal process of Nurses and Healthcare Assistants. Ensuring that identified needs are fed back;

To promote systems, such as clinical supervision and reflective practice, to enhance own clinical skills and those of more junior staff;

To initiate and monitor programmes of induction for nurses and medical staff;

Where appropriate delegate tasks to more junior staff, to increase the skills of others and ensure the smooth running of the service;

Through prudent stock control, ensure the best use of resources;

To promote a culture of safety for staff, patients and visitors within the work environment and throughout the Hospice; and

Ensure the timely completion of all documentation such as clinical adverse events by all staff.

Educational Training and development

Keep abreast of current changes in nursing practices, palliative care and management/leadership theory, to ensure own personal and professional development;

Provide education and training to multidisciplinary team staff and assist in the delivery of training programmes for Trainee Nursing Associates, Nursing Associates, Student Nurses, Registered Nurses and other non-medical registered workforce to expand their knowledge and skills;

Design education programmes and clinical teaching materials to deliver a range of modules or within a particular subject area both internally and externally, actively seeking out opportunities for external collaboration and access to funding streams;

The post holder may be required to undertake training events at other sites across the organisation and community;

The tasks and responsibilities outlined in this job description is not exhaustive and the post holder may be required to undertake other tasks in agreement with their line manager

About us

Deputy Nurse Manager

Location: Pontefract

Hours: 37.5 (working pattern includes nights and weekends)

Salary: £37,988 - £42,375 per annum (FTE)

Are you a compassionate, motivated nurse leader seeking your next challenge? Do you thrive in a supportive, high-performing team that’s committed to excellence in palliative and end-of-life care? Are you passionate about clinical leadership, innovation, and professional development? If so, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.

Join our dedicated team at The Prince of Wales Hospice, where we provide specialist palliative care in a supportive and respectful environment. Our 14-bed inpatient unit, located just minutes from Junction 32 of the M62 in Pontefract, also offers outpatient and community services, including a successful Lymphoedema clinic.

Why You’ll Love Working With Us

In our most recent staff survey:

All of our staff felt they make a real difference and are proud to work for the Hospice

97% of employees said they enjoy working with our team

We offer a welcoming and collaborative culture where staff wellbeing, professional growth, and patient care go hand in hand.

Your Role

We’re seeking a dynamic and skilled Deputy Nurse Manager to join our forward-thinking team. In this key leadership role, you’ll support the Nurse Manager in delivering outstanding palliative care and driving continual improvements across our clinical services.

This is a unique opportunity to:

Shape the future of specialist end-of-life care within a compassionate, values-led organisation

Support and inspire a talented clinical team across inpatient and community services

Lead on education and professional development initiatives that empower staff and enhance patient care

Foster a culture of learning, innovation, and excellence

You’ll be instrumental in maintaining the highest standards of clinical practice and patient safety, while promoting our Hospice’s philosophy of holistic, person-centred care

What We’re Looking For

You’ll be a registered nurse with:

Experience of palliative and end of life care

Able to demonstrate management skills and experience

Research, audit and clinical governance awareness

Experience of participating in audits and staff development

Experience of teaching experience within the clinical setting

A passion for mentoring, education, and supporting continuous professional development

A proactive, flexible approach with the ability to influence and drive positive change

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

What We Offer

27 days annual leave + bank holidays (pro rata)

Enhanced sick pay and contributory pension scheme

Access to Employee Assistance Programme for emotional and practical support

Eligibility to apply for Blue Light Card for retail and leisure discounts

On-site discounted staff meals during working hours

Ongoing learning, development, and career progression opportunities

Annual salary reviews

Additional Information

This role requires an Enhanced DBS Check

Successful candidates must subscribe to the DBS Update Service (annual fee currently £16)

How to Apply

Please go to our website to apply: https://jobsincare.com/job/jbnsEGeSbnfo

For more information or an informal chat about the role, please contact: Kate Roberts, Nurse Manager |