Job overview
We are looking for a highly motivated individual who will coordinate a consistent and high-quality PMA service, enhancing midwifery professional development, supporting staff wellbeing, and contributing to the delivery of safe, personalised care for women/birthing people and families.
As the Trust’s lead expert on Professional Midwifery Advocacy, the post holder will champion midwifery leadership, drive service alignment, promote equity of access to PMA support across all sites, and ensure the PMA service is visible, valued, and integral to continuous improvement.
The postholder will work clinically facilitating specialist birth planning appointments along with offering debrief appointments when required. They will audit the themes gathering during their clinical role to liaise with the clinical governance and senior midwifery team to support learning and improved clinical outcomes for women/birthing people.
The post holder will be responsible for contributing to the ongoing development of clinical practice, research and standards of care within the service, including development of policies, protocols and guidelines and contribute to service developments in collaboration with multidisciplinary colleagues
Closing date: 27th November 2025
Interview 10th December 2025
Main duties of the job
The post holder must be available to deploy the A-EQUIP model as required by the Trust.
To support midwives to identify their own personal action for quality improvement if required and to develop their personal professional and career development choices.
Oversee the sessional PMA team, coordinate monthly team meetings, recruitment of new PMA’s, monitor audits, attendance at PMA conferences and updates.
Ensure that there is a strong interface between the PMA and Clinical Governance.
Use their expert knowledge in midwifery ensuring that there are robust clinical governance assurance systems in place relating to midwifery practice.
Through being a role model and champion create a culture which motivates, enthuses, and empowers others to give of their very best Lead and implement the Strategy for Nursing & Midwifery within area of responsibility and contribute to its implementation across the organisation.
Provide support to midwives in sharing of good practice learnt through the maternity services’ internal risk management processes with the aim of reducing the incidence of harm.
Be involved in continuous monitoring and maintaining quality standards of clinical practice through a variety of ways for example audit, working clinically with midwives for those who require additional support and development.
Support midwives to work in partnership with women to develop plans of care which meet their individual needs, to listen to them and to advocate for them as required
Working for our organisation
Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust comprises five of the UK’s best known hospitals – Guy’s, St Thomas’, Evelina London Children’s Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield – as well as community services in Lambeth and Southwark, all with a long history of high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation.
We are among the UK’s busiest, most successful foundation trusts. We provide specialist care for patients including heart and lung, cancer and renal services as well as a full range of local hospital and community services for people in Lambeth and Southwark.
We have a long tradition of clinical and scientific achievement and – as part of King’s Health Partners – we are one of England’s eight academic health sciences centres, bringing together world-class clinical services, teaching and research. We have one of the National Institute for Health Research’s biomedical research centres, established with King’s College London in 2007, as well as dedicated clinical research facilities.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Work in accordance with the NMC’s rules and code of conduct for midwives.
Implement recommendations from Government and professional bodies in relation to maternity care.
Act as a role model for midwifery practice to all staff within the directorate.
To identify areas for improvement and to take a lead role in designing, implementing and supporting new and existing initiatives
Participate in the teaching and dissemination of professional and clinical knowledge to all learners and members of staff.
Act on, participate in the investigation of complaints, incidents and accidents and report to your Midwifery Matron as appropriate.
To be fully informed of the risk management strategy, be responsible for reporting incidents, risk assessment and development of action plans to reduce risk and complaints
Be a visible leader who is accessible to women, visitors and staff.
Maintain skills and knowledge in clinical midwifery practice.
Provide a leadership role model and demonstrate expert knowledge and high standards of clinical practice.
Plan and co-ordinate the provision of midwifery services, effectively liaising with multidisciplinary and multi-agency colleagues.
Develop the role according to changing needs and research findings, within the resources available.
Adhere to Trust and departmental policies and procedures, ensuring that all staff do the same.
On behalf of the Chief Midwife and Deputy Chief Midwife ensure performance management, and personal development of staff whom they manage, and conduct appraisals on at least an annual basis in line with Trist policy.
Contribute to the recruitment, induction, training and retention strategies for staff for whom they are responsible.
Ensure appropriate succession planning for staff is in place, supported by training and development opportunities as appropriate.
Act as an advocate for patients within the department, to ensure a patient orientated approach to the delivery of care and to meet standards within the NHS Plan and other relevant guidelines
Ensure that patients receive high quality clinical care and a good patient experience, having regard for their customs, religious beliefs and doctrines.
Recognise and avoid situations that may be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of the individuals.
Co-ordinate the provision of specialist services to patients, both within hospital and/or in the community setting, effectively liaising with multidisciplinary colleagues
Promote high quality clinical care, and assist in the development of the specialist service, through the use of evidence-based practice and clinical standards
Provide professional and clinical leadership and expertise in the speciality and to act as a resource for education and clinical expertise in the hospital and community settings.
Using expert knowledge make judgements on a range of complex midwifery problems which require investigation analysis and assessment.
Actively participate in local, national and international networking to maintain and develop expert level of knowledge in the specialty.
Act as patient advocate when appropriate, respecting patient confidentiality and privacy with respect for diverse cultural backgrounds and requirements.
Quality
Ensure that women and their families receive high quality clinical care and have a positive experience, having regard for their customs, religious beliefs and doctrines.
Actively engage service users through the facilitation of feedback.
Collect, analyse and share relevant data on midwifery services. Including working with the senior leadership team and governance to improve clinical pathways related to patient safety and experience
In conjunction with the other multidisciplinary colleagues, provide monthly reports of activity
Play a lead role in key developments relating to the midwifery service.
Participate in the development of policies, protocols and clinical guidelines in support of the specialist service.
