Job summary
This exciting opportunity has arisen to work collaboratively with the Matrons for Theatres to strategically lead the service, alongside the 'service line tri, within a deputy Matron role

To jointly lead the nursing team within Theatres in an engaged, collaborative, cohesive, pro-active and progressive manner to maintain 'Outstanding' standards of patient care and service delivery.

To deliver and role model effective, transformational leadership and operational decision making within Theatres

To work in manner that promotes kind and compassionate leadership and on-going professional development of self and others

To work collaboratively with the senior team to drive patient safety and quality forwards through the development and implementation of service and quality improvement projects.

Main duties of the job
To work collaboratively with the Matron to strategically lead the Theatre Service alongside the service line 'tri.

To deputise for the Matron in their absence, and at other times as agreed, representing the theatres service as appropriate

To take a joint strategic nursing lead to ensure the safe and effective delivery of care for patients within the defined clinical area.

To take day to day responsibility and accountability for safe staffing levels and patient flow across the theatres service.

To maintain high visibility and clinical expertise, role modelling high standards of care, evidence based practice and effective leadership within UK law, NMC, HCPC and Trust policies and guidelines.

To undertake additional divisional and trust responsibilities as agreed.

Have an overview/lead on recruitment and retention of theatres

Providing visible, accessible and authoritative leadership to staff and acting as an expert role model to ensure the excellence and effectiveness of all clinical/surgical practice while maintaining a clinical presence within the theatres as required

About us
Organisation Chart

Divisional Director of Quality & Nursing

Matrons of Theatres

Deputy Theatre Matrons

Band 7 Speciality Team Managers

Team Band 6s

Registered Nurses/Operating Department Practitioners/Theatre Associate Practitioners

Health Care Assistants

Organisational arrangements

The Deputy Matron will work directly alongside the Matron, Band 7 nursing team be line managed by the Matron for Theatres

Job responsibilities
Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required

Registered Nurse/ODP with the NMC/HCPC holding extensive post registration experience

Experience of deputising for senior department staff

Evidence of delegation and personal time management skills

Able to demonstrate expert clinical competence in a surgical environment with highly developed specialist knowledge across the range of work procedures and practices underpinned by theoretical knowledge and relevant practical experience

Possess a high level of awareness and understanding of contemporary issues in anaesthesia and in the wider health and nursing environment, with evidence of continuing professional development

Evidence of teaching and assessing experience and an appropriate qualification with a commitment to the ongoing development of all team staff and nursing services provided

Experience of motivating staff and team building, with proven analytical skills and staff development through appraisal and performance management

Developed/Enhanced IT skills

Experience as a lead resource for disseminating clinical skills and knowledge

Understanding and experience of implementing research based practice

Recognised management course or equivalent level of competence gained through experience

Effective communication, interpersonal, organisational and planning skills

To maintain highly specialised levels of competence

Demonstrates a positive, forward thinking and creative approach to change and an ability to be resilient and self-resourceful

Recognised for supporting the development of others and building effective interpersonal skills

Main duties and responsibilities
Clinical

• Deliver, demonstrate and supervise safe and appropriate care within a challenging and changing clinical environment, using highly specialised equipment and resources
• Work collaboratively alongside other health professionals to provide high standards of care for patients within theatres
• Take a key role in the implementation of any clinical initiative or introduction of new equipment within Theatres
• Take an active clinical leadership role and act as shift co-ordinator when required
• Work continuously to promote and support clinical training, education and development of other staff within theatres and beyond

