Job overview
The general surgery division have an exciting Matron opportunity to offer to a highly motivated senior nurse. The Matron will be a highly visible, accessible and authoritative presence in clinical areas to which patients, their families and others can turn for leadership, assistance, advice and support. The postholder will be part of the Divisional Nursing Leadership team with specific responsibility for a designated group of departments within general surgery .
The Matron’s role will focus on
1. Inclusive leadership, professional standards and accountability.
2. Governance, patient safety and quality.
3. Workforce planning and resource management.
4. Patient experience and reducing health inequalities.
5. Performance and operational oversight.
6. Digital and information technology.
7. Education, training and development.
8. Research and development.
9. Collaborative working and clinical effectiveness.
10. Service improvement and transformation.
Please note that if you currently work for another NHS Trust/within UHSussex and you are applying to accept this position as a secondment opportunity, before applying you must seek agreement and authorisation from your current Trust/manager. Secondments can’t be agreed without this approval. If you are unable to gain approval you should refrain from applying unless you wish to take this role as a fixed term position.
Main duties of the job
Inclusive leadership, professional standards and accountability
11. Uphold and display the Trust values of Commitment, Care & Quality.
12. Demonstrate compassionate, inclusive, visible and authoritative leadership to Ward/Department Managers in order to ensure high quality patient centred clinical care is delivered.
13. Ensure nursing practice reflects current clinical developments and is evidence based.
14. Enhancement of own role and that of team members.
15. In conjunction with the Senior Nurse Leadership Team actively embed the Trust’s Nursing & Midwifery Strategy locally within areas of responsibility.
16. Lead on the improvement of nursing standards by promoting Essence of Care and Best Practice nursing care.
17. Participate in the development, use and evaluation of integrated care pathways.
18. Work as part of a local multi-disciplinary team, in developing models of care.
19. Demonstrate and maintaining clinical credibility by acting regularly as a clinical practitioner in own areas of expertise.
20. Work collaboratively in developing, leading and facilitating a seamless patient pathway through the service.
21. Represent the Division at designated meetings.
22. Deputise for the Head of Nursing as required.
23. Be the Line Manager for the Ward/Department within defined areas of responsibility.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Inclusive leadership, professional standards and accountability
24. Uphold and display the Trust values of Commitment, Care & Quality.
25. Demonstrate compassionate, inclusive, visible and authoritative leadership to Ward/Department Managers in order to ensure high quality patient centred clinical care is delivered.
26. Ensure nursing practice reflects current clinical developments and is evidence based.
27. Enhancement of own role and that of team members.
28. In conjunction with the Senior Nurse Leadership Team actively embed the Trust’s Nursing & Midwifery Strategy locally within areas of responsibility.
29. Lead on the improvement of nursing standards by promoting Essence of Care and Best Practice nursing care.
30. Participate in the development, use and evaluation of integrated care pathways.
31. Work as part of a local multi-disciplinary team, in developing models of care.
32. Demonstrate and maintaining clinical credibility by acting regularly as a clinical practitioner in own areas of expertise.
33. Work collaboratively in developing, leading and facilitating a seamless patient pathway through the service.
34. Represent the Division at designated meetings.
35. Deputise for the Head of Nursing as required.
36. Be the Line Manager for the Ward/Department within defined areas of responsibility.
37. To participate in the senior management on-call rota.
Governance, patient safety and quality
38. In partnership with the Divisional Director of Nursing and the Head of Nursing, implement a Divisional Clinical Governance Strategy.
39. Within clinical areas develop a culture to ensure that Nurses actively contribute to the development of Clinical Governance (incorporating Health & Safety, Patient Safety & Risk).
40. Be actively involved in relevant audits/risk managing.
41. Participate in shared governance forums to provide shared best practice and drive quality care provision within the Trust.
42. Ensure that the information governance agenda is embedded within the clinical areas.
43. In consultation with the Divisional Director of Nursing and the Head of Nursing, investigate accidents and incidents identifying clinical risks and implementing corrective action where necessary.
44. Co-ordinate relevant audit and monitoring data to assess standards of clinical care, staffing issues and patient activity providing assurance that services are delivering safe, high-quality care.
