Band 8a - Paediatric Matron, WACS in Watford

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Main area Women's and Children's Services Grade Band 8a Contract Fixed term: 12 months (Secondment also considered) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 360-D-11790

Department name West Herts - General Staffing Site Watford General Hospital Town Watford Salary £59,798 - £67,020 pa inc. HCA Salary period Yearly Closing 24/09/2026 23:59

Job overview

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.

Working for our organisation

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.

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.

Detailed job description and main 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.

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

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust provides acute healthcare services to a core catchment population of approximately half a million people living in west Hertfordshire and the surrounding area. The Trust also provides a range of more specialist services to a wider population, serving residents of North London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and East Hertfordshire.

As an employer of nearly 6,000 people the Trust is one of the biggest employers in the area and sees nearly a million patients each year.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.