Management

• Work collaboratively with the Matron for theatre to strategically lead the service, alongside the service line tri
• Work alongside the Matron, Band 7s, consultants and wider team to determine and deliver on strategic service objectives
• Manage and lead the service within agreed standard operational procedures and support the development of new working practices as appropriate
• Work alongside the Theatres, site and operational delivery teams to maintain patient flow and theatre capacity within agreed procedures
• Provide support and be an escalation point of contact for staff managing the day-to-day safe staffing levels within theatres and escalate as appropriate using escalation processes
• Maintain the electronic roster, alongside the roster administrator, to ensure that it is kept up to date and record and monitor staff absences, making appropriate referrals to relevant line managers
• Line manage a defined group of staff, ensuring that appropriate human resource policies, procedures and practices are followed
• Identify and manage any staff underperformance and lead / assist in the development and implementation of performance action plans as appropriate
• Seek to eliminate / reduce any staff conflict and take any remedial and on-going action as appropriate
• Manage any patient, relative or staff complaints in line with the Trust complaints procedure
• Take the lead for complaints investigations as appropriate and agreed
• Deliver and support staff appraisals and promote mandatory training to achieve key performance indicators
• Support the theatre recruitment and retention strategy and participate in the interviewing process for new staff
• Deputise for the Matron during any absence, and at other times as agreed, to represent theatres as required
• Take responsibility for the health and safety of patients, relatives and staff and contribute towards clinical and environmental risk assessments and risk reduction practices.
• Work in a manner that makes best use of available resources and aim to reduce unnecessary waste from a financial and environmental perspective
• Support the Matron to manage the pay budgets as appropriate and agreed

Leadership

• Jointly lead on maximising the opportunities to develop a highly skilled, motivated and engaged workforce which continually strives to improve patient, relative and staff experience
• Demonstrate a positive and pro-active approach to the on-going support and development of nursing teams within theatres
• Role model high standards of patient care, communication, commitment and organisation for others to follow
• Maintain a creative, yet measured approach to service developments and use effective leadership skills to ensure effective change
• Encourage and promote a shared leadership model, enabling and empowering others, of all bands/grades, to take the lead with various initiatives within theatres and the wider Trust whilst clearly demonstrating the Trust leadership values and behaviours.
• Lead or actively support all agreed quality improvements within theatres and link with other teams and services as appropriate within and outside of Trust.
• Collaborate with local, network and national colleagues as appropriate to maintain shared best practice within theatres

Research and audit

• Work in a manner that promotes any audits or research taking place within theatres or the wider Trust as appropriate
• Promote and demonstrate the use of evidence based practice and related policy, procedure and guidelines
• Assist in the collection and reporting of data as appropriate to maintain key performance indicators

Education and training

• In conjunction with the Matron for theatres, identify personal training and development needs through the Trust appraisal process
• Maintain and continually develop knowledge, competence and skills required to perform the role effectively.
• Undertake all mandatory training appropriate to role
• Support the training, education and development of staff within defined service as appropriate

Improving safety, quality and developing practice

• Work with senior staff undertaking audit and research projects. To be involved in making recommendations for changes to management practice and procedures and the implementation of those changes as appropriate.
• Contribute to the Clinical Governance and Quality agenda by active participation in service initiatives, health and safety and risk management.
• Take joint responsibility for leading on safe and effective infection, prevention and control measures
• Develop and share own knowledge with other members of the wider team both locally and nationally.
• Identify own development needs, aligning these to service requirements and personal aspirations. Proactively develop and improve own practice using all available resources
• Understand and contribute to the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of standard operational procedures, policies, protocols and guidelines relevant to the defined service
• Openly question and challenge strategic and operational practice in a constructive way so that standards of patient care are continually evaluated and improved.
• Report and investigate incidents as appropriate within role and designated service

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Management / leadership qualifications or equivalent experience
• Evidence of on-going professional development

Desirable

• Recognised leadership qualification

Experience
Essential

• Nursing management experience at Band 6 level, or above, within Theatres including track record of delivering on quality improvement projects
• Experience of leading and managing change
• Experience of managing individuals to include objective setting, learning and development and reviewing of progress against development plans

Desirable

• Extensive theatres experience

Knowledge
Essential

• In depth knowledge of Theatres Nursing and operational processes within Theatres
• Knowledge of the trust appraisal and development process
• Knowledge of leadership styles and change management strategy
• A good understanding of clinical governance, incident reporting and investigating

Desirable

• Knowledge of Human Resource process and line management responsibilities

Skills
Essential

• Expert Theatre nursing skills
• Ability to effectively lead the nursing team to deliver high standards of patient care
• IT skills and experience including Trak, EPR, MS office and Trust intranet
• Ability to inspire and motivate others

Desirable

• An ability to resolve conflict and negotiate a way forward involving clinical and non-clinical stakeholders as appropriate.

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