Matron (Inpatient Unit)

Job responsibilities

The post holder has overall responsibility for delivering high-quality, safe, compassionate inpatient services through effective, inspirational leadership and a strong commitment to excellent patient and family care. The role provides expert clinical advice for patients referred to inpatient services and their families, and supports the Director of Clinical Services (DoCS) and Medical Director in shaping and delivering the long-term inpatient strategy.

The post holder has direct line management of IPU staff, the Ward Clerk, aligned volunteers, and student nurses, and works closely with medical staff, wellbeing services, infection control, education teams, housekeeping, community palliative care teams, and acute hospital services.

JOB SUMMARY

The Matron is responsible for coordinating and managing a safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well-led 24/7 Inpatient Unit (IPU). This includes day-to-day operational management, clinical leadership of nursing, administrative, housekeeping, and volunteer staff, and accountability for holistic, patient-centred palliative and end-of-life care.

The role ensures services are evidence-based, compliant with health and safety, infection prevention, risk management, and regulatory requirements, and delivered within a culture of openness and continuous improvement. The post holder works collaboratively with senior clinical leaders to develop integrated services, shape future vision, and contribute to wider hospice strategy. The role includes deputising for the DoCS, cross-covering senior colleagues, and participation in the clinical on-call rota.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIESClinical Leadership (50%)

• Lead and sustain a safe, effective, responsive, caring, and well-led IPU.

• Act as a clinical role model, providing expert advice and hands-on leadership.

• Ensure dignity, safety, confidentiality, and holistic care for all patients and families.

• Embed compliance with regulatory standards, hospice policies, and evidence-based practice, including high-quality documentation and risk assessment.

• Ensure continuity of care through effective coordination of ward rounds, handovers, and MDT meetings.

• Manage IPU bed usage, length of stay, admissions, advance care planning, and timely discharge planning.

• Promote safeguarding, mental capacity, and best-interest decision-making.

• Maintain awareness of professional developments and support service innovation.

• Foster multidisciplinary collaboration, reflective practice, learning from incidents, and open discussion of clinical standards.

• Liaise with external agencies to improve patient outcomes.

Managerial Responsibilities (35%)

• Provide effective day-to-day leadership and performance management of IPU staff, volunteers, and administrative teams in line with HR policies.

• Conduct regular 1:1s, appraisals, supervision, and support staff wellbeing, leave, and development.

• Support recruitment, selection, induction, and probation of IPU staff.

• Ensure effective staffing rotas, safe staffing levels, and appropriate use of bank and agency staff.

• Oversee operational support services including pharmacy, equipment, transport, admissions, transfers, and discharges.

• Maintain safe management of medicines and clinical equipment.

• Ensure ongoing compliance with Care Quality Commission and other regulatory standards.

• Contribute to service planning, operational development, budget management, and strategic negotiations.

• Participate in and help manage the 24/7 clinical manager on-call rota.

Governance and Quality Assurance (10%)

• Contribute to development and review of clinical policies, guidelines, and protocols.

• Lead and support audit, quality improvement, and service evaluation within IPU.

• Promote user feedback, patient engagement, outcome measurement, and dashboard reporting.

• Maintain an open reporting culture for incidents, risks, and complaints, ensuring investigation, learning, and improvement.

• Support and mentor staff to lead quality improvement initiatives.

Learning and Development (5%)

• Ensure high-quality student placements and learning environments within IPU.

• Support induction, mentorship, training, and competency development for staff and volunteers.

• Contribute to hospice-wide education strategy, teaching programs, and workforce development.

• Maintain own professional development through appraisal and supervision.

• Foster a culture that supports continuous learning and development.

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Adult nurse
• Post registration qualification in palliative care, oncology or other relevant area of practice
• Educated to first degree level in relevant area of practice
• Advanced communication skills qualification or willingness to undertake
• Current NMC registration

Desirable

• Qualification or evidence of additional training in leadership
• Study at Masters level or willingness to work towards

Experience

Essential

• Experience in specialist palliative care, oncology or relevant field of clinical practice, commensurate with the seniority of the role
• Have a range of post registration clinical experience at senior clinical level
• Experience of leading and managing a team or service
• Experience of leading a team through change
• Experience of managing and developing people
• Understanding and completing of data recording and reporting
• Experience of auditing and monitoring the quality of care
• Evidence of recruitment and workforce development

Desirable

• Experience of auditing and monitoring the quality of care
• Experience of working with and supporting volunteers
• Experience of delegated budget management

Skills / Personal Attributes

Essential

• Experience and skills in Quality Improvement methodology
• Knowledge and understanding of hospice systems and processes
• Knowledge of clinical governance frameworks
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance frameworks
• Expert knowledge of the end of life pathway and the patient-centred approach
• Drive and enthusiasm
• Ability to work autonomously and as an effective member of a team, using initiative
• Ability to prioritise effectively and produce work to high standards under pressure
• Self-awareness of own coping strategies and ability to work in a changing environment
• Excellent communication/ interpersonal skills including ability to network, build and sustain relationships
• A commitment to the vision, values, and objectives of St Lukes Hospice
• Team Player
• Understanding and commitment to the Hospices Equal Opportunities policy
• Ability to maintain confidentiality

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).