Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Strategic and Service Leadership

• Ensure the maternity service strategy is clearly communicated to all Labour Ward staff and translated into effective operational practice.

• Work collaboratively with senior midwifery leaders, obstetric, neonatal and theatre teams to support a high-quality, safe and responsive service.

• Manage allocated pay and non-pay budgets effectively and use Trust information systems to monitor resource utilisation and plan for future service needs.

• Oversee the recruitment and induction of staff in line with Trust policies.

Governance, Quality and Risk

• Investigate complaints and serious incidents, monitor themes, and ensure learning and actions are implemented and shared with staff, senior management and the governance team.

• Contribute to continuous quality improvement in nursing and midwifery practice, using national maternity publications and evidence-based recommendations to support change.

• Support and lead the implementation of actions identified in Kirkup (2022).

• Ensure midwives adhere to local clinical guidelines, policies, and procedures.

• Work with the governance team and HOM to ensure effective risk management, incident reporting and Datix oversight in line with Trust policy.

• Monitor infection control and cleaning standards, undertake gap analysis and implement improvements to maintain compliance.

• Ensure all intrapartum-related KPIs and targets are achieved and escalate concerns where required.

Performance Management

• Monitor the quality of service delivery against local, Trust and national standards.

• Oversee the performance of all Band 7 midwives and work with the Professional Development Team to support all staff groups.

• Address poor performance using appropriate HR processes.

• Ensure robust communication systems exist between the post holder and the staff they manage.

Operational Management

• Design and implement effective systems of working that support delivery of the maternity service strategy and overcome operational constraints.

• Ensure safe staffing and effective deployment of all available resources across Labour Ward.

• Provide oversight of the operational function of the Delivery Suite, Maternity Triage and co-located Midwifery-Led Unit.

• Play a pivotal role in implementing and embedding the new Maternity High Dependency Unit within the Delivery Suite.

Professional Responsibilities

• Provide professional leadership to midwives, promoting a woman-centred, culturally sensitive service.

• Promote meaningful involvement of service users in maternity service planning and delivery, working closely with the Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership (MNVP).

• Maintain professional registration, comply with NMC standards, and meet revalidation requirements.

• Act as an ambassador for the Trust in professional and public settings.

• Contribute to clinical governance developments alongside the line manager.

Expert Clinical Practice

• Lead midwives, nurses and support workers through coaching, mentoring and role modelling to achieve high standards of practice.

• Lead and facilitate multidisciplinary skills and drills sessions with the Obstetric Lead.

• Work with the Education Team to facilitate PROMPT training and support in-situ simulation.

• Act as the midwifery clinical lead for the weekly multidisciplinary maternity case review meeting and ensure actions and learning are implemented and shared.

Leadership

• Provide credible and visible leadership to midwives and nurses.

• Support delivery of the Trust’s nursing and midwifery strategy.

• Promote and support excellent communication with women, families and the multidisciplinary team.

• Work collaboratively with clinical teams and patient groups to shape services that meet the needs of the local population.

• Advocate for women, families and carers, providing expert clinical advice as required.

• Use evidence-based practice to contribute to service development and pathway improvement.

Personal and Professional Development

• Maintain professional and clinical competence and take responsibility for ongoing development, including mandatory training.

• Ensure personal annual appraisal is completed and development objectives are met.

• Participate in education and training relevant to the role.