Job responsibilities
Please see supporting information for full Job Description.
Key Tasks & Responsibilities:
Work
within the statutory framework governing midwifery practice.
Act as
a role model by providing strong leadership and maintaining a high standard of
professional expertise and conduct.
Liaise
with multi-disciplinary team ensuring collaborative care.
To
participate with formal investigation of complaints and incidents with the
support of line manager
Be
responsible for appraisals of an allocated number of midwives and support staff
through the personal review process, monitoring and developing performance.
Regularly
monitor the sickness and absence of staff and provide informal and formal
counselling as per trust policy.
Ensure
timely completion of duty rotas which ensure appropriate 24-hour cover of
establishment, including on calls.
Be responsible
for selection and induction of new staff within the clinical areas.
Provide
ongoing effective leadership support advice.
Participate
in the teaching and dissemination of professional and clinical knowledge to all
members of staff.
To be
fully informed of the risk management strategy, be responsible for reporting
incidents, risk assessment and development of action plans to reduce risk and
complaints.
1. Communication:
Demonstrate clear
lines of communication with colleagues, mangers, matrons, risk manger and
members of the multi-disciplinary team.
Recognises and
reflects on barriers to effective communication.
Participate in
complaints procedures as requested in relation to adverse outcomes. Report
complaints and untoward incidents to the midwifery managers, investigate as
necessary and be proactive in preventing further incidents.
Build and develop
on existing communication with external stakeholders including Maternity and Neonatal
Voice Partnership (MNVP).
Present findings of
ongoing audit and education development sessions
Lead and promote good
working relationships between midwives and the multi-professional team.
Present and use
audit meetings as a forum for improvements in standards and patient care as per
Trusts policy.
Take responsibility
for communicating to and leading staff in meeting new Trust or national
initiatives.
Promote
team building and maintain cohesion within clinical areas to establish a
positive working environment and promote and support autonomous practice.
2. Planning and organisational Skills:
Completion of the duty
rota, ensuring appropriate skill mix cover and including on call service for
homebirths and escalation, when required.
Co-ordinate team
representation at clinical audit and professional meetings within the hospital
and community setting.
Understand agenda
format and be able to organise and take minutes. Arrange team meetings and
disseminate information from meetings to ensure effective communication
approach.
Be responsible for
the operational management of personnel issues such as management of sickness
absence, including interviewing staff following each episode of absence, and
take appropriate action in line with Trust policy.
Supervise and
support the development of less experienced staff within clinical areas to
facilitate opportunities for practical and theoretical educational development.
To provide
mentorship and preceptorship to midwives and students in a supportive
environment for learning and development, working closely with the Practice
Development Team.
Act as a link with
educationalists to ensure students needs are met and take responsibility for
co-ordinating student allocation.
Act as a host to
women and visitors using the service and raise positively the public profile of
the West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust.
3. Clinical Duties:
Ensure
care given to women and their families is in keeping with agreed local policies
and with due regard to the NMC Midwives Rules, Codes of Practice and scope of
Professional Conduct.
Maintain
accurate, legible and contemporaneous records in accordance with the NMC Code.
Be
an expert in normal midwifery and act as a resource by providing support and
development opportunities for staff and students.
Be conversant with child protection procedure. Participate in planning
meetings, conferences and pre-birth assessment.
Carry
continuing responsibility for the assessment of individual care needs and
provide leadership in promoting midwifery-led care and normal birth.
Ensure
that midwifery practice is in keeping with current research and appropriate for
the individual woman and participate in the development of implementation of
research-based midwifery practice.
Be
actively involved in the clinical governance agenda in initiating and
participate in midwifery and medical audit, taking a lead role in subsequent
change process.
Maintenance
of a twenty-four-hour maternity service for women and participate in on-call
commitments as required.
Competent at
homebirths when working in community. Able to demonstrate competency in adult
and newborn resuscitation.
Skilled and
competent in maintaining contemporaneous records.
Provide a highly
visible presence in clinical areas acting as a resource for staff regarding
safeguarding children and vulnerable families.
Support midwives
and maternity support staff to plan and deliver individualised and safe care
pathways, escalating to appropriate members of the multi-disciplinary team when
challenging issues arise.
Ability to work
under pressure and maintain good clinical judgement at all times.
Maintain and
develop own professional competence and be responsible for statutory
requirements.
4. Governance:
Be proactive in
conducting audit and participate in the development, monitoring and audit of
standards of care.
Be innovative in
introducing quality approach to service provision by setting, implementing,
monitoring and evaluating standards of care.
Ensure a safe
clinical environment for women; babies and families, considering the Trusts
health and safety policies.
Understand the risk
management processes in the trust and service.
Demonstrate
awareness and compliance with risk management policy.
Demonstrate
responsibility in ensuring key recommendations from risk incidents are
effectively implemented.
Adapt and quickly
respond to changes in service or departmental needs.
To lead in the
implementation of changes to clinical practice in response to evidence-based
practice of care or the changing needs of women.
Lead and
participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of standards of
care, including guideline development and audit.
5. Finance and Resources:
To ensure effective
and efficient use of all resources. Be aware of budgetary responsibilities and
ensure adequate systems are in place for maintenance of equipment and
resources.
Appropriate use of
resources to minimise the risk from potentially harmful substances using trusts
infection prevention measures.
Be responsible for
the appropriate use, ordering and maintenance of equipment and identification
of resources needed.
6. Leadership and management:
Directly line manage
midwifery and support staff of the defined area.
Develop effective
working relationships with all members of the multidisciplinary team including
external agencies to ensure seamless care and pathways for all women.
Demonstrate a high
level of communication and organisational skills. Be a key stakeholder for the
development and management of individuals within your team.
Deputise for
Outpatients matron as necessary.
Exercise leadership
of a team to manage the provision of effective care to mothers and babies to
safeguard their wellbeing and interests.
Support, motivate
and lead by example, facilitating development of junior staff.
Participate in the
annual appraisal of midwives and support staff, build on personal development
plans with midwives to ensure they fulfil the role of the midwife with
confidence and competence.
Empower midwives to
achieve their objectives by providing ongoing support and effective leadership.
Monitor standards
and competencies within the clinical team, liaising with line manager, taking
appropriate corrective action if standards are not achieved.
7. Research & Development:
Continually
demonstrate evidence of developing clinical and managerial knowledge and
expertise.
Ensure
all staff are acquainted with current legislation and are familiar with local
policies and personnel procedures.
Be
responsible for Health, Safety and the welfare of staff, clients, and the
public.
Participate
in relevant research and audit programmes.
Participate
in audit and data collection that supports service development to improve safer
outcomes for families.
Be
responsible for the promotion of evidence-based practice.
