Saving Babies Lives Specialist Midwife

Job responsibilities

Professional responsibilities

Communicate with the key stakeholders to maximise the success of SBLCB.

Provide timely and accurate progress reports to all stakeholders.

In collaboration with other senior midwives and midwifery managers contribute to providing and collecting evidence for achievement of SBLCB at all levels.

Work closely with the SBLCB Matron, SBLCB Midwives, the Lead Midwife for education, the lead midwife for risk and governance, and lead midwife for quality improvement to achieve key deliverables.

Develop and implement action plans to rectify deficiencies identified and report to the senior midwifery team regularly.

Liaise closely with relevant individuals when there is an issue with any of the elements within the SBLCB.

Develop communication networks with local and national teams that are beneficial in improving maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Communicate with people in a form and manner consistent with their level of understanding, culture, background, and preferred ways of communicating.

Develop and maintain communication with people about complex matters or demanding situations.

Play a lead role in the setting, implementing, and monitoring of standards required by the care bundle.

Work as an active member of the midwifery services in collaboration with other health care professionals and other agencies. Be willing to work as maternity operational manager on rota basis.

Have human relation skills which enable them to:

o Understand, influence, and communicate with colleagues, women, and their families.

o Support colleagues with elevated levels of stress, recognising when counselling is required. Facilitate peer group support.

o Write, discuss, and analyse facts about events and produce standard reports when required.

Leadership

Act as a role model for effective clinical leadership, enabling and facilitating others to take forward initiatives to achieve the implementation of SBLCB and reduce the rate of stillbirths.

Be aware of NHS initiatives and assist in change management.

Ensure Trust policies and guidelines are adhered to, and regular updating of staff takes place.

To maintain current records and progress reports on individual projects and initiatives relating to the SBLCB care bundle.

To maintain the high standards of the Department by contributing towards individual and team objectives.

To actively participate and contribute towards the setting and achievement of personal objectives.

To support ward/department senior staff and Departmental Matrons and exercise leadership skills to achieve high morale.

Exercise leadership skills to act as a catalyst for change.

To develop and co-ordinate effective team working.

To communicate on a regular basis with the senior midwifery team regarding progress with the care bundle, trust objectives, plans and business developments.

There may be occasions where you will be required to work clinically in times of high activity.

Organisational/Management responsibilities

Use all resources efficiently and effectively and maintain operational standards, taking responsibility for regular testing and maintenance of all equipment.

Play a lead role in the achievement and maintenance of high standards of service, using the tools of clinical audit, environment audit, and consumer satisfaction surveys to their full effect.

Delegate where appropriate.

Be accountable for their own professional practice.

Be aware of and participate in the development of the service to meet changing needs.

Record information accurately and complete midwifery documentation in compliance with the NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council) Midwives Rules and other NMC standards.

The midwife will work with the SBLCB Lead Midwives to provide reports on the delivery of SBLCB at the clinical governance meetings and at Trust and ICB (Integrated Care Board) level.

The midwife will raise any issues for escalation to the SBLCB matron.

The midwife may at times attend and present at wider network meetings.

Liaise with the audit lead to ensure the clinical audit programme meets the requirements of SBLCB.

Contribute to a culture which enables midwives to undertake and disseminate research evidence within clinical areas.

Promote a research culture which enables midwives to reflect on their own practice and improve care and birth outcomes.

Support the development of a learning culture to inform any changes in practice.

Lead on the development of clinical audit cycles in relation to SBLCB.

Clinical Knowledge and Clinical Practical Skills

Work closely with and support the lead midwife for pre-term birth, fetal monitoring, reduce fetal movement, pre-existing diabetes, and smoking cessation to meet the requirements of the relevant elements of the SBL care bundle.

Raise awareness of fetal surveillance through training and provision of up-to-date patient leaflets and guidelines.

Ensure continuous audit of management of women who present with reduced fetal movements and share any learning from incidents or feedback with all staff.

Ensure that the training programme and competency assessment for midwives, doctors, and sonographers to screen pregnancies at risk of fetal growth restriction, through symphysis fundal height measurements, use and interpretation of customised growth charts, ultrasound scanning for growth and uterine artery doppler measurements is completed and compliance is reviewed regularly.

