Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) is recruiting a Deputy Ward Manager to join Avocet Ward, a 21-bed elderly rehabilitation and palliative care unit in Saffron Walden, Essex, United Kingdom.
This Band 6 nursing position could be of interest to experienced registered nurses looking for NHS jobs in the UK, nursing jobs with visa sponsorship, and healthcare opportunities for international applicants.
The Trust states that Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) are currently being prioritised for registered roles, making this vacancy particularly relevant to eligible overseas nurses who meet the UK’s registration and immigration requirements.
Job Details
- Position: Deputy Ward Manager
- Employer: Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
- Location: Saffron Walden, Essex, United Kingdom
- Ward: Avocet Ward
- Specialty: Elderly Rehabilitation and Palliative Care
- Band: Band 6
- Job Category: Nursing / Health and Care
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Experience: 3–5 years
- Registration: Full NMC registration required
- Potential Visa Route: Health and Care Worker / Skilled Worker
- Job Posted: October 7, 2026
About the Deputy Ward Manager Role
The successful candidate will support the Ward Manager in the day-to-day operation of Avocet Ward while helping deliver high-quality nursing care to patients receiving rehabilitation and palliative care.
The 21-bed unit focuses on active rehabilitation and supporting patients with appropriate discharge back into the community.
As a registered nurse, the Deputy Ward Manager will assess patients’ needs, develop and implement care plans, evaluate outcomes and contribute to safe and effective patient care.
The role also includes supervising junior members of staff and supporting the development and teaching of both qualified and unqualified healthcare workers.
Main Responsibilities
The Deputy Ward Manager will be expected to:
- Assess patients and identify their nursing and care requirements
- Develop and implement appropriate programmes of care
- Evaluate patient outcomes and nursing interventions
- Provide high-quality rehabilitation and patient care
- Support safe and timely patient discharge
- Assist the Ward Manager with the daily running of the ward
- Supervise junior nursing and support staff
- Teach qualified and unqualified members of the team
- Promote infection prevention and control procedures
- Monitor ward cleanliness and report concerns
- Work with patients, families, medical teams and social care professionals
- Protect patients’ dignity, rights and wellbeing
- Follow the Trust’s discharge procedures
- Provide basic, intermediate and advanced nursing care
NMC Registration Requirement
Applicants must have full registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
This is an important requirement for international nurses considering the vacancy. Nurses trained outside the United Kingdom generally need to complete the appropriate NMC registration process before they can work as registered nurses in the UK.
Candidates should therefore confirm that they meet the current NMC requirements before submitting an application.
Visa Sponsorship and Certificate of Sponsorship
The vacancy includes an important immigration update for overseas applicants.
The Trust states that, because of current allocation constraints, Certificates of Sponsorship are being prioritised for registered roles.
This means eligible registered nurses may potentially be considered for sponsorship where the position and applicant meet the relevant requirements.
The role is listed under Health and Care, with Health and Care Worker and Skilled Worker routes indicated on the vacancy information.
However, sponsorship is not automatic. Applicants must satisfy the applicable UK immigration, professional registration and employment requirements.
Salary and NHS Employment Benefits
The vacancy offers access to a range of benefits associated with employment with EPUT.
Benefits listed by the Trust include:
- 27 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
- Annual leave increasing to 33 days after 10 years of service
- Pension contributions of up to 14.5% of pensionable pay
- NHS and staff discount schemes
- Blue Light Card discounts
- Staff wellbeing services
- Occupational health support
- Counselling services
- Recognition programmes
- Flexible working arrangements
- Job-sharing opportunities
- Interest-free season ticket loans
- £8,000 relocation package for eligible employees moving to Essex
£8,000 Relocation Support
One of the notable benefits attached to this vacancy is an £8,000 relocation package for eligible employees who move to Essex to take up employment with the Trust.
International healthcare professionals should check the employer’s current terms and eligibility conditions for relocation assistance before making travel or relocation arrangements.
Who Can Apply?
This position is aimed at qualified registered nurses who can demonstrate the professional knowledge and experience required for a Band 6 leadership role.
Applicants should have:
- Full NMC registration
- Relevant nursing experience
- Strong clinical knowledge
- Leadership and supervisory abilities
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to work with multidisciplinary teams
- Experience supporting patients and their families
- Ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate nursing care
International nurses should also ensure they have the appropriate UK registration and immigration status before accepting employment.
How to Tailor Your CV for This NHS Nursing Job
Your CV should be tailored specifically toward Band 6 nursing and ward leadership rather than using a general healthcare resume.
Emphasise your registered nursing experience, clinical responsibilities, leadership duties, patient assessment, care planning, rehabilitation, discharge coordination and supervision of junior staff.
If you have experience in elderly care, rehabilitation, palliative care, community nursing, hospital wards or multidisciplinary healthcare environments, make those areas easy for the recruiter to identify.
Relevant CV keywords can include Band 6 nurse, Deputy Ward Manager, registered nurse, NMC registration, elderly care, rehabilitation, palliative care, patient assessment, care planning, discharge planning, clinical leadership, infection prevention, multidisciplinary team and patient-centred care.
Application Requirements
Applicants should provide professional references with business contact information covering their last three years of employment history.
The Trust states that personal or character references will not be accepted.
Candidates should also be aware that the initial DBS check required for the position is the responsibility of the newly appointed employee, with the cost deducted from the first salary.
Important Application Notice
The Trust states that applications should be written by the applicant.
It specifically warns that applications generated using artificial intelligence programmes may be rejected because the application forms part of the assessment process.
Applicants should therefore make sure their application accurately reflects their own qualifications, experience and professional background.
Appropriate support may be available for applicants who require assistance because of a declared disability.
Safeguarding Requirements
Because the role involves working with vulnerable patients, successful applicants will be subject to appropriate safer recruitment procedures.
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and protecting children, young people and vulnerable adults.
Applicants should be prepared to complete the required pre-employment checks.
Location
The position is based in Saffron Walden, Essex, England.
For international nurses considering relocation to the United Kingdom, the location may appeal to candidates looking for NHS employment outside central London while remaining within the wider Essex region.
How to Apply
Interested nurses can view the original vacancy and submit an application through LinkedIn.
Applicants should carefully review the latest vacancy information and confirm that they meet the NMC, employment and immigration requirements before applying.
Important Disclaimer: OpportunityShape shares job postings for informational purposes and does not represent Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, LinkedIn or any other employer featured in this article.
The vacancy indicates that Certificates of Sponsorship are currently being prioritised for registered roles, but this does not guarantee visa sponsorship, a Certificate of Sponsorship, employment or approval under the UK Health and Care Worker or Skilled Worker route.
Applicants are responsible for confirming the latest job requirements, NMC registration rules and UK immigration requirements through official sources. OpportunityShape does not guarantee that any applicant will obtain employment, visa sponsorship or permission to live and work in the United Kingdom.
