Job summary

Our Maternity Services have undergone some exciting and innovative changes in recent years and we are proud of the ongoing programme for improvement. Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.

We are looking for an experienced Risk and Compliance professional to join our team, to provide leadership to the staff, functions and services managed, and to support the Director of Midwifery on strategic quality governance development for the care group across the three sites.

Main duties of the job

To act as the Care Group lead for the development, co-ordination and implementation of effective Quality Governance framework within the MSE Maternity, Paediatric and Gynecology Service to ensure an integrated approach to patient safety and embedding a safety culture and early escalation of risks and issues. This will include a Care Group-wide approach to: Quality and Safety, Risk Management and the Patient Experience and will include a specific remit to ensure robust processes are in place to meet the service's requirements for providing excellence in the delivery of care.

They will work closely with the Director of Midwifery; site Heads of Midwifery, Associate Director of Paediatrics and the Senior Leadership Teams to ensure the smooth and effective management of the Maternity, Paediatric and Gynaecology quality Governance framework.

About us

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is now one of the largest trusts in the country, serving a population of 1.2 million people. Our newly formed Trust, comprising acute hospital sites at Broomfield in Chelmsford, Basildon and Southend, is determined to provide the best health services for its local population. We are a well-led, high-performing and innovative organisation working in the best interests of the people we serve.

With a workforce of approximately 15,000 staff, we can now do more and go further in delivering health services to our local communities

Our Maternity Services have undergone some exciting and innovative changes in recent years and we are proud of the ongoing programme for improvement. Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.

Patients will experience improved care as well as fewer delays and cancellations. We are able to provide more once-in-a-lifetime specialist care region-wide. With our new trust size will come more opportunities for development, research, networking and innovation.

We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For more information about this role, please see attached job description.

Managerial Leadership

• Demonstrate an organisational approach to the development of maternity services.
• Manage a team of Specialist Midwives that support the governance agenda.
• Lead on specific initiatives of service development and contribute to the planning and implementation of service changes.
• Support the Head of Midwifery/Nursing in workforce planning ensuring Maternity staffing requirements are in line with national planning tools and the workforce is fit for purpose.
• Provide professional leadership and development for staff in the unit, ensuring they are competent and effective.
• Manage the identified practice areas of responsibility and support team leaders in the development of their roles.
• Work closely with the Obstetric team to ensure a robust, integrated maternity service provision.
• Promote good communication and collaborative working relationships with the multidisciplinary team.
• Ensure safe staffing levels for the maternity service at all times, implementing the Escalation Policy when needed.
• Lead and supervise the work of staff and delegate responsibilities as required.
• Conduct any disciplinary procedures, where necessary, in line with Trust policies.
• Ensure 100% compliance with those undertaking PDR.
• Participate in the selection and recruitment of staff for the unit.
• Create a positive learning environment.
• Manage sickness and absence according to the Trusts policies.
• Ensure that support services provide a safe and clean environment for the well being of patients, visitors and staff and that the services are of a high standard.
• Lead on specific projects and delegated by the Head of Maternity Governance.
• Attend allocated departmental and hospital meetings as required.

Governance/Risk

• Embed the Care Group Risk Management Strategy ensuring processes are fit for purpose.
• Support the development, formulation and implementation of unit guidelines, policies and protocols.
• Ensure the Care Group Governance objectives align with the Trusts priorities.
• Be responsible for the effective and efficient running of Clinical Governance Meetings, ensure each department is represented.
• Provide expert leadership on the governance agenda and liaise closely with the Trust leads for risk and Compliance and Patient Safety.
• To ensure that the Trust Serious Incident Policy is fully embedded and maintain oversight to ensure effective review of reported incidents and ensure these are investigated appropriately.
• To maintain oversight of the clinical audit programme and ensure this reflects key areas of clinical risk.
• To ensure maternity statistics are available to monitor performance and drive improvements.
• To oversee processes for learning from Serious Incidents is embedded.
• Ensure incidents and concerns about quality or safety are acted upon swiftly and appropriately.
• Contribute to the implementation of recommendations from national drivers such as Continuity of carer, Ockenden and East Kent reports.

Quality and Patient Experience

• Liaise closely with the Director of Midwifery / Heads of midwifery to ensure quality initiatives in midwifery are embedded into care.
• Oversee the provision of effective key performance indicators to highlight areas of compliance with outcome measures as defined by the CQC within the service
• Oversee responses to complaints within set timescales, develop action plans and support the Head of Midwifery in the overall management of the complaints process.
• As appropriate, meet with parents to provide feedback from the investigation of incidents and complaints.

Risk Management

• To ensure the process for the development and review of clinical guidelines is effective.
• Review aspects of service delivery in line with audits, recommendations from incidents and other national drivers and develop action plans where required.
• Lead on the collection and presentation of risk management information to assist with service development.
• Be responsible for the identification and investigation of other incidents, monitoring the implementation of actions identified.
• To provide expert advice to the Directorate on CNST standards and requirements in relation to maternity services.
• Have complete oversight of SI investigations, Complaints and Incidents for the
• Work in collaboration with HSIB, MBRACE and NHS Resolutions
• Drive audit for development and implementation of an audit programme which responds to regulatory requirements e.g. CQC, NICE, CNST.

This job profile is not a definitive or exhaustive list of responsibilities but identifies the key responsibilities and tasks of the post holder. The specific objectives of the post holder will be subject to review as part of the Appraisal and Development Plan process.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Midwife
• Educated to Masters level or equivalent senior midwifery experience
• Evidence of ongoing postgraduate education
• Mentorship module or equivalent
• Current NMC registration

Desirable

• Registered Nurse
• Management/Leadership Qualification
• Experience in Human Factors

Knowledge and experience

Essential

• Significant experience at Band 8A or equivalent in midwifery/nursing
• Experience in CNST incentives schemes assessment
• Experience of extensive involvement with risk management
• Experience of implementing quality and safety initiatives
• Experience in audit and data capture
• Professional knowledge plus additional clinical governance, patient safety and risk management experience

Desirable

• Change management
• Project experience (GANTT, PRINCE)

Communication skills

Essential

• Ability to initiate change and implement projects
• Leadership skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Computer literate, including use of databases
• Ability to negotiate and influence

Desirable

• IT qualification e.g. excel, ECDL

Personal and People Development

Essential

• Knowledge of national drivers underpinning maternity services
• Knowledge of statutory regulations governing midwifery and nursing

Desirable

• Organisational/strategic experience in managing maternity services

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

390-W&C-SO-9507-C