Ensure all relevant staff are trained in the use of risk assessments, surveillance systems/ care pathways and that audits are performed regularly to monitor compliance.

Put the woman at the centre of care provision at all times.

Act as a resource for women and their families and colleagues.

Teaching and Learning

Support the PD midwives in the development and delivery of training programmes that adequately reflect the needs of the service and the requirements of the SBLCB.

With Ward Sisters, Matrons /Head of midwifery, contribute to writing and reviewing the Departmental Training Plan and the Clinical/ Midwifery Strategy to ensure that both are updated in line with the requirements of the SBLCB.

Be responsible and actively involved in the identification, coordination, and provision of up-to-date training on relevant aspects of the SBLCB for the multidisciplinary team.

To support learning opportunities on ward rounds and safety huddles and handovers.

Be responsible and take the lead for a successful implementation of the role objectives and highlight any areas needing development to the Consultant Midwives.

Use effective time management skills and have regular one-to-ones with SBLCB matron to ensure optimum service and personal development.

Training and development

To maintain training records/database for staff in relation to SBLCB training programme.

Network and establish links with other SBLCB regional or nationwide network to benchmark current practice and aid own and colleague professional development.

To be responsible for own professional conduct and maintain own professional development by updating knowledge and attending study days.

Produce training statistics and reports as required for CNST/LMNS.

OTHER INFORMATION

The post holder may be required to carry out other relevant duties as required.

The post holder will adhere to the duties specified under the Staff Responsibilities of the NHS Constitution in their day-to-day work and behaviours.

The post holder will be expected to aspire to the Values of the Trust in their day-to-day work and behaviours to support the Trust in achieving its Vision.

The post holder will adhere to, always, any relevant Professional or NHS Code of Conducts, legislation, and Assurance Frameworks

The post holder will make themselves familiar with, and adhere to, the policies and procedures of the Trust, and their area of work always.

The post holder will be expected to work to any personal, Corporate, Divisional, Directorate and Departmental objectives and standards to provide an acceptable level of service.

The post holder will be expected to undertake training, including mandatory and role specific training, relevant to their role and ensure it is renewed as required.

Educations, Training and Qualifications

Essential

• Registered midwife
• Degree in higher education or equivalent teaching and assessing in clinical practice
• Extensive post registration experience
• Leadership experience within specialist role or an area with transferable skills, especially in role of Fetal surveillance and risk management
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

• Policy, audit, and report writing qualification
• IT (Information Technology) qualification
• Leadership and management qualification

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Experience working as a midwife Band 6/7
• Experience in SBLCB and process implementation
• Broad range of midwifery experience including within a community, hospital or Outpatient Setting
• Experience of participation in audit activities
• Experience of implementing change
• Experience of teaching within clinical areas
• Evidence of leadership, management, and/or team development at clinical level
• Evidence of clinical teaching and supporting students in practice
• Experience working within a multidisciplinary team environment
• Excellent understanding of all Elements of SBLCB

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Sound knowledge and experience the SBLCB and its impact upon pregnancy, birth, and future health
• Able to demonstrate skills, knowledge, and experience in fetal surveillance
• Able to act as a midwifery specialist adviser to team members and other professional groups in formal and informal settings
• Motivated and able to instruct students, junior staff, and senior staff
• Ability to undertake audits and present findings at differing forums
• Able to use research to plan, implement and evaluate concepts leading to improvement of the service.
• Able to demonstrate a broad understanding of women's health needs within the concept of Saving Babies Lives Care Bundle
• Up to date with requirements of safeguarding within maternity services. Professional resilience and work ethics.
• Capable of working autonomously with no direct supervision
• Oral and written communication skills
• Effective interpersonal skills and an ability to challenge appropriately
• Able to deal sensitively and non-confrontationally with colleagues and clients

Personal Qualities & Attributes

Essential

• Innovative and visionary
• Flexible and adaptable
• Effective team leader with positive motivational skills
• Ability to co-ordinate and liaise within a multidisciplinary team
• Ability to achieve deadlines and work under pressure
• Act as a credible role model for colleagues
• Ability to work in a sustained and controlled manner
• Emotional effort - ability to work effectively in a potentially highly pressurised emotive environment
• Working conditions - working in variety of settings including other maternity areas as required

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).