Set, monitor and review standards of care on a regular basis and initiate corrective action plans
Set, monitor and review standards of care on a regular basis and initiate corrective action plans
Identify and intervene where circumstances contribute to an unsafe environment for patients and staff. To bring instances to the attention of the Matron / Head of Nursing for the area.
Education and Training
Attendance at forums where PMA issues are discussed
Be available for staff support and/ or crisis intervention following emotionally traumatic incidents
Participate in the development and implementation of education and training programmes within maternity, ensuring equity of provision and consistency.
In collaboration with colleagues, be responsible for monitoring and regulating training and development of midwifery and support staff.
Be responsible for developing own skills and knowledge and contribute to the development of others.
Develop and deliver specialist training around the PMA role. Therefore, ensuring that in the leads absence the service can continue
Take an active part in the evaluation and development of the PMA model at trust
Work closely with the Sister/Charge Nurse, and Practice Development Teams within the area, ensuring that relevant clinical based teaching programmes are in place for all staff
Participate in appraisals and the setting of objectives for junior staff in the department to enable them to achieve optimal effectiveness and to understand their contribution to the directorate.
Research and Development
Utilise research findings in the delivery of specialist patient care, developing new ways of working and to disseminate relevant information to staff.
Participate in and be aware of other clinical research trials for patients
Lead and contribute to audit and research within the specialty in collaboration with colleagues, developing action plans and disseminating information.
To be familiar with current clinical research protocol issues and relevant treatment and procedures employed in the diagnosis and treatment within their speciality.
Communication
Establish a robust communication pathway with all the multidisciplinary teams.
Work closely with the teams, liaise with other departments and members of the Trust to ensure the smooth running of the maternity pathways, and assist the functioning of the team.
Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills when dealing with all levels of staff across the trust and be able to challenge senior staff around pathway performance.
Ensure women/Birthing people are communicated with in a sensitive and effective manner and problems are dealt with promptly and efficiently.
Communicates complex/sensitive/contentious to clients where there are significant barriers to acceptance
General
Act in accordance with the Nursing & Midwifery Council Code of Professional Conduct and Scope of Professional Practice and be accountable for his/her actions at all times.
Maintain up-to-date records. Ensuring that confidentiality is respected and that the standards for “Record Keeping” are met.
The post holder is required to follow Trust policies and procedures which are regularly updated including:
Confidentiality / Data Protection / Freedom of Information
Post holders must maintain the confidentiality of information about patients, staff and other health service business in accordance with the Data Protection Act of 2018. Post holders must not, without prior permission, disclose any information regarding patients or staff. If any member of staff has communicated any such information to an unauthorised person, those staff will be liable to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. Moreover, the Data Protection Act 2018 also renders an individual liable for prosecution in the event of unauthorised disclosure of information.
Following the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) 2000, post holders must apply the Trust’s FOI procedure if they receive a written request for information.
Information Governance
All staff must comply with information governance requirements. These includes statutory responsibilities (such as compliance with the Data Protection Act), following national guidance (such as the NHS Confidentiality Code of Practice) and compliance with local policies and procedures (such as the Trust's Confidentiality policy). Staff are responsible for any personal information (belonging to staff or patients) that they access and must ensure it is stored, processed and forwarded in a secure and appropriate manner.
Equal Opportunities
Post holders must at all times fulfil their responsibilities with regard to the Trust’s Equal Opportunities Policy and equality laws.
Health and Safety
All post holders have a responsibility, under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and subsequently published regulations, to ensure that the Trust’s health and safety policies and procedures are complied with to maintain a safe working environment for patients, visitors and employees.
Infection Control
All post holders have a personal obligation to act to reduce healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs). They must attend mandatory training in Infection Control and be compliant with all measures required by the Trust to reduce HCAIs. All post holders must comply with Trust infection screening and immunisation policies as well as be familiar with the Trust’s Infection Control Policies, including those that apply to their duties, such as Hand Decontamination Policy, Personal Protective Equipment Policy, safe procedures for using aseptic techniques and safe disposal of sharps.
Person specification
Qualificatiions/Education
Essential criteria
1. Professional/clinical knowledge acquired through midwifery training to degree level or equivalent experience and preceptorship plus further study / experience of area of expertise at a postgraduate diploma level
2. Existing PMA qualification
3. Post registration qualification in all areas of midwifery.
4. Mentorship course
Desirable criteria
5. Leadership course
Skills
Essential criteria
6. Knowledge of midwifery in all areas of the maternity service with evidence of relevant clinical updating processes.
7. Proven listening / counselling skills with the ability to manage complex situation and appropriately deliver sensitive and difficult outcomes. Ability to clinically lead & influence staff
8. Demonstrate an understanding of: the National agenda for speciality. Knowledge of quality standards & NICE recommendations/NSF
Experience
Essential criteria
9. Significant post-registration experience in midwifery.
10. Evidence of continuing professional development.
11. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to provide clear advice and emotional support to women and families
12. Evidence an understanding of and engagement with clinical governance pathways.
13. Experience in escalating concerns.
14. Evidence of working in partnership with internal and external stakeholders. Extensive experience of working autonomously at an advanced level within the specialist area delivering effective patient focused care.Experience of delivering change management both personally and as a facilitator
Desirable criteria
15. Knowledge of change management
Guy’s and St Thomas’ celebrates, respects and values the diversity of its staff and patients. We review our policies, procedures and practices to ensure that all employees, patients and carers are treated equitable according to their needs. We are actively committed to ensuring that no one who applies for a job, works or study’s at the Trust, or accesses our services is discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or belief, age, gender identity, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, or marital/civil partnership.