Matron for Theatre Services

NHS; Dartford; On-site; GBP 57,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Dartford seeks a motivated individual for a key leadership role in the Surgical Division. The successful candidate will oversee theatre operations, ensuring high-quality care and staff development in a supportive environment. This position requires strong communication skills and expertise in managing clinical standards. Excellent candidates will hold a nursing qualification and have extensive experience in a theatre setting.

Qualifications

• Must possess a Registered Nurse/ODP qualification.
• Extensive senior level experience within theatres (Band 7+).
• Mentorship qualification at level 3 or above.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership to all theatre staff.
• Ensure clinical excellence and safety in the theatre environment.
• Manage theatre financial resources within budget.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Budget Management

Clinical Practice

Infection Control

Education

Registered Nurse/Operating Department Practitioner

Specialist qualification in Theatres

Evidence of continued Professional Development

Job description

Job summary

The Surgical, Critical Care and Planned Care Division is seeking a motivated, enthusiastic individual who wishes to progress and develop their leadership and management skills within the Theatres environment. The role requires excellent communication and influencing skills and the ability to support and initiate change. You will focus on providing high quality, professional leadership to ensure clinical excellence which will promote the improvement of patient experience and outcomes.

This position will not be supported for visa sponsorship. All applicants are expected to have valid right to work document to work in the UK when applying for this position.

Main duties of the job

To provide strong and effective leadership for all registered and non-registered healthcare workers.

To work with the Clinical Service Manager, Head of Nursing and the Operations Manager, Clinical Director of theatres to ensure high quality carefor service users.

Be accountable for theatre staff development and professional standards.

The day to day Operational Management of the theatre suite taking into consideration the allocation of staffing and operating lists.

Managing and being accountable for the theatre financial resource ensuring that it remains within budget.

To support and provide across site working as and when required.

About us

We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer. We strive to employ people who reflect the communities we serve, and aim to create an inclusive culture where everyone can reach their full potential. Whatever your race, ethnicity, belief, generation, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability or experience, you'll appreciate the opportunities we give you to work in an inclusive atmosphere. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to build on the progress we've achieved to make our Trust diverse and the best place to work. We celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that help us overcome challenges and embrace new possibilities. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant Pledge and have a commitment to the Armed Forces Community.

We are dedicated to using our Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) approach as our shared organisation model of change to enhance our services and ensure excellence in patient care.

If you are considering applying for a role, please be aware that as an NHS Employee you may have contact with vulnerable service users. We strongly encourage that all our staff are vaccinated against COVID-19 and are vaccinated annually against Flu, in order to protect the health and safety of our staff and patients. Your commitment will help us to put the safety and care of our patients first, as well as helping us to protect you and your colleagues.

Details Date posted

31 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£57,888 to £64,880 a year per annum inclusive of allowances

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

252-7323175-A

Job locations

Darent Valley Hospital

Darenth Wood Road

Dartford

DA2 8DA

Job description Job responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

To provide guidance, support and professional leadership to all staff within the theatre environment.

To provide a safe environment for staff and visitors.

To initiate, implement and evaluate quality control methods as appropriate to the theatre department.

To manage control of Infection in theatres with support from the Infection Control and Prevention Team, reporting any problems affecting the unit.

To ensure all the staff within the theatre departments are aware of their responsibility in the prevention and control of infection, and wear the necessary protective clothing during theatre procedures.

Demonstrate an advanced level of clinical nursing practice which remains updated according to evidence. There will be some requirement for the job holder to work clinical shifts and in accordance with their professional registration.

The clinical environment necessitates exposure to bodily fluids, vomit, sputum and high unpleasant working conditions (i.e. soiled linen). The nature of theatres means clinical staff may be exposed to aggressive and abusive behaviour from both patients and relatives.

Ensure that care is planned and developed in a systematic way, in accordance with the agreed model of care.

Investigate and monitor complaints and PALS enquiries. Ensure that the Head of Nursing is updated on the departmental plans to respond to complaints.

Please see attached job description for further information.

Job description Job responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

To provide guidance, support and professional leadership to all staff within the theatre environment.

To provide a safe environment for staff and visitors.

To initiate, implement and evaluate quality control methods as appropriate to the theatre department.

To manage control of Infection in theatres with support from the Infection Control and Prevention Team, reporting any problems affecting the unit.

To ensure all the staff within the theatre departments are aware of their responsibility in the prevention and control of infection, and wear the necessary protective clothing during theatre procedures.

Demonstrate an advanced level of clinical nursing practice which remains updated according to evidence. There will be some requirement for the job holder to work clinical shifts and in accordance with their professional registration.

The clinical environment necessitates exposure to bodily fluids, vomit, sputum and high unpleasant working conditions (i.e. soiled linen). The nature of theatres means clinical staff may be exposed to aggressive and abusive behaviour from both patients and relatives.

Ensure that care is planned and developed in a systematic way, in accordance with the agreed model of care.

Investigate and monitor complaints and PALS enquiries. Ensure that the Head of Nursing is updated on the departmental plans to respond to complaints.

Please see attached job description for further information.

Person Specification Education and Training Essential

• Registered Nurse/Operating Department Practitioner.
• Evidence of equivalent knowledge and experience to Masters Level.
• Specialist qualification in Theatres.
• Evidence of continued Professional Development.
• Mentorship qualification at level 3 or above.

Desirable

• Educated to Masters level or working towards a master qualification.

Knowledge and Skills Essential

• Knowledge of quality and audit processes.
• Knowledge of managing budgets.
• Able to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive and contentious information.
• Able to facilitate clinical supervision and reflective practice.
• Demonstrates up to date, evidenced based knowledge of current clinical and professional issues in theatre setting.
• Knowledge and application of HR procedures

Desirable

• Understanding of NHS plans/ targets.

Experience Essential

• Extensive experience at Senior level within theatres (Band 7 or above).
• People management experience - appraisals, recruitment and retention,performance management.
• Experience of working autonomously in a clinical setting.
• Experience of promoting excellence in nursing care to maintain and improve clinical standards,
• Well-developed leadership and influencing skills.
• Ability to synthesise complex facts or situations requiring analysis, formulating and mentoring delivery plans.
• Ability to monitor the quality of work in others, to identify their learning and development needs, devising strategies to resolve.
• Devising and implementing teaching programmes.

Desirable

• Evidence of change management experience.
• Development of policies and protocols.
• Participation in research and development.

Person Specification Education and Training Essential

• Registered Nurse/Operating Department Practitioner.
• Evidence of equivalent knowledge and experience to Masters Level.
• Specialist qualification in Theatres.
• Evidence of continued Professional Development.
• Mentorship qualification at level 3 or above.

Desirable

• Educated to Masters level or working towards a master qualification.

Knowledge and Skills Essential

• Knowledge of quality and audit processes.
• Knowledge of managing budgets.
• Able to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive and contentious information.
• Able to facilitate clinical supervision and reflective practice.
• Demonstrates up to date, evidenced based knowledge of current clinical and professional issues in theatre setting.
• Knowledge and application of HR procedures

Desirable

• Understanding of NHS plans/ targets.

Experience Essential

• Extensive experience at Senior level within theatres (Band 7 or above).
• People management experience - appraisals, recruitment and retention,performance management.
• Experience of working autonomously in a clinical setting.
• Experience of promoting excellence in nursing care to maintain and improve clinical standards,
• Well-developed leadership and influencing skills.
• Ability to synthesise complex facts or situations requiring analysis, formulating and mentoring delivery plans.
• Ability to monitor the quality of work in others, to identify their learning and development needs, devising strategies to resolve.
• Devising and implementing teaching programmes.

Desirable

• Evidence of change management experience.
• Development of policies and protocols.
• Participation in research and development.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information 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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details Employer name

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

Address

Darent Valley Hospital

Darenth Wood Road

Dartford

DA2 8DA

Employer's website

https://www.dgt.nhs.uk/working-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

Address

Darent Valley Hospital

Darenth Wood Road

Dartford

DA2 8DA

Employer's website

https://www.dgt.nhs.uk/working-for-us (Opens in a new tab)