POSITION DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
Ward Services Manager
Department:
Management
Business:
Southern Cross Hospital
Location:
Christchurch
Reports to:
Clinical Operations Manager
PURPOSE
The purpose of this position is the effective management of the ward and related patient
services at Southern Cross Hospital Christchurch. Specifically, to lead, manage and coordinate
the ward staff, to obtain optimum efficiency and effectiveness of the units, ensuring a service
that is Medical Specialists and patient focused and financially responsive.
This role will actively support the Clinical Operations Manager to achieve the strategic goals of
Southern Cross Hospitals eliciting enthusiasm and initiative from all working within the service
This position is part of the senior management team and makes a significant contribution to the
overall management of the hospital, to ensure that the business retains a position within the
healthcare market and is able to respond positively and effectively to competition.
In addition the incumbent
 role models leadership to the clinical team to ensure a superior standard of care is
provided to all patients (our customers).
 nurtures positive relationships with the Medical Specialists (our customers) and ensure
their care expectations are exceeded
 provides clinical leadership to staff extending the presence of clinical leadership across
the service ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and efficient client driven nursing
care.
2.0
DIMENSIONS
CURRENT DATA
Number of people reporting directly to the
position:
Business Units Reporting to this Position
Total number of employees supervised
functionally:
Budget (ex capital expenditure):
Other direct costs within the position’s control:
Approx 8
PACU, HDW, Wards and Day Stay Areas, CNS
group
Approx 110
As per Delegated Authorities Policy
Staffing /Consumables
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RELATIONSHIPS
Internal
External
Hospital Manager
Medical Specialists
Clinical Operations Manager
Theatre Services Manager
Supply companies
Theatre/Recovery/CSSD Team Leaders
Health Funders
Ward Team Leaders
Facilities Services Manager
Contracts Manager
Southern
Cross
Staff/Quality/Infection
Control Coordinators
National Office Resource Team
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
General
To contribute to and enhance the management team and to provide clinical leadership to
the wards/PACU staff
Tasks
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The strategic vision and goals are achieved to support as outlined in the SCH Ltd
business plan, within the context of the wider Southern Cross Hospitals Limited network.
The hospital’s culture is positioned to meet the challenges of the modern healthcare
environment, so that systems and processes are engineered and current practices and
behaviours challenged.
The hospital maintains and increases its market share within a competitive market.
The clinical staff team is functional and operates within a proactive, collaborative and
collegial framework.
Clinical
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Ensure own and direct reports and their staff deliver a competent, quality patient care
service.
Positive liaison with patients and relatives, Medical Specialists and other health
professionals.
All ward staff practice nursing in accordance to medical legal and ethical responsibilities.
Planning
To lead and implement service planning
Tasks
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There is active participation in the service planning process and projects, including the
associated management of change to achieve positive outcomes.
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Provides information to assist the Clinical Operations Manager to prepare the annual
budget.
Advances in Information Technology are resourced and supported.
In consultation with the Clinical Operations Manager and in liaison with Team Leaders,
staff number and mix is planned on review and assessment of patient case mix, numbers
and schedules.
Stock and supplies are efficiently managed and charged.
Quality
To lead the provision of quality, cost effective care and to meet the service expectations
and patient care needs
Tasks
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Leadership and direction is provided to support the Team Leaders and their teams.
Development of effective systems to support ward and day stay staff for safe and
efficient care delivery.
Staff work within the Southern Cross Hospitals Ltd policies, guidelines and clinical
standards for practice. Ward related clinical pathways / plans of care are implemented,
maintained and evaluated.
A quality auditing process is in place for all key aspects of ward clinical care. Audits are
acted upon and remedial action initiated as required.
Patient complaints and clinical incidents are fully reported weekly to Clinical Operations
Manager. Assists the Clinical Operations Manager to follow up complaints until positive
outcomes achieved.
This position is fully aware of all patient issues within the wards and day stay, or other
areas as appropriate on a day to day basis.
Relationships with Medical Specialists are maintained through daily contact and
consultation.
Assists Chairperson of the Safety, Quality, Risk Committee, with support from Hospital
Manager, management and quality team.
