Job summary
This service aims to improve access to the provision of a culturally competent genetic service for consanguineous families at increased risk of autosomal recessive genetic disorders.
The provision of culturally competent genetic service for consanguineous families includes pre-pregnancy, antenatal and postnatal care for families that are practicing close relative marriage and are at increased risk of having a child with a genetic disorder due to a family history of a genetic condition(s).
Improving understanding about genetic inheritance can empower affected families and reduce unexpected, affected births. The Close Relative Marriage Midwife, along with the Genomic Associate (based in the regional genetics service) and other health and care professionals will facilitate this improvement.
The Close Relative Marriage Midwife will be based in the antenatal service team at the provider trust and will have access to a network of other Close Relative Marriage Midwives in other high need areas in England.
The midwife will be a champion for families at increased risk of genetic disorders due to close relative marriage and a resource/point of contact for midwives, obstetricians and other members of the maternity team.
Develop an understanding of the issues and research evidence on the subject matter.
To improve access to genetic services by improving local pathways for women at increased risk of genetic disorders due to close relative marriage.
Main duties of the job
The Close Relative Marriage Midwife will work as part of a team to deliver high quality care by supporting managers and staff across the maternity service as set out in Culturally competent genetic services and close relative marriage: Funding criteria for areas of high need available on NHS England's Future NHS Collaboration Platform, Maternity Local Transformation Hub.
The Close Relative Marriage Midwife will proactively work with women from Pakistani ethnic groups to encourage a greater level of genetic testing/awareness /literacy among families where consanguineous related genetic disorders are present and improve access to genetic services for families thereby enable informed reproductive decision-making.
About us
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics.
You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career.
We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.
All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required.
Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will
- Ensure that provision of genetic information is available to all women practising close relative marriage with a family history of a genetic disorder to enable empowered and timely decision making.
- Ensure timely referrals to the genetic service to ensure women have opportunity to understand their risks and the options available to them in a pregnancy.
- Empower women to make informed choices in a culturally sensitive way.
- Initiate sensitive, appropriate conversations with families affected with autosomal recessive disorders linked to close relative marriage.
- Establish the role within the maternity team and be a point of contact and/or referral for other midwives.
Support the development of and maintenance of collaborative working, including to:
- Ensure a common understanding of genetic risk
- Promote the use of standardised resources and materials
- Support the development of joint ways of working across maternity, clinical genetics, health visiting and general practice
- Ensure learning is shared with the maternity team
In particular, the post holder will:
- Support teams to ensure that the portfolio of tasks/projects is planned, managed and delivered effectively with Managers support
- Support and inform the targeting of resources, implementation and evaluation of the tasks/projects by providing high quality support including information analysis, communications and stakeholder management.
- Ensure accurate and open communication and co-ordination with a range of organisations and individuals, researching and drafting correspondence.
- Support specific tasks, reporting and analysis
- Be a key member of the team as well as supporting effective communication and stakeholder management, both internally and externally
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will
- Ensure that provision of genetic information is available to all women practising close relative marriage with a family history of a genetic disorder to enable empowered and timely decision making.
- Ensure timely referrals to the genetic service to ensure women have opportunity to understand their risks and the options available to them in a pregnancy.
- Empower women to make informed choices in a culturally sensitive way.
- Initiate sensitive, appropriate conversations with families affected with autosomal recessive disorders linked to close relative marriage.
- Establish the role within the maternity team and be a point of contact and/or referral for other midwives.
Support the development of and maintenance of collaborative working, including to:
- Ensure a common understanding of genetic risk
- Promote the use of standardised resources and materials
- Support the development of joint ways of working across maternity, clinical genetics, health visiting and general practice
- Ensure learning is shared with the maternity team
In particular, the post holder will:
- Support teams to ensure that the portfolio of tasks/projects is planned, managed and delivered effectively with Managers support
- Support and inform the targeting of resources, implementation and evaluation of the tasks/projects by providing high quality support including information analysis, communications and stakeholder management.
- Ensure accurate and open communication and co-ordination with a range of organisations and individuals, researching and drafting correspondence.
- Support specific tasks, reporting and analysis
- Be a key member of the team as well as supporting effective communication and stakeholder management, both internally and externally
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Midwife (NMC)
- Mentorship qualification
- Educated to Degree level or equivalent
Knowledge
Essential
- Evidence of CPD
- Awareness of National & local health policy relating to maternity & health economy
- Proven experience of working in a variety of clinical areas
- Experience of explaining complex concepts to patients in a clear and simplified manner
Desirable
- Evidence of genetic training / experience in field of genetics
- Further training or significant experience in project management, financial management or supporting change management processes
- An understanding of genomics/genetics and midwifery
- Data management & Audit experience
- Project management experience
Skills
Essential
- Clear communicator with excellent writing, report writing and presentation skills
- Skills for nurturing key relationships and maintaining networks.
- Able to work on own initiative, organising and prioritising own and other workloads to changing and often tight deadlines.
- Demonstrable IT skills
- Able to make a connection between their work and the benefit to patients and the public.
Desirable
- Fluent in a relevant language
- Ability to analyse and interpret information and evaluate issues and recommend an appropriate course of action to address the issues
- Demonstrable commitment to partnership working with a range of external organisations
Personal Characteristics
Essential
- Works well with others, is positive and helpful, listens, involves, respects and learns from the contribution of others
- Self-awareness in terms of emotional intelligence, biases and personal triggers with cultural sensitivity and awareness
- Ability to travel across sites where required
- Consistently looks to improve what they do, looks for successful tried and tested ways of working and also seeks out innovation
- Commitment to and focused on quality, promotes high standards in all they do
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Midwife (NMC)
- Mentorship qualification
- Educated to Degree level or equivalent
Knowledge
Essential
- Evidence of CPD
- Awareness of National & local health policy relating to maternity & health economy
- Proven experience of working in a variety of clinical areas
- Experience of explaining complex concepts to patients in a clear and simplified manner
Desirable
- Evidence of genetic training / experience in field of genetics
- Further training or significant experience in project management, financial management or supporting change management processes
- An understanding of genomics/genetics and midwifery
- Data management & Audit experience
- Project management experience
Skills
Essential
- Clear communicator with excellent writing, report writing and presentation skills
- Skills for nurturing key relationships and maintaining networks.
- Able to work on own initiative, organising and prioritising own and other workloads to changing and often tight deadlines.
- Demonstrable IT skills
- Able to make a connection between their work and the benefit to patients and the public.
Desirable
- Fluent in a relevant language
- Ability to analyse and interpret information and evaluate issues and recommend an appropriate course of action to address the issues
- Demonstrable commitment to partnership working with a range of external organisations
Personal Characteristics
Essential
- Works well with others, is positive and helpful, listens, involves, respects and learns from the contribution of others
- Self-awareness in terms of emotional intelligence, biases and personal triggers with cultural sensitivity and awareness
- Ability to travel across sites where required
- Consistently looks to improve what they do, looks for successful tried and tested ways of working and also seeks out innovation
- Commitment to and focused on quality, promotes high standards in all they do
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
