Lead Midwifery Care Coordinator

Position Overview

Are you dedicated to enhancing Midwifery Continuity of Care? Do you possess prior experience in a leadership role, or are you prepared to advance your career in Midwifery? If so, we invite you to explore this opportunity.

Key Responsibilities

At Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, we seek an individual to collaborate with our seasoned Community Team Leaders to oversee and direct our five established Continuity Teams throughout the region. Your role will encompass supporting the teams with scheduling, professional development, mentorship, staff retention, and ensuring the well-being of personnel while providing effective clinical leadership. While you will not manage a specific caseload, there will be opportunities for clinical involvement, and participation in an on-call schedule is expected. You will work closely with the Consultant Midwife and Matron for Community, Continuity & Bereavement.

About Our Organization

Our mission is straightforward - Prioritizing Patient Care. We are in search of outstanding professionals who can contribute to this goal.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a prominent acute and specialized healthcare provider, delivering a variety of local acute services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialized services to a broader population.

Operating from three hospital sites, our workforce exceeds 7,000 dedicated individuals, recognized for delivering exceptional patient-centered care. You could become part of this esteemed team.

We are committed to attracting the finest talent to help us realize our Vision - collaborating to provide the highest quality healthcare for our communities, while leading and supporting our teams to progress forward. Our core values, which we encourage all staff to embody, are integral to our daily operations.

Our Objectives Include:

• Delivering optimal services for local communities
• Ensuring the best patient care experience and outcomes
• Utilizing resources efficiently
• Recruiting and retaining the best talent

We are proud to have achieved Timewise accreditation, demonstrating our commitment to flexible working practices as a supportive employer.

Job Responsibilities

Purpose of the Role:

• To maintain a high standard of midwifery care through effective management of personnel and resources within the Continuity teams.
• To provide leadership in Midwifery and serve as a resource for team members.
• To ensure effective communication with multidisciplinary teams and external agencies, facilitating a seamless care pathway for families.
• To act as the lead professional for low-risk women and coordinate care for high-risk cases.
• To implement continuous risk assessment processes at every contact point.
• To advocate for normality and promote home birth services within the team.
• To stay informed and act in accordance with quality standards and guidelines relevant to the clinical area.
• To monitor and evaluate the quality of work against established standards and take necessary actions to address any issues.
• To demonstrate strong clinical leadership in challenging situations.
• To foster a positive approach to new challenges and adopt innovative working methods.
• To advocate for women and coordinate care with all members of the multidisciplinary team in the best interests of the woman and her family.
• To ensure effective training and educational programs are available to meet the needs of midwives in the clinical area.

Key Duties:

• Professional/Clinical Leadership
• Initiate new ideas and practices to enhance clinical care for mothers and babies, requiring change management skills.
• Conduct literature reviews using critical thinking and provide reports and action plans based on findings.
• Accept responsibility for infection prevention and control practices, ensuring compliance with relevant policies.
• Develop practices to assess health and well-being needs.
• Promote equality, diversity, and rights.
• Establish communication with individuals and groups regarding complex matters, overcoming communication barriers.
• Lead teams in developing knowledge, ideas, and work practices.
• Manage time effectively as an autonomous midwifery practitioner.
• Ensure midwifery practices are evidence-based and aligned with best practices.
• Control resources related to staffing, expenses, and supplies.
• Clinical Governance
• Promote best practices in health, safety, and security.
• Contribute to quality improvement initiatives.
• Facilitate research-based practices within the team and ensure proper implementation.
• Ensure adherence to Midwifery procedures in accordance with Trust policies.
• Maintain high standards of practice through effective quality assurance measures.
• Ensure all staff are familiar with and comply with Trust policies and regulations.
• Monitor national and local Key Performance Indicators related to community midwifery.
• Management
• Ensure a duty roster provides effective coverage to meet service needs, including on-call support for home births and emergencies.
• Liaise with other teams to optimize workload and skill mix.
• Allocate, coordinate, monitor, and assess team and individual work.
• Manage the allocated budget effectively to remain within financial constraints.
• Facilitate two-way communication across disciplines to ensure optimal patient care.
• Plan and deploy physical and financial resources effectively.
• Participate in studies to assess workloads and quality assurance in relation to infant feeding.
• Maintain accurate records related to all aspects of the role.
• Contribute to service development.
• Monitor the safe and effective use of equipment and supplies.
• Staff Development
• Develop the role of community midwifery and undertake training to enhance clinical skills.
• Support staff in reaching their full potential through professional development.
• Participate in teaching programs for learners in collaboration with educational institutions.
• Identify areas for skill development in line with NMC guidelines.
• Enhance knowledge and practice in specific areas of work.
• Professional Conduct
• Maintain professionalism at all times, advancing the role of the Midwife in the best interest of patients.
• Promote a positive image of the profession and the Trust.
• Engage in personal and professional development through relevant courses and conferences.
• Comply with Trust policies and attend mandatory training.
• Participate in research projects and implement findings as appropriate.
• Personnel Management
• Participate in the recruitment and induction of new staff members.
• Monitor staff performance and conduct appraisals.
• Maintain discipline within the team and initiate disciplinary procedures when necessary.
• Provide support to staff regarding professional and personal matters.
• Report hazards and unsafe practices to management and ensure compliance with reporting procedures.

Qualifications

Essential:

• First Level Registration
• Degree or in progress
• Evidence of significant Continuing Professional Development
• Management experience or training
• Leadership experience or training
• NMC recognized Teaching/Assessing qualification

Desirable:

• Master's Degree
• PMA

Experience

Essential:

• Prior experience at Band 6 in all aspects of Midwifery, including community settings

Desirable:

• Experience in a Continuity model
• Experience managing a Community Midwifery Team

Skills/Knowledge

Essential:

• Up-to-date knowledge of current professional practice issues
• Understanding of key national policy drivers for Acute care
• Demonstrated application of quality standards in clinical settings
• Effective management of staff and students
• Credible clinical expertise
• Evidence of research-based practice
• Strong organizational skills
• Awareness of clinical governance
• Experience and knowledge in the specialty or related field
• Proven management capabilities
• Ability to promote equality, diversity, and rights
• Knowledge of infection control principles
• Understanding of health and safety regulations

Desirable:

• Teaching expertise
• Experience implementing workplace changes
• Skills in handling complaints