Midwife

Job overview

This is an exciting opportunity to come and make a difference to the women and their families we care for. We would like to invite you to join our highly motivated and friendly Midwifery team in West Sussex, where commitment to providing high quality, woman-centred care is our passion.

We are therefore inviting self-motivated, dynamic, professional midwives with excellent communication and interpersonal skills to join our proactive, professional maternity team

If you are a midwife who would like to be a part of our future and can meet this challenge we welcome your interest in a post with us – please apply today

All posts will include shift working (including night duty) and on call duty. The successful applicants will receive a comprehensive orientation programme and are assured that they will receive appropriate support.

We welcome applications from those who currently hold a UK NMC registration. If you currently hold an overseas midwifery qualification and require sponsorship we are not currently direct hiring Internationally Qualified Midwives.

Main duties of the job

To provide a high standard of Midwifery care to women and pregnant people before during and following childbirth in both Acute and Primary Care Settings according to Trust Policies and Standards. As a qualified midwife the post holder will be required to provide the necessary supervision, care and advice to women and pregnant people during pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period, to conduct deliveries under their own responsibility and care of the new born. Work autonomously in accordance with the Nursing & Midwifery Council’s “Midwives Rules” and Trust Guidelines. The post holder will be required to participate in their continuing professional development and other development activities including preceptorship. The post holder requires effective communication skills and an ability to provide support for the Co-ordinators to ensure effective core team working.

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a 
buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust. 

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves. 

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do. 

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Communications and Relationship skills

The post holder is required to:

Establish and maintain relationships with the women, families and multidisciplinary team through excellent communication Have the ability to motivate, negotiate and train others. Demonstrate the ability to empathise and communicate unpleasant news sensitively. Provide counselling and reassurance within their scope of responsibility. Where barriers and difficulties arise in exercising these skills early identification and referral will be expected. Empower the woman to make informed choices whilst being aware of safeguarding issues and act as an advocate as necessary Liaise and participate with child protection issues at all levels.

Analytical and Judgemental skills

The post holder is required to:

Be experts in the provision and facilitation of physiological birth Provide and facilitate the care of women with complex needs in partnership with the multidisciplinary team Plan and implement individualised care whilst advocating for the women where necessary Recognise, risk assess and report any deviation from the normal involving senior midwifery and medical staff Take appropriate action in emergency situations and decide on the best course of action/treatment according to local policy.

Planning and Organisational skills

The post holder is required to:

Be aware of their role in the departmental and organisational structure. To engage in activities which support the day to day running of the Maternity Department Prioritise own time and workload to ensure priorities are met and quality is not compromised Participate in the training, supervision and mentorship of junior colleagues and student midwives

Patient/Client Care

The post holder is required to:

Refer to departmental guidelines, as well as local and national policies whilst planning and implementing evidence based, safe, holistic care for the woman and her baby Maintain effective relations with the multidisciplinary team to reassess, and evaluate care plans and promptly act to implement these changes Take into consideration the needs of women as reported to the Trust through the Friends and Family test (FFT) Maintain the NMC standards of record keeping. Comply with the local trust documentation requirements (Maternity Records and IT systems) to ensure that records are maintained to reflect the care, treatment, advice and tests provided

Policy and Service Development Implementation

The post holder is required to:

Engage in any internal quality assurance and patient safety activities such as audits and incident reporting, whilst encouraging others to do the same. Works to support the team and can be counted on when people ask for help or support Monitors the quality of work in own area and alerts others to quality issues, reporting any errors or issues to the appropriate person Be aware of planned service improvements, reading and commenting on draft proposals when aske

Financial and Physical Development (inc. equipment, stock etc)

The post holder is required to:

Uses trust resources with care, effectively and encourages others to do the same Ensure that stock levels and equipment are maintained adequately

Human Resources (inc. developing and delivering training)

The post holder is required to:

Manage own case loads Takes responsibility for meeting own development needs, attends annual appraisal and fully engages in all educational and development opportunities and maintains a record of their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and professional portfolio Enables opportunities for students and juniors to apply their developing knowledge and skills Actively provides learning and development opportunities to students and actively contributes to the evaluation of the effectiveness of their learning/ and development opportunities Be involved in undertaking annual appraisals and personal development plans where required.

Information Resources

The post holder is required to

To ensure data is recorded accurately and timely into maternity records and IT systems entered Updating and maintaining information databases or systems Maintaining confidentiality Sharing information only when essential

Research and Development

The post holder is required to

Have an awareness of research activity that is happening within the department and contribute to this research when appropriate; be aware of new research and evidence based practice that could enhance the patient experience and patient care.

Professional

The post holder is required to

Maintains professional registration Works within the limits of own competence and area of responsibility and accountability. Work within the NMC Code and Standards of proficiency for midwives

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

Registered Midwife Educated to degree level /or relevant experience

Desirable criteria

Evidence of professional development

Knowledge & Experience

Essential criteria

K2 CTG or working towards Caring for High Risk Women Facilitation of Water Births Facilitation of Home Births

Desirable criteria

Perineal Repair Current Driving Licences

Human Resources

Essential criteria

Excellent time management skills Supports colleagues of all levels and is involved in the cascade of information and training

Desirable criteria

Maintains Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and professional portfolio

Information Resources/IT

Essential criteria

Basic IT Skills

Desirable criteria

Experience of using IT Systems in an Acute Trust

Research and Development

Essential criteria

Implements evidenced based practice

Personal Qualities and attribu

Essential criteria

Team worker, articulate, selfstarter, ability to work autonomously Available for on-call duties if required Willing to work shifts/ days /nights/weekends/ bank holidays Willing to work cross site if required by service needs Professional Friendly

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Essential criteria

Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.

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