Job overview
You’ll be joining the Luton site of Bedfordshire Hospitals at an exciting time as we continue to develop and strengthen our midwifery workforce. We’re looking for someone who is genuinely passionate about supporting and educating newly qualified midwives (NQMs) and international recruits (IMs).
Bedfordshire Hospitals Trust is proud to be at the forefront of overseas midwife recruitment, with a current cohort of 31 international midwives at various stages of their training and integration into our services.
In this role, you’ll work across all clinical areas, providing hands‑on support, education, and training to both newly qualified and internationally recruited midwives as they transition into practice.
Main duties of the job
The Clinical Practice Facilitator Midwife for Preceptorship and Retention will:
1. Lead the support of newly qualified midwives (NQMs) and international midwives (IMs) across all maternity areas, ensuring a smooth and confident transition into the Band 6 role.
2. Deliver high‑quality practice learning through teaching, assessment, administrative duties, and hands‑on clinical support, contributing to the Trust’s Clinical Governance agenda.
3. Work closely with external partners—including Pan East of England clinical facilitators—as well as the Trust’s multidisciplinary teams and Higher Education Institutions to help shape educational strategy.
4. Work flexibly across all shift patterns to meet the needs of training and practice development.
5. Act as a skilled, approachable role model and expert midwifery clinician with a strong record of clinical excellence.
6. Evaluate the quality of clinical learning environments and recommend improvements where needed.
7. Maintain strong links with universities to support mentorship and practice education.
8. Facilitate clinical training both in practice settings and classroom environments for students and qualified staff.
9. Contribute to ongoing professional development opportunities for NQMs and IMs.
10. Play a key role in delivering education within the maternity department, maintaining a consistent and visible presence in clinical areas.
Working for our organisation
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
11. Lead the personal and professional development of all midwives during their preceptorship period.
12. Facilitate high‑quality practice learning through teaching, assessment, administration, and clinical‑based support, aligned with the Trust’s Clinical Governance agenda.
13. Work collaboratively with external agencies (including Pan East of England clinical facilitators), the Trust’s multidisciplinary teams, and Higher Education Institutions to influence educational strategy.
14. Contribute to ongoing professional development for midwives, maternity support workers, and maternity care assistants as part of the midwifery education team.
15. Work with senior midwifery and multidisciplinary teams to shape future midwifery practice in line with local, national, and professional priorities.
16. Maintain a visible presence across maternity clinical areas and play a key role in education delivery within the department.
17. Work flexibly across all shift patterns to meet training and practice‑development needs.
18. Act as an approachable role model and expert midwifery clinician with a strong record of clinical achievement.
19. Provide education and support across antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal settings in both hospital and community environments.
20. Support the development and dissemination of clinical guidelines and quality‑improvement initiatives, working with clinical services and professional groups.
21. Promote high standards of clinical quality and effectiveness, ensuring patient outcomes remain a priority.
22. Encourage a proactive culture of safety and continuous improvement aligned with the Trust’s vision.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
23. Registered Midwife.
24. SSSA Trained
25. Evidence of ongoing CPD
Desirable criteria
26. management/leadership qualification or willingness to undertake same
27. Teaching qualification
28. MSc or evidence Knowledge and to Masters level or equivalent
Communications Skills
Essential criteria
29. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills Demonstrate ability to work effectively within the multi-disciplinary team
30. Proven organisational skills
Experience
Essential criteria
31. Recent Delivery Suite experience
32. Confident providing both low and high risk care.
33. Proven abilities in cross professional working and liaison.
34. IT Literate/able to use Word/PowerPoint/Excel
Desirable criteria
35. Evidence of involvement in protocol and guideline development.
36. Evidence of practice development.
37. Experience of presenting to large groups
Skills
Essential criteria
38. Act as a role model
39. Evidence of teaching and developing staff
40. Ability to challenge and change practice
Applicant requirements
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.