University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Clinical Matron - Critical Care

The closing date is 15 December 2025

Job summary

A new and promising opportunity has presented itself for a Matron in University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust. This post will be responsible for leading Critical Care.

Applicants should have demonstrable experience within a similar & be clinically credible. They require demonstrable experience in Clinical Governance, Risk Management, HR, Clinical Incidents and Complaints and Budgetary Management. You also must be a Registered Nurse or ODP and have the relevant clinical knowledge and skills. The Matron is a key stakeholder in the service line and you will be expected to work as part of the triumvirate structure.

If you would like an informal discussion about this posts then please contact Nicky Metcalfe nmetcalfe@nhs.net

Main duties of the job

As a key member of the Clinical Management Team, working under the professional direction of the Director of Nursing, the Matron is responsible for the implementation of National, and corresponding local Nursing Strategy.

Specifically, this means delivering the complex agenda as defined by the Matrons Charter, the NHS Institute's 'High Impact Actions' and other National/Local guidance and policies, adopting a highly visible and accessible approach for patients, leading by example in empowering and developing staff to undertake a greater range of clinical activities in order to modernise and improve patient care.

Responsible for managing nursing & AHP teams, clinical leadership, infection prevention and control and standards of patient care.

Responsible for the performance management of key individuals in respect of the nursing contribution to service delivery.

About us

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY.If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process, please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100.We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams.It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Details

Date posted

01 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year £55,690 - £62,682 Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

216-AM-S7579738-A

Job locations

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Derriford Hospital

Plymouth

PL6 5DH


Job description

Job responsibilities

1. Clinical Leadership

a) To set and monitor high standards of safe clinical care, underpinned by sound evidence-based knowledge and principles ensuring quality systems are in place to monitor practice.

b) Lead and ensure the delivery of Infection Control practice as defined by National recommendations and the Director of Infection Prevention and Control and Hygiene Code.

c) Leading the development & implementation of standards of cleanliness in line with the Health & Social Care Act 2008 (commonly referred to as the Hygiene Code) and ensure provision of catering meets agreed standards, with action being taken in cases of exception.

d) Health and Safety standards, leading investigation and follow up of all clinical incidents (as per the Trusts Clinical Incident Reporting policy), escalating if necessary, and complaints.

e) Supporting Sisters/Charge Nurses in the application of Clinical Governance processes such as safeguarding.

f) Ensuring that patients and relatives have the opportunity to meet the post holder and that they have access to the Patient Advocacy Liaison Service (PALS).

g) Support the Head of Nursing with the co-ordination, at Service Line level, the resolution of complaints and clinical incidents including investigating, organising highly sensitive, highly contentious meetings with complainants, writing response letters covering highly complex clinical matters and constructing/implementing/reviewing agreed action plans ensuring such feedback drives an improvement in standards.

For further details please see the attached JD & PS

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. Clinical Leadership

a) To set and monitor high standards of safe clinical care, underpinned by sound evidence-based knowledge and principles ensuring quality systems are in place to monitor practice.

b) Lead and ensure the delivery of Infection Control practice as defined by National recommendations and the Director of Infection Prevention and Control and Hygiene Code.

c) Leading the development & implementation of standards of cleanliness in line with the Health & Social Care Act 2008 (commonly referred to as the Hygiene Code) and ensure provision of catering meets agreed standards, with action being taken in cases of exception.

d) Health and Safety standards, leading investigation and follow up of all clinical incidents (as per the Trusts Clinical Incident Reporting policy), escalating if necessary, and complaints.

e) Supporting Sisters/Charge Nurses in the application of Clinical Governance processes such as safeguarding.

f) Ensuring that patients and relatives have the opportunity to meet the post holder and that they have access to the Patient Advocacy Liaison Service (PALS).

g) Support the Head of Nursing with the co-ordination, at Service Line level, the resolution of complaints and clinical incidents including investigating, organising highly sensitive, highly contentious meetings with complainants, writing response letters covering highly complex clinical matters and constructing/implementing/reviewing agreed action plans ensuring such feedback drives an improvement in standards.

For further details please see the attached JD & PS

Person Specification

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

  • Demonstrable experience at a Senior Nursing level
  • Demonstrable up to date and relevant clinical experience
  • Demonstrable Experience of: oHuman Resources Processes oHandling clinical incidents and complaints. oClinical governance and Risk management. oBudgetary management. oProven awareness of the NHS Agenda, national directives and all Governance aspects of health care. oProven awareness of equality and diversity

Desirable

  • Currently working in the speciality.

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Nurse or equivalent
  • Educated to Degree level in a healthcare related subject, or equivalent demonstrable experience, plus additional demonstrable experience and proven knowledge as above to masters level
  • Mentorship course or equivalent

Desirable

  • Formally educated to Masters level in a healthcare related subject / or working towards
  • Post registration qualification in the specialty area or equivalent

Aptitude & Abilities

Essential

  • Good communication skills, written and verbal, with ability to demonstrate fluency, clarity and effectiveness at all levels
  • Effective influencing and negotiating skills: in general and with senior health care professionals
  • Attention to detail
Person Specification

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

  • Demonstrable experience at a Senior Nursing level
  • Demonstrable up to date and relevant clinical experience
  • Demonstrable Experience of: oHuman Resources Processes oHandling clinical incidents and complaints. oClinical governance and Risk management. oBudgetary management. oProven awareness of the NHS Agenda, national directives and all Governance aspects of health care. oProven awareness of equality and diversity

Desirable

  • Currently working in the speciality.

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Nurse or equivalent
  • Educated to Degree level in a healthcare related subject, or equivalent demonstrable experience, plus additional demonstrable experience and proven knowledge as above to masters level
  • Mentorship course or equivalent

Desirable

  • Formally educated to Masters level in a healthcare related subject / or working towards
  • Post registration qualification in the specialty area or equivalent

Aptitude & Abilities

Essential

  • Good communication skills, written and verbal, with ability to demonstrate fluency, clarity and effectiveness at all levels
  • Effective influencing and negotiating skills: in general and with senior health care professionals
  • Attention to detail

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

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Derriford Hospital

Plymouth

PL6 5DH


Employer's website

https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Derriford Hospital

Plymouth

PL6 5DH


Employer's website

https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Director of Nursing & Integrated Professions

Nicky Metcalfe

nmetcalfe@nhs.net

01752349970

Details

Date posted

01 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year £55,690 - £62,682 Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

216-AM-S7579738-A

Job locations

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Derriford Hospital

Plymouth

PL6 5DH


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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