Deputy Matron Operating Theatres

To act as a clinical expert, leading progressive nursing practice and contributing to the strategic and operational management of theatres.

To be responsible and accountable for clinical governance and ensuring theatres deliver high standards of evidence-based quality care for patients.

To be responsible for the management and development of staff in the perioperative environment.

To ensure supervision / training to staff and students is delivered, policies / procedures are implemented and evaluated and that educational / development opportunities are optimised.

To ensure the efficient and effective utilisation of material and human resources within agreed budgets and to act as an authorised signatory.

To provide support to the Matron and deputise as required.

Clinical

• To practice as a professional practitioner, with confidence and authority demonstrating clinical expertise in perioperative care, leading practice, acting as a role model, and supporting and supervising junior staff.
• To demonstrate leadership in the perioperative environment, and to support / supervise and train junior colleagues to develop leadership skills.
• To be responsible for the assessment of care needs and the development, implementation, and evaluation of programmes of care and to support / supervise junior colleagues to develop these skills.
• To demonstrate skill at interpreting clinical information (and develop this skill in others), anticipating potential problems, taking action to prevent / minimise these, responding to any changes promptly and effectively and developing specialised plans of care / follow relevant protocols.

Please read the attached Job description and the Person Specification for more details

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research.

The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence. These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel

2.1 Clinical

• To practice as a professional practitioner, with confidence and authority demonstrating clinical expertise in perioperative care, leading practice, acting as a role model, and supporting and supervising junior staff.
• To demonstrate leadership in the perioperative environment, and to support / supervise and train junior colleagues to develop leadership skills.
• To be responsible for the assessment of care needs and the development, implementation, and evaluation of programmes of care and to support / supervise junior colleagues to develop these skills.
• To demonstrate skill at interpreting clinical information (and develop this skill in others), anticipating potential problems, taking action to prevent / minimise these, responding to any changes promptly and effectively and developing specialised plans of care / follow relevant protocols.
• To support the growth and development of our day case units to deliver new services and grow their potential to support the changing healthcare requirements for day case surgeries in line with the British Association of Day Surgery.
• To always exercise professional accountability and to be aware of own development needs / limitations, actively seeking to address these and raise awareness in others.
• To manage emergency situations / crisis with competence, taking appropriate action, utilising relevant protocols, and supporting the patient, their relatives and members of the multidisciplinary team as required.
• To ensure that procedures / policies are in place so that emergency / crisis situations are managed with competence and that, patients / relatives and staff members are adequately supported during and after the event.
• To facilitate smooth running of the admission and discharge process ensuring that appropriate personnel are liaised with, that Local and Trust policies are adhered to, and that beds are utilised appropriately.
• To demonstrate use of excellent communication skills to support patients and families in highly stressful situations (e.g., breaking bad news, managing bereavement), and to ensure staff are supported to develop these skills.
• To provide supervision to staff / students developing nursing and management skills and to ensure that processes / policies are implemented and evaluated to optimise the overall supervision / development of staff within the Theatre environment in collaboration with the Theatre Education Team.
• To manage conflict promptly and effectively, supporting and promoting effective working relationships within the multidisciplinary team and initiating and evaluating any action plans.
• To ensure Health & Safety and Infection Control policies are implemented and that every effort is made to identify and minimise potential risks / hazards.
• To take a lead on the development and evaluation / audit of relevant protocols, guidelines and policies based on current evidence / research and facilitate / support other staff to do the same.
• To ensure that all record keeping in SuWOn Theatres is accurate and legible and maintains patient confidentiality according to Trust policy.
• To demonstrate a commitment to research / evidence-based practice, clinical excellence, and professional development.
• To maintain and further develop patient-centred approaches to the organisation and delivery of care.
• To lead the development of professional nursing practice within the practice area, demonstrating a commitment to disseminating information and sharing experiences.
• To support / facilitate practice development, research and clinical project work and the implementation of clinical supervision within the Unit.

