Job summary
- Main area
- Midwifery
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 8a
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 418-MAT38903-EH
- Employer
- Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Luton & Dunstable Hospital
- Town
- Luton
- Salary
- £57,528 - £64,750 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 04/08/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 10/08/2026
Employer heading
Matron
NHS AfC: Band 8a
Job overview
The Matron has a responsibility for operational line management of the clinical area(s) in their area of responsibility. The post holder will be responsible for providing midwifery leadership to the clinical areas and contributing to the operational management within Maternity, ensuring the efficient and effective use of resources and the development & maintenance of the highest standards of care and efficient service delivery.
The clinical area within their sphere of responsibility may include In-patient areas e.g. Delivery Suite/MLBU/Inpatient wards or Outpatient areas. The Matron will be required to work closely with the Matron /Community Matron to have overall ownership of the day to day operational management of the service. The area of responsibility of the Matron will be reviewed from time to time and may be subject to change depending on the needs of the service.
Main duties of the job
Provide a visible and clinical presence within the clinical areas and be responsible for leading the delivery of high quality care. Ensure that the needs of women and their families are placed at the centre of care delivery, thus achieving trust and national standards for clinical quality, safety and patient experience.
Provide professional, clinical and managerial leadership to midwifery, nursing and associated staff, and ensure the provision of a high quality, responsive midwifery service.
Be accountable for all aspects of quality management related to the maternity services.
Lead the workforce and financial planning for midwifery and support services within own areas of responsibility and where appropriate, work collaboratively across the Trust to support these initiatives.
Support the development and implementation of clinical governance initiatives in conjunction with the Divisional Management Team.
Lead the implementation of midwifery standards as set out in National Service Frameworks, Essence of Care and the Trust Nursing and Midwifery Strategy.
To have a thorough understanding of safeguarding procedures and knowledgeable with respect to safeguarding triggers and risks.
Working for our organisation
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Be responsible for overseeing and ensuring the development of all staff across areas of responsibility.
Support band 7 midwives and specialist midwives to ensure they are developed to undertake management and leadership responsibilities to enable the effective running of their clinical areas.
Using the Trust HR Policies and Procedures, manage clinical and non-clinical standards of poor performance, and the management of sickness and absence.
Demonstrate experience in the use of appropriate strategies and opportunities to share knowledge on prevention and control of infection.
Resolve complaints as they arise through face to face communication as necessary and, when appropriate, investigate complaints relevant to remit and write responses and develop actions plans.
Contribute to business, professional and strategic planning within the Division and the organisation as a whole.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Registered Midwife
- Recognised teaching and assessing qualification
- Educated to Masters’ level/working towards or commitment to undertaking within year of appointment
- NMC registration (in date)
Desirable criteria
- Professional Midwifery Advocate
- Evidence of Leadership development/programme
Experience
Essential criteria
- Significant experience of midwifery care with a minimum of 3 years at Band 7
- Experience of operational management
- Proven track record of leadership
- Proven midwifery skill and knowledge
- Evidence of clinical competence
- Proven experience of managing resources including budgetary control
- Current experience of line management of staff
Desirable criteria
- Management of Change Process
Skills
Essential criteria
- Evidence of clinical standard setting and audit within maternity services
- Thorough understanding and knowledge of key indicators of excellent quality care
- Roster Management
- Evidence of understanding professional issues in midwifery
- Experience of developing and implementing new policies and guidance
- Skilled in staff selection and development
Personal Characteristics
Essential criteria
- Evidence of recent personal development activity
- Demonstrates an ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Highly professional role model
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.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Michelle Vaughan
- Job title
- Deputy Head of Midwifery
- Email address
- [email protected]
List jobs with Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Nursing and Midwifery






