Band 8a - Paediatric Matron, WACS

NHS; Watford; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking a Paediatric Matron to provide senior clinical and operational leadership across the children’s services in Watford and Hemel Hempstead. The role supports quality improvement, governance and workforce development within an expanding paediatric footprint.

The post holder will work with senior nursing leadership, clinical directors and IT/digital teams to shape future models of care for babies, children and young people, including the

Qualifications

• Registered Children's Nurse (RSCN/RN Child) with current NMC registration.
• Master's degree or working towards APLS/EPLS.

Responsibilities

• Provide visible clinical and operational leadership across the paediatric footprint including Starfish Ward, Safari Day Unit and Ambulatory Care, and Children's Outpatient Departments across Watford and Hemel Hempstead.
• Lead and support quality improvement initiatives, workforce development, clinical governance, patient experience and service development.
• Collaborate with Children's Clinical Nurse Specialist teams and Urgent & Emergency Care colleagues to improve pathways and outcomes for babies, children and young people.
• Ensure delivery of safe, effective and high-quality care with a focus on developing high-performing teams.

Skills

Leadership

Pediatric nursing

Staff management

Quality improvement

Communication

Education

Registered Children's Nurse (RSCN/RN Child)

Master's degree or working towards APLS/EPLS

Job description

Go back West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Band 8a - Paediatric Matron, WACS

The closing date is 04 October 2026

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated Children's Nurse Leader to join our Children's Services team as Paediatric Matron on a 12-month fixed-term contract or a secondment opportunity. Due to the current postholder themselves taking up a secondment opportunity, we are seeking an inspiring and compassionate leader who is passionate about delivering high-quality care for babies, children, young people and their families.

This is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience across a wide range of children's services while contributing to exciting quality improvement and service development work already underway across the division.

Whether you are an experienced Matron or an ambitious senior nurse looking to take the next step in your leadership journey, you will be supported by a dedicated and experienced senior leadership team.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will provide visible clinical and operational leadership across the paediatric footprint including Starfish Children's Ward, Safari Day Unit and Ambulatory Care, 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 highly regarded 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 developing high-performing teams.

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. If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Job responsibilities

The Paediatric Matron is responsible for the operational and professional leadership of designated children's services, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and high-quality care. The postholder will provide visible leadership within clinical areas, maintaining oversight of patient safety, workforce, clinical standards, governance, complaints management and service performance.

The role works closely with Senior Sisters, Clinical Nurse Specialists, medical colleagues, operational teams and the wider Women and Children's leadership team to support service delivery and implementation of local and national priorities.

The postholder will contribute to service improvement, workforce planning, risk management and the ongoing development of children's services.

Core working hours are Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 16:00. Flexibility will be required to meet service needs, including participation in the Senior Nurse & AHP rota. Requests for flexible working and job share arrangements will be considered in line with service requirements.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

• Registered Children's Nurse (RSCN/RN Child) with current NMC registration
• Master's degree or working towards APLS/EPLS

Knowledge

• Knowledge of current national and local children's healthcare agendas
• Knowledge of Clinical Governance, patient safety and risk management
• Knowledge of safeguarding children procedures and responsibilities

Experience

• Significant post-registration experience within children's services
• Experience of leading teams and managing staff performance

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