Job summary 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 University Hospital of North Durham. We are looking for an appropriately experienced, highly motivated and committed Band 8a Matron to work covering the General medicine, Gastroenterology and Endocrinology wards, Alcohol Care Team & associated specialist nurses. This post holder will also support the nursing teams at the University hospital at Bishop Auckland Hospital and Darlington Memorial Hospital 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 From April 1 2024 we are unable to offer sponsorship for healthcare roles that do not meet the minimum salary, If you are in the UK on a VISA please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post. Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents Date posted 19 February 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 C9439-25-0147 Job locations University Hospital Of North Durham North Road Durham DH1 5TW 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 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 Requirements Essential Able to travel across sites Qualifications Essential RGN Teaching qualification Educated to degree level or equivalent experience evidence of continuing Professional Development. Desirable Management or Leadership qualification Masters degree Special Skills & Knowledge Essential Strategic thinking Demonstrates resilience Excellent written and verbal communication skills Influencing and negotiation skills Service improvement Person Specification Statutory Registration Essential RGN recognised by NMC 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 Requirements Essential Able to travel across sites Qualifications Essential RGN Teaching qualification Educated to degree level or equivalent experience evidence of continuing Professional Development. Desirable Management or Leadership qualification Masters degree Special Skills & Knowledge Essential Strategic thinking Demonstrates resilience Excellent written and verbal communication skills Influencing and negotiation skills Service improvement Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust Address University Hospital Of North Durham North Road Durham DH1 5TW Employer's website https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)