Job summary
The Head of Midwifery is a key member of the Divisional Management Team, reporting to the Director of Midwifery and Gynaecology Nursing. The post holder will provide operational midwifery leadership across women's services, ensuring the day-to-day delivery of high standards of patient care across integrated care pathways at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
The role provides assurance on clinical and operational governance systems, including risk management, CQC standards, clinical quality, patient experience, safeguarding and health and safety. Following a 6-month probationary period, objectives will be reviewed to include neonates and the role rebranded as appropriate.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will support the Director of Midwifery, Clinical Director and Divisional Manager to deliver workforce, quality, safety, performance and leadership objectives.
They will deputise for the Director of Midwifery as required, including presenting Board assurance and Quality Committee reports.
Responsibilities include day-to-day operational management of maternity and gynaecology services, leading workforce and safe staffing reviews, and ensuring compliance with Trust-wide policies.
The role leads on governance, quality improvement, incident management, safeguarding, patient experience and continuous professional development, ensuring women and families remain at the centre of care.
About us
With a new hospital planned for Watford, work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, this is an exciting time to join us.
We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare.
Staff wellbeing and development are a priority, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience.
Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others. We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance.www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking If you have a disability or long-term health condition and require support or guidance please contactwestherts.recruitment@nhs.net If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.
We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Head of Midwifery will provide strategic and professional leadership to midwives, nurses, clinical nurse specialists, matrons and multidisciplinary teams across womens services.
They will ensure effective workforce management, clinical supervision and staff development frameworks are in place to promote engagement, excellence and continuous improvement.
The post holder will work closely with key stakeholders including Maternity Voice Partnerships and Local Maternity Systems, sharing best practice locally and nationally.
Core hours are MondayFriday, with flexibility required to meet service needs and provide senior leadership cover, including deputising during planned and unplanned absences.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Head of Midwifery will provide strategic and professional leadership to midwives, nurses, clinical nurse specialists, matrons and multidisciplinary teams across womens services.
They will ensure effective workforce management, clinical supervision and staff development frameworks are in place to promote engagement, excellence and continuous improvement.
The post holder will work closely with key stakeholders including Maternity Voice Partnerships and Local Maternity Systems, sharing best practice locally and nationally.
Core hours are MondayFriday, with flexibility required to meet service needs and provide senior leadership cover, including deputising during planned and unplanned absences.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Current registration as a Midwife on relevant part of the NMC Register.
- First degree or equivalent.
- Master's Degree.
- Leadership qualifications and/ or experience.
- Implemented and lead on practice related changes.
- Strong evidence of continuing professional development.
Desirable
- Evidence of Executive/Leadership Development.
- Recognised leadership course.
Knowledge
Essential
- Sound knowledge and experience of all aspects of midwifery practice.
- Sound knowledge of current national drives, National maternity agenda, assurance around maternity quality and safety.
- Excellent evidence based theoretical knowledge with the ability to apply theory to practice.
- Knowledge of issues around safeguarding children and adults.
- Knowledge and experience of implementing UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative Standards and Accreditation.
- Knowledge of (and experience of involvement in) clinical governance and risk management processes.
- Knowledge of strategic developments in midwifery, locally and nationally. Knowledge and experience of equality, diversity, and human rights in line with national policy.
- Understanding of midwifery, A-equip model and restorative clinical midwifery supervision.
Experience
Essential
- Experience as Senior Midwife in an acute NHS environment at 8a level.
- Evidence of working with Local Maternity Systems and Strategic Clinical Networks.
- Experience as a Matron/Clinical Midwifery Manager managing clinical teams.
- Experience of managing complex change and sustaining improvements.
- Proven experience of building effective partnerships and alliances both internal and external to the organisation.
- Experience of developing and implementing a nursing and midwifery strategy and governance processes.
- Experience of Leading on the Care Quality Commission inspection regime.
- Proven management experience and the ability to lead staff in achieving complex outcomes.
- Significant budget management experience.
- Experience of dealing with services users' complaints; investigating informal and formal complaints and writing response letters.
- Experience of performance managing staff.
- Experience of working with colleagues in the CCG.
Desirable
- Experience of working with colleagues in the CCG.
- Experience of local or regional strategic working.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Current registration as a Midwife on relevant part of the NMC Register.
- First degree or equivalent.
- Master's Degree.
- Leadership qualifications and/ or experience.
- Implemented and lead on practice related changes.
- Strong evidence of continuing professional development.
Desirable
- Evidence of Executive/Leadership Development.
- Recognised leadership course.
Knowledge
Essential
- Sound knowledge and experience of all aspects of midwifery practice.
- Sound knowledge of current national drives, National maternity agenda, assurance around maternity quality and safety.
- Excellent evidence based theoretical knowledge with the ability to apply theory to practice.
- Knowledge of issues around safeguarding children and adults.
- Knowledge and experience of implementing UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative Standards and Accreditation.
- Knowledge of (and experience of involvement in) clinical governance and risk management processes.
- Knowledge of strategic developments in midwifery, locally and nationally. Knowledge and experience of equality, diversity, and human rights in line with national policy.
- Understanding of midwifery, A-equip model and restorative clinical midwifery supervision.
Experience
Essential
- Experience as Senior Midwife in an acute NHS environment at 8a level.
- Evidence of working with Local Maternity Systems and Strategic Clinical Networks.
- Experience as a Matron/Clinical Midwifery Manager managing clinical teams.
- Experience of managing complex change and sustaining improvements.
- Proven experience of building effective partnerships and alliances both internal and external to the organisation.
- Experience of developing and implementing a nursing and midwifery strategy and governance processes.
- Experience of Leading on the Care Quality Commission inspection regime.
- Proven management experience and the ability to lead staff in achieving complex outcomes.
- Significant budget management experience.
- Experience of dealing with services users' complaints; investigating informal and formal complaints and writing response letters.
- Experience of performance managing staff.
- Experience of working with colleagues in the CCG.
Desirable
- Experience of working with colleagues in the CCG.
- Experience of local or regional strategic working.
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).
