Band 8a - Paediatric Matron, WACS

The successful candidate will provide visible clinical and operational leadership across the paediatric services, including Starfish Children's Ward, Safari elective and ambulatory Day Unit, Children's Emergency Department, Paediatric Assessment Unit 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 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 supporting and developing teams.

The Paediatric Matron will provide leadership and oversight of safe staffing, clinical standards, patient safety, governance, quality improvement, complaints, risk and service performance across their portfolio. The postholder will provide visible oversight and support within clinical areas.

Working closely with Senior Nurses, Clinical Nurse Specialists, medical and operational colleagues and the wider Women and Children's leadership team, the postholder will use patient feedback, incident learning and audit findings to guide improvement, support workforce planning and contribute to service development.

The role requires flexible working across a seven-day service, including some weekend and night shifts, to meet service needs and provide visible leadership across different shifts. The postholder will also participate in the on-site senior nurse and allied health professional rota. Flexible working requests will be considered in line with service requirements

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 contactwestherts.recruitment@nhs.net 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. We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Your application will be scored against the person specification:

Essential: - 2=Shortlisted, 1=Partially meets requirements, 0=does not meet requirements