About this role
Job summary
Are you looking for a new challenge? Do you want to make a difference to the lives of people with haematological malignancies?
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Haematology Ward Manager to lead Elf & Libra Ward, our specialist 16-bedded haematology ward.
The Department of Haematological Medicine at King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is a leading centre for the treatment of leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma, aplastic anaemia, MDS and sickle cell disease. Services include Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT), Haematology Outpatients, the UK Leukaemia Ambulatory Care Unit, Apheresis and an expanding CAR-T Cell Therapy Programme.
You will provide strong clinical and operational leadership, ensuring safe, effective and compassionate care while leading multidisciplinary teams and driving service improvement.
Join us and help shape the future of haematology care at King's.
Main duties of the job
As the Ward Manager for Elf & Libra Ward, you will provide clinical, operational and professional leadership for a specialist haematology service comprising a 9-bedded inpatient ward and an 8-bedded extended care area. You will ensure the delivery of safe, effective and compassionate care for patients with haematological malignancies and complex blood disorders.
Working closely with the multidisciplinary team, you will promote high standards of patient care, patient flow, quality, safety and clinical governance. You will act as a visible clinical leader and role model, supporting staff in the delivery of complex haematology nursing care and driving a culture of excellence, learning and continuous improvement.
The role includes responsibility for workforce planning, recruitment, staff development, performance management and resource utilisation. You will lead quality improvement initiatives, manage risks and support service development, including innovative pathways such as stem cell transplantation and CAR-T cell therapy.
The post holder will maintain a strong clinical presence, provide expert support to staff and patients, contribute to the strategic development of the Haematology Service and deputise for the Matron when required.
About us
The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. In June 2026, we launched our new strategy for 2026-31. Our vision is to transform healthcare, and we have agreed six strategic ambitions to help us improve care for patients, and the working lives of our staff.
Our six strategic ambitions are deliveringhigh-quality patient care; creating a great place to work; leading pioneering research, innovation and education; building strong and successful partnerships; providing timely and efficient care; and ensuring long-term financial sustainability.
We have also agreed four new organisational values - Caring, Collaborative, Inclusive, Innovative - and these underpin everything we do, and how our teams interact with the patients under our care.
We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.
King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Detailed Job Description and Main Responsibilities
The Ward Manager has continuing responsibility and accountability for the delivery of high-quality nursing care, operational performance, workforce management, patient experience, clinical governance and service development within Waddington Ward and its associated extended inpatient area. The post holder will provide expert clinical leadership, ensuring that patients receiving treatment for haematological malignancies and complex blood disorders receive safe, effective and compassionate care throughout their treatment journey.
Clinical Leadership and Patient Care
- Provide visible clinical leadership and maintain overall responsibility for the standards of nursing care delivered across the ward and extended inpatient area.
- Ensure patients receive high-quality, evidence-based care that meets professional, regulatory and Trust standards.
- Maintain expert knowledge of haematology, stem cell transplantation, cellular therapies and supportive care to guide clinical decision-making and service delivery.
- Demonstrate advanced patient assessment, clinical judgement and problem-solving skills in the management of complex and acutely unwell haematology patients.
- Ensure effective admission, transfer and discharge processes are in place, promoting patient flow and the timely delivery of treatment.
- Lead the management of clinical deterioration, infection prevention, medicines safety and patient safety initiatives within the ward environment.
- Maintain close working relationships with medical staff, Clinical Nurse Specialists, allied health professionals, pharmacy, apheresis, stem cell laboratory and other specialist services to ensure coordinated care.
- Act as a professional role model, promoting excellence in nursing practice and patient-centred care.
Operational Management
- Manage the day-to-day operational delivery of services across the ward and associated inpatient area.
- Ensure appropriate staffing levels and skill mix are maintained to meet patient dependency and service demands.
- Oversee patient flow, bed utilisation and capacity management to optimise access to specialist haematology services.
- Monitor and manage ward performance indicators including length of stay, patient outcomes, complaints, incidents and quality metrics.
- Work closely with the Matrons, Lead Nurse and multidisciplinary teams to support service objectives and operational priorities.
- Participate in business planning, service redesign and implementation of new pathways of care.
Person Specification
Application form, presentation & Interview
Essential
- Registered Nurse (Adult) with current NMC registration
- Degree in Nursing or related healthcare subject
- Post-registration qualification in Haematology/Oncology Nursing.
- Chemotherapy Administration qualification.
- Leadership/Management qualification or equivalent experience
- Significant experience in Haematology/Oncology nursing.
- Experience managing a clinical team or ward.
- Experience of staff management, appraisal and performance processes.
- Experience of clinical governance, incident management and risk management.
- Experience leading service improvement and change initiatives
- Excellent clinical assessment and decision-making skills.
- Strong leadership, communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to manage conflict and difficult situations effectively.
- Knowledge of safeguarding, infection prevention and clinical governance
- Ability to lead and develop multidisciplinary teams.
- Competence in caring for haematology and stem cell transplant patients.
- Professional, resilient and adaptable.
- Visible and approachable leader
- Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Commitment to delivering high-quality patient care and staff experience.
Desirable
- Experience in a JACIE-accredited service.
- Experience supporting CAR-T services.
- Experience managing budgets and resources
- CAR-T therapy competency.
- Advanced venous access skills.
- Research and clinical trial experience.
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).
Employer details
Employer name
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Denmark hill
London
SE5 9RS
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.kch.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)