45. Facilitate the Trust’s complaints procedure, both formal and informal and respond proactively to patients/relatives’ concerns.
46. Lead debriefing and learning from practice to stop and reflect after challenging situations.
47. Ensure that all Wards/Departments/Clinical Areas have accurate patient information on the PAS system and that this is checked and reviewed at least weekly.
48. Ensure safeguarding practices and standards are followed, at all times.
Environmental cleanliness and Infection prevention and Control
49. In conjunction with the Ward/Department Managers actively support the Ward Housekeeper role in all relevant clinical areas.
50. Apply the hygiene code to ensure a clean and safe environment, liaising with the Facilities and Estates Teams in reviewing and improving the environmental infrastructure.
51. Establish effective administrative and support services for designated areas, including cleaning, laundry and catering services, in liaison with relevant managers.
52. Be responsible and accountable for delivering a safe and clean care environment.
53. In conjunction with colleagues (i.e. Director of Facilities and Estates and Chief Nurse) be responsible for updating the Matron’s Charter Action Plan and producing quarterly Matron Infection Control/Cleanliness Reports for consideration by the Trust Board.
54. In conjunction with the Director of Nursing, Director of Facilities and Estates and Director of Patient Safety be involved in setting initial service quality and standards and in the monitoring of contracts and service level agreements.
55. Produce infection control and related reports as requested by the Divisional Director of Nursing and the Chief Nurse/Director of Infection Prevention and Control.
56. In conjunction with the Divisional Management Team, actively participate in the implementation of the Code of Practice for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections
Patient experience and reducing health inequalities
57. Support nursing staff to ensure that patients are always treated with dignity and respect and that the patient experience is appropriate to their individual needs.
58. Be highly visible and accessible to patients, relatives and staff in order to provide immediate assistance, advice and support, in liaison with Patient Advocacy and Liaison Service.
59. Promote the full implementation of the Patient Experience Strategy.
60. Ensure the care of the dying person and their family is culturally sensitive and is the best it can be.
61. Utilise the results of the National Audit for Care at the End of Life to develop service improvement plans.
62. Support the promotion of personalised care and the wider personal care agenda
Performance and operational oversight.
63. Have on-going operational management of defined designated clinical areas, which include enabling ward/Department Managers in budget setting and control, recruitment and retention, close monitoring of temporary staff usage, professional development and patient management.
64. Actively participate in supporting the achievement of performance targets and Divisional Performance meetings.
65. Supporting patient flow through the hospital.
66. Have sound knowledge and experience of finance, budget and business planning processes and monitor these actively.
67. Work with the finance team to monitor and manage finance and activity targets.
68. Be engaged in setting budgets and activity
Digital and information technology
69. Participate within the Division in embracing the power of technology and supporting a digital-ready workforce to deliver a digital healthcare service.
70. Keep abreast of the technological and digital solutions such as those indicated in the Topol Review (2019).
71. In conjunction with Ward/Department Managers, ensure that staff access electronic communications such as e-update
Education, Training and Development
72. Participate in the Trust’s Clinical Leaders development programme and other appropriate developmental opportunities.
73. Develop an active role in the leadership academy framework.
74. Work with and empower Ward/Department Managers in assessing skills needed for practice, identifying any deficits in this and developing/commissioning programmes to address these issues.
75. In conjunction with Ward/Department Managers, support training needs analysis and the CPD application process for appropriate staff.
76. Actively participate in the supervision and appraisal of Ward/Department Managers establishing performance objectives and facilitating individual development opportunities.
77. Work closely with the Ward/Department Managers and Education Teams to ensure staff achieve required level of competency.
78. In conjunction with the Divisional Director of Nursing and their Deputy, implement new approaches to continual professional development.
79. Keep up to date with apprenticeship opportunities and promote these and other new roles.
80. Support the clinical areas within the area of responsibility to be excellent learning environments for all students to include robust supervision.
81. Work closely with the Ward/Department Managers and Practice Education Facilitators to encourage students to work in the Trust on qualification.
82. Support areas to consistently meet mandatory and essential training targets.
83. Undertake talent mapping and participate in talent management processes with Divisional Leadership colleagues and Ward/Department Managers
Research and development
84. Actively participate in relevant research and implement and monitor the Trust’s Nursing & Midwifery Research and Development strategy and action plan.
