University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Matron for Critical Care and Outreach Worthing and St Richards

The closing date is 01 September 2025

Job summary

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.

Main duties of the job

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 sites, including the outreach teams, and working collectively with the other surgical division areas leadership teams to ensure strong senior nurse leadership at both sites.

The Matron's role will focus on:

o Inclusive leadership, professional standards and accountability.

o Governance, patient safety and quality.

o Workforce planning and resource management.

o Patient experience and reducing health inequalities.

o Performance and operational oversight.

o Digital and information technology.

o Education, training and development.

o Research and development.

o Collaborative working and clinical effectiveness.

o Service improvement and transformation.

About us

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/

Details

Date posted

18 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

279-7346127-JUL25

Job locations

Worthing and Chichester

Worthing and Chichester

PO19 6SE


Job description

Job responsibilities

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 Trusts 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 Trusts 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.

Job description

Job responsibilities

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 Trusts 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 Trusts 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.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Must be a registered general Nurse
  • Masters level qualification or equivalent experience to masters level
  • Leadership or management qualification
  • Certificate in Teaching and Assessing Clinical Practice (or equivalent) Mentorship.

Desirable

  • Evidence of ongoing AF professional development at Masters level

Experience

Essential

  • Extensive experience at ward manager level or equivalent managerial role in Critical Care.
  • An understanding of Clinical Governance and the application to practice
  • Certificate in Teaching and Assessing Clinical Practice (or equivalent) Mentorship.

People Management

Essential

  • Evidence of experience in recruitment, selection and retention
  • Experience of managing teams including the requirement to monitor and manage conduct and performance.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential

  • Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
  • Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Must be a registered general Nurse
  • Masters level qualification or equivalent experience to masters level
  • Leadership or management qualification
  • Certificate in Teaching and Assessing Clinical Practice (or equivalent) Mentorship.

Desirable

  • Evidence of ongoing AF professional development at Masters level

Experience

Essential

  • Extensive experience at ward manager level or equivalent managerial role in Critical Care.
  • An understanding of Clinical Governance and the application to practice
  • Certificate in Teaching and Assessing Clinical Practice (or equivalent) Mentorship.

People Management

Essential

  • Evidence of experience in recruitment, selection and retention
  • Experience of managing teams including the requirement to monitor and manage conduct and performance.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential

  • Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
  • Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues

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 Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Worthing and Chichester

Worthing and Chichester

PO19 6SE


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Worthing and Chichester

Worthing and Chichester

PO19 6SE


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Head of Nursing Surgery

Sarah Greer

sarah.greer1@nhs.net

07824629239

Details

Date posted

18 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

279-7346127-JUL25

Job locations

Worthing and Chichester

Worthing and Chichester

PO19 6SE


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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