Midwife job description

To co-ordinate a maternity unit/community area and be responsible for the efficient operational
management of that area. This will include, assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of maternity care whilst ensure that procedures are in place for the checking and maintaining of equipment over a twenty-four hour period.

The post holder will demonstrate excellent leadership/managerial skills to support the individuals working within the multi agency/multi disciplinary team.

The post holder will also facilitate the professional and clinical development of the individual members working within the core/community team as well as ensuring that the resources and skills of all members of the team are used to optimal effect.

To work collaboratively within the multi agency / multi disciplinary team to ensure a high quality service.

Act up in the absence of the Matron/High Risk Labour Ward Lead.

KEY RESULT AREA

 To utilise the full skills of a midwife as laid down in the World Health‘s Organisations definition of a midwife to ensure individualised care for women and families.

 To be responsible for the management of individualised care to a defined group of mothers and babies by using the assessing, planning and implementing and evaluating process within the multi-disciplinary framework.

 Patterns of shift work will be required to enable a twenty-four hour service; this will also include on-calls.

 Ensure optimal use is made on available resources to provide appropriate cover over a twenty four hour period working within the defined budget.

 To develop, implement, monitor and update with colleagues new practice initiatives such as policies /protocols / guidelines that are evidenced based ensuring a first class quality service.

 To maintain clinical competence and responsibility for professional development in all areas of midwifery to ensure continuing professional development meeting the standards set by the knowledge and skills framework in Band 7.

 To develop and facilitate a conductive environment for all learners fulfilling the mentorship and preceptorship roles.

 Develop excellent leadership / managerial skills to ensure a dynamic and innovative approach to team building / performance, and provide a visible and accessible presence to which patients and their families can turn to for advice, assistance and support.

 Implement the Human Resource Strategies at local level to effectively manage recruitment and retention, sickness absence, leave entitlement, and pay returns.

 To ensure the appraisal process is conducted in a timely manner as laid out in the Trusts policy for allocated staff.

 To make efficient and effective use of resources with regular review of personal and service objectives ensuring personal annual appraisal and supervisor of midwives review are performed.

 To maintain safe working environments in accordance with risk management and statutory guidelines reporting, acting and investigating on all accidents, incidents and complaints whilst maintaining accurate records.

 Take a lead role in a specific area of practice and share the knowledge and skills gained with other
members of staff.

COMMUNICATIONS AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Internal: Managers within the Woman’s Health Directorate, Supervisors of Midwives, Department Managers, Anaesthetic, Paediatric and Obstetric Medical staff, Midwives, Special Care Baby Unit/Neonatal Intensive Care Unit staff, Lead midwife in Child Protection and Hospital Site Leads

Other NHS: Health Visitors and child protection advisors, Local supervisory authority, General Practitioners, Nursing and Midwifery Council, Local PCT and NMC
External (to NHS): Social Services, Midwives teachers, Students of midwifery, nursing and
medicine

PHYSICAL EFFORT
This post involves several periods of moderate physical effort including walking or standing for most of the shift, pushing or pulling trolleys or commodes, kneeling and crouching to support women’s choice of delivery position, and manoeuvring women.

MENTAL EFFORT
Frequent concentration is required i.e. checking documents, recording accurate and timely clinical information, and calculating drug dosages. Working in some stressful emergency situations.

EMOTIONAL EFFORT
Dealing with distressed relatives, caring for women and their family who have suffered a bereavement, caring for women who are extremely unwell, caring for women at a particularly emotionally vulnerable period in their life. Dealing with situations when choices women make regarding their care challenge Trust guidelines and policies.

 WORKING CONDITIONS
Unpredictable exposure to adverse environmental conditions, i.e. occasional aggression by patients or their partners, also unpleasant working conditions when visiting patients at home. Frequent contact with body fluids when providing personal care.

MOST CHALLENGING PART OF THE JOB

To be an active team leader / manager providing the full range of midwifery care at the same time as developing your skills in order to demonstrate your advanced midwifery practitioner skills.

To enhance your midwifery role by demonstrating excellent leadership and managerial skills to ensure a dynamic and innovative approach to team building / performance.

You will be required to change your unit on a temporary basis to maintain service provision and develop your practice.

You will be required to develop you competencies set out in the practice portfolio relating to the knowledge and skills framework for Band 7.
We confirm that the details of the above post as presented are correct. This is a description of the duties of the post as it is at present. This is not intended to be exhaustive. The job will be reviewed on a regular basis in order to ensure that the duties meet the requirements of the service and to make any necessary changes.

This should be read in conjunction with the Trust Job Description Clauses document.

Experience

Demonstration of previous experiences in relation to the knowledge and skills framework

Skills, Knowledge & Aptitude

Ability to work towards and demonstrate completion ofInduction pack, Preceptorship pack and Practice portfolio Competencies and clinical skills related to the knowledge and skills framework for Band 7
Communication and inter personal skills (verbal and written)
Organisational prioritising skills

Knowledge

Midwives rules and code of practice
Understanding of research related to midwifery
Awareness of current issues in Health Care
Awareness of role of Supervisor of Midwives
Understands role supporting staff through the appraisal, mentorship and preceptorship process.

Qualifications
Midwife on practising register.
Evidence of further study
ENB 997/Preparation for mentorship course or equivalent.
Be prepared to undertake further academic study.
Must meet senior gateway criteria for band 6

Midwife job description