Band 8A - Matron, Ophthalmology

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals Nhs Trust; Waterford; Vor Ort; GBP 52.000 - 64.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking an experienced Matron to lead Ophthalmology services within the Surgery, Anaesthetics and Cancer Division. The role combines clinical leadership with strategic management to deliver high-quality patient care and drive service improvement.

The post involves development of advanced clinical roles, collaboration with clinicians and external partners, and participation in the Senior Nurse out-of-hours rota, across a cross-site service.

Qualifikationen

• Registered ophthalmology nurse with leadership experience
• Evidence of ongoing professional development and postgraduate study
• Experience in managing nursing teams and budgets must be demonstrated

Aufgaben

• Provide professional leadership to ophthalmology nursing teams.
• Maintain visible clinical presence to support frontline care.
• Drive quality improvement, governance and patient safety initiatives.
• Develop senior nursing staff through appraisal, coaching and workforce planning.
• Lead responses to patient feedback, incidents and complaints.
• Support education, training and professional development across the workforce.
• Develop future workforce models including Advanced Nurse Practitioner roles.
• Manage resources and contribute to budget planning and financial performance.
• Collaborate with consultants, multidisciplinary teams and external partners to ensure seamless patient pathways.

Kenntnisse

Ophthalmology nursing

Leadership & management

Staff development

Clinical governance

Service improvement

Education & training

Ausbildung

NMC registration

Postgraduate ophthalmology

Management qualification

CPD evidence

Jobbeschreibung

Job summary

We are seeking an experienced, dynamic and highly motivated Matron to lead our Ophthalmology services within the Surgery, Anaesthetics and Cancer Division.

This is an exciting opportunity for a senior nurse with extensive ophthalmology experience to provide visible clinical, professional and operational leadership across our services.

As Matron, you will champion high-quality patient care, lead service improvement, support workforce development and ensure delivery of safe, effective and responsive services.

Working closely with clinical and operational leaders, you will play a key role in shaping the future of ophthalmology services, including the development of advanced clinical practice roles and innovative models of care.

This role includes a clinical component, participation in the Senior Nurse out-of-hours rota and following a year focus on Ophthalmology expanding the portfolio to include Head and Neck services.

This is a cross site role.

Provisional date for interviews 19th November 2026.

Main duties of the job

You will provide strong professional leadership to nursing teams, ensuring patients remain at the centre of all care delivery. Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and developing ophthalmology nursing services.
• Maintaining a visible clinical presence and supporting frontline care delivery.
• Driving quality improvement, governance, patient safety and patient experience initiatives.
• Managing and developing senior nursing staff through appraisal, coaching and workforce planning.
• Leading responses to patient feedback, incidents and complaints to improve services.
• Supporting education, training and professional development across the workforce.
• Developing future workforce models, including Advanced Nurse Practitioner roles.
• Managing resources effectively and contributing to budget planning and financial performance.
• Working collaboratively with consultants, multidisciplinary teams, community partners and external stakeholders to deliver seamless patient pathways.

About us

With a new hospital planned for Watford, work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, this is an exciting time to join us. 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. Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance.

If you have a disability or long-term health condition and require support or guidance please contact [e-mail]. If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.

Job responsibilities

The successful candidate will be accountable for clinical and non-clinical quality within Ophthalmology services and will work in partnership with the Clinical Lead, Head of Nursing and Divisional Senior Management Team to deliver operational and strategic objectives.

You will provide professional leadership across the service, support implementation of the Trust Nursing Strategy, lead infection prevention initiatives, oversee workforce development and contribute to long-term service planning. The post holder will also participate in the Senior Nurse out-of-hours rota and work clinically to maintain visibility and credibility within the service.

Core hours are typically Monday to Friday, with flexibility required to meet service needs, including participation in the out-of-hours senior nursing rota.

Essential education and qualifications

• Current and relevant NMC registration.
• First level registered nurse.
• Post graduate qualification in Ophthalmology.
• Evidence of continuous professional development.
• Management experience including staff management.
• Practice assessor or equivalent teaching qualification.

Desirable education and qualifications

• Evidence of master's level study.
• Non Medical Prescriber Course.

Essential knowledge

• Experience at Band 7 or equivalent
• Current knowledge of clinical practice in an acute setting.
• Experience working in partnership with multi-disciplinary team.
• Knowledge of current developments in nursing and the NHS.
• Budget Management.
• Lifelong learning, professional education and training.
• Workforce planning, recruitment and retention.

Desirable knowledge

• Ability to operationalise strategies.

Essential experience

• Significant experience managing a ward / unit.
• Broad senior clinical and managerial experience relevant to the post.
• Success in working collaboratively across professions and services.
• Demonstrable success in managing change.
• Experience with the introduction of evidence-based practice.
• Project management.

Desirable experience

• Experience obtained in more than one clinical setting.
• Research experience, audit experience.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Closing date: 10 November 2026

Reference number: 360-B-11994

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working