Deputy Head of Midwifery

Job overview

The Deputy Head of Midwifery has responsibility for the delivery of safe, clinically and cost effective and compassionate midwifery care within the Trust and provides assurance evidence to the Head of Midwifery and other senior colleagues regarding compliance against all appropriate professional, organisational and national standards.

Please note we reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the closing date once the required number of suitable applications have been received.

Main duties of the job

The Deputy Head of Midwifery Role is key to supporting the operational management of the maternity services reporting into the Head of Midwifery.

The post holder will be an enthusiastic, motived, visible and accessible professional midwifery leader and be professionally responsible for the delivery of a high quality maternity service within the Trust.

The Deputy Head of Midwifery will direct manage the maternity matrons.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To provide professional and effective clinical leadership and accountability for the midwifery service in conjunction with the Heads of Midwifery and Business Unit leadership team.

To deputise for the Head of Midwifery as and when required.

Support the Head of Midwifery, Directors of Nursing & Executive Director of Nursing Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals in delivering the Trusts safety, quality and improvement priorities and clinical strategy.

To take shared responsibility with the Lead Clinician/Clinical Director/General Manager for Clinical Governance and responsibility for clinical governance issues related directly to midwifery.

To ensure the highest standard of midwifery care through the provision of effective leadership, advising clinical staff and line management of maternity Matrons and Specialist Midwives.

Manage and develop clinical practice in line with national and local guidance ensuring the delivery of specific performance targets associated with the