Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a senior midwifery leader to take the next step in their leadership journey. This post is a secondment for a minimum of three months, possibly extending to six months.
We are looking for a motivated midwifery leader to join the team on our Luton and Dunstable Hospital site. You will have experience in managing and leading maternity services and have commitment to working with service users and supporting staff to be the best they can be. You will be a compassionate leader who is able to display our THRIVE values in everything you do.
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is on an exciting journey of improvement and development. As a newly integrated organisation caring for 9000 birthing people a year you will be gain good experience of working collaboratively across both sites.
The Deputy Head of Midwifery & Gynaecology supports and deputises for the Head of Midwifery and works alongside the clinical and operational teams in maternity and gynaecology ensuring the smooth running of the unit.
Our five year maternity strategy will be published this summer and you will take on responsibility for the delivery of key areas delegated to you, working with our Local Maternity and Neonatal system partners and our Maternity voices partnership.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will:
Provide professional and managerial leadership
Support the Head of Midwifery to take forward the maternity services transformation plan
Be accountable for all clinical aspects of quality within delegated service areas.
To be responsible for monitoring and reviewing service performance ensuring agreed targets are met.
Initiating and being influential in the creation of new models of care
Maintain a visible presence where women and families, staff and visitors can turn for assistance and upon whom they can rely.
Be a practising midwife, and establish and maintain clinical practice pattern as Deputy Head of Midwifery Improving the Quality and Standards of Care.
Benchmark high risk services against national and international best practice to develop and deliver evidenced based practice
Promote and identify women and children’s health needs. Ensure the service women and babies receive are appropriate, accessible when they need them and are delivered in a manner which respects their privacy, dignity and individuality.
Support HoM in championing user involvement in shaping the maternity service
Deputise for and assist the Head of Midwifery & Gynaecology
In partnership with the HoM, prepare the vision and strategy for maternity and its alignment with business planning cycle.
Participate fully in the activities of the Division and those of the Directorate and Trust as required.
Represent midwifery and actively participate in Trust and external Forums.
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.
Our values
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
See full job description.
To work in partnership with the Head of Midwifery and Gynaecology, Senior Midwifery leadership team to provide professional and operational leadership and management of the services, delivering a safe quality service while meeting financial targets.
The Deputy Head of Midwifery and Gynaecology portfolio will include the transformation and development of maternity services, working closely within a multi-disciplinary team to ensure all KPIs are met.
Together with the HoM and Director of Midwifery, this role will support the Chief Nurse with the delivery of the wider corporate professional agenda, including the development of innovative strategies for nursing and midwifery to enable a strong and empowered workforce at all levels that is fit for purpose and equipped to deliver excellence in care standards. This also includes securing the workforce for the future.
The post holder will be responsible for assisting the Head of Midwifery with the development and delivery of clinical services and professional standards and the development of Midwifery leadership.
They will lead on delegated projects within the division and assisting with shaping the Divisional Midwifery direction and strategy with a focus on recruitment and retention working.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Registered Midwife
2. Current and relevant registration on NMC Register
3. Evidence of relevant continuous professional development
Desirable criteria
4. Leadership development training
Knowledge and experience
Essential criteria
5. Evidence of substantial experience as a Matron/Senior Clinical Midwife, overseeing a number of clinical areas/services and demonstrating a depth and breadth of nursing knowledge
6. Experience of managing a clinical team including significant experience of staff management, including the setting of objectives, team and individual appraisal, recruitment and disciplinary issues
Desirable criteria
7. Experience of working collaboratively within multi-professional situations.
Skills
Essential criteria
8. Knowledge of current developments in midwifery & political awareness of current NHS issues
9. Knowledge of quality improvement and experience of leading projects and / or implementing new policies across a service
Additional requirements
Essential criteria
10. Ability to work with a high level of autonomy
11. Highly developed communications skills, including liaison/negotiation skills and writing/presentation skills
12. Demonstrate skills in supporting multi-professional team working and collective decision making
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.