Job summary
This Vacancy is only available to current employees of STSFT.

Due to retirement, an exciting opportunity has arisen for a new Matron with Directorate 1 within the Community Division. The directorate includes District Nursing teams across South Tyneside and Sunderland, Recovery at Home Teams, Bladder and Bowel and care coordination hub. This vacancy will cover a portfolio of South Tyneside based district nursing teams, Bladder and Bowel Team and the care coordination hub.

We are looking for a dynamic and driven individual who can drive forward transformational work within community services, implementing Neighbourhood working, in line with the NHS 10 year plan.

You should have a proven track record of implementing change, resource management and service delivery. The matron will be required to provide senior clinical leadership to the teams, being visible and accessible across the community bases as well as working with the Directorate Manager and senior leadership team to ensure safe and high quality patient care.

Main duties of the job
It is essential that you are a car driver as the role requires working across the geographical footprint of Sunderland and South Tyneside community portfolio. There is also a requirement to be part of the community on call rota.

This is a really exciting time to be part of the community and support transformation work, promoting improved outcomes for patients and their families by delivering care at home and reducing the need for hospital admissions in line with the NHS 10 year plan.

About us
Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture and working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of people's race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity and in particular those from under-represented groups. Looking after our workforce's health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits: Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements. If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.

Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description for full duties of the role.

• The Matron will always ensure that the patient is at the centre of all their decisions and actions, and act as a role model for clinical staff at all times.
• The Matron has 24-hour accountability for the wards and departments within their Directorate, including the efficient and effective operational management of the workforce and providing high-quality, evidence-based practice which will be delivered within the hospital, community and outreach settings.
• Provides strong clinical leadership within the service and be highly visible and accessible to the patients and their families.
• Lead by example, to drive up standards of clinical care.
• Ensure that there are appropriate systems and processes in place to ensure continuity of safe and effective care at all times.
• Responsible for supporting developments within Clinical Governance and Service Improvement, to improve patient services and ensure that patients and carers are involved in the way services are developed, delivered and evaluated.
• Contribute to the identification and management of poor performance, risk and complaints.
• Promote and share best practice and encourage personal development.
• Comply with the NMC/HCPC Code.
• Comply with the Trusts vision, values and behaviours compact.

Person Specification
Skills and Knowledge
Essential

• Competent in IT skills and ability to operate Windows and Microsoft Office software
• Evidence of participating in clinical audit
• Knowledge of NHS policies and strategies
• Knowledge and understanding of governance arrangements and standards in the NHS and the wider health and social care economy
• Excellent presentation skills
• Well-developed report writing skills
• Excellent verbal briefing and communication skills
• Able to work effectively within the Multi-Disciplinary Team

Desirable

• Knowledge and experience of using project planning IT programmes and tools
• Knowledge of and ability to utilise LEAN techniques

Experience
Essential

• Extensive post-registration experience, some of which will be at a senior level within the required specialist area of practice
• Ability to manage conflict in the clinical environment
• Experience of managing a clinical environment
• Experience of managing difficult and complex personnel or people situations
• Experience of writing and critiquing policy
• Experience of successful budget management and evidence of achieving financial targets
• Experience of leading and delivering significant programmes of change with an NHS setting
• Demonstrate the ability to lead and implement quality improvement strategies.

Desirable

• Experience of undertaking root cause analysis
• Leadership and Management Training

Qualifications
Essential

• NMC Registered Nurse (Adult or Child, as appropriate to post) / Allied Health Professional with current NMC/HCPC registration / Registered Midwife
• Degree in healthcare-related subject (UK equivalent)
• Masters level study, or equivalent specialist study or experience
• Willingness to work towards masters qualification
• Mentorship certificate or Practice Assessor training or demonstrable equivalent experience

Desirable

• Masters degree or working towards in relevant associated subject

Physical Skills
Essential

• Travel between sites and off-site meetings as required
• Ability to work flexible hours as well as support for major incidents
• Able to participate in an on-call rota

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here: Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Clarendon, Windmill Way, HEBBURN, Tyne and Wear, NE31 1AT, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.stsft.nhs.uk

For questions about the job, contact: Head of Nursing, Sue Buchanan, Susan.buchanan8@nhs.net

Date posted: 04 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8a
Salary: £57,528 to £64,750 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: C9155-CMNM-1126-05

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