Midwifery Ward Manager

Job overview

We are seeking an inspirational manager who has a passion for antenatal and postnatal care, to work alongside our substantive ward mangers. You must possess strong leadership qualities, can implement new initiatives and the courage to drive forward future development. You will be at the forefront of inpatient midwifery care and providing a high-quality service will be the focus of your role.

You must demonstrate excellent communication skills and be able to challenge when appropriate to ensure competence and compassion is embraced by all. You will monitor and continually review performance, effectiveness and service user satisfaction. In addition, you will provide clinical leadership and managerial support to your team.

The right candidate will have up-to-date clinical skills, leadership ability, knowledge and experience, be familiar with current local, national strategies to improve safety and care in maternity.

The post is open to candidates with suitable experience and a commitment to supporting and managing staff, and improving care. An understanding of the sickness absence policy, rota processes, organisational skills, quality improvement, managing complaints and problem solving are essential. Understand the demands of delivering an efficient and effective inpatient maternity service which meets the requirements of women and birthing people, within in the current NHS climate is required.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will have management responsibility for the core services provided in a hospital setting. This will include management of resources, audit and quality monitoring, data collection, clinical leadership and deployment of staff. The post holder will work to create an environment where the service user and their family are central to all decision making and the delivery of high quality compassionate care is everyone’s priority.

You will be an expert resource to the multi-disciplinary team, to support them in delivery of high quality service user focused care, ensuring that all staff work in a professional manner and all registered staff are working as accountable practitioners.

You will be expected to demonstrate effective clinical leadership and role modelling, be able to inspire, motivate and empower others. This will require the post-holder to be highly visible and have an accessible approach to women, their families and staff.

This is a senior midwifery role within the organisation and there is an expectation that the post-holder will fully participate in the clinical and professional leadership of the department

Working for our organisation

The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King’s to another level.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King’s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone’s contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust’s carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• To always act in a safe and professional manner in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of Professional Conduct
• Implement the Kings College hospital NHS Trust / Women services agreed procedures, policies and regulations
• Ensure that all clinical care personally provided is of a high standard and reflects current evidence
• To provide professional and clinical midwifery leadership, acting as a role model for professional practice
• To be a highly competent, knowledgeable and visible midwifery practitioner, ensuring the provision of excellent, evidence based care for women
• Ensure that each woman is appropriately assessed and their care is planned, implemented and evaluated in negotiation with the woman/ medical staff and is accurately documented
• To co-ordinate and implement the care of women through the labour ward who may be high or low risk, understanding fundamental and complex midwifery duties to include assessment and evaluation of care ensuring, the timely and appropriate movement of patients to facilitate good flow through the unit
• To act as an advocate for the woman ensuring the provision of appropriate information and support services
• Ensure effective communication, in all circumstances, between all members of the multidisciplinary team, other hospital departments, relatives and visitors
• In conjunction with the midwifery Inpatient Matrons, develop and monitor clinical and nonclinical performance standards, including professional conduct and uniform policies, taking action as required
• Develop and maintain the clinical skills and knowledge necessary to provide woman-centred, holistic, evidence based midwifery care, as reflected within the Scope of Professional Practice
• Ensure that all staff are aware of the uses, safety precautions and handling of equipment in the department.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

• To directly line manage staff within the area of responsibility and monitor team workload
• Co-ordinate the daily off duty ensuring a relevant skill mix
• To be responsible for the leadership and operational management of the labour ward, informing the clinical lead of safety concerns
• To manage and maximise the use of midwifery and nursing resources within the agreed budget, working closely with the Matron Team.
• Establishing and maintaining efficient multi-disciplinary communication within the maternity unit
• Provide a happy and friendly environment for both staff and women in the hospital setting
• To manage sickness/absences and disciplinary activities, working with the Matron and Human Resources to reduce sickness levels.
• To manage the appraisal process and ensure that all staff have the opportunity to review their performance and develop a meaningful professional development plan.
• Provide professional advice and support to all staff in the department.
• To ensure all staff knows where to access trust policies and clinical procedures guidelines and that staff adhere to these at all times.
• Initiate and develop audits of service delivery and implementation of findings to improve patient care.
• To participate in risk management processes within the department, including the investigation of adverse incidents.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

• Be responsible for the development of midwifery staff within sphere of responsibility and participate in in-service training programmes including orientation programmes
• Encourage junior midwifery staff to develop their clinical and education skills.
• Be responsible for meeting the needs of learners, by providing a good learning environment and taking every opportunity in clinical teaching
• To participate in research projects
• To maintain records of professional development and study days
• To sustain and improve knowledge of midwifery upon which accountability for practice / development relies.

Person specification

Qualification and Experience

Essential criteria

• Practising Registered Midwife
• Evidence of Post Registration education at degree level
• Evidence of computer literacy

Desirable criteria

• Evidence of continuous professional development
• Previous experience of managing staff

IMPORTANT

• Check your email account regularly as this is how we will communicate with you
• If you delete the job from any of your accounts, you may be prevented from accessing further communications
• To enquire about your application or inform us of any changes in your circumstances, please contact the named person on this advert
• Please provide email addresses for referees where possible
• Please review the documentation on our recruitment microsite, particularly the Trust’s criminal records checking policy
• All staff have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and for ensuring they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.
• Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. On occasion, we might close a vacancy early due to a high number of applications being received. You are advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

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