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Job summary

Main area
Medicine
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 8a
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Flexible working
37.5 hours per week (predominantly mon to friday)
Job ref
323-NM4093-MH
Employer
Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
St Peters
Town
Chertsey
Salary
£57,888 - £64,880 pa inc. HCAS
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
23/01/2026 23:59
Interview date
30/01/2026

Employer heading

Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Matron for General and Specialist Medicine

NHS AfC: Band 8a

Job overview

We are seeking a matron for the General and Specialist Medicine (GSM) 

The individual will join an established matron team supported by a head of nursing. We are looking for someone with excellent management, clinical and leadership skills to support the workforce in GSM.

In return we can offer you a supportive leadership team and division where you can build your skills and gain further experience.

 

 

Main duties of the job

Support the Divisional Chief Nurse to integrate corporate nursing plans
 and the nursing agenda in the Division focusing on quality and the 
 patient experience. .
 Support the Divisional Chief Nurse in managing the operational
 elements pertinent to the clinical areas within the Division.
 Be a visible, accessible and authoritative leader and presence in
 clinical areas.
Work alongside the clinical team with a clinical input of 40% (0.4WTE).
 Drive forward sound discharge processes focusing on discharge
 planning that is safe and efficient.
 Ensure patients are treated with privacy and respect and patients
 safety issues are adhered to.
 Provide effective clinical leadership, expertise, advice and support to
 the clinical teams and ensure best practice and the provision of high
 quality care to patients, families and carers.
 Lead, support, develop and strengthen the role of the unit/department
 managers and ensure that appropriate time is allocated to the ‘’Perfect
 Ward Quality Indicators’’ tasks ensuring that recommended best
 practice and standards are adhered to and dashboard compliance is
 achieved and maintained.

 With the Divisional Chief Nurse ensure the establishment of staff is fit for purpose including leading the recruitment and retention of staff.

Working for our organisation

Ashford and St. Peters Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust serves a population of more than 410,000 people living in North-West Surrey, parts of Hounslow and beyond.

Over 3,700 highly trained doctors, nurses, midwives, therapists, healthcare scientists and other support staff make up our workforce, providing a wide range of services across our two hospital sites, Ashford, Ashford, Surrey and St Peter's, Chertsey, Surrey.

We also run many specialist clinics in the community and local community hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

Our vision is to be one of the best healthcare Trusts in the country. There has never been a better time to join us in the NHS at Ashford & St Peters Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust with our strong commitment to staff health and wellbeing. We are committed to providing continuous professional development, staff benefits and flexibility to shape our workforce around our patient care.

