Apprentice Midwife

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• An understanding of all elements of the Midwifery process and be able to assist the registered Midwife in the on-going assessment, planning, implementation, management and evaluation of care.
• Support individuals with all aspects of care, providing person-centred care and promoting health and independence through awareness raising and care navigation to other professionals as appropriate
• Perform and record clinical observations including blood pressure, temperature, respirations, pulse, urinalysis, oxygen saturations.
• Undertake clinical tasks including cannulation, venepuncture, ECGs
• Accurately record nutritional and fluid intake/output
• Ensure the privacy, dignity and safety of individuals is maintained at all times
• Demonstrate the ability to recognise changing priorities seeking advice and guidance from the Registered Midwife or other registered care professionals as appropriate and in a timely manner appropriate to the care setting
• Report back and share information with the registered Midwives on the individual needs, condition, behaviour, activity and responses of individuals
• Recognise issues relating to safeguarding and report any problems or raise concerns to the appropriate registered care professionals and teams
• Assist in the assessment of and contribute to the management of risk across several areas within the environment where care is being administered
• Assist in the implementation of appropriate action to meet the specific physical, emotional and psychological, social, cultural and spiritual needs of individuals and carers
• Assist in the delivery of complex care appropriate to the year of training
• Develop an understanding of caring for individuals with particular conditions for example gestational diabetes, obstetric cholestasis, hypertension, and other ongoing or new medical conditions relating to pregnancy
• Develop skills in relation to coaching/teaching individuals/carers/other staff/students
• Assist with the implementation and monitoring of clinical standards and outcomes
• Develop a working knowledge of other providers’ resources and referral systems to ensure individual’s needs are met, within parameters of practice
• Engage in reflective practice including management of self and reflection on own reactions, asking questions and reflecting on answers given
• Demonstrate good understanding of principles of consent and ensure valid consent is obtained prior to undertaking all midwifery and care procedures
• Demonstrate good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act / Deprivation of Liberties and applies principles to everyday practice seeking advice / guidance from the Registered Midwife or registered care professional as required
• Promote health and safety maintaining best practice in health, safety and security
• Share ideas with colleagues to improve care and suggest areas for innovation
• Participate in audit activities being undertaken in area of practice
• Contribute to the improvement of the service by reflecting on your own practice and supporting that of others
• Plan and manage competing demands of job role, study and placement activities
• Work in an effective and organised manner demonstrating excellent time management and organisational skills to effectively deliver person-centred care for an allocated group of individuals
• Be able to work a range of long and short shift patterns that follow the service needs including days, nights, weekends, and bank holidays.
• Deliver effective care following treatment plans determined by the Registered Midwife or registered care professional and provide feedback on progress against the plans
• Have excellent communication skills and develop good working relationships with the multidisciplinary team as the training evolves
• Communicate effectively across a wide range of channels and with a wide range of individuals, the public, health and social care professionals, maintaining the focus of communication on delivering and improving health and care services
• Demonstrate those inter-personal skills that promote clarity, compassion, empathy, respect and trust
• Contribute to team success and challenge others constructively when appropriate
• Communicate with individuals, partners, and other visitors in a courteous and helpful manner, whilst being mindful that there may be barriers to understanding
• Report to appropriate registered care professionals any information received from the individuals, partners, carers, visitors and members of the team
• Ensure all patient related information is treated sensitively and adhere to the principals of confidentiality at all times
• Report any accidents or incidents and raise any concerns as per organisational policy
• Ensure clear, concise, accurate and legible records and that all communication is maintained in relation to care delivered adhering to local and national guidance
• Exercise personal responsibility and work independently within defined parameters of practice, taking the initiative in a variety of situations and performing a range of clinical and care skills consistent with the role, responsibilities and professional values of a Midwifery Apprentice
• Exercise judgment in assessing patient condition, comfort and wellbeing using analysis of a range of possible factors
• Ensure that only those activities for which competence has been achieved are undertaken without direct supervision and that recognition is given to the impact and consequences of practising outside capability
• Use skills of manual dexterity and manipulation of clinical instruments and equipment
• Be physically capable of using a combination of standing, walking bending and stretching throughout the shift
• Exercise personal duty of care in the safe use and storage of equipment
• Be environmentally aware and prudent in use of resources and energy
• Act in ways which support equality and value diversity
• Demonstrate own duties to new or less experienced staff and students
• Support development of less experienced staff and students
• Develop skills to maintain professional standards of record keeping in line with local and national guidance
• Follow all information governance guidance and policies
• Maintain confidentiality as outlined within data protection policies
• Work to standard operating procedures with registered care professionals available for reference
• Work within the organisational policy, procedures and guidelines
• Work within the Midwifery Apprentice parameters of practice
• Be responsible and accountable for own practice, working within limits of competence and within professional boundaries
• Raises any concerns to a registered care professional or appropriate person
• Frequently use concentration and experience work patterns which are unpredictable with regular interruptions, some requiring immediate response
• Maintain a professional approach while working in challenging, distressing, or upsetting situations or dealing with challenging behaviour
• Support individuals, their families and carers when faced with unwelcome news and life changing diagnoses
• Be proactive in seeking opportunities to develop own knowledge and skills, achieving clinical competencies and Level 6 qualification within agreed timeframes. Seeks support / guidance in timely manner if any difficulties are encountered
• Work in partnership with Clinical Practice Facilitators and ward managers to develop and deliver on Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound (SMART) objectives at annual appraisal and personal development planning meeting
• Take responsibility for organising and attending statutory / mandatory updates in accordance with organisational requirements
• Act as an excellent role model by upholding and implementing good practice in the workplace.
• Recognising and either directly challenging or seeks support to challenge any poor practice observed