Matron for General and Specialist Medicine

Job responsibilities

To be a highly competent, knowledgeable and visible practitioner within the speciality ensuringthat the provision of excellent evidence based nursing care is available for patients, families andcarers.2. Have daily contact with staff and undertake rounds to assess and respond to clinical priorities andpatient and staff concerns.3. To ensure that patients are assessed on a daily basis by a qualified nurse, and that their care isplanned, implemented and evaluated in negotiation with the family, and that this is accuratelydocumented.4. To work alongside all members of the team to identify new ways of working that ensure highquality of care is delivered by an educated team of nurses and theatre practitioners.5. Accountable for achieving rigorous adherence to infection control safety practices including handhygiene and universal precautions.6. Liaise with clinical, non-clinical and facilities staff in order to maintain a safe, friendly andwelcoming environment for patients, visitors and staff.7. To communicate complex and sensitive information effectively to patients and their families/carers,and other staff, overcoming barriers to understanding and providing support during distressing oremotional events.8. Ensure effective communication between all members of the multidisciplinary team, other hospitaldepartments, relatives and visitors.9. In conjunction with the Divisional Chief Nurse, Divisional Director and Associate Director ofOperations to identify, develop and monitor clinical and non-clinical performance standards, takingaction as required.10. To develop and maintain clinical skills and knowledge necessary to provide holistic, evidencebased nursing care. This includes completion of the Trusts clinical skills competency framework andexpanded role responsibilities following appropriate training.Leadership or managerial1. Develop and strengthen the role of the ward managers and nursing teams in line with division andtrust objectives.2. To ensure that all nursing staff are accountable and responsible and that care is provided in linewith Divisional and Trusts strategic objectives, e.g. financial stability, zero harm, zero waste andzero waits.Divisional Chief NurseMatron GSM Matron GSM Specialist Lead Nurses3. To carry out individual performance reviews with the teams and ensure they have access torelevant training and development opportunities, as defined in their PDR and in relation to their roleand ensuring mandatory training is completed.4. Function as line manager for designated specialist nurses within sphere of control.5. To support the Divisional Chief Nurse in working with the ward managers to review staffingestablishments and skill mix, and ensure that staffing is appropriate for current and projected clinicaldemands.6. To monitor and oversee duty rotas via use of electronic staff rostering to ensure effective use ofresources, ensuring rigorous control of bank and agency usage.7. To support the ward managers to effectively and efficiently co-ordinate the day to day operationalmanagement of their immediate clinical area informing the Divisional Chief Nurse of anything whichthreatens to affect the safety of the environment or which may compromise the care of patients orthe reputation of the division.8. To monitor and ensure that staffing levels deliver the full complement of beds and activity targetswithin the agreed budget, working closely with the Divisional Chief Nurse and the Associate Directorof Operations.9. Manage nursing recruitment and foster an environment which enhances the retention of staff andlooks at new ways of working in line with the improving working lives policy. Supported by DivisionalChief Nurse to reduce staff turnover by 50%.10. Lead on specific service improvement initiatives as determined by the Divisional ManagementTeam.11. To actively manage in conjunction with the ward managers sickness/absence, as per Trustpolicy, and lead on disciplinary activities including performance management.12. Assist Divisional Chief Nurse in change management including facilitating new ways of workingthrough implementing additional support roles, and supporting their integration and developmentwithin the clinical environment.13. To manage and assist the ward managers in the appraisal process and ensure all staffhave the opportunity to review their performance and develop a meaningful professionaldevelopment plan in line with the knowledge and skills framework which serves to deliver personalas well as division wide objectives.14. Working in partnership with the Divisional Chief Nurse, maximise and develop leadership abilitiesand skill set within senior nursing team, based within the clinical environment.15. Working in partnership with Divisional Chief Nurse, introduce a model of nursing care which ispatient focused.16. In conjunction with the Trauma & Orthopaedic Service Manager introduce processes tostreamline communication within the clinical environment and to ensure staff, at all levels areeffectively informed enabling them to successfully carry out their duties.17. Provide professional advice and support to staff in the department in conjunction with the ClinicalPractice Educator.18. To ensure that all staff are familiar with the nursing vision and ensure that key indicators are metin relation to getting the basics right implementation of Saving Lives, Perfect Ward Quality audits,Ward Accreditation,and adherence to CQC standards.19. Initiate and develop audits of service delivery and implementation of findings to improve patientcare.20. Act as an ambassador for the Division and speciality and to contribute to relevant trust widegroups.Educational1. To foster an environment conducive to learning, enquiry, and research that is linked to the Trustsresearch strategy.2. Support the Clinical Practice Educator with the planning, implementation and evaluation of trainingand educational requirements.3. To be a professional resource for all staff within the unit including nursing, medical, administrative,support and therapeutic staff.4. To contribute to the production of clinical procedural guidelines and pathways of care5. Promote, initiate and participate in audit and research studies relating to nursing andmultidisciplinary care, presenting findings through presentations and writing for publications.6. Maintain and develop own professional and mandatory training7. To support relevant Division and Trust wide projects and facilitate forums to ensure staff areactively engagedProfessional1. To maintain confidentiality surrounding the patients care and treatment at all times2. To ensure documentation is completed accurately and within agreed timescales using Trustapproved documentation, in line with NMC and Trust guidelines.3. To have a knowledge of and adhere to local and Trust policy and professional standards. Toensure that team members do likewise.4. To demonstrate a professional approach to work, and act in accordance with the Trust 4 Pspledge and the NMC Code of Professional Conduct at all times.5. To undertake further training and academic qualifications as relevant to the role and servicerequirements

Attitude, Behaviour and Values

Essential

• Seeks out and takes opportunities for improving the service offered
• Flexible in their attitudes and behaviours to support team working and delivery of objectives
• Respects, values and cares for others
• Takes pride in their work and their team

Qualifications and Further Training

Essential

• NMC Registered Nurse
• Evidence of on-going dynamic continuing professional development linked to demonstrable clinical competencies and level 3 academic studies.
• Possession of a relevant Honours degree or in the process of obtaining or working towards MSC
• Leadership or management training

Desirable

• Assessing and mentoring qualification

EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Post registration experience within relevant clinical environment including time at Band 7 level.
• Experience of taking charge of a department and leading and managing a team.
• Previous experience of budget and financial management.
• Previous experience of budget and financial management
• Experience of handling clinical incidents and complaints

KNOWLEDGE

Essential

• Trust vision, values, strategic objectives and key work programmes
• Understanding of resource management, health and safety, clinical risk and quality issues.
• Awareness of equality and diversity.
• Must be able to demonstrate that you have knowledge of your professional code of conduct and guidance issued by your professional body and that you adhere to these.

SKILLS

Essential

• You have knowledge & awareness of diversity and human rights and the competencies appropriate to your role to support their diverse needs and human rights.
• You have a good understanding of their communication, physical & emotional needs; can identify their individual needs and preferences, their changing needs and recognise and promote their independence
• Excellent up to date clinical skills excellent managerial, leadership and organisational skills
• Able to work across professional teams and organizational boundaries
• Interviewing and appraisal skills
• Ability to initiate, manage and sustain change.

other

Essential

• Awareness and support for business model in terms of generating income and financial implications for the Trust
• Ability to deal with conflict situations

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).