Job overview
1. The Extra Midwifery Support team (Ems team) provides Continuity of Care (CoC) for pregnant women and people and their families in the catchment area of PRH and RSCH for defined groups with certain vulnerabilities to reduce national and local inequalities. This will improve the outcomes for women and pregnant people and their families, thus improving the equality and equity within our service.
This includes non-English speaking service users, ethnic minorities, disabilities and socio-economic deprivation. This care is provided by the midwives working a mixture of clinic and visit shifts for the care in the community antenatally and postnatally, and long days and night shifts in the birth location of the service user’s choice (Home/hospital).
Midwives will be expected to provide antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care across PRH and RSCH sites for both day and night cover. Midwives will provide a 24 hour onsite presence to be able to support immediately for the clientele.
All applicants must be aware that this is a 24 hour 7 day a week service and you will work long days, nights and weekend shifts or an "on-call" model of care provision.
We have a combination of permanent and fixed term/secondment opportunities available advertised separately.
Main duties of the job
To Provide a high standard of Midwifery care to women and pregnant people during the antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal periods in both Acute and Primary Care Settings according to Trust Policies and Standards. As a qualified midwife the post holder will be required to provide the necessary supervision, care and advice to women and pregnant people during pregnancy, labour, and the postpartum period, to conduct deliveries under their own responsibility and carry out care of the newborn. COC midwives are required to demonstrate a high degree of autonomy in accordance with the Nursing & Midwifery Council’s “Midwives Rules". The post holder requires excellent communication skills and an ability to mange their own workload. Working within this model provides personalised care for service users and delivers better health outcomes for the pregnant person and baby, increases service user satisfaction and reduces the risk of preterm birth, stillbirth, maternal morbidity and mortality and other adverse outcomes. 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.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, 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 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
2. Take full responsibility for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating Midwifery care consistent with evidence based practice for mothers, babies and families. Working in both Inpatient and Community settings.
3. Discuss options and support parents in making informed choice in their plan of care such as Birth plans, pain relief, infant feeding, baby care, return to work and family planning.
4. Discuss options and support parents in making informed choice in the period following birth.
5. Analyse and evaluate the effectiveness of such care, making necessary modifications of any midwifery care pathway and giving professional advice and support as required.
6. Act as the clients advocate and empower them to promote their own health and well being.
7. Respect the need for privacy and dignity and obtain clients informed consent throughout the childbirth continuum.
8. Refer clients to other practitioner’s e.g. senior midwife, obstetrician, physiotherapist and paediatrician when needs and risks are beyond the post holder’s scope of practice or require specialist input.
MBRRACE-UK and Saving babies’ lives reports highlighted inequalities in maternal and neonatal mortality. The inequalities highlighted were:
· Increased mortality and morbidity rates of black women and their babies, which are 3 times higher than their white counterparts.
· Asian and other ethnic minorities and their babies are twice as likely to suffer morbidity and mortality in the perinatal period.
· People with mental health conditions make up 11% of perinatal deaths.
· Pregnant people in the most deprived areas are twice as likely to die in the perinatal period.
· Rates of stillbirth and premature births were higher in areas of deprivation.
· Increase in poor outcomes for non-English speaking people and their neonates.
Person specification
Experience/Qualifications
Essential criteria
9. Registered Midwife
10. Experience and skilled in wide range of midwifery settings
11. 997/8 Mentorship Module or Equivalent
12. Current UK Driving Licence
Desirable criteria
13. Child Protection Course
14. Counselling skills
15. NIPE - Newborn Initial Physical Examination
16. Community Midwifery Experience
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential criteria
17. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
18. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
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