Lead Matron for Paediatric Intensive Care

Job Overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for a detailed job description of the role.

Open only to applicants from Hampshire & Isle of Wight NHS Integrated Care System, which is limited to:

Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB, Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, Isle of Wight NHS Trust, University Hospital Southampton FT, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS FT, South Central Ambulance Service, or Hampshire Hospitals FT.

Main duties of the job

The PICU Matron Is Responsible For

Clinical Leadership - Providing clinical leadership, guidance and support to the nursing team to ensure the provision of high-quality care to patients in PICU

Staff Management - Managing the staffing levels on the unit, including recruitment, training and the retention of nurses. Providing guidance and support to the team and ensure staff members comply with policies and procedures.

Resource Management - Managing the allocation of resources and control of expenditure.

Quality assurance - Ensuring that the unit meets all relevant standards of care, including those set by UHS and regulatory bodies.

Communication - Maintaining effective communication with patients’ families, and staff members. Ensuring that everyone is well informed and up to date on latest developments in the unit.

Education and Training – Leading the strategy on education and training of staff. Providing assurance that all staff members are trained in the latest techniques and procedures and able to provide the best possible care to patients.

Risk Management – Identifying and managing potential risks to patients and staff members. Ensuring all risk management policies are followed and that any incidents are properly investigated, reported and actions taken to prevent them reoccurring.

Operational Management – To work as part of a team of matrons responsible for the operational running of Southampton Children’s Hospital.

Working for our organisation

University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.

Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalizing your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

At UHS we’re committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.

At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognizing that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We’re committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

As the Lead Matron for Southampton Children’s Hospital PICU, you will play a critical role in ensuring the highest quality care is provided to our young patients and their families. You will lead and manage a team of nurses and healthcare professionals to ensure they are trained and equipped to provide excellent care to our patients.

The ideal candidate will be a registered children’s nurse and will have:

Extensive experience in paediatric nursing, including several years in an PICU/critical care setting

Strong leadership and management skills, ability to inspire and motivate a team of nursing staff

Excellent communication skills, with ability to work collaboratively with MDT and patients and their families.

Ability to manage resources effectively and appropriately

Strong clinical skills, with the ability to make sound clinical judgments and decisions in a fast-paced high-pressure environment

Commitment to paediatric patient safety, quality improvement and evidence-based practice

Ability to provide mentorship and support to nursing staff, including training development and performance management.

You will be expected to provide innovative leadership working towards the Trust values of:

Patients First

Always Improving

Working Together

Person specification

Trust Values

Essential criteria

• Patient First
• Always Improving
• Working together
  
  

Qualifications / Training Required

Essential criteria

• 1st Level Registered children’s nurse AHP on relevant part of the NMC/HPC Register
• First degree or equivalent experience
• Masters level or equivalent experience
• Leadership training or equivalent experience
• Management training or equivalent experience
  
  

Previous or relevant experience necessary

Essential criteria

• Extensive knowledge of National and Local NHS and N&M agenda
• Extensive experience in a paediatric critical care setting in clinical leadership/clinical management position
• Evidence of advanced leadership qualities
• Formal and informal teaching experience
• Staff and resource management experience
• Experience of introducing change to clinical environment
  
  

Desirable criteria

• Understanding of specialist area
  
  

Aptitudes And Skills Required

Essential criteria

• Excellent high level leadership skills
• Articulate with highly developed communication skills with the ability to network and build relationships at all levels, including interpersonal skills, liaison and negotiation skills. Writing and presentation skills
• Advising and influencing
• IT skills and ability to develop these skills further
• Ability to prioritise work and adapt to changing deadlines
• Able to develop and implement policy, guidelines and projects from initiation to completion
• Evidence of continuing professional development
  
  

Desirable criteria

• Project management skills