Community Matron
What is the work like?
As a community matron, you would work to improve the health and quality of life of people with very intensive needs or long-term health conditions. You would provide nursing and clinical care in a variety of settings, including patients homes, residential and nursing homes and prisons.
Depending on your clients circumstances, the aim of your role would be to:
- help those living in the community continue doing so
- prevent crisis and unplanned hospital admissions
- reduce the length of stay a patient has in hospital
- provide support to those discharged from hospital.
You would manage a caseload of patients with a variety of complex health issues. Your work with patients would include:
- assessing their care needs
- co-ordinating the care and support patients receive from a variety of sources
- identifying those at risk of unnecessary admission to hospital
- carrying out physical examinations, diagnosing and planning treatment
- monitoring patients' conditions
- referring patients to other health professionals for treatment
- teaching patients, their carers or relatives to spot changes that could lead to their condition getting worse
- organising extra support, such as home care or respite care
- giving health promotion information and advice to prevent illness
- keeping accurate and up-to-date patient records
- staying in touch with community development initiatives.
You would work closely with other health and social care professionals, voluntary services and carers to provide support to patients that takes into account their physical, mental, emotional and social needs.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
To become a community matron, you will usually need:
- to be a registered nurse (in any branch)
- around five years’ post-registration experience
- specialist knowledge across a range of nursing procedures and practice
- in-depth knowledge of long-term health conditions and treatment.
Some employers will also expect you to have:
- a BSc or postgraduate diploma in community practice (specialising in, for example, district nursing, health visiting or practice nursing)
- trained as a mentor
- completed a nurse prescribing programme.
You are likely to need a driving licence and access to a car.
What further training and development can I do?
Once you are working as a community matron, you will usually be encouraged by your employer to study advanced clinical nursing practice and skills at Masters degree level.
You will be expected to continue training and developing your clinical skills throughout your career.
Where can I go for more information?
23 Portland PlaceLondon
W1B 1PZ
Tel: 020 7637 7181
Registration contacts
Overseas: 020 7333 6600
General: 020 7333 9333
Broad Plain
Bristol
BS2 0JP
Tel: 0117 922 1155
London
EC1V 8HA
Tel: 020 7505 3000
Bristol
BS99 3EY
Tel: 0845 606 0655
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Community matrons can earn between £29,000 and £38,300 a year.
- With experience, this may rise to around £44,500.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
Your work would involve travelling throughout the community, visiting patients in their homes. You would also meet with other health and social care professionals to decide how best to care for patients.
You would typically work between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Caring for people suffering long-term illness can be very demanding, both physically and emotionally.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- excellent communication and listening skills
- the ability to build good working relationships with a wide range of health and social care professionals
- good 'people' skills and the ability to empathise
- good problem solving and negotiating skills
- the ability to influence and challenge in a non-threatening way
- the ability to motivate others
- a flexible and innovative approach to work
- good team working and leadership skills
- a good understanding of issues surrounding patient confidentiality
- basic IT skills.
What opportunities are there?
Most jobs are within local primary care trusts ( PCTs). You may also find vacancies advertised through the local and national press, NHS Jobs and Nursing Times.
As an experienced and qualified community matron, you may be able to progress to service management level and become head of community nursing.
You could also move into related careers such as health promotion work or teaching and training nurses and community practitioners.
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