Job summary
RNOH is looking for an experienced and dynamic Senior Theatre Matron (Band 8b) to lead Operating Theatre Services. This pivotal role provides strategic and operational leadership to ensure safe, high-quality perioperative care, drive service transformation, and enhance patient experience. Responsibilities include managing theatre operations, workforce planning, quality governance, and compliance with clinical standards, as well as overseeing recruitment, staff development, and budget management. The post holder will also champion innovation, research, and quality improvement initiatives.
Main duties of the job
The Senior Matron for Theatres will provide expert clinical and professional leadership, ensuring safe, high-quality perioperative care. The role involves leading operational delivery, managing resources and budgets, and driving service transformation to improve patient safety, experience, and efficiency. You will oversee workforce development, embed robust governance processes, and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams to influence strategic planning. Acting as a visible senior leader, you will support staff and patients, promote education and research, and participate in the on-call rota to provide out-of-hours support.
About us
At the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH), we are committed to achieving the best staff experience in the NHS. In the 2023 NHS Staff Survey, we proudly:
- Scored above the national average for the People Promises: "We are recognised and rewarded," "We are always learning," "We work flexibly," "We are a team," and for staff engagement.
- Ranked #1 among all Trusts in North and Central London for all People Promises and themes.
- Ranked #1 among all Acute Specialist Trusts for "We work flexibly."
At RNOH, we're committed to being actively anti-discriminatory and actively inclusive. We recognise our brilliant people do brilliant work, and we offer rewarding careers, no matter what their background. We continue to strive to break down barriers to be the Trust where people come together because what they do matters, makes a difference and where they can thrive.
Joining our organisation means enjoying a wide range of staff benefits, including:
- 24/7 access to wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Programme.
- A Rewards & Recognition platform, offering opportunities to thank colleagues, send gifts, and access exclusive discounts.
- A dedicated Staff Wellbeing Hub, providing a space to relax and recharge away from the work environment.
- Salary sacrifice schemes for transport (season ticket loans, car and bike), electrical goods, and childcare
At RNOH, we are more than a workplace--we are committed to patients, to excellence and the wellbeing of our staff.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Senior Theatre Matron provides expert leadership and operational oversight for Operating Theatre Services at RNOH. The role ensures safe, high-quality patient care, compliance with clinical standards, and delivery of the theatre transformation agenda. Key responsibilities include:
- Clinical Leadership: Accountable for theatre operations, promoting best practice, patient dignity, and safety. Supports complex cases and maintains robust monitoring processes.
- Professional Management: Line manages theatre staff, oversees workforce planning, recruitment, and retention. Ensures compliance with mandatory training and HR processes.
- Quality Governance: Implements governance frameworks, audits, and risk management to maintain CQC standards and improve patient experience.
- Education & Workforce Development: Leads staff development, training programmes, and fosters a culture of continuous professional growth.
- Research & Improvement: Drives quality improvement initiatives and supports research projects aligned with Trust strategy.
- Financial Accountability: Manages delegated budgets, contributes to business planning, and ensures efficient resource use.
- Communication & Collaboration: Engages with multidisciplinary teams, communicates complex information, and represents theatres at senior forums.
- Safeguarding & EDI: Promotes safeguarding, equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of service delivery.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Senior Theatre Matron provides expert leadership and operational oversight for Operating Theatre Services at RNOH. The role ensures safe, high-quality patient care, compliance with clinical standards, and delivery of the theatre transformation agenda. Key responsibilities include:
- Clinical Leadership: Accountable for theatre operations, promoting best practice, patient dignity, and safety. Supports complex cases and maintains robust monitoring processes.
- Professional Management: Line manages theatre staff, oversees workforce planning, recruitment, and retention. Ensures compliance with mandatory training and HR processes.
- Quality Governance: Implements governance frameworks, audits, and risk management to maintain CQC standards and improve patient experience.
- Education & Workforce Development: Leads staff development, training programmes, and fosters a culture of continuous professional growth.
- Research & Improvement: Drives quality improvement initiatives and supports research projects aligned with Trust strategy.
