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Job summary

Main area
Surgery
Grade
Band 8a
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Flexible working
37.5 hours per week
Job ref
360-B-11898
Employer
West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Cross Site
Town
Watford
Salary
£59,798 - £67,020 pa inc. HCA
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
19/10/2026 23:59

Employer heading

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust logo

Band 8a - Matron for Surgery, Surgery, Anaesthetics and Cancer

Band 8a

Job overview

We have exciting opportunities for two experienced and dynamic senior nurses to join West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust as Matron for Trauma and Orthopaedics and Matron for Surgery and Urology.  

These senior leadership roles will work together to provide visible, compassionate and professional leadership across surgical inpatient and outpatient areas, ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality, patient-centred care.

We are looking for two inspirational leaders with substantial clinical and operational experience, excellent communication skills and a passion for service improvement.

You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams to lead quality, governance, patient experience, workforce development and operational performance across the specialty.

These are cross-site positions and participation in the senior nurse out-of-hours rota will be required.

*Please note interviews are to take place on Friday 23rd October*

Main duties of the job

You will provide strategic and operational leadership across multiple services within the division, supporting teams to deliver excellent clinical outcomes and outstanding patient experiences. Key responsibilities include:

Leading and supporting Senior Sisters/Charge Nurses and multidisciplinary teams.

Driving patient safety, quality improvement and governance initiatives.

Ensuring effective workforce planning, recruitment, retention and staff development.

Supporting patient flow and achievement of key performance targets.

Managing resources effectively and contributing to financial and business planning.

Promoting a culture of continuous improvement, innovation and evidence-based practice.

Working collaboratively with clinical, operational and external partners to transform services and improve outcomes.

Working for our organisation

With a new hospital planned for Watford, work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, this is an exciting time to join us.

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.
 
Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others.

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 are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.
 
We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
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

Matrons will be responsible for the operational management of 
•    Trauma and Orthopaedic 
•    Surgery and Urology

clinical areas across sites, providing professional nursing leadership and maintaining high standards of care. The role includes oversight of governance, patient safety, infection prevention and control, workforce management, education, service development and patient experience.

The post holder will act as a highly visible and accessible leader for patients, relatives and staff, supporting the delivery of the Trust's vision of Excellent Patient Care, Together.

This is a full-time position. The successful candidate will be expected to work flexibly to meet service needs and participate in the senior nurse out-of-hours rota.

Person specification

Education and qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Appropriate Registered Practitioner.
  • Evidence of post Registration development at Degree level.
  • Management experience including staff management.
  • Practice assessor or equivalent teaching qualification.
Desirable criteria
  • Management qualification.
  • Masters’ degree or working towards

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Experience at Band 7 or equivalent
  • Current knowledge of clinical practice in an acute setting.
  • Experience of working in partnership with multi-disciplinary team members.
  • Implementing complex change in a clinical setting.
  • Knowledge of current developments in nursing and the NHS
  • Developing clinical staff.
  • Budget management.
Desirable criteria
  • Knowledge of the commissioning cycle as it applies to the specialty.
  • Knowledge of the developments within the integrated care system and how this might impact the role.

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience and knowledge of clinical practice in an acute setting in general surgery and urology.
  • Appropriate operational experience
  • Experience in influencing internal/external activities.
  • Experience across the scope of the Matron’s ten key roles with potential to do all.
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of working across networks

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Committed to being an Inclusive EmployerVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Disability confident employerStep into health

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

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Alison East
Job title
Associate Director of Nursing Surgery
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07771500781

If you have problems applying, contact

Address
Watford General Hospital
Vicarage Road
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD18 0HB
Telephone
01442 365234