Job summary
- Main area
- Women's and Children's
- Grade
- Band 8a
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 360-D-11912
- Employer
- West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Watford General Hospital
- Town
- Watford
- Salary
- £59,798 - £67,020 pa inc. HCA
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 01/11/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Band 8a - Paediatric Matron, WACS
Band 8a
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated Children's nurse to join our Children's Services team as a Paediatric Matron. We are seeking an experienced and compassionate leader who will support teams to improve patient experience, clinical standards and service delivery. You will champion safe, high-quality, family-centred care for babies, children, young people and their families.
The role offers the opportunity to work across a varied paediatric portfolio and contribute to quality improvement and service development. We welcome applications from experienced matrons and senior nurses ready to progress, with support from a dedicated and experienced senior leadership team.
The role requires flexible working across a seven-day service, including some weekend and night shifts to meet service needs and provide visible leadership across different shifts. The postholder will also participate in the on-site senior nurse and allied health professional rota.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will provide visible clinical and operational leadership across the paediatric services, including Starfish Children's Ward, Safari elective and ambulatory Day Unit, Children’s Emergency Department, Paediatric Assessment Unit and Children's Outpatient Departments across Watford and Hemel Hempstead. Working closely with the Deputy Director of Nursing for Paediatrics, Clinical Directors, Operational and multidisciplinary colleagues, you will support the delivery of safe, effective and high-quality care across Children's Services.
You will lead and support quality improvement initiatives, workforce development, clinical governance, patient experience and service development, helping to shape future models of care for babies, children and young people. The postholder will also work closely with our Children's Clinical Nurse Specialist teams, including our Transition Service, and collaborate with Urgent and Emergency Care colleagues to improve pathways and outcomes for babies, children and young people.
We are looking for a credible, compassionate and approachable leader with excellent communication skills, a passion for continuous improvement and a commitment to supporting and developing teams.
Working for our organisation
We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare.
Staff wellbeing and development are a priority, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience.
We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance. www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking
If you have a disability or long-term health condition and require support or guidance please contact [email protected]
If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Paediatric Matron will provide leadership and oversight of safe staffing, clinical standards, patient safety, governance, quality improvement, complaints, risk and service performance across their portfolio. The postholder will provide visible oversight and support within clinical areas.
Working closely with Senior Nurses, Clinical Nurse Specialists, medical and operational colleagues and the wider Women and Children's leadership team, the postholder will use patient feedback, incident learning and audit findings to guide improvement, support workforce planning and contribute to service development.
The role requires flexible working across a seven-day service, including some weekend and night shifts, to meet service needs and provide visible leadership across different shifts. The postholder will also participate in the on-site senior nurse and allied health professional rota. Flexible working requests will be considered in line with service requirements
Person specification
Your application will be scored against the person specification
Essential criteria
- 2=Shortlisted, 1=Partially meets requirements, 0=does not meet requirements
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Sophie Dudley
- Job title
- Deputy Director of Nursing, Paediatrics
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 0779925075
- Additional information
Informal discussions and visits are welcomed.
If you have problems applying, contact
- Address
-
Watford General Hospital
Vicarage Road
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD18 0HB
- Telephone
- 01442 365235, or 07423032842
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