Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Practice Development Midwife (PDM) is an expert practitioner of Midwifery will be a role model for midwives, maternity support workers (MSWs), maternity nurses and student midwives within the maternity department, as well as being a source of expert midwifery knowledge.

The Practice Development Midwife is a leadership role within the Trust, specifically responsible for the continuing professional development of Midwives, MSWs and maternity nurses.

The Practice Development Midwife will be responsible for the advanced clinical support and development of midwifery staff working both in hospital and the community settings. This includes maintaining an up-to-date records of continuing education and compliance for maternity staff.

Will line manage preceptorship support midwives as part of the Maternity Education Team

Will provide specialised clinical and professional advice ensuring optimal use of midwives’ skills.

The Practice Development Midwife will require expert midwifery skills, including but not limited to suturing, cannulation and supporting complex births.

Will liaise closely with the Deputy Director of Midwifery, Obstetric Team, Midwifery Matrons/Managers and Preceptorship Support midwives regarding training needs for staff.

The Practice Development Midwife will lead the coordination of the mandatory maternity training and the in-situ drills and skills.

Will work alongside midwives and MSWs in clinical practice who need additional support and will also assess the learning needs of preceptorship midwives, international midwives, return to practice midwives and student midwives.

Will maintain close working relationships with local higher educational institutes and local link lecturers, participating in student activities as required.

Will support in the creation of individualised Supported Practice plans where training or competency have been identified as an area of concern.

Will monitor the implementation of guidelines adherence and practice changes that may have resulted from complaints, incidents or audit within maternity services.

Will implement skills drills training sessions for the multidisciplinary team in light of incidents, investigations within the maternity department ensuring lessons are learnt and staff competencies are assessed.

Will maintain an awareness of professional developments in midwifery and facilitate the maintenance of appropriate standards of care. This will include clinical audit and evaluation of programmes of care.

Will provide direct clinical care to women and families as and when required to maintain the safety of women and babies.

Will provide structured and innovative in-house education training packages to enable staff to meet individual ongoing needs of women and families.

Will work with the Workforce / Recruitment and Retention Leads to coordinate and facilitate in service induction programmes of all newly appointed staff. 

Will ensure adequate equipment training/education updates for all staff maintaining records of this.

Will lead on the development of the unqualified workforce to improve the care and service delivered to women, babies and families. Support staff in undertaking and gaining relevant further qualifications.

Will lead on facilitation of group Obstetric Emergency training, Neonatal Basic Life Support and Adult Basic Life Support skills sessions for all members of the multidisciplinary Team.

Will be responsible for Audit and evaluation of all teaching programmes and modifications as required to ensure learning outcomes are met.

 Will be innovative in approach to teaching methods and learning experiences.

 Will liaise closely with Workforce Development to ensure that all essential safety and role specific e-learning / face to face training is up to date.

Will understand the revalidation process in order to support and advise midwifery staff.

Will participate in internal and external MDT maternity groups and forum, acting as local Trust representation at such forums.

Will work closely with the Clinical Managers, Senior Midwifery Team, Obstetric Clinical Tutor and the wider Trust as required to ensure individual learning / training needs are addressed.

Will foster and maintain a close relationship with the Professional Midwifery Advocate / A-EQUIP (Advocating for Education and Quality Improvement) team so that they can support midwifery staff with their individual education, development and personal action for quality improvement.

Will manage the levels and quality/repair of stock and equipment used in teaching programmes.

Will collate information, analyse data and provide verbal and written reports on educational issues and practice to Deputy Director of Midwifery, Women’s and Families Health Service meetings and Senior Midwifery team on a regular basis.

Will draft reports summarising status on issues, appraising outcomes and providing progress reports for the Deputy Director and Director of Midwifery

Will provide regular reports to the Directorate on training compliance and training needs.

Will participate in amending guidelines in accordance with new national evidence or as a result of incidents, complaints and audits.

Will maintain oversight of and provide assurance on training compliance and trajectories in line with national reporting requirements.

 Will communicate complex and sensitive information to women and their families using empathy and reassurance at times of vulnerability, distress and bereavement.

Will overcome communication barriers where they occur and seek appropriate services to ensure equality and diversity for all women and colleagues.

Will communicate in an effective and timely manner with the multi-disciplinary team to ensure referrals are made and safety is ensured.

Will maintain effective communication with the multidisciplinary team to provide opportunities to share their views and dissemination of information and learning.

Will operate as a role model to team(s) by maintaining optimism in the face of challenge and ambiguity, recovering quickly from setbacks, and learning from feedback.

Will participate in the recruitment and selection of staff as appropriate.

Will maintain a professional attitude at all times and develop the role of the Midwife in accordance with The Code for Nurses and Midwives, NMC, 2015