Job Description

The Head of Midwifery role is a key position within the Divisional Management Team, responsible to the Director of Midwifery, Gynaecology with a prime focus on the day-to-day delivery of high standards of patient care across integrated care pathways and services.



The purpose of the role is to provide operational midwifery leadership across the women's services to ensure and consistently develop high quality efficient service provision for all women accessing maternity & Gynaecology care at West Hertfordshire Hospital.



Reporting to the Director of Midwifery, the post holder will develop, maintain, and provide assurance on clinical and operational governance systems and processes, specifically clinical risk management, CQC standards, clinical policy and procedure, clinical quality, health and safety, patient experience, complaint systems and resolution, incident reporting and resolution, contractual quality measures, safeguarding.



The post holder will assist the Director of Midwifery and Gynaecology, Clinical Director, Clinical Directors - Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the Divisional Manager to ensure that divisional and corporate objectives in relation to the workforce, service delivery, quality improvement, clinical quality, safety and leadership elements of the service are carried out. The responsibility incudes covering for board assurance and Quality committee reports and presenting them in the absence of the Director of Midwifery, Gynaecology.



Deputise for the Director of Midwifery as required and take a lead role in supporting the Director of Midwifery to include effective resource management and strategic planning for the future of the service.



Ensure women and their families are at the centre of care, implementing necessary service improvements to ensure maternity care provision is responsive to women's needs and care is of the highest standards.



To work with the Divisional Management Team and Service Leads to provide professional and clinical leadership support to the Division, ensuring that a framework is in place to ensure all Midwifery staff are appropriately managed and are clinically and professionally developed and that they are, therefore, efficient, effective, engaged and highly motivated.



To be responsible for the day-to-day operational management of the maternity and gynaecology service.



Lead on nursing/midwifery workforce and safe staffing analysis and reviews across maternity and gynaecology services.



To work with other healthcare professionals in the service to ensure effective and professional standards of care management and delivery.



With a new hospital planned for Watford and work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital, this is an exciting time to join us.



We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working ever more closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare.



Staff wellbeing and development are a priority at our Trust, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience.

Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others.



We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance.



www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking



If you have a disability or long-term health condition and should you require support or guidance please contact westherts.recruitment@nhs.net



If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.



We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.



If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.



Ensuring that a consistent approach is taken across pathways and services in the Division, so that all clinical staff comply with Trust-wide policies and procedures.



This post deputises on a regular basis for a full range of operational and leadership responsibilities and is the person who provides deputy cover when the Director is on leave or has unplanned absences.



To ensure an effective model of support for midwives and nurses are in place by providing strategic and professional leadership for nursing, midwifery, and nonmedical professionals within the division.



Lead on quality, safety and patient experience across the service including full compliance with internal and external governance services.



The post holder will have an in-depth knowledge of the services, locally and nationally, and the political environment he/she is working. This role provides direct support to the Director of Midwifery.



Reporting to the Director of Midwifery, the post holder will develop, maintain, and provide assurance on clinical and operational governance systems and processes, specifically clinical; risk management, CQC standards, clinical policy and procedure, clinical quality, health and safety, patient experience, complaint systems and resolution, incident reporting and resolution, contractual quality measures and safeguarding.



Lead the Nursing / Midwifery / Clinical teams to ensure a culture of continuous improvement and professional excellence is achieved.



In collaboration with the Director of Midwifery, lead in development of services with the objective of improving the quality of patient care. Disseminate and share best practice at local, regional, and national level by conference presentation and through publication.



Have key relationships with stakeholders including Maternity Voice Partnership, Local Maternity Systems, Local Learning System.



Lead on professional leadership to all gynaecology clinical nurse specialists, matrons, managers, and multi-disciplinary team members across the women services, ensuring that there is a sharing of good practice across the Trust.