The post holder will act as a role model demonstrating clinical leadership and midwifery expertise and promote exceptional team working. The post holder will be the lead midwife for recruitment and retention including providing pastoral support to Midwives. The post holder will also be the lead midwife for the Professional Midwifery Advocate (PMA) service leading the PMA team midwives develop and embed the PMA service at ANHSFT.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will provide leadership and direction utilising retention strategies for all teams across maternity services working closely with the Deputy Head of Midwifery and the Midwifery Practice Educator. They will support, guide and monitor midwives, early career retention support, late career progression, retire and return flexibility. The post holder will lead on recruitment within maternity services, they will work collaboratively with internal and external colleagues to explore innovative recruitment plans to attract sufficient numbers of staff to meet the funded establishment.

The post holder will develop appropriate strategies and policy to utilise and deliver a service based on the four principles of the A-EQUIP model, which provides a continuous improvement process that builds upon personal and professional resilience, enhances quality of care for women and supports preparedness for midwives in appraisal and professional revalidation.

About us

We want to attract staff who embrace our Right Care behaviours of compassion, a commitment to quality of care and working together for families we want to make these part of our DNA.

Job description

Job responsibilities

• To lead on improving midwifery retention, in collaboration with the Deputy Head of Midwifery and clinical maternity managers.
• Supporting return to practice midwives, early career midwives and international recruitment
• Support exit interviews with the senior management team to develop trends for improvements and analyse data in line with current national recommendations
• Create a supportive and positive work environment that promotes work-life balance and well-being and lead on initiatives.
• To lead and assist with the development of recruitment plans and events and drive workforce agenda for midwifery services
• Be pivotal in planning and developing support mechanisms during the maternity induction for midwives and MSWs, through positive engagement.
• Be an active member of trust, system and regional forums relating to retention, recruitment, staff well being and forums relating to the PMA agenda to represent ANHSFT and bring back learning and best practice to the trust
• Review national guidelines and benchmark recommendations against current midwifery practice advise quality and governance team accordingly.
• Contribute to the review of existing guidelines and the development of new ones as appropriate providing expert, evidence-based midwifery knowledge
• Work closely with the wider multi-disciplinary team to ensure PMA representation at meetings and forums.
• A highly visible practitioner leading on activities to motivate and engage the maternity workforce. Facilitate changes in midwifery practice which improves the quality of care to women and their families
• Lead the planning and coordination of the PMA activities and restorative sessions throughout the year to ensure personal reflection related to clinical practice which adhere to the principles of Restorative Clinical Supervision (RCS)
• Identify and support individual midwives by addressing any practice issues highlighted through incidents, investigation or by Performance Development Planning through RCS, acting in a timely manner to protect women and their families and minimising the impact of incidents on the individual
• Enable midwifery reflection through sharing good practice, compliments, complaints, education, audit, research participation and feedback for example.
• Support the PMA sessional team to ensure the PMA service is delivered. Facilitates personal actions for quality improvement through learning, reflection, and implementation of guidance into practice with individual midwives.
• The post holder will be required to work clinically as a midwife times of escalation to embed a culture of visible leadership and maintain own clinical skills and expertise.
• Participate in the on call rota for the maternity unit to support at times of heightened activity and escalation and to work clinically as required.
• Communicate with key personnel to maximise the potential for facilitating support for midwives and women.
• Provide a quarterly report on activities including number of interactions, progress on actions and outstanding issues pertaining to PMA and retention.
• Identify practice needs to enable midwives to support women making unusual care requests.
• Work with sessional PMAs and ensure a good working relationship with this cohort to ensure a transparent PMA service to the maternity department.
• Work closely with the Womens risk and governance team and clinical managers prioritising support for individual staff involved in any incidents or investigations
• Demonstrate clear, effective extended communication skills with colleagues and other agencies to ensure effective implementation of objectives.

Person Specification

KNOWLEDGE

Essential

• Leadership and management skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Sound knowledge of the professional agenda in relation to maternity services workforce including PMA
• Knowledge of quality improvement process with proven skills, tools and experience
• Confident and experienced in challenging existing systems/protocols

Desirable

• Credible inspirational leader with experience of implementing change
• Knowledge or training in trauma informed practice

SKILLS

Essential

• Able to demonstrate evidence of multi disciplinary team working
• Ability to work well under pressure and demonstrate resilience
• Recognise and value the contribution of others within the multidisciplinary team.
• Competent in the use of IT and computer skills, word processing and report writing
• Evidence of skills in decision making, diplomacy and negotiation and conflict resolution
• Ability to deal with conflicting demands ensuring key priorities and deadlines are met through effective time management.
• Evidence of excellent record keeping

Desirable

• Competent in the use of databases and spreadsheets

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

• Registered Midwife
• Relevant Health Related Degree
• Qualified Professional Midwifery Advocate or willingness to undertake course on employment
• Recognised teaching qualification

Desirable

• Leadership qualification
• Education at Master's level

EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Experience at Band 6/7 registered midwife
• Evidence of continued professional development
• Previous experience in managing/leading change in practice
• Evidence of learning and development in line with NMC Revalidation requirements
• Knowledge of risk management and clinical governance

Desirable

• Evidence of research-based practice
• Research and audit experience

RIGHT CARE VALUES

Essential

• You take the time and effort to understand people and their situations
• You recognise everyone as an individual and tailor communications to their individual needs
• You stand up for our values and challenge others who do not
• You always see things from the patient and family's perspective and put their needs first
• You go the extra mile for patients and colleagues
• You always try to be the best you can be and encourage others to do the same
• You are a role model and inspire others by your example
• You actively seek out best practice and embrace change

Employer details

Employer name

Airedale NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Airedale General Hospital

Skipton Road

Steeton

BD20 6TD

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

423-5748522