Practice Development and Improvement Lead Midwife
We are seeking an inspirational and forward thinking Practice Development and Improvement Lead Midwife to champion high standards of maternity and neonatal care across Somerset Foundation Trust. This full time substantive post will act as the Trust's lead midwife for practice development at Musgrove Park Hospital, working closely with the counterpart at Yeovil District Hospital to ensure a unified, consistent and high quality approach across both sites.
The post holder will hold shared accountability for driving improvements, meeting national maternity standards (including the MIS Core Competency Framework), and fostering an environment in which clinical excellence and continuous learning can flourish. They will lead the design and delivery of structured educational programmes, including workshops, study days, simulation, mentoring, coaching and direct clinical tuition.
As a system wide leader, they will role model innovative thinking, challenge existing practices where appropriate and act as an effective agent for change. Working collaboratively with matrix teams, Heads of Midwifery and a wide range of stakeholders, they will help shape the culture, capability and quality of maternity care across the Trust.
Main duties of the job
* Lead practice development and improvement at Musgrove Park Hospital, working jointly with the Yeovil District Hospital lead midwife.
* Deliver structured education including workshops, study days, simulation, mentoring, coaching and 1:1 clinical teaching.
* Drive servicewide improvement aligned with national maternity standards, including the MIS Core Competency Framework.
* Foster a positive learning culture that promotes highquality care and clinical excellence.
* Provide visible, effective leadership using innovative approaches to challenge practice and inspire change.
* Support delivery of the Trust's Learning and Development strategy and maternity/neonatal improvement frameworks.
* Lead cross site practice development, governance, improvement and quality assurance as agreed with the Heads of Midwifery.
* Provide expert clinical guidance, role model best practice and maintain regular clinical work.
* Support multi disciplinary training needs and ensure compliance with training, core competency and governance requirements.
* Collaborate with senior leaders, clinicians, advocacy groups and partners to strengthen quality, safety and retention.
* Produce clear progress reports and support audit, evaluation, guideline development and incident related learning.
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
* Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
* NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
* Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
* A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job responsibilities
Leadership, Culture and Practice Improvement
* Provide strong, visible leadership as the Trust's lead midwife for practice development and improvement.
* Work collaboratively with local, regional and national partners to embed best practice and support staff retention.
* Foster a culture of continuous learning, professional curiosity, psychological safety and service improvement.
* Challenge existing practices constructively to drive innovation and positive change.
* Provide mentorship, coaching, supervision and shadowing opportunities for midwives and multidisciplinary colleagues.
* Support Heads of Midwifery with governance structures, improvement programmes and education strategies.
Education, Training and Workforce Development
* Design, lead and deliver structured, evidence based education including workshops, study days, simulation and preceptorship.
* Ensure educational programmes align with Trust Learning and Development strategies and national maternity standards, including the MIS Core Competency Framework.
* Support clinical staff to develop theoretical knowledge, practical skills and confidence, including obstetric emergency training.
* Lead induction, orientation and mentorship programmes for new, returning and newlyqualified midwives.
* Maintain a highquality learning environment for pre and postregistration midwifery students in collaboration with Higher Education Institutes.
* Engage in conferences and professional development to ensure local training reflects current evidence and best practice.
Quality, Safety and Governance
* Oversee training compliance, core competency delivery and contribute to assurance reporting.
* Lead or support audits, quality reviews and incidentrelated learning to drive continuous improvement.
* Provide expert advice on incident reporting, PSIRF processes and proportionate learning responses.
* Support development, dissemination and review of clinical guidelines and policies.
* Engage women, families and maternity advocacy groups in qualityimprovement activities.
* Support safe implementation of new equipment and ensure staff competence.
* Contribute to Trust wide education groups, maternity training forums and practice development initiatives.
Clinical Expertise and Professional Responsibilities
* Maintain clinical competence through regular clinical shifts.
* Act as a clinical resource for the multidisciplinary team, promoting safe, evidence based care.
* Participate in the oncall rota where required.
* Maintain professional registration and compliance with NMC standards and Trust policies.
Operational, Administrative and Data Responsibilities
* Maintain accurate training records, education databases and governance documentation.
* Prepare reports for senior leaders and stakeholders.
* Support analysis of audit, training and safety data to inform service improvements.
* Ensure clear, effective communication pathways between senior leaders, clinical teams and stakeholders.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* NMC Midwifery registrationEvidence of ongoing continued professional developmentInstructor for NLS/ALSOMentorship qualification / ENB 997 (or equivalent)
* Training in PSIRF and human factorsCert Ed or PGCE or working towards
Experience
* Experience of teaching in a range of midwifery settingsExpert clinical midwifeClinical experience within a Consultant led Obstetric UnitUnderstanding and experience of regulatory (MIS, CQC) maternity standards
Additional Criteria
* Understanding and experience of regulatory (MIS, CQC) maternity standardsHave an in-depth knowledge of relevant National and Local Health Policy issues and their implications to the Maternal and Child Health agenda.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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