Job summary
- Main area
- Midwifery
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 8c
- Contract
- Permanent: Cross site working
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Required to participate in Divisional on call)
- Job ref
- 223-HOM-233
- Employer
- The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust
- Town
- Telford
- Salary
- £76,965 - £88,682 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 29/03/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Head of Midwifery
NHS AfC: Band 8c
Job overview
The post holder will work in collaboration with an extensive multidisciplinary team within Maternity services & the Divisional Management team to provide professional Midwifery leadership and support the Director of Midwifery with the strategic direction for the Maternity Services. They will work closely with the Divisional Medical Director, Divisional Director of Operations and Divisional Head of Nursing as part of the Divisional Senior Management Team, leading on the design, development, and implementation of Maternity and other strategies across the Division.
The Head of Midwifery role is a key position within the Divisional Senior Management Team, responsible to the Director of Midwifery with a prime focus on the day-to-day delivery of high standards of patient care across all care pathways and services. The post holder will be required to deputise for the Director of Midwifery during times of annual leave and will assume responsibility for the day-to-day delivery of the clinical business of the service and any delegated functions during this time.
The post holder will lead development programmes, midwifery recruitment and retention, measuring and improving standards of care and the patient experience, in accordance with agreed objectives, targets, quality standards, controls and resource constraints.
Main duties of the job
- Advising the Trust Board via the Director of Midwifery on related subjects.
- Act as the visible designated clinical midwifery leader.
- With the Director of Midwifery design a visionary and proactive short- and long-term strategy in collaboration with the senior clinical and management team for the future direction of Maternity services within the Trust.
- Ensure National and local quality and environmental standards are achieved in the Maternity service.
- Participate in Trust investigation of complaints and serious untoward incidents
- Actively contribute to the implementation of the healthcare governance agenda and ensure this is embedded into directorate business.
- Act in accordance at all times within the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and ensure own and team’s preparedness for revalidation.
- Act as a change agent, developing clinically effective practice through the effective utilisation and integration of evidence-based practice, setting, implementing and monitoring evidence-based standards of care, policies, procedures and protocols.
- Ensure a culture of continuous quality improvement through the use of research, audit, patient feedback and reflection on practice by self and other members of the team.
- Ensure a high standard of record keeping in accordance with Nursing and Midwifery Council, Health and Care Professions Council, national legislation, and local standards.
Working for our organisation
Our vision, 'To provide excellent care for the communities we serve,' is not just a statement; it's a promise we live by every day. Guided by our core Values - Partnering, Ambitious, Caring, and Trusted - we're determined to make a real difference in the lives of those who matter most: our patients and their families.
If you're ready to be part of a team that's dedicated to continuous improvement, come join us and let's make a difference together!
Hospital Transformation Programme (HTP)
As part of our long-term vision to improve patient care and service delivery, our Service will relocate to The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital in 2028. This move will unite specialist services in a purpose-built, modern environment, enhancing care and team experience.
We are actively recruiting and want applicants to be aware that successful candidates will be expected to move with the Service in early 2028. The relocation will follow a formal management of change process, with full consultation and support for colleagues.
Full details of HTP can be viewed on the Hospital Transformation Programme Webpage
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For full duties and responsibilities please refer to the attached document entitled Job Description.
Person specification
EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS
Essential criteria
- Registered Midwife with current NMC registration
- Educated to master’s level or equivalent qualification
- Leadership qualification
- Clinical expert in all areas of midwifery practice evidenced by CPD and demonstrated by senior experience within the midwifery profession
Desirable criteria
- Appropriate certified management course
- Professional Midwifery Advocate
- Certified incident investigation training
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Essential criteria
- Significant post registration experience at a senior level
- Experienced in budget management, roster management and change management
- Demonstrates excellent leadership and engagement skills including the ability to inspire and innovate
- Highly specialised and in-depth professional knowledge and experience from a range of midwifery disciplines
- Experience of developing and implementing governance frameworks to support service delivery and service change.
- Proven ability to develop, conduct, review and evaluate audit, write detailed reports and evidenced based documents
- Excellent understanding of regulatory requirements i.e., CQC and NMC
Desirable criteria
- Create a visionary approach to problem solving including the ability to motivate and negotiate effectively
KEY SKILLS
Essential criteria
- Ability to analyse complex clinical issues/problems, identify necessary action and make recommendations and follow these through
- Has a good understanding of research and can demonstrate how research influences practice; develop a research aware culture
- Advanced decision-making skills
- Ability to demonstrate emotional leadership skills and apply to appropriate situations
- Excellent understanding of data collection/analysis, audit and evaluation – uses of databases
- Ability to work under pressure across competing priorities
- Demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills, from presenting to a professional audience including Board to communicating in a compassionate manner with family members.
- Ambition in expectations of self and colleagues in delivering high-quality care
- Evidence of teaching and assessing for all aspects of midwifery practice
OTHER
Essential criteria
- Skilled to work in all areas of midwifery as required
- Ability to debrief patients, relatives, carer’s and staff during stressful and emotional times or following a serious incident
- Deals regularly with adverse outcomes in unexpected situations, having a flexible attitude towards 24-hour cover
- Leads the maternity on-call rota to ensure 24-hour midwifery management cover
- Demonstrates wide knowledge of the public health agenda
- Expert knowledge and experience of the complexity of service delivery
Desirable criteria
- Evidence of publications and networking within the service
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Mae Hughes
- Job title
- PA to Women & Children's Directors
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01952 641222
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