Job Description

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Matron to join our Surgical Division's Nursing Leadership Team. This is a pivotal role with a highly visible, accessible and authoritative presence within clinical areas, someone patients, families, and staff can turn to for leadership, assistance, advice and support.



As Matron, you will take specific responsibility for the critical care services across Worthing and St Richard's sites, including the Outreach Teams, and will work collaboratively with other senior nursing leaders within the division to promote a culture of clinical excellence and compassionate care.

Key Responsibilities:

Provide senior nurse leadership and professional support for critical care services.



Champion high standards of care and patient experience across both hospital sites.



Support and develop nursing teams, ensuring safe and effective staffing.



Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and wider leadership to drive quality improvements.



Act as a role model, ensuring the visibility and accessibility of nursing leadership.

About You:

You'll be a senior registered nurse with proven leadership experience within critical care settings.



Demonstrable track record of improving care standards and patient outcomes.



Passionate about staff development, clinical safety, and service excellence.



Strong communicator with an inclusive and compassionate approach to leadership.



The Matron will be a highly visible, accessible and authoritative presence in clinical areas to which patients, their families and others can turn for leadership, assistance , advice and support. The postholder will be part of the Divisional Nursing Leadership team with specific responsibility for a designated area/groups of departments . This role will have the primary focus of responsibility for the critical care services at Worthing and St Richards site s , including the outreach teams , and working collectively with the other surgical division areas leadership teams to ensure strong senior nurse leadership at both site s.

The Matron's role will focus on:

Inclusive leadership, professional standards and accountability. Governance, patient safety and quality. Workforce planning and resource management. Patient experience and reducing health inequalities. Performance and operational oversight. Digital and information technology. Education, training and development. Research and development. Collaborative working and clinical effectiveness. Service improvement and transformation.

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.

Candidate Information Pack:

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/



Uphold and display the Trust values of Commitment, Care & Quality.



Demonstrate compassionate, inclusive, visible and authoritative leadership to Ward/Department Managers in order to ensure high quality patient centred clinical care is delivered. Ensure nursing practice reflects current clinical developments and is evidence based. Enhancement of own role and that of team members. In conjunction with the Senior Nurse Leadership Team actively embed the Trust's Nursing & Midwifery Strategy locally within areas of responsibility. Lead on the improvement of nursing standards by promoting Essence of Care and Best Practice nursing care. Participate in the development, use and evaluation of integrated care pathways. Divisional Director of Operations Divisional Director of Nursing Ward/Department Managers Matrons Head of Nursing Chief of Service Work as part of a local multi-disciplinary team, in developing models of care. Demonstrate and maintaining clinical credibility by acting regularly as a clinical practitioner in own areas of expertise. Work collaboratively in developing, leading and facilitating a seamless patient pathway through the service. Represent the Division at designated meetings. Deputise for the Head of Nursing as required . Be the Line Manager for the Ward/Department within defined areas of responsibility. To participate in the senior management on-call rota.

Governance, patient safety and quality



In partnership with the Divisional Director of Nursing and the Head of Nursing, implement a Divisional Clinical Governance Strategy. Within clinical areas develop a culture to ensure that Nurses actively contribute to the development of Clinical Governance (incorporating Health & Safety, Patient Safety & Risk). Be actively involved in relevant audits/risk managing. Participate in shared governance forums to provide shared best practice and drive quality care provision within the Trust. Ensure that the information governance agenda is embedded within the clinical areas. In consultation with the Divisional Director of Nursing and the Head of Nursing, investigate accidents and incidents identifying clinical risks and implementing corrective action where necessary. Co-ordinate relevant audit and monitoring data to assess standards of clinical care, staffing issues and patient activity providing assurance that services are delivering safe, high-quality care. Facilitate the Trust's complaints procedure, both formal and informal and respond proactively to patients/relatives' concerns. Lead debriefing and learning from practice to stop and reflect after challenging situations. Ensure that all Wards/Departments/Clinical Areas have accurate patient information on the PAS system and that this is checked and reviewed at least weekly. * Ensure safeguarding practices and standards are followed, at all times .