Band 8c - Head of Midwifery

Did you know you can receive job alerts via WhatsApp?

The Head of Midwifery is a key member of the Divisional Management Team, reporting to the Director of Midwifery and Gynaecology Nursing. The post holder will provide operational midwifery leadership across women's services, ensuring the day-to-day delivery of high standards of patient care across integrated care pathways at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

The role provides assurance on clinical and operational governance systems, including risk management, CQC standards, clinical quality, patient experience, safeguarding and health and safety. Following a 6-month probationary period, objectives will be reviewed to include neonates and the role rebranded as appropriate.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will support the Director of Midwifery, Clinical Director and Divisional Manager to deliver workforce, quality, safety, performance and leadership objectives.

They will deputise for the Director of Midwifery as required, including presenting Board assurance and Quality Committee reports.

Responsibilities include day-to-day operational management of maternity and gynaecology services, leading workforce and safe staffing reviews, and ensuring compliance with Trust-wide policies.

The role leads on governance, quality improvement, incident management, safeguarding, patient experience and continuous professional development, ensuring women and families remain at the centre of care.

Working for our organisation

With a new hospital planned for Watford, work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, this is an exciting time to join us.

We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare.

Staff wellbeing and development are a priority, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience.

Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others.

If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.

We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Head of Midwifery will provide strategic and professional leadership to midwives, nurses, clinical nurse specialists, matrons and multidisciplinary teams across women's services.

They will ensure effective workforce management, clinical supervision and staff development frameworks are in place to promote engagement, excellence and continuous improvement.

The post holder will work closely with key stakeholders including Maternity Voice Partnerships and Local Maternity Systems, sharing best practice locally and nationally.

Core hours are Monday-Friday, with flexibility required to meet service needs and provide senior leadership cover, including deputising during planned and unplanned absences.

Person specification Education and Qualifications

• Current registration as a Midwife on relevant part of the NMC Register.
• First degree or equivalent.
• Master's Degree.
• Leadership qualifications and/ or experience.
• Implemented and lead on practice related changes.
• Strong evidence of continuing professional development.
• Evidence of Executive/Leadership Development.
• Recognised leadership course.

Knowledge

• Sound knowledge and experience of all aspects of midwifery practice.
• Sound knowledge of current national drives, National maternity agenda, assurance around maternity quality and safety.
• Excellent evidence based theoretical knowledge with the ability to apply theory to practice.
• Knowledge of issues around safeguarding children and adults.
• Knowledge and experience of implementing UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative Standards and Accreditation.
• Knowledge of (and experience of involvement in) clinical governance and risk management processes.
• Knowledge of strategic developments in midwifery, locally and nationally. Knowledge and experience of equality, diversity, and human rights in line with national policy.
• Understanding of midwifery, A-equip model and restorative clinical midwifery supervision.

Experience

• Experience as Senior Midwife in an acute NHS environment at 8a level.
• Evidence of working with Local Maternity Systems and Strategic Clinical Networks.
• Experience as a Matron/Clinical Midwifery Manager managing clinical teams.
• Experience of managing complex change and sustaining improvements.
• Proven experience of building effective partnerships and alliances both internal and external to the organisation.
• Experience of developing and implementing a nursing and midwifery strategy and governance processes.
• Experience of Leading on the Care Quality Commission inspection regime.
• Proven management experience and the ability to lead staff in achieving complex outcomes.
• Experience of dealing with services users' complaints; investigating informal and formal complaints and writing response letters.
• Experience of performance managing staff.
• Experience of working with colleagues in the CCG.
• Experience of working with colleagues in the CCG.
• Experience of local or regional strategic working.

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust provides acute healthcare services to a core catchment population of approximately half a million people living in west Hertfordshire and the surrounding area. The Trust also provides a range of more specialist services to a wider population, serving residents of North London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and East Hertfordshire.

As an employer of nearly 6,000 people the Trust is one of the biggest employers in the area and sees nearly a million patients each year.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.

Name Emma Mitchener Job title Director of Midwifery and Gynaecology Nursing Email address