2.2 Leadership and Nursing Management

• To act as a team leader, recognising and valuing the skills and experience of each individual within the team, developing one’s own leadership skills and encouraging development of other team members at a level commensurate with their grade.
• To be responsible for managing personnel, including any designated clerical staff ensuring that they have relevant personal development plans, an annual appraisal and that any concerns regarding performance / development are dealt with promptly and relevant HR policies are adhered to.
• To ensure ‘change forms’ are completed with relevant details and sent to Human Resources following an alteration in staff contract.
• To keep Matron informed of performance / disciplinary related issues and to seek guidance and support as required.
• To implement and practice an effective recruitment, selection and retention strategy and support and train others to do so.
• In conjunction with Team Leaders and the Education Team to ensure that all new staff have an appropriate induction and orientation and are assigned a mentor/preceptor.
• In conjunction with Team Leaders and the Education Team to ensure staff are trained to operate equipment safely and to initiate action plans for any ‘Medical Device Alert’ notices.
• To ensure e-roster templates for each area are reviewed annually to match the agreed staffing establishment and to ensure that staffing levels and skill mix meet clinical requirements.
• To oversee the use of agency / bank / overtime to meet clinical requirements and monitor usage in monthly budget meetings.
• To ensure that staff sickness / absence / annual leave is monitored, Trust and Local policy is adhered to and that action plans are implemented and evaluated.
• To ensure monthly salary returns are completed in an accurate and timely fashion.
• To promote awareness and understanding in others of efficient resource utilisation through education and example.
• To work in collaboration with the Procurement Department, Clinical Procurement Specialist / Clinical Engineering to facilitate the purchase / loan / and maintenance of new equipment through appropriate channels e.g. Medical or Non-Medical Equipment Bid / Charitable Funds / League of Friends.
• To assist the Matron in writing business cases / strategic plans for future development of services. To contribute to the development of and be responsible for the effective implementation of Trust and Directorate policies within own practice area.
• To be responsible for maintaining effective channels of communication with the multidisciplinary team and initiating and monitoring any action plans as required.
• To develop links with other departments and encourage sharing of ideas and good practice.
• To ensure that Trust policy for completing Incident Forms is adhered to, that action plans are implemented promptly and evaluated and that any potential Risk is identified with appropriate action taken.
• To facilitate effective communication e.g., chairing Unit meetings, participating in multidisciplinary meetings, ensure that processes are in place to effectively communicate the monthly ‘Team Brief’ to staff.
• To read and action relevant emails promptly and ensure staff are kept fully informed and updated.
• To support the implementation and evaluation of quality initiatives at Unit level.
• In collaboration with others senior nurses, develop the Unit’s operational and organisational structure to ensure service needs are met.

2.3 Educational

• To act as an expert clinical resource to colleagues, guiding / supervising practice, assessing competence and ensuring policies are in place to actively support learning and meet the clinical needs of the department.
• To work with the Education Team to ensure that there is an active and appropriate teaching programme to meet the needs of staff and the service and to be proactive within this programme.
• To work collaboratively with other Senior Nurses and the Education Team to identify priorities and educational needs for theatres and to ensure the effective allocation of study leave (within agreed budget) such that staff can attend mandatory training, relevant study days / conferences and advanced study programmes as indicated.
• To act as a mentor / preceptor to undergraduate nursing students, post registration learners and new staff members at all levels.

2.4 Deputy Matron responsibilities

• To work in conjunction with the Directorate Manager/Deputy Directorate Manager to ensure the efficient and effective day to day running of the Clinical Directorate as directed by and in the absence of the Matron.
• Ensuring delivery on key quality, performance, and financial plans, progressing some improvements and line managing designated staff.
• Provide professional and management leadership to nursing/ODP staff in the Clinical Directorate to progress Trust Corporate objectives.

2.5 Professional

• To be responsible for maintaining and developing personal / professional development of self and nursing staff.
• To contribute actively to the development of nursing practice within the Trust.
• To complete mandatory training as required by the Trust.
• To always adhere to the NMC/HCPC code of professional practice.

3. Terms of Appointment

The appointment is substantive and requires cross site working. Base site Churchill Hospital.
4. Miscellaneous

This job description is an outline of the key tasks and responsibilities of the Deputy Matron and is not intended as an exhaustive list. The job may change over time to reflect the changing needs of the Trust and its services as well as the personal development needs of the post-holder. Any variation will be agreed in advance between the post-holder and the Clinical Director as part of the continuing process of management review and development.