Job overview
Are you a Senior Band 6 Midwife at University Hospitals Sussex looking for the next step in your career?
This is an exciting opportunity to expand your skills and step into a leadership role as a Labour Ward Co-ordinator on a 6-month secondment basis.
This role will give you the chance to:
1. Develop leadership and decision-making skills in a supportive environment
2. Gain valuable experience in managing the day-to-day running of a busy labour ward
3. Enhance your ability to support and guide colleagues, ensuring safe and high-quality care for women, birthing people, and families
4. Build confidence in operational management, preparing you for future senior roles
This is an excellent development opportunity and could provide a strong platform for future permanent posts within leadership and management in maternity services.
Eligibility:
5. Current Senior Band 6 Midwife working within University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
6. Full-time or part-time hours as part of the labour ward team
7. Enthusiasm to grow into leadership and contribute to a positive, safe maternity culture
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route however sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds (£25000), and any role-specific criteria.
Main duties of the job
·As team leader, take overall responsibility for the smooth and efficient running of the labour ward and inpatient maternity wards in close collaboration with the community team.
·Demonstrate and role model a dynamic and compassionate leadership style, supporting colleagues in clinical practice.
·Demonstrate expert knowledge and experience in caring for both low and high risk maternity cases and act as a midwifery special adviser to team members and other professional groups.
·Demonstrate a commitment to quality initiatives, research, audit and their application to practice.
This is a shift working role, across a 24/7 service including nights, weekends and bank holidays. This role includes participation in the Manager on Call rota to meet service needs.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop.
We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do. We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria.
8. Demonstrates specialist expertise underpinned by theory.
9. A clear understanding and application of the principles of professional accountability and confidentiality.
10. Ability to provide care to pregnant people before, during and following birth.
11. Proven Competency in Suturing/Cannulation/IV administration/Epidurals/Water Birth/Adult & Neonatal Resuscitation.
12. Theatre Skills.
13. Ability to recognise and analyse complex situations and or deviation from normal and act upon it.
14. Ability to deal with issues of Risk management within the team context.
15. Ability to organise, prioritise and coordinate own and others work within a team setting.
16. Ability to manage a area/ward budget and resources.
17. Ability to lead, manage, communicate and motivate all staff within sphere of responsibility.
18. Evidence of involvement and leadership in teaching and mentoring learners.
19. Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.
20. Flexible and positive leadership style and approach to work.
21. Able to act as a midwifery specialist advisor to team members and other professional groups.
22. Understand organisational management.
Person specification
Qualifications / Experience
Essential criteria
23. Band 6/7 midwife
24. Substantial Post Registration Practice and relevant competencies
25. Up to date delivery suite experience in an obstetric unit
26. 997/8 Mentorship Module or Practice Assessor (SSSA)
27. Practice and relevant competencies.
28. Evidence of clinical and managerial expertise and knowledge acquired through CPD.
29. Proven skills and knowledge in all areas of clinical practice.
30. Leadership, management and team development at a clinical level.
31. Up to date delivery suite experience in an obstetric unit.
Desirable criteria
32. Neonatal Advanced Life Support (NLS)
33. Advanced Life Support/High Dependency Course or equivalent
34. Management/Leadership Qualification or working towards
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
35. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
36. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications