Detailed job description and main responsibilities

ADMINISTRATION

1. Provide a friendly happy working environment for both staff and service users in the hospital or community setting as appropriate.

2. Control the custody and administration of drugs and medicines in accordance with the standing orders and King’s College Hospital NHS Trust agreed drug policy.

3. Be responsible for proper and economical use of equipment and ensure regular maintenance of equipment takes place, so as to provide a safe environment for both staff and clients.

4. Be responsible for the proper and economical use of storage and supplies in the department.

5. Be responsible for monthly and annual statistic collections for self and as appropriate for other members of the team.

PERSONNEL

1. Exercise leadership within the area of responsibility and be able to co-ordinate a team / practice / group of midwives and / or provide particular clinical expertise within a defined area of responsibility.

2. Establish and maintain efficient multi-disciplinary communication systems within the area of responsibility.

3. Monitor professional standards of junior staff and be able to conduct job performance reviews of staff within area of responsibility as appropriate.

4. Where appropriate effectively deploy staff incorporating a flexibility which will meet both staff and client needs, informing managers of deficiencies of shortages.

5. Supervise, delegate and co-ordinate the professional work of midwifery staff.

6. Where appropriate monitor sickness and absenteeism of staff.

7. Exercise compassionate counselling skills and act in an advisory and guiding role in all aspects of midwifery care.

8. Participate in selection and interviewing midwifery staff.

9. Participate in unit meetings and act as a representative when necessary to other committees.

10. Where appropriate conduct meetings with own midwifery team / practice on a regular basis and document discussions.

11. Report to Midwifery Manager any accidents, injury, complaints, untoward occurrences and participate with investigations.

CLINICAL

1. Facilitate and have continuing responsibility for the effective assessment, implementation and evaluation of all midwifery care within sphere of responsibility or with a defined case load.

2. Ensure accurate records are kept and that all signatures are legible.

3. Be confident and competent in all areas of midwifery, therefore being able to carry out total midwifery care during the whole period of confinement.

4. Ensure due regard is given to customs, values and spiritual beliefs of the clients.

5. Assess the needs of clients’ relatives and to deal with them sensitively.

6. Develop and maintain systems for clinical audit.

7. Use midwifery research in day to day practice.

EDUCATIONAL  (Staff, Clients and Self)

1. Be responsible for the development of midwifery staff within sphere of responsibility and participate in in-service training programmes including orientation programmes.

2. Encourage junior midwifery staff to develop their clinical and education skills.

3. Be responsible for meeting the needs of learners, by providing a good learning environment and taking every opportunity in clinical teaching.

4. To participate in research projects.

5. To maintain records of professional development and study days.

6. To sustain and improve knowledge of midwifery upon which accountability for practice / development relies.

7. To be willing and competent in taking parent education classes.

8. To be able to teach junior staff the principles and practicalities of Parent Education.

9. To act as an effective role model for midwifery staff