Performance
To optimise the efficiency and economy of the hospitals’ healthcare services, ensuring
assets are protected, and expenditure is properly managed in order to preserve long
term revenue and financial viability
Tasks
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Service Contracts are clinically managed according to contractual agreements and
schedules.
Performance is monitored against the business plan in liaison with the Clinical
Operations Manager.
Key performance indicators are developed for the ward and day stay that reflects the
strategic plan. Day to day feedback/reports are provided to the Clinical Operations
Manager or as appropriate.
Costs and expenditure are constrained within allocated budget and allocated resources.
Clinical, information is collected analysed and reported formally by use of spreadsheets,
graphs etc.
Contributes toward the preparation of Capital proposals.
Occupational Health/Legislation
Tasks
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The ward areas comply with the organisations and hospitals requirements for safety
procedures.
Ward and clinical staff are aware and work within the health and safety guide-lines and
parameters set.
Quarterly and annual Hazard and SQR register review is completed.
All incidents and accidents are investigated, reviewed and reported to Clinical Operations
Manager for analysis and further management as required,
Staff Management
Motivated and skilled staff are attracted and retained. Staff are managed to meet the
requirements of the business
Tasks
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Recruitment strategy is developed in consultation with the Clinical Operations Manager.
Understands Employment policies, and ensures requirements are adhered to.
Orientation and mentoring programmes are in place and effective.
All staff have an annual performance appraisals. Poor performance is addressed in a
timely and correct manner.
Training and development needs of staff are identified, and in discussion with the Clinical
Operations Manager to resource provisions are negotiated.
Positive working relationships within the teams ensure early and effective resolution of
conflict. There is positive interaction between all members of the hospital team. All team
members are treated with respect and courtesy.
Effective rostering ensures a roster that takes into account as far as possible the
preferences of the individual but however is responsive to revenue fluctuations, changes
in case mix and seasonal variations.
In consultation with Team Leaders and Clinical Operations Manager, staff mix and
numbers are matched to casemix.
In consultation with Clinical Operations Manager staff salaries are fair, competitive and
recognise commitment and excellent performance.
Positive working environment and develop a culture of cohesiveness, focused and strong
sense of success and achievement across the hospital. Develop an “anything is
possible” and “can do” attitude among staff.
Corporate
To support a strong and positive image of Southern Cross Christchurch and Southern
Cross Hospitals within the community and with key internal and external stakeholders
Tasks
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A professional appearance and image is maintained.
A positive, proactive learning environment is created.
Co operation exists with other providers.
Implementation plans are developed in the clinical service for new business activities.
To provide support to the Network Resource team
Tasks
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A positive, proactive learning environment is created.
Co operation exists with resource team.
Relationships with resource team and other hospitals are developed and maintained.
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PERSON SPECIFICATION
Knowledge and Qualifications
Minimum:
 RGON or RCpN
Desired
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A tertiary qualification in nursing, management or related discipline
5 years recent post-graduate in surgical hospital environment
Excellent communication skills
Knowledge of computer systems to an intermediate level
Proven experience and ability in service management and leadership within a surgical
hospital environment
Skills
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Proven leadership skills
Conflict resolution experience
Team building and delegation skills
Sound clinical expertise
Staff management and development skills
Recruitment skills
Teaching skills
Management of budgets
Analytical skills, ie appreciation of P&L reporting, spread sheeting and Balance Sheets.
Familiar with and demonstrates a commitment to risk management and quality
Competent with Information Technology and implementation strategy
Familiar with the principles of project management and process reengineering
Excellent problem solving skills
Crisis management and astute decision making skills
Clinical incident management
Personal Attributes
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Good interpersonal skills
Good communication skills
Consistency and determination in working towards goals
Successful in completing projects
Ability to get on with others
Adaptability
Flexibility
Proactive by nature
Supportive
Thrives on a challenge
Change agent
Self directed and works well under pressure
Able to work autonomously and as a team member as the situation requires
Works with an empowerment model
Committed to ongoing self-development and further education.
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__________________________________________________________________
Position holder’s signature:
______________________________________
Position holder’s name:
______________________________________
Date:
_________________
Manager’s name:
______________________________________
Manager’s signature:
______________________________________
Date:
_________________
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