Job responsibilities
2. JOB PURPOSE
The
postholder is responsible for the assessment of care needs, the development,
implementation and evaluation of programmes of care, and may be required to
teach other midwives and non-midwifery staff. S/he takes responsibility as
the prime care provider for a group of women.
The
postholder is a prime care provider who is required to practice clinical
skills developed through experience but at a more advanced level than
required for those who have just qualified as midwives.
The
postholder is designated to take charge of a ward in the absence of the
person who has continuing responsibility.
3. JOB DIMENSIONS
The
maternity unit has approximately 10,000 births a year. LTHT is a tertiary
referral centre for both obstetrics and neonatology. Other specialities within the hospital that
impact on maternity unit are feto-maternal medicine, adult and neonatal cardiology,
neonatal surgery and a reproductive medicine unit.
The
postholder will work within the community, caring for women and their babies
before, during and after pregnancy depending on the area.
S/he
participates in internal rotation throughout the maternity units and covers
both day and night shifts.
The
midwife maintains personal contact with women and meets their needs on an
individual basis by listening, assessing, planning, implementing and
evaluating care. The midwife is aware of the anxieties of women and their
families and the support they may need.
The
midwife ensures that the appropriate practitioner is informed promptly of a
complication or change in the mother's or baby's condition.
S/he
ensures effective communication with health care professionals and other
personnel to ensure continued care to the patient and assists in the smooth
running of the ward/area.
Reports
on the changes occurring in treatment and client needs during the shift and
is prepared to work in areas of the midwifery service other than where based
in order to meet the requirements of the service.
KNOWLEDGE,
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Qualifications
Degree or equivalent
Registered Midwife
Experience
At least 18 months experience as a
midwife or equivalent within speciality
Working with a wide range of
professionals including medical and management colleagues
Teaching/assessing qualification
(Desirable)
Skills
Ability to communicate effectively
within a multi-disciplinary team
Ability to teach, supervise and
assess qualified and unqualified staff
Time management skills
Clinical leadership
Teaching skills
IT skills
Knowledge
Insight into clinical speciality
Insight into current issues in
midwifery/professional issues
Standards of professional practice
Personal
Attributes
Professional and patient focused
Flexible, adaptable, capable of
lateral thinking
Excellent interpersonal skills
6. THE LEEDS WAY VALUES
Our
values are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this
as a strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our
staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values are:
Patient-centred
Collaborative
Fair
Accountable
Empowered
All
our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values
Additionally
the following are core values which relate specifically to this post:
The
beliefs and attitudes that underpin effective performance within the job
role. Emphasis should be on the
requirements of the role not the individual when completing this
section. Examples might include:
quality focus, mistakes are used as a continual learning experience, honesty,
integrity etc.
7. CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS
Teaching and assessing skills
Communication skills
Time management skills
Preceptorship skills
Understanding of research based
practice
Team player
Professional at all times
Understanding of the process of
change
8. CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
An understanding of the
organisational structure and working practices of the organisation
Understanding of the local and
national midwifery agenda
Awareness of Leeds Teaching
Hospitals Trust guidelines and policies
9. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF
RESPONSIBILITY
Clinical
Maintain a high standard of women
centred care in accordance with Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust guidelines and
policies
Act as a referral agent and
co-ordinator of care provision.
Establishes effective multi-agency collaboration across the
primary/secondary interface to meet the needs of the patients.
Act as a role model for the
development of clinical skills and knowledge within the department team
Maintain a safe working environment
Support the Senior Midwife in
setting and monitoring standards and seek to continuously improve standards
and the quality of patient care, including national standards
- Promote evidence based practice.
- Participate in the audit and
evaluation of clinical practice in the interests of promoting quality care
- Provide assessment, planning,
implementation and evaluation of midwifery care for women and their babies,
ensuring written records are kept to NMC standards
- Communicate with women and carers
to ensure they have access to appropriate information
- Promote and maintain positive
relationships between all staff involved in the care of women.
- Undertake duties on different
wards/depts as and when required by service demands
Education
and Training
Contribute to the promotion of a
positive learning environment within the clinical area
In conjunction with the Senior Midwife
ensure all staff have an individual performance development plan
Ensure both self and team members
achieve annual mandatory training requirements
Participate in preceptorship and
mentorship programmes
Undertake continuous professional
and clinical development, seeking opportunities to enhance skills
Managerial
Working with Senior Midwife to
provide leadership to the clinical team, developing new ways of working
Support Senior Midwife in staff
rostering, ensuring adequate skill mix
In conjunction with Senior Midwife
closely monitor bank and agency usage
Support Senior Midwife in
investigating and responding to complaints, untoward incidents and other
significant events
Work with Matron/Senior Midwife to
promote the development of midwives as considered appropriate
Deputise for Senior Midwife in
his/her absence.
Health
and Safety/Risk Management
All
staff are responsible for working with their colleagues to maintain and
improve the quality of services provided to our patients and other service
users. This includes complying at all
times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Policies, including Health
and Safety policies, in particular by following agreed safe working
procedures, and reporting incidents using the Trust Incident Reporting
system.
Infection
Control
The
jobholder must comply at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS
Trust Infection Control policies, in particular by practising Universal
Infection Control Precautions. Hand hygiene must be performed before and after
contact with patients and their environment.
Equality
and Diversity
The
jobholder must comply with all policies and procedures designed to ensure
equality of employment and that services are delivered in ways that meet the
individual needs of patients and their families. No person whether they are staff, patient
or visitor should receive less favourable treatment because of their gender,
ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion etc.
Patient
and Public Involvement
The
Trust has a statutory duty to involve patients and public in evaluating and
planning services. All staff have a
responsibility to listen to the views of patients and to contribute to
service improvements based on patient feedback.
Training
and Personal Development Continuous Professional Development
The
jobholder must take responsibility in agreement with his/her line manager for
his/her own personal development by ensuring that Continuous Professional
Development remains a priority. The
jobholder will undertake all mandatory training required for the role.
Respect
for Patient Confidentiality
The
jobholder should respect patient confidentiality at all times and not divulge
patient information unless sanctioned by the requirements of the role.
10. COMMUNICATION & WORKING
RELATIONSHIPS
All grades midwifery and support
staff
Allied Health Professionals
All grades of Medical staff
Facilities staff
Matron
11. SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS
