Job overview
** Secondment Opportunity from March 2026- March 2028 **
Are you an Adult Nurse who would like to become a midwife? Do you have at least 12 months post-registration experience as a nurse?
If the answer is ‘yes’ we would like to help you make the change through our MSc Midwifery (shortened) programme. We work closely with the University of Worcester to support your application to change career and we currently have vacancies for the March 2026 cohort, starting 9th March 2026.
The theoretical components of the course are led by the University of Worcester. Teaching is provided via flexible online distance learning theory weeks and specific onsite learning and consolidation periods during the programme to enhance learning and skill development as part of a blended learning programme. Practical placements are offered within the Trust and you will be placed in various clinical locations to enable you to meet the NMC practice requirements. Clinical placements will include a community midwifery placement, midwifery led birthing unit, labour ward, antenatal clinic and neonatal unit placement. During these placements, you will be supported by a practice supervisor and practice assessor.
** If you are considering applying for this post on a secondment basis, please discuss with your Line Manager prior to applying to ascertain whether this could be supported. **
Main duties of the job
The course is 24 months long and finishes at the end of February 2028. Whilst completion of the programme does not automatically guarantee a permanent post as a registered midwife, the Trust is keen to retain newly qualified midwives within the organisation. This is a secondment agreement from your existing department.
The duration of the course is 2 academic years consisting of 45 weeks per year and 7 weeks of annual leave. Students will work a full range of shifts in practice including nights and weekends to maximize their learning opportunities.
A student midwife works under the direction of a qualified midwife in order to:
Determine and provide programmes of care and support for women which:
· Are appropriate to the needs, contexts, culture and choices of the women, babies and their families.
· Are made in partnership with women.
· Are ethical
· Are based on best evidence and clinical judgement.
· Involve other practitioners when this will improve health outcomes.
All successful applicants will be invited to an interview day.
Please note, the NMC stipulate that shortened midwifery training can only be offered to qualified Adult Nurses (child branch, mental health, ODP and other healthcare practitioners will unfortunately not be considered).
Please see Job Description for full details of job specification and main responsibilities.
Working for our organisation
Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust (SFT) is an innovative hospital with a proud heritage and over 250 years of experience behind us. Here we’re driven to deliver an outstanding experience for everyone and have been well regarded for the quality of care and treatment we continue to provide for our patients and also our staff.
We are an acute Trust, rated “Good” by the CQC, with a track record of high performance providing regional and super regional specialist services such as: Burns, Plastics & Reconstructive Surgery, Wessex Regional Genetics Laboratory, Wessex Rehabilitation, Spires Cleft Centre and the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre. We have about 470 beds and employ over 4000 staff.
We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. We think working here is pretty rewarding. You can access a range of NHS discounts, receive a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme. On-site benefits include car parking (fee applies), leisure centre, day nursery and holiday play scheme.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached Job description and person specification for full details of roles and responsibilities.
Person specification
Must hold NMC registration as Adult Nurse
Essential criteria
1. Must hold NMC registration as Adult Nurse
Must have 12 months experience a registered nurse
Essential criteria
2. Must have 12 months NHS experience as Adult RN
Previous experience
Desirable criteria
3. Previous experience in Maternity or Women's Health
Enthusiasm
Desirable criteria
4. Demonstrated interest in midwifery (e.g. conferences, CPD, journals subscription, current research, volunteering)
Communication & Interpersonal Skills
Desirable criteria
5. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills (e.g. experience supporting patients in emotional/high pressure settings, examples of collaborative teamwork)
Knowledge
Desirable criteria
6. Knowledge of midwifery practice and the role, evidence of reading JD
Cultural sensitivity and Inclusion
Desirable criteria
7. Experience or awareness of cultural sensitivities and inclusive practice
Academic & organisation skills
Desirable criteria
8. Recent professional development, evidence of self directed learning, caseloading, balancing clinical and academic duties
These include but aren't limited to:-
9. Holiday starting at 27 days plus Bank Holidays rising to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years for Agenda for Change staff
10. Holiday entitlement for Medical and Dental staff starts at 27 days for Junior/Senior Clinical Fellows, Specialty Doctors and rises to 32 days after 5 years. Consultant entitlement starts at 32 days and rises to 34 days after 7 years
11. An additional day's leave to celebrate your birthday (after 12 months & non contractual) pro rata
12. Access to a career average revalued earnings pension scheme
13. Life assurance if a member of the pension scheme
14. An extensive Health and Wellbeing offer to help you deal with life's challenges
15. Exclusive deals and discounts websites saving you money on everyday purchases, treats for the family, eating out and utility bills for home
16. Cycle to work scheme
17. Uniform provided (where required)
18. On site Day Nursery and Holiday Play scheme
19. On site health and fitness club
20. On site car parking (fee's and restrictions apply)
21. Opportunities to get on - take advantage of our ongoing learning opportunities and training, to help you achieve the job and career you want.
Please note - Due to recent changes in UK immigration and visa rules applicants who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be considered. Candidates requiring sponsorship (or will need sponsorship at the end of a current visa eg those with graduate visa's) should review the eligibility criteria on the gov.uk website before applying