Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Communications 

•    Make recommendations regarding future education needs in response to the changing NHS agenda
•    Facilitate open and effective communication within the ward team.

Responsibility for Patient Care 

•    Collaborate with other health care professionals in the delivery of high standards of effective health care 
•    To promote a positive learning environment within the division and take a proactive approach to the development of the workforce by developing and facilitating training and education and where relevant clinical skills for staff.
•    Assess the needs of individuals attending/contacting the service and identify the required level of intervention
•    Recognise and work within the limits of own competence and responsibility is crucial, referring issues beyond these limits to relevant people 
•    Work collaboratively with the Maternity and Neonatal voices partnership to develop appropriate training plans in response to the voices of women and birthing people
•    Provides professional, leadership and support. Actively promote best clinical practice advice and educational development at ward/departmental and community level
•    Provides specialist advice in relation to Neonatal care.

Planning and organising

•    Maintain a high profile within the clinical setting providing support to clinical teams as needed.
•    Promote a culture of openness with an ethos of constructive and positive learning from incidents with a willingness to find solutions to problems to create an environment in which excellent clinical care will flourish 
•    Participate in projects and quality improvement initiatives to support service development as required
•    Lead by example and act as a positive role model for all staff, taking responsibility for their own professional development.
•    Maintain personal standards of conduct and behaviour, which are consistent with Trust and Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) standards and requirements.
•    Actively contribute to, and support agreed developments within the division.
•    The post holder will respond to tight deadlines and prioritise work appropriately
•    The post holder will motivate and lead clinicians, supporting them to facilitate care plans which reflect continuity 
•    The post holder will contribute to the coordination of external inspections as appropriate and be able to demonstrate that effective self-evaluation and improvement programmes are in place and are regularly reviewed.
•    The post holder will ensure compliance with up-to-date legislation and evidenced based guidance 
•    The post holder will take responsibility for the delivery of training for staff which reflects local and national policy and effectively equips staff to feel confident in caring for women & their families 

Responsibilities for Physical and / or Financial Resources
•    To have awareness of the Trust and Divisional financial plan to support effective management and organisation
•    Understand cost implications associated with the service and ensure effective use of all resources including staff, medical and surgical sundries 
•    Duty of care in line with managing and maintaining equipment and training resources
•    Lead on the trust STEP initiative within the parameters of the role

Responsibility for Policy and Service Development and Implementation

•    Assist in review of the services and participate in development projects which lead the service improvements 
•    To be aware of, comment on and/or actively participate in changes on policies, procedures or service developments.
•    To embrace and support line management and the department in making service improvements effective within the workplace.
•    Facilitate the professional and personal development of staff within the Neonatal Service to improve the quality of patient care, highlight learning needs in conjunction with unit managers and Maternity/Neonatal Matron’s

Responsibilities for Human Resources and Leadership

•    Always demonstrate effective leadership 
•    Develop and maintain organisational and managerial skills relevant to the ward/department facilitating a satisfactory interface with the MDT and all ward areas 
•    Participate and lead in the Improving Quality Programme 
•    To lead by example and act as a positive role model for all staff. 
•    To work effectively with senior management in the leadership team 
•    To carry out appraisals of the Neonatal team and ensure they have agreed objectives and personal development plans.

Responsibilities for Teaching and Training

•    Demonstrate knowledge and skills relevant to the clinical setting to enhance patient care 
•    Lead in objective setting and performance management; ensure ongoing staff development and achievement of Trust strategic objectives, as delegated by ward manager/team leader 
•    Act as a supervisor and/or assessor for all midwifery, support staff and midwifery students encouraging a high level of motivation in all involved 
•    Ensure clinical environment is conducive to supporting the education and learning of all staff and students 
•    Ensure registered midwives have completed practice supervisor and assessor self-declaration forms annually 
•    Lead/Contribute to the clinical development of staff, supporting the teaching of practical skills to agreed competency levels for staff as identified in ward/departmental action plans 
•    Maintain own continuing professional development in accordance with CPD requirements and contribute to formulation of own objectives and personal development plan 
•    In conjunction with the ward manager/team leader and Education team contribute to the delivery of orientation programmes for new staff and students 
•    Promote awareness of current developments in the speciality and seek opportunities to further own knowledge, and that of other staff 
•    Provide educational and supportive opportunities to midwifery students to ensure placements satisfy all requirements of their learning objectives. This may include presenting a conferences and study days. 
•    To integrate lessons learnt from complaints, litigation and adverse clinical events in to the education programmes for staff
•    To monitor attendance at and effectiveness of continuing professional education study days
•    Assist both learners & supervisors/assessors to identify and utilise learning opportunities and provide support in the education process

Responsibilities for data and information resources

•    In accordance with the Data Protection Act, ensure own and staff’s ability to input and retrieve patient/staff information from computer and paper-based systems and that accurate and contemporaneous patient and staff records are kept in line with the Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trust (CNST) Standards and Freedom of Information Act.
•    Action where appropriate clinical incident reports, complaints, and monitoring of the Risk Registers.
•    To work collaboratively with Maternity Governance, report risk management issues to appropriate personnel and as per Trust policy
•    To work collaboratively with Clinical Audit department to collect, analyse and report on statistical information in line with local and national requirements

Research, Development and Audit

•    Participate in auditing practice in order to demonstrate compliance with national and local standards, including CQC compliance 
•    Demonstrate awareness of the research process and resources available. 
•    Participate in clinical audit as required, ensuring research-based practice and standards of care for the service are developed and implemented within the unit/ward. 
•    Ensure an up-to-date knowledge of current evidence-based practice. Implement research findings in collaboration with the MDT where appropriate, to ensure quality of service and effective practice. 
•    Contribute to the audit of the service and ensure quality is maintained and change managed effectively and efficiently. 
•    Contribute to research being undertaken within the maternity unit linking with the Research and Development council supporting midwifery research proposals as appropriate 

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and promote safeguarding by implementing the Trust’s policies and procedures, acting promptly on concerns, communicating effectively and sharing information appropriately.

 If successful this vacancy will require an enhanced DBS check at a cost of £54.50. This cost will be deducted from your first Trust salary

In addition to this it will be a condition of your employment that you will join the DBS update service and pay the annual subscription fee of £16