Although it isn't the Trusts normal practice, adverts may close early, so applicants are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To be a highly competent, knowledgeable and visible practitioner within the speciality ensuring 
that the provision of excellent evidence based nursing care is available for patients, families and 
carers.
2. Have daily contact with staff and undertake rounds to assess and respond to clinical priorities and 
patient and staff concerns.
3. To ensure that patients are assessed on a daily basis by a qualified nurse, and that their care is 
planned, implemented and evaluated in negotiation with the family, and that this is accurately 
documented.
4. To work alongside all members of the team to identify new ways of working that ensure high 
quality 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 hand 
hygiene and universal precautions.
6. Liaise with clinical, non-clinical and facilities staff in order to maintain a safe, friendly and 
welcoming 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 or 
emotional events.
8. Ensure effective communication between all members of the multidisciplinary team, other hospital 
departments, relatives and visitors.
9. In conjunction with the Divisional Chief Nurse, Divisional Director and Associate Director of 
Operations to identify, develop and monitor clinical and non-clinical performance standards, taking 
action as required.
10. To develop and maintain clinical skills and knowledge necessary to provide holistic, evidence 
based nursing care. This includes completion of the Trusts clinical skills competency framework and 
expanded role responsibilities following appropriate training.
Leadership or managerial
1. Develop and strengthen the role of the ward managers and nursing teams in line with division and 
trust objectives.
2. To ensure that all nursing staff are accountable and responsible and that care is provided in line 
with Divisional and Trust’s strategic objectives, e.g. financial stability, zero harm, zero waste and 
zero waits.
Divisional Chief Nurse
Matron GSM Matron GSM Specialist Lead Nurses
3. To carry out individual performance reviews with the teams and ensure they have access to 
relevant training and development opportunities, as defined in their PDR and in relation to their role 
and 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 staffing 
establishments and skill mix, and ensure that staffing is appropriate for current and projected clinical 
demands.
6. To monitor and oversee duty rotas via use of electronic staff rostering to ensure effective use of
resources, ensuring rigorous control of bank and agency usage.
7. To support the ward managers to effectively and efficiently co-ordinate the day to day operational 
management of their immediate clinical area informing the Divisional Chief Nurse of anything which 
threatens to affect the safety of the environment or which may compromise the care of patients or 
the reputation of the division.
8. To monitor and ensure that staffing levels deliver the full complement of beds and activity targets 
within the agreed budget, working closely with the Divisional Chief Nurse and the Associate Director 
of Operations.
9. Manage nursing recruitment and foster an environment which enhances the retention of staff and 
looks at new ways of working in line with the improving working lives policy. Supported by Divisional 
Chief Nurse to reduce staff turnover by 50%.
10. Lead on specific service improvement initiatives as determined by the Divisional Management
Team.
11. To actively manage in conjunction with the ward managers sickness/absence, as per Trust 
policy, and lead on disciplinary activities including performance management.
12. Assist Divisional Chief Nurse in change management including facilitating new ways of working
through implementing additional support roles, and supporting their integration and development 
within the clinical environment.
13. To manage and assist the ward managers in the appraisal process and ensure all staff
have the opportunity to review their performance and develop a meaningful professional 
development plan in line with the knowledge and skills framework which serves to deliver personal 
as well as division wide objectives.
14. Working in partnership with the Divisional Chief Nurse, maximise and develop leadership abilities 
and 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 is 
patient focused.
16. In conjunction with the Trauma & Orthopaedic Service Manager introduce processes to 
streamline communication within the clinical environment and to ensure staff, at all levels are 
effectively informed enabling them to successfully carry out their duties.
17. Provide professional advice and support to staff in the department in conjunction with the Clinical 
Practice Educator.
18. To ensure that all staff are familiar with the nursing vision and ensure that key indicators are met 
in 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 patient
care.
20. Act as an ambassador for the Division and speciality and to contribute to relevant trust wide 
groups.
Educational
1. To foster an environment conducive to learning, enquiry, and research that is linked to the Trust’s 
research strategy.
2. Support the Clinical Practice Educator with the planning, implementation and evaluation of training 
and 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 care 
5. Promote, initiate and participate in audit and research studies relating to nursing and 
multidisciplinary care, presenting findings through presentations and writing for publications.
6. Maintain and develop own professional and mandatory training
7. To support relevant Division and Trust wide projects and facilitate forums to ensure staff are 
actively engaged
Professional
1. To maintain confidentiality surrounding the patient’s care and treatment at all times
2. To ensure documentation is completed accurately and within agreed timescales using Trust 
approved documentation, in line with NMC and Trust guidelines.
3. To have a knowledge of and adhere to local and Trust policy and professional standards. To 
ensure that team members do likewise.
4. To demonstrate a professional approach to work, and act in accordance with the Trust 4 P’s 
pledge and the NMC Code of Professional Conduct at all times.
5. To undertake further training and academic qualifications as relevant to the role and service 
requirements 

Person specification

Attitude, Behaviour and Values

Essential criteria
  • 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 criteria
  • 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 criteria
  • Assessing and mentoring qualification

EXPERIENCE

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

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyWhite RibbonPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveImproving working livesArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident committedStep into health

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

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
JANET MCAULEY
Job title
DIVISIONAL CHIEF NURSE
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01932 722190
Additional information

Emma Reed can also be contacted in my absence 

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