- Financial Accountability: Manages delegated budgets, contributes to business planning, and ensures efficient resource use.
- Communication & Collaboration: Engages with multidisciplinary teams, communicates complex information, and represents theatres at senior forums.
- Safeguarding & EDI: Promotes safeguarding, equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of service delivery.
Person Specification
Essential
Essential
- Registered Nurse with current NMC registration - Provide evidence of current NMC registration in application form.
- Relevant post-registration qualification in perioperative practice or theatre nursing - Include details of qualification in CV and application. Score
- Theatre management experience - Describe scope of management responsibilities in previous roles
Desirable
- Master's degree or working towards - Provide transcript or evidence of enrollment. Score
- Leadership or management qualification - Include certificate or course details. Score
- Teaching, assessing, or coaching qualification - Provide evidence of qualification. Score
Essential
Essential
- Registered Nurse with current NMC registration
- Relevant post-registration qualification in perioperative practice or theatre nursing
- Evidence of ongoing professional development
- Leadership or management training relevant to the role
- Theatre management experience
Desirable
- Master's degree or working towards
- Leadership or management qualification
- Teaching, assessing, or coaching qualification
- Experience representing theatres at divisional or trust-wide forums
- Previous experience of Epic (EHR system)
Desirable
Essential
- Experience of business planning and management of CIP projects - Discuss involvement and outcomes3 Previous experience of Epic (EHR system) - Explain level of familiarity and usage.
Desirable
- Experience of business planning and management of CIP projects - Discuss involvement and outcomes3 Previous experience of Epic (EHR system) - Explain level of familiarity and usage.
Essential
Essential
- Ability to influence senior clinical and operational leaders - Provide examples of influencing decisions and outcomes.
- Experience working with external partners - Discuss collaborative projects and outcomes.
- Analytical and judgment skills - Demonstrate ability to interpret complex information and make sound decisions.
- Planning and organisational skills - Explain strategies for managing complex activities and priorities.
- Communication and relationship skills - Provide examples of presenting complex information to large groups and managing sensitive discussions.
Desirable
- Experience of business planning and management of CIP projects - Discuss involvement and outcomes
- Previous experience of Epic (EHR system) - Explain level of familiarity and usage.
Person Specification
Essential
Essential
- Registered Nurse with current NMC registration - Provide evidence of current NMC registration in application form.
- Relevant post-registration qualification in perioperative practice or theatre nursing - Include details of qualification in CV and application. Score
- Theatre management experience - Describe scope of management responsibilities in previous roles
Desirable
- Master's degree or working towards - Provide transcript or evidence of enrollment. Score
- Leadership or management qualification - Include certificate or course details. Score
- Teaching, assessing, or coaching qualification - Provide evidence of qualification. Score
Essential
Essential
- Registered Nurse with current NMC registration
- Relevant post-registration qualification in perioperative practice or theatre nursing
- Evidence of ongoing professional development
- Leadership or management training relevant to the role
- Theatre management experience
Desirable
- Master's degree or working towards
- Leadership or management qualification
- Teaching, assessing, or coaching qualification
- Experience representing theatres at divisional or trust-wide forums
- Previous experience of Epic (EHR system)
Desirable
Essential
- Experience of business planning and management of CIP projects - Discuss involvement and outcomes3 Previous experience of Epic (EHR system) - Explain level of familiarity and usage.
Desirable
- Experience of business planning and management of CIP projects - Discuss involvement and outcomes3 Previous experience of Epic (EHR system) - Explain level of familiarity and usage.
Essential
Essential
- Ability to influence senior clinical and operational leaders - Provide examples of influencing decisions and outcomes.
- Experience working with external partners - Discuss collaborative projects and outcomes.
- Analytical and judgment skills - Demonstrate ability to interpret complex information and make sound decisions.
- Planning and organisational skills - Explain strategies for managing complex activities and priorities.
- Communication and relationship skills - Provide examples of presenting complex information to large groups and managing sensitive discussions.
Desirable
- Experience of business planning and management of CIP projects - Discuss involvement and outcomes
- Previous experience of Epic (EHR system) - Explain level of familiarity and usage.
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.
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.
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).
