Job summary
- Main area
- Women's and Children's Services
- Grade
- Band 8a
- Contract
- Fixed term: 12 months (Secondment also considered)
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 360-D-11790
- Employer
- West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Watford General Hospital
- Town
- Watford
- Salary
- £59,798 - £67,020 pa inc. HCA
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 24/09/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Band 8a - Paediatric Matron, WACS
Band 8a
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated Children's Nurse Leader to join our Children's Services team as Paediatric Matron on a 12-month fixed-term contract or a secondment opportunity. Due to the current postholder themselves taking up a secondment opportunity, we are seeking an inspiring and compassionate leader who is passionate about delivering high-quality care for babies, children, young people and their families.
This is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience across a wide range of children's services while contributing to exciting quality improvement and service development work already underway across the division.
Whether you are an experienced Matron or an ambitious senior nurse looking to take the next step in your leadership journey, you will be supported by a dedicated and experienced senior leadership team.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will provide visible clinical and operational leadership across the paediatric footprint including Starfish Children's Ward, Safari Day Unit and Ambulatory Care, and Children's Outpatient Departments across Watford and Hemel Hempstead. Working closely with the Deputy Director of Nursing for Paediatrics, Clinical Directors, Operational and multidisciplinary colleagues, you will support the delivery of safe, effective and high-quality care across Children's Services.
You will lead and support quality improvement initiatives, workforce development, clinical governance, patient experience and service development, helping to shape future models of care for babies, children and young people.
The postholder will also work closely with our Children's Clinical Nurse Specialist teams, including our highly regarded Transition Service, and collaborate with Urgent and Emergency Care colleagues to improve pathways and outcomes for babies, children and young people.
We are looking for a credible, compassionate and approachable leader with excellent communication skills, a passion for continuous improvement and a commitment to developing high-performing teams.
Working for our organisation
We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare.
Staff wellbeing and development are a priority, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience.
We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance. www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking
If you have a disability or long-term health condition and require support or guidance please contact [email protected]
If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Paediatric Matron is responsible for the operational and professional leadership of designated children's services, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and high-quality care. The postholder will provide visible leadership within clinical areas, maintaining oversight of patient safety, workforce, clinical standards, governance, complaints management and service performance.
The role works closely with Senior Sisters, Clinical Nurse Specialists, medical colleagues, operational teams and the wider Women and Children's leadership team to support service delivery and implementation of local and national priorities.
The postholder will contribute to service improvement, workforce planning, risk management and the ongoing development of children's services.
Core working hours are Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 16:00. Flexibility will be required to meet service needs, including participation in the Senior Nurse & AHP rota. Requests for flexible working and job share arrangements will be considered in line with service requirements.
Person specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Registered Children's Nurse (RSCN/RN Child) with current NMC registration
- Leadership or management qualification, or equivalent experience
Desirable criteria
- Master's degree or working towards APLS/EPLS
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Knowledge of current national and local children's healthcare agendas
- Knowledge of Clinical Governance, patient safety and risk management
- Knowledge of safeguarding children procedures and responsibilities
Experience
Essential criteria
- Significant post-registration experience within children's services
- Experience of leading teams and managing staff performance
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Sophie Dudley
- Job title
- Deputy Director of Nursing, Paediatrics
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07779925075
If you have problems applying, contact
- Address
-
Watford General Hospital
Vicarage Road
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD18 0HB
- Telephone
- 01442 365233
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