County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Labour Ward Coordinator
The closing date is 28 October 2025
This advert is only open to applicants who are currently employed by County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust.
This is an exciting opportunity for driven and motivated midwives to develop themselves and their skills and become a part of our Labour Ward Coordinators Team specialising in promoting and delivering midwifery‑led care and homebirth. You would be based within an Acute setting, across Labour Ward, with responsibility for staff on the Pregnancy Assessment Unit and Postnatal Ward areas on an out‑of‑hours basis.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for experienced midwives who are committed to providing safe shift provision in a busy Labour ward setting, taking responsibility for the coordination of patient care within our departments and acting upon, and escalating concerns in a timely manner. The post holder will carry shift leader responsibilities, including maintaining oversight of activity, acuity, allocation of workload and skill mix on the maternity unit, and will be able to deal with unpredictable high levels of clinical activity to include assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of midwifery care in a safe environment. The role will involve actively participating within escalation across the trust during heightened levels of increased activity, liaising directly with colleagues to maintain safety within both units of CDDFT.
About us
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services from two acute sites – Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester‑le‑Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community‑based settings and providing care in patients’ homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and BAME candidates as people from these groups are currently under‑represented.
Job responsibilities
The post holder will be responsible for the smooth and safe running of the labour ward and will take overall charge of the ante/postnatal ward and pregnancy assessment unit out of hours. The post holder will act as a credible support for other members of the maternity team to practice safely, will support individualised care, will have some responsibility for a group of midwives and maternity support workers for appraisal and development, and will be involved in the development of services, quality improvement, dealing with complaints and engaging in multidisciplinary team working across the organisation.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Degree/diploma relevant to speciality
* Registered Midwife with current UK NMC PIN
* Significant experience within an acute maternity setting at Band 6
* Evidence of relevant ongoing professional development
* Recognised teaching/assessing qualification
* Post graduate certificate or Masters in health related, management or leadership subject
* Evidence of management training
* Trained NIPE practitioner
Special Skills & Knowledge
* Ability to provide written and verbal reports
* Ability to travel across site as required
Experience
* High level of clinical expertise and sound knowledge of all birthing environments using an evidence‑based approach
* Knowledge of current issues and initiatives in public health, antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care
* Able to manage sensitive or difficult situations effectively
* IT skills including Microsoft Office, Word, Excel and PowerPoint
* Well developed communication skills including the ability to communicate calmly, clearly and kindly whilst building and maintaining trusted and respectful relationships with all colleagues across the MDT
* Able to lead with confidence and act with compassion for service users and all members of a team ensuring a culture of inclusivity and psychological safety
* Ability to work on own initiative and take ownership of problems
* Excellent organisational and time management skills
* Committed to professional and personal development supported by reflective practice
* Experience of linking with outside agencies and stakeholders
* Quality Improvement activity
* Experience in leading midwifery‑led care and homebirth
Statutory Registration
* NMC registered midwife
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.
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
£47,810 to £54,710 a year Per Annum Pro Rata
J-18808-Ljbffr