Matron - Care of Older Adult

NHS; Lewisham; On-site; GBP 53,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity awaits a dynamic Senior Nurse to step into the pivotal role of Matron for Care of Older Adults at a leading hospital. This position involves ensuring high-quality patient care, managing nursing staff, and implementing clinical standards. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, a passion for advancing nursing practices, and the ability to inspire a dedicated team. Join a supportive environment that values professional growth and is committed to delivering compassionate, patient-centered care. If you are ready to make a significant impact in healthcare, this role is for you.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years post-registration experience required.
• Evidence of post-registration qualifications is essential.

Responsibilities

• Manage quality of nursing care and ensure high standards.
• Lead on patient safety strategies and clinical governance.

Skills

Leadership in clinical governance

Patient safety management

Effective communication

Strategic thinking

Staff management

Education

Registered nurse qualification

Degree in clinical/advanced practice

Masters Degree or working towards it

Tools

Tendeble

Clinical documentation database

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a talented, ambitious, and dynamic Senior Nurse to join the Lewisham Medicine and Community division as the Matron for Care of Older Adults at Lewisham Hospital.

The matron will be responsible and accountable for the overall clinical and operational day-to-day delivery of clinical standards of care and the management of the nursing workforce, in accordance with set objectives, targets, quality standards, controls, and resource constraints, ensuring the delivery of a high-quality, compassionate, patient-centered service that meets patients' needs.

In this role, you will need to be resilient, able to handle complex situations, and effectively balance being a visible leader with managerial responsibilities.

You should be passionate about advancing Older Peoples Nursing and have the ability to inspire and support others to reach their full potential.

The matron will support the Senior Matron and the Head of Nursing in providing professional leadership and management for developing, implementing, and monitoring the Trust Strategy.

Main duties of the job

The key responsibility of the Matron is to ensure the highest quality patient experience through high visibility, accessibility, and surveillance. The post holder will also be responsible for implementing the Matron's Charter in their area.

About us

Our people are our greatest asset. When supported and happy at work, this positivity benefits the patients we serve. Our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives foster a culture of engagement, including four staff networks, a corporate EDI team, and various programmes and events aimed at achieving the following aspirations:

• Enhancing representation at senior levels for staff with disabilities, from Black, Asian, and ethnic minority backgrounds, those identifying as LGBTQ+, and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development.
• Widening access and employability as an anchor institution.
• Improving the experience of staff with disabilities.
• Enhancing EDI literacy and confidence among trust staff through training and development.
• Mainstreaming equality initiatives.

Job responsibilities

Care Provision

To manage the quality of nursing care at all times within their ward/department by:

• Holding Ward/Departmental Sister/Charge Nurse accountable for delivering key performance indicators using Tendeble and Clinical documentation database.
• Collaborating with the Directorate's Workforce Manager to ensure effective action is taken when nursing performance is at risk.
• Ensuring local implementation of the Trust's Nursing and Midwifery priorities.

To address staff discipline, grievance, poor performance, and sickness issues, up to but not including dismissal.

You will demonstrate effective leadership and management skills, with strong communication, collaboration, and engagement abilities within a dynamic environment. You must be capable of managing multiple priorities and projects, aligning division operations with the Trust's strategic goals.

We offer a supportive environment that values personal and professional development. You will join an experienced team of site-based matrons committed to advancing nursing care and service development.

Risk & clinical governance:

• Ensure patients are cared for in a clean and safe environment, including proper decontamination of equipment, with remedial action when standards are not met.
• Champion infection prevention and control initiatives and challenge poor practices.
• Manage and respond to complaints and adverse incidents, including serious untoward incidents, liaising with PALS to diffuse complaints when possible.
• Conduct root cause analyses and develop action plans to instigate practice changes.
• Ensure risk assessments are undertaken and action plans are implemented.
• Lead on patient safety strategies such as Saving Lives and Clinical Performance Indicators.
• Share best practices and drive improvements through the Matrons Forum.
• Work with the Surgical Head of Nursing to monitor and maintain excellent clinical standards within teams.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

• Registered nurse qualification
• Degree or equivalent in clinical/advanced practice
• Minimum of 5 years post-registration experience
• Masters Degree or working towards it
• Evidence of post-registration qualifications

Experience

• Relevant clinical expertise
• Experience managing staff
• Recent experience at Band 7 or equivalent in an acute setting
• Leadership in clinical governance and patient safety
• Proven record of delivering high-quality patient care through evidence-based practice
• Experience leading and implementing change
• Ability to think strategically, operationally, and creatively, prioritizing work in a demanding environment

Knowledge

• Understanding of the evolving NHS environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong sense of accountability and understanding of delegated authority
• Experience with service development projects

Personal Qualities

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Highly organized, self-motivated, and driven to improve
• Flexible approach and attitude
• Commitment to openness, honesty, and integrity
• Ability to work effectively with staff at all levels
• Capable of working under pressure and meeting deadlines

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A DBS check will be required to verify any criminal convictions.

Position: Senior Matron - Care of the Elderly, Stroke, and Palliative Care

Salary: £53,755 to £60,504 per annum plus HCA