Specialist Midwife for Fetal Medicine

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Duties

·        The Specialist Midwife for Fetal Medicine is expected to be an expert clinical midwife who will give advice and guidance on the midwifery care of women, babies and their families.

·        Communicate complex and sensitive information to women and their families, enabling them to make informed choices about their care. Use empathy and reassurance at time of vulnerability, emotions, distress and bereavement, overcoming communication barriers where they occur and acting as advocate to women.

·        Identify the abnormal, refer and liaise with appropriate members of the multi- disciplinary team e.g.for high-risk obstetric care, neonatal referrals, safeguarding issues or other specialist needs.

·        The post holder will provide clinical and managerial leadership and will lead and coordinate midwives to provide midwifery care for women during the fetal medicine pathway.

·        Lead on the investigation of incidents related to fetal medicine.

·        To assist consultant in performing invasive procedures such as CVS/ amniocentesis, amniodrainage, feticide etc procedure and discuss after care and notification of results. Ensure all necessary follow-up plan of care is booked and an appropriate Consultant referral is made.

·        Interpret CVS / amniocentesis results, imparting the knowledge to the women involved and arranging follow-up appointments or referral to a Tertiary centre in collaboration with the Specialist Genetic Counsellors, if appropriate.

·        Co-ordinate the care of women requesting a termination of pregnancy for fetal abnormality.

·        To organise multi-professional study days in conjunction with all relevant parties to enhance the awareness of Fetal Medicine issues.

·        To have specialist knowledge across the range of work procedures and practises underpinned by theoretical knowledge and relevant practical experience.

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·        To maintain and develop current knowledge and expertise, so as to take responsibility for assessment of care needs. To continue your development, implementation and evaluation of care without supervision.

·        Adhere to the policies, protocols and guidelines of Southend University NHS Foundation Trust. Thus, supporting the Screening and Fetal Medicine team in continuing to provide the outstanding care to the women and their families.

·        To maintain, facilitate and develop your own professional competence and remain responsible for keeping up to date with mandatory training and revalidation.

·        To support the development of practice and new roles within the service.

·        To maintain strong partnerships with other clinical areas, Trusts and other support agencies.

·        To attend regular staff meetings and multidisciplinary team meetings as required.

Leadership

·        To be responsible for ensuring that all staff are appraised on a yearly basis identifying individual development needs with a personal development plan.

·        To be highly visible and approachable to the maternity multi-disciplinary team, women and their families using the service, and the public so that open and honest communication channels are created and effective assessments of care delivery can be undertaken.

·        To exercise visible leadership that motivates staff in attaining and developing high standards of care for all women.

·        The post holder will be required to explore current practice, identifying areas for development, and planning the appropriate change using research and experience to evaluate outcomes.

·        To be responsible for the development of policies, protocols and guidelines which support evidence based practise within the area of management.

·        To ensure that high standards are maintained within the clinical areas. In line with the Care Quality Commission framework support safety initiatives in designated areas, ensure all care is effective, caring, responsive, and well led.

·        The post holder will be expected to provide guidance, support and leadership to all midwifery, nursing and support staff within the maternity unit.

·        To act as a clinical role model promoting professional, competent standards, working closely with the multi-disciplinary team.

·        To work collaboratively with Antenatal Services (Community and Antenatal Clinic) to enhance staff knowledge and skills.

·        To act as a role model in promoting an open and transparent culture for staff in raising and escalating concerns.

·        To inform and advise the Head of Midwifery and Maternity Matron of all matters that would affect service delivery.

·        To monitor and evaluate available patient information and ensure good communication channels are maintained.

·        To ensure effective mechanisms for the dissemination of information to staff.

·        Work to ensure that the Trust’s Risk Management Strategy and the Maternity Services Clinical Risk Management Strategy, are supported and implemented appropriately within area of responsibility.

·        To assist in monitoring and implementing the Trust policy regarding staff sickness and absence.

·        To represent the Hospital and Directorate at Regional and National Meetings and workshops regarding Screening or Fetal medicine issues in the absence of the Antenatal and newborn screening coordinator.

·        To ensure that stores are maintained at economical levels and that repairs and replacement of equipment are undertaken in accordance with Trust policies.

·        To assist in the allocation of a mentor for all staff and students, and facilitate development of their skills and knowledge as required.

·        Contribute to the development, communication and promotion of corporate core purpose, vision, mission and values

·        Participate on the on call Senior Manager Rota.

·        In collaboration with the Clinical Director, Head of Midwifery, Associate Director, General Manager and clinical leads support the long-term strategies of the Directorate, including major operational changes, service reviews, and developments to ensure quality patient focused services.

·        To actively participate in the recruitment and retention of staff within the Directorate, instigating specific initiatives to manage predicted peaks and troughs.

Quality and Safety Agenda

·        Ensuring audit plans are in place with safe and reliable monitoring methodology

·        To maintain the Rules and Code of Conduct as stated by the NMC.

·        To hold current registration on the relevant part of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register.

·        Compliance of safety in all wards and departments

·        The workforce are appropriately skilled

·        To implement quality initiatives including but not exclusive to:

Ø  Infection Control

Ø  CQC

Ø  NICE Guidance

Ø   Risk

Ø  Clinical Audits

Ø   Medical Device Management

Ø  Baby  Friendly  Initiative o Better Births

Ø   Maternity and Neonatal Collaborative

Ø  Saving Babies Lives

Ø  Each Baby Counts

Communication

·        Ensure there are effective communication channels at all times within midwifery and nursing, other disciplines and department

·        Participate in the collection and analysis of information relating to general performance, contract activity and quality and participate in agreeing strategies responding to trends

·        Develop team morale and motivation through effective personal leadership ensuring views and decisions are communicated up and down the management structure

Human Resources

·        Ensure all clinical staff comply with statutory and mandatory educational requirements ensuring recognition of individual responsibility

·        Participate in the investigation and monitoring of individual performance and attendance

Other information

·        This job description lists the main duties but is not exhaustive and will be regularly reviewed with the post holder

·        The post holder may be required to carry out other relevant duties as required

·        The post holder will be expected to participate in the Trust's objectives, contractual obligations and governance agenda

·        The post holder will make themselves familiar with, and adhere to, at all times, the policies and procedures of the Trust

·        The post holder will adhere to, at all times, any Professional and NHS Code of Conducts for their area of work

·        The post holder will be expected to work to any Directorate objectives and standards set in order to provide an acceptable level of service

·        The post holder will act, at all times, in a courteous, dignified and respectful manner when dealing with patients, staff and visitors to the Trust. 

Key Relationships:

Head of Midwifery, Midwifery Matrons, Risk & Governance, and Safeguarding 7 other multidisciplinary team members