Detailed job description and main responsibilities

·        Provide strong leadership in the clinical areas supporting the Ward Managers / Service Leads in the management and further developments of inpatient services.

·         Able to lead change and initiative for service improvement.

·         Encouraging innovation and creativity with staff which leads to quality improvements

·         Giving expert, professional advice, guidance and support to staff and service users.

·         To maintain Clinical Skills, assess patients, plan and implement care, carry out midwifery procedures using highly developed skills, both mental and physical and maintain records to a high standard.

·         A credible manager who is open and honest.

·         Has the ability to inspire and lead the teams and others to meet national and local requirements.

·         Be able to think critically and be visionary in approaches to midwifery care

·         Be analytical in thought and able to communicate to help solve problems in everyday maternity challenges

·         Have a wider knowledge of the NHS and the current local and national political agenda

·        To recognise own pressures and those of the team and ensure strategies are used to minimise work related stress.

·       To provide a visible, accessible and authoritative presence in the maternity unit to whom patients and their families can turn to for assistance, advice and support.

Measurable Result areas:

Leadership

Be a highly visible member of the Senior Leadership Team

Act as a champion for maternity and midwifery

Implementation and delivery of evidence based care within the areas of responsibility. 

Ensure ward managers have adequate support to enable them to focus on their core responsibilities.

Management 

To ensure staffing levels are optimum and monitor them. 

To ensure the managers are actively managing staff absence.  

To ensure effective utilisation of beds throughout the inpatient area

To work with the Senior Leadership Team in meeting its statutory requirements and clinical governance objectives by monitoring and reporting on the progress of achieving compliance i.e. risk management, infection prevention and control, Care Quality Commission standards and regulations, mandatory staff training. 

To provide efficient and effective use of resources including budgetary control 

To participate in the Maternity Manager’s on-call rota

Lead on complaints handling within the areas of responsibility and where requested attend complaint meetings

Ensuring a safe environment conducive to peak performance of all staf 

Promoting best practice in health, safety and security

To  encourage proactive risk assessments in all areas of responsibility and ensure risk assessments undertaken are acted upon appropriately and actions monitored

To ensure that all staff adheres to Trust policies and procedures at all times.  This includes staff compliance of all health and safety policies and the Data Protection Act 1974.

To participate in disciplinary cases with the Deputy and Associate Director of Midwifery, investigating issues/concerns and taking actions as necessary

To line manage the ward managers and  labour ward coordinators 

To chair maternity meetings and writing reports as required.

To participate in reviewing, developing and supporting the workforce through the appraisal system.

To participate in the recruitment, selection and retention of staff.

Strategic

To support the Directorate Management Team in facilitating change as detailed in the Trust and the Maternity Services objectives.

To be accessible to users of the service and be a representative for maternity services on the Maternity Partnership

Responsible for development, implementation and evaluation of projects to improve patient care and service development.

To participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of the maternity unit’s business plan.

Participate in the corporate development of patient care, working with the Head and Deputy Head of Midwifery to produce lasting and positive change.

Governance and Quality

To have a full understanding of the statutory framework that governs midwifery practice and the ability to apply this to own practice.

Adhere to Trust procedures for managing incidents, working in close liaison with the Governance Midwife in developing action plans to address any risk issues and communicating any changes in practice to all staff.  Investigates and prepares statements as requested to assist in investigations. 

To participate in the delivery of the clinical governance and risk management agenda of the department and Trust.

To participate in multi-disciplinary clinical audit to ensure standards are continually reviewed and developed. Work in partnership with others to develop, take forward and evaluate direction, policies and strategies

To lead and participate in clinical incident reporting and facilitate changes to reduce risk.

To ensure all incident forms are investigated and managed appropriately 

To lead and assist and support the continual review, development and improvement of maternity services through clinical audit.

To ensure the Department’s responsibility with regards to the Trust’s Being Open and Duty of Candour Policy are met, and leading on the Duty of Candour Communication as appropriate.

To ensure a debrief session and appropriate support is arranged for staff following any serious incident.

To lead and assist in the achievement and monitoring of regulations and standards as stated within Care Quality Commission and other national maternity reports and contribute to quarterly reports.

Communications and Working Relationships:

Maintains effective relationships with the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) to ensure continuity of patient care. 

To work closely with the other matrons (Outpatient services, Workforce/Birth Centre and Neonatal) and Deputy Head of Midwifery ensuring a seamless service

Communicates effectively to patients and staff providing and receiving highly complex, sensitive or contentious information. Persuasive, motivational, training, negotiating, empathic and re-assurance skills are used and required. 

To develop and maintain effective communication systems with all personnel internal and external to the Trust.

To develop good working relationships with other wards/departments/agencies within and outside the Trust, ensuring that all stakeholders understand, respect and recognise the Trust’s philosophy and operation policies.