Job overview
Are you a dynamic and experienced nursing professional? Do you have a passion for service innovation, clinical excellence, and leading teams to deliver outstanding patient care? If so, we have the perfect role for you!
We are seeking an inspiring and motivated Specialty Medicine Matron to join our leadership team. This pivotal role will oversee the respiratory, infectious diseases and diabetes and endocrine inpatient areas as well as the newly created respiratory sdec services, driving clinical standards, enhancing patient outcomes, and shaping the future of care delivery within the organization.
As a Matron, you will work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to lead service developments, embed evidence-based practice, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. With a strong emphasis on innovation and operational excellence as well as ensuring there is a focus on fundamental standards of care, this role offers a unique opportunity to spearhead transformative initiatives in specialty medicine.
The specialty medicine ward areas at RSCH all benefit from being in the newly built Louisa Martindale building- offering opportunities for new ways of working and service development in the state of the art facilities.
Main duties of the job
1.Act as a positive role model through the provision of effective professional leadership and demonstration of competent, accountable clinical practice for their area.
2.Provide day-to-day visible, accessible and authentic leadership in clinical areas.
3.Ensure the delivery of patient care is of the highest standard.
4.Support and promote the wellbeing of the clinical teams.
5.Actively support the Division in the provision of high quality, modern, dynamic and patient centred services in the Clinical area.
6.Provide support to patients and their relatives/carers.
7.Be responsible for optimising patient flow and access through their areas of responsibility.
8.Will be responsible for the performance management of Senior charge nurses/ Sisters to ensure delivery of healthcare standards and Trust objectives.
9.Provide support to the Directorate Head of Nursing and deputise for them as required.
10.To act as an expert resource to the Division .
11.To work closely with teams in the Division and other disciplines across the Trust to ensure a seamless clinical service is provided to patients attending acute services.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & 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, & can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) & a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme, for staff which is extensive & designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching & training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us & throughout your career we will help you to grow & develop. We hope that in choosing UHSx you are choosing a long & happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make & feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Matron will support the Directorate Head of Nursing in the delivery of key performance targets. They will be accountable for the provision of effective professional nursing leadership and proactive resource management for their clinical area. As an experienced practitioner the post holder will be expected to focus on providing a safe and clean environment for care, ensuring best practice in infection control, improving clinical care standards and treating patients with dignity and respect.
Please see the attached Job Description and for full details.
Person specification
Experience / Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Acute Experience
2. Experience as Ward Manager/leader
3. Registered General Nurse
4. Post registration qualification.
5. Master’s level qualification or equivalent professional knowledge acquired through degree/diploma supplemented by specialist training or equivalent experience to master’s level.
6. Certificate in Teaching and Assessing Clinical Practice (or equivalent)
7. Mentorship
8. Leadership or management qualification (or equivalent)
9. Evidence of excellent managerial, leadership and organisational skills
10. Extensive experience at ward manager level or equivalent managerial role
11. Evidence of ability to motivate and develop all teams of nursing staff across the division.
12. Evidence of ability to work across professional teams and organisational boundaries.
13. Evidence of excellent appraisal skills
14. Evidence of excellent understanding of Trust policies and procedures and ability to translate these into action.
15. Evidence of excellent understanding of Trust Personnel policies and Procedures.
16. Evidence of excellent understanding of UHSussex Trust Nursing Strategy and ability to disseminate to all grades of staff.
Desirable criteria
17. Post graduate course in Leadership
18. Example of leadership in acute service
19. Experience of Change management
20. Evidence of managing large/complex teams
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
21. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
22. 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