The closing date is 22 December 2025
Salary
£38,682 to £46,580 a year
Job summary
Band 6 | Permanent and Fixed-Term Opportunities Available
Location: Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton
Are you an experienced paediatric nurse ready to take the next step in your career?
Join our dynamic Children’s Unit at Musgrove Park Hospital as a Deputy Ward Manager, providing clinical and operational leadership within a busy general paediatric ward.
About the Role
The Children’s Unit at Musgrove Park Hospital is a welcoming team that works closely with medical and AHP colleagues to provide holistic care for children, young people, and their families. You’ll work as part of our nursing leadership team to ensure the delivery of high-quality, family-centred care for children and young people. This role combines responsibility for safe and effective management of all patients, supporting those undergoing complex cancer treatments alongside a wide range of paediatric conditions.
What We’re Looking For
- RSCN / RN Child registration.
- Paediatric Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT) qualification
- Proven experience in paediatric oncology, including supporting children and young people through SACT treatment
Why Join Us?
- Supportive, welcoming team environment.
- Access to in-house paediatric education and CPD opportunities.
- External study options, including courses at Bristol Children’s Hospital.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about paediatric oncology who wants to influence care delivery and lead a dedicated team.
Job responsibilities
You will play a key leadership role within our Children’s Unit, ensuring safe, effective, and compassionate care for all patients, with a specialist focus on oncology. Your responsibilities will include:
Clinical Leadership
- Act as deputy to the Ward Manager, assuming responsibility for operational management when required.
- Provide expert guidance and decision-making to maintain high standards of care across the ward.
Oncology Expertise
- Deliver specialist support for children and young people undergoing systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT).
- Manage complex treatment regimens and provide education for families on symptom management and home care.
Operational Management
- Oversee day-to-day running of the ward, including bed management, patient flow, and resource allocation.
- Ensure efficient use of staffing and equipment to maintain service continuity.
Multidisciplinary Coordination
- Work closely with consultants, allied health professionals, and external agencies to optimise care pathways.
- Facilitate effective communication within the MDT and across services.
Staff Development
- Mentor and supervise nursing staff, supporting professional growth and competency development.
- Facilitate oncology-specific training and CPD opportunities.
Quality and Safety
- Monitor compliance with clinical governance standards and national cancer care guidelines.
- Lead audits and implement evidence-based practice to maintain patient safety.
Safeguarding and Advocacy
- Act as a key advocate for children and families, ensuring their voices are heard in care planning.
- Respond promptly to child protection concerns and support junior staff in safeguarding processes.
Education and CPD
- Promote continuous learning through in-house paediatric education and external study, including courses at Bristol Children’s Hospital.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- RSCN/RN Child
- Paediatric Systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) qualification and competencies
Desirable
- *Degree level qualification
Experience
Essential
- *Experience working with CYP in acute ward undergoing SACT treatments
- *Evidence of supervisory and mentoring skills
- *Able to lead and work within a Team
- SACT experience
Additional Criteria
Essential
- *Willingness to undertake training and develop competencies in the specialist skills of the Unit
- *Supervisor/ assessor qualification/training
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).