Job Description

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest integrated care providers in England, serving a population of around 600,000 people. We are a high performing orgnaisation with a track record of success.
An exciting oppourtunity has arisen for a Matron to join our team in the Medicine Care Group based at Darlington Memorial Hospital. We are looking for an appropriately experienced, highly motivated and committed Band 8a Matron. This post holder will also support the nursing teams at Bishop Auckland Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham as required within the Care Group. The post will involve working closely with the management trumvirate and leading on quality improvement, patient safety and governance and providing strong leadership to the nursing teams. In addition the post holder will have operational responsibilites within the Trust covering the provision of nursing care and clinical leadership.
This post requires the succesful candidate to cover the Site Matron weekend rota
Main duties of the job
The matron will provide leadership and direction to the staff within care pathways for which they are accountable, to ensure delivery of safe care, high quality care in line with the organisations strategic vision. The post holder must be able to motivate teams to reach their full potential by provision of exemplary line management skills. The Matron will provide expert clinical leadership to frontline staff actively promoting Compassion in Practice, the underpinning 6Cs as well as the Trusts values & Behaviours. The Matron will be accountable for both the standard of nursing/midwifery care and the environment within his/her identified area of responsibility. The Matron will work with clinical teams to maintain excellent standards of care, robust infection control practices, high standards of cleanliness and ensure that privacy and dignity is maintained at all times. The Matron will as part of their role on a regular basis deliver direct patient care meeting the requirements of a registered nurse including assessment, care planning and evaluation of care. It will also include teaching of junior team members.
The Matron will be highly visible and accessible to staff & patients
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented
Full s can be found in the adverts supporting documents
Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have a minimum of two years of experience working within the NHS as a HCA for the Trust to consider sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and have a current visa expiring within 3 months)
Details
Date posted
09 July 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 8a
Salary
53,755 to 60,504 a year per annum, pro rata
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
C9439-2526-0045-1
Job locations
Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust
Hollyhurst Road
Darlington
County Durham
DL3 6HX
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will be readily available to advise staff on all operational management issues/ infection control/patient safety/ quality issues as they arise at ward, team and department level.
Monitor performance against the range of relevant patient safety indicators such as falls, pressure ulcers, VTE, medication errors, record keeping and outline improvement plans where aspirations are not being realised.
The role will be clinically focused and include working alongside nurses in a coaching/ teaching/ supervisory capacity.
The post holder will lead on all aspects of patient safety and complaints for the area of responsibility, launching investigation / root cause analysis as required with support from the relevant clinical lead and general manager.
The Matron will ensure that patient feedback is acted upon and all lessons learned from complaints and incidents implemented. Ensure themes are disseminated widely as part of the overall Clinical Governance framework.
The Matron will champion the experience of people who receive services by striving to improve quality care.
The post holder will provide leadership to ensure caseload management and flow of patients throughout the service effectively; identifying and facilitating solutions to bottlenecks to ensure length of stay and re-admission rates are reduced in line with the organisations objectives.
The post holder will be readily available to advise staff on all operational management issues/ infection control/patient safety/ quality issues as they arise at ward, team and department level.
Monitor performance against the range of relevant patient safety indicators such as falls, pressure ulcers, VTE, medication errors, record keeping and outline improvement plans where aspirations are not being realised.
The role will be clinically focused and include working alongside nurses in a coaching/ teaching/ supervisory capacity.
The post holder will provide leadership to ensure caseload management and flow of patients throughout the service effectively; identifying and facilitating solutions to bottlenecks to ensure length of stay and re-admission rates are reduced in line with the organisations objectives.
The Matron will ensure that the safety of team members is maintained through adherence to Trust Health and Safety Policies. Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will be readily available to advise staff on all operational management issues/ infection control/patient safety/ quality issues as they arise at ward, team and department level.
Monitor performance against the range of relevant patient safety indicators such as falls, pressure ulcers, VTE, medication errors, record keeping and outline improvement plans where aspirations are not being realised.
The role will be clinically focused and include working alongside nurses in a coaching/ teaching/ supervisory capacity.
The post holder will lead on all aspects of patient safety and complaints for the area of responsibility, launching investigation / root cause analysis as required with support from the relevant clinical lead and general manager.
The Matron will ensure that patient feedback is acted upon and all lessons learned from complaints and incidents implemented. Ensure themes are disseminated widely as part of the overall Clinical Governance framework.
The Matron will champion the experience of people who receive services by striving to improve quality care.
The post holder will provide leadership to ensure caseload management and flow of patients throughout the service effectively; identifying and facilitating solutions to bottlenecks to ensure length of stay and re-admission rates are reduced in line with the organisations objectives.
The post holder will be readily available to advise staff on all operational management issues/ infection control/patient safety/ quality issues as they arise at ward, team and department level.
Monitor performance against the range of relevant patient safety indicators such as falls, pressure ulcers, VTE, medication errors, record keeping and outline improvement plans where aspirations are not being realised.
The role will be clinically focused and include working alongside nurses in a coaching/ teaching/ supervisory capacity.
The post holder will provide leadership to ensure caseload management and flow of patients throughout the service effectively; identifying and facilitating solutions to bottlenecks to ensure length of stay and re-admission rates are reduced in line with the organisations objectives.
The Matron will ensure that the safety of team members is maintained through adherence to Trust Health and Safety Policies.
Person Specification
Statutory Registration
Essential

• RGN recognised by NMC

Special Requirements
Essential

• Able to travel across sites

Experience
Essential

• Management experience at senior level
• Current knowledge of professional developments
• Managing change
• Service improvement

Desirable

• Knowledge of relevant nursing and health care policies
• Report writing
• Complaints management

Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential

• Strategic thinking
• Demonstrates resilience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Influencing and negotiation skills
• Service improvement

Qualifications
Essential

• RGN
• Teaching qualification
• Educated to degree level
• Evidence of continuing Professional Development.

Desirable

• Management or Leadership qualification
• Masters degree

Person Specification
Statutory Registration
Essential

• RGN recognised by NMC

Special Requirements
Essential

• Able to travel across sites

Experience
Essential

• Management experience at senior level
• Current knowledge of professional developments
• Managing change
• Service improvement

Desirable

• Knowledge of relevant nursing and health care policies
• Report writing
• Complaints management

Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential

• Strategic thinking
• Demonstrates resilience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Influencing and negotiation skills
• Service improvement

Qualifications
Essential

• RGN
• Teaching qualification
• Educated to degree level
• Evidence of continuing Professional Development.

Desirable

• Management or Leadership qualification
• Masters degree