Detailed job description and main responsibilities

This job description is an outline of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role and is not intended as an exhaustive list. The job may change over time to reflect the changing needs of the Trust and its services, as well as the personal development needs of the post holder.

The post holder will be expected to:

• Deliver a confidential support service to women and their families following baby loss including early pregnancy loss, mid-trimester miscarriage, termination for medical reasons (TFMR), stillbirths and early neonatal death.
• Facilitate bereavement care that reflects national and local priorities for effective patient care including the National Bereavement Care Pathway.
• Deliver an excellent bereavement service by contributing to the working of the team supporting 7-day bereavement service, as required by the needs of the service.
• Be competent in all aspects of midwifery care including antenatal care to support the team in providing an antenatal continuity of carer case loading model for women in subsequent pregnancies – including bookings and antenatal follow up appointments.
• To act as an effective advocate for bereaved women and families by using effective communication to ensure that an individual’s care is of the highest possible standard.

·         Involve the women, relatives, friends and any support network in the care process.

• Liaise and communicate effectively with all members of the MDT to ensure patients’ needs are met.
• Be involved in supporting and assisting families and staff to create memories, maintaining dignity, respect and wishes of the parents, washing babies, arranging blessings and preparing babies for funeral having knowledge and understanding of religious, cultural and spiritual needs.
• Support staff in co-ordinating the transfer of deceased babies to the mortuary.
• Coordinate the releasing of deceased babies from the ward for funeral or home, in line with current policies and standard operating procedures.
• Work within the team to maintain an effective working relationship with the Chaplains, Bereavement counselling team, the Bereavement Officers, Mortuary Manager, Perinatal Pathologist and Histopathology team.
• Communicate effectively, with women and families, to provide potentially complex, sensitive or distressing information.
• With the appropriate training, be able to sensitively discuss perinatal post-mortem with newly bereaved families and gain consent on behalf of the perinatal pathologists at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH).
• Complete all documentation, including face to face discussions, telephone or email conversations with parents, pathways and outside referrals and agencies.
• Deal with all enquiries from staff, patients and relatives in a timely and professional manner either in writing, orally or electronically.
• Support bereaved families to help them understand clinical information they may have been given.
• Maintain accurate records and high-level documentation for women receiving bereavement support and guidance.
• Maintain accurate service databases to ensure up to date, accurate data recording for the service.
• Ensure all support literature is up to date and appropriate and all bereaved parents receive such literature.
• Act as a resource for colleagues so that expert knowledge in bereavement care is always available.
• Assist in review and auditing of the services and participate in development projects which lead to service improvements.
• When required, attend and participate in MBRRACE reporting, PMRT reviews and Child Death reviews.
• Maintain and continually develop in-depth specialist knowledge of midwifery practice and bereavement care.
• Actively contribute to service developments by attendance and participation in national workshops and additional training appropriate to the role.
• Maintain own continuing professional development in accordance with CPD requirements and contribute to formulation of own objectives and personal development plan
• Support staff in developing skills and knowledge within bereavement care standards allowing staff to achieve bereavement competencies.
• Always adhere to NMC Code of Professional conduct.
• Work in accordance with the Trust Policies and Procedures and Values.
• Be aware of up-to-date knowledge of current evidence-based practice.
• Have the ability to recognise and work within the limits of own competence and responsibility is crucial, seeking advice from the Specialist Bereavement Midwives or other more senior members of staff when required.