85. Support staff who are involved in research and/or who have an interest in advancing evidence-based practice.
86. Ensure that all and any research carried out within their area of responsibility has appropriate ethical approval and is carried out in line with ethical principles including informed consent
Collaborative working and clinical effectiveness
87. Work collaboratively at all levels within the Division, the Trust and where appropriate across the wider ICS.
88. Promote effective clinical care every day for every patient.
89. Promote collaborative working with patients, carers and others.
90. Establish, where appropriate, local improvement collaborations
Service improvement and transformation
91. Promote the notion that quality improvement is everybody’s business.
92. Support gathering of insight and feedback from patients, staff and carers in service improvement and transformation.
93. Work with the Quality Team to identify service improvement areas and employ Patient First methodology to bring about improvements.
Please see attached job description for full details
Person specification
Essential
Essential criteria
94. Registered General Nurse
95. Post registration qualification
96. Masters level qualification or equivalent professional knowledge acquired through degree/diploma supplemented by specialist training or equivalent experience to masters level.
97. Certificate in Teaching and Assessing Clinical Practice (or equivalent) Mentorship.
98. Leadership or management qualification (or equivalent
99. Evidence of excellent managerial, leadership and organisational skills
100. Extensive experience at ward manager level or equivalent managerial role.
101. Evidence of ability to motivate and develop all teams of nursing staff across the division
102. Evidence of ability to work across professional teams and organisational boundaries
103. Proven track record of being able to delegate and prioritise.
104. Evidence of excellent appraisal skills.
105. Evidence of excellent understanding of Trust policies and procedures and ability to translate these into action
106. Evidence of excellent understanding of Trust Personnel policies and Procedures. Experience in their use is essential.
107. Evidence of excellent understanding of UHSussex Trust Nursing Strategy and ability to disseminate to all grades of staff.
108. Evidence of Performance Management skills
109. A sound understanding of National Nursing and Patient Agendas.
110. An understanding of Clinical Governance and the application to practice.
111. Substantial experience at Ward Manager level.
112. Excellent clinical skills and the ability to implement these in practice.
113. Up to date and evidenced based knowledge of current clinical and professional issues.
114. Clinically credible and competent with experience of standard-setting within a large organisation
115. Excellent professional and leadership skills with evidence of successfully managing high-performing teams.
116. Able to impart knowledge to all grades of staff.
117. Evidence of excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills.
118. Proven ability to vary communication style according to audience and situation.
119. Proven track record of being able to break bad news and managing difficult situations sensitively
120. Evidence of ability to co-ordinate and motivate the multidisciplinary team.
121. Evidence of experience in co-ordinating and chairing meetings and recording accurate notes.
122. Evidence of experience of conflict resolution.
123. Proven ability to facilitate Clinical Supervision and reflective practice (as supervisor and supervisee
124. Proven ability to assess, plan, deliver and evaluate individualised and evidence based nursing care.
125. Evidence of excellent ability to monitor the quality of work in others, to identify their learning and development needs and devise strategies to meet those needs
126. Evidence of excellent ability to demonstrate a problem solving approach and have evidence to demonstrate actions arising have been implemented.
127. Proven experience of audit, benchmarking or research and the ability to use results to inform change and development.
128. Proven ability to devise and monitor systems of work.
129. Proven ability to support the ward manager in maintaining an environment conducive to the delivery of excellence in care.
130. Able to develop short, medium and long term strategies for the development of the wards.
131. Experience of management of change
132. Able to plan, manage, monitor resources (staff management and financial management).
133. Evidence of experience in recruitment, selection and retention process in accordance with Trust policy.
134. Evidence of experience in management of sickness/absence in accordance with Trust policy
135. Experience of managing teams including the requirement to monitor and manage conduct and performance.
136. Experience in management of change in accordance with Trust policy.
137. Computer literate, proven ability to use Word and Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
138. Understanding of matron role in overseeing expenditure and monitoring ward/department budgets
139. Proven understanding of budgetary management in previous roles.
140. Specialist in nursing issues but not necessarily in clinical speciality. Generally work with the supervisor/manager contactable by telephone or bleep.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential criteria
141. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
142. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications