Band 8a - Night Matron, Medicine

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust; Watford, St Albans, Hemel Hempstead; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust seeks a Band 8a Night Matron to lead nursing services across hospital sites during night shifts. This fixed-term role focuses on safe staffing, patient flow and maintaining high-quality care after hours.

The post supports senior leadership development and strategic operational oversight, with emphasis on patient experience and clinical excellence within an innovative NHS trust.

Qualifications

• Registered nurse with current practising certificate.
• Degree-level study post registration.
• Postgraduate qualification or commitment to study at Masters level.

Responsibilities

• As Clinical Night Matron, you will be a trusted senior leader across our hospital sites, providing expert nursing leadership, professional guidance and operational oversight throughout the night.
• You will champion safe staffing, patient flow, quality improvement and compassionate care, acting as a senior escalation point for patients, relatives and staff.

Skills

Nursing leadership

Patient safety

Staff development

Education

Appropriate Registered Practitioner

Evidence of post registration development at Degree level

Masters' degree or willing to work towards

Job description

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Band 8a - Night Matron, Medicine

The closing date is 15 November 2026

Do you want to play a key role in improving the experience of our patients and to be part of an innovative and highly motivated senior nurse team making positive changes happen daily?

We are seeking someone that is confident and pioneering who wants to become a matron.

Main duties of the job

We are seeking an ambitious, compassionate and highly motivated nurse to join our senior nursing team as a Night Matron. This exciting fixed-term opportunity offers the chance to lead nursing services across the Trust during out-of-hours periods, driving excellence in patient care, safety and operational effectiveness.

As a highly visible and influential leader, you will play a pivotal role in supporting frontline teams, enhancing patient experience and ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality care every night. This role provides an excellent platform for nurses aspiring to further develop their strategic, operational and professional leadership skills at Band 8A level.

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. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others. 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 [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

As Clinical Night Matron, you will be a trusted senior leader across our hospital sites, providing expert nursing leadership, professional guidance and operational oversight throughout the night. Working closely with clinical teams, site management and senior leaders, you will help ensure patients receive exceptional care while supporting staff to deliver their best.

You will champion safe staffing, patient flow, quality improvement and compassionate care, acting as a senior escalation point for patients, relatives and staff. Your leadership will contribute to improving patient outcomes, supporting workforce wellbeing and creating a consistent senior nursing presence across Watford General Hospital, St Albans City Hospital and Hemel Hempstead Hospital.

Person Specification

Education

• Appropriate Registered Practitioner
• Evidence of post registration development at Degree level
• Masters' degree or willing to work towards

Knowledge

• Experience at Band 7 or equivalent
• Current knowledge of clinical practice in an acute setting
• Experience of working in partnership with multi-disciplinary team members

Experience

• Experience and knowledge of clinical practice in an acute setting
• Appropriate operational 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.

  West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust