Band 8a - Matron, Ophthalmology in England

The role is a Matron post leading ophthalmology nursing services within the Surgery, Anaesthetics & Cancer Division at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. The work centres on nursing quality, patient safety, service improvement and managing senior nursing staff, alongside developing future models such as Advanced Nurse Practitioner roles. It includes a clinical component, an out-of-hours senior nurse rota and, after a year, an expansion into Head and Neck services, across two sites. Fit depends on a post-graduate ophthalmology qualification and current NMC registration.

What the job involves

• Lead and develop ophthalmology nursing services
• Provide visible clinical presence and support frontline care delivery
• Drive quality improvement, governance, patient safety and patient experience
• Manage and 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
• Work with consultants, multidisciplinary teams, community partners and external stakeholders on patient pathways
• Lead infection prevention initiatives
• Support the Trust Nursing Strategy and contribute to long-term service planning
• Take part in the Senior Nurse out-of-hours rota

What’s required

Qualifications

• First level registered nurse qualification
• Post-graduate qualification in Ophthalmology
• Practice assessor or equivalent teaching qualification
• Evidence of continuous professional development and lifelong learning

Registration & licences

• Current NMC registration

Experience

• Experience at Band 7 or equivalent
• Significant experience managing a ward or unit
• Broad senior clinical and managerial experience, including staff management
• Demonstrable success in managing change
• Project management

Skills & knowledge

• Current knowledge of clinical practice in an acute setting
• Knowledge of current developments in nursing and the NHS
• Budget management
• Workforce planning, recruitment and retention
• Success working collaboratively across professions, services and multidisciplinary teams
• Experience introducing evidence-based practice

Nice to have

• Evidence of master's level study
• Non-medical prescriber course
• Experience in more than one clinical setting
• Research experience
• Audit experience
• Ability to operationalise strategies

What’s offered

• A variety of flexible working options
• Support for staff wellbeing and development

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