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Job summary

Main area
Emergency Medicine
Grade
Band 8a
Contract
Permanent: Manager on call commitment
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
279-7155743-MAY25
Employer
279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Royal Sussex County Hospital
Town
Brighton
Salary
£53,755 - £60,504 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
10/06/2025 23:59

Employer heading

279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust logo

Matron - Emergency Department

Band 8a

 About our Trust

At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute Trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

 Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to always put our Patient First .  In fact our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme  for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves. 

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex. 

 

Job overview

The role of the Matron in an Emergency Department (ED) has never been more challenging, rewarding or important. As we navigate unprecedented pressures—staff shortages, increasing patient demand, and the transformation of our physical and operational spaces—it’s an exciting time for a leader who thrives in dynamic environments to join our ED team. 

Strong, compassionate and inspirational Leaders are now more critical than ever in driving innovation, fostering high-quality patient care, and leading their teams through transformation, ensuring we can meet the needs of our patients and prepare for the future of emergency care.

We're looking for a dynamic leader with a solid foundation in operational and managerial leadership within the Emergency and Acute specialties. Your focus on the development and sustainability of services will span safety, day to day operational demands, finance, quality, and experience for patients and staff. The ideal candidate will have a clear vision for service change, a passion for delivery, an interest in governance and safety and extensive experience in Emergency Department or Major Trauma nursing.

By fostering a culture of high performance, you will ensure the provision of sustained high-quality services and standards in the RSCH ED.

Together, we will challenge traditional systems and redefine what it means to deliver outstanding healthcare in the Royal Sussex County Hospital ED. Join us in shaping the future of emergency care.

Main duties of the job

We welcome applications from those who currently hold a UK NMC registration. If you currently hold an overseas nursing qualification and require sponsorship we are not currently direct hiring Internationally Qualified Nurses.

Your role will be central to the day-to-day management and operational responsibilities, while your ability to communicate change effectively will inspire and engage the ED team and wider acute floor MDT.

The successful applicant will work alongside a second Matron and will support an experienced team of Band 7 senior nurses in providing leadership across the ED Department to support the delivery of high-quality patient experience, care safety and regulatory compliance for the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

We are looking for someone with operational and managerial leadership within the Emergency and Acute specialties and who has a clear focus on the development and sustainability of services both from a safety, finance, quality, outcomes, and experience perspective.  You will have a clear vision and passion for service change, delivery, and transformation. Our ideal candidate will have experience in Emergency Department/Major trauma nursing.

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.


We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.


As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.


We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Matron will support the Directorate Head of Nursing (HON) in the delivery of key performance targets. S/he will be accountable for the provision of effective professional nursing leadership and proactive resource management for their clinical area. As an experienced practitioner the post holder will be expected to focus on providing a clean environment for care, ensuring best practice in infection control, improving clinical care standards and treating patients with dignity and respect.

For full details please see the attached job description and person specification.

 

Person specification

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Extensive experience at ward manager level or equivalent managerial role
  • Excellent professional and leadership skills with evidence of successfully managing high-performing teams.

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Evidence of excellent ability to demonstrate a problem solving approach and have evidence to demonstrate actions arising have been implemented

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Masters level qualification or equivalent professional knowledge acquired through degree/diploma supplemented by specialist training or equivalent experience to masters level

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential criteria
  • Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
  • Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardDisability confident employerStep into healthHappy to Talk Flexible Working

Applicant requirements

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.

Application numbers

This advert has been capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, it will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in this post to prevent you from missing out on applying for this opportunity.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Craig Marsh
Job title
Head of Nursing - Acute Floor RSCH
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01273 696955
Additional information

Kimberly O'Hara - Divisional Director of Nursing, Medicine Division 01273696955 or kimberly.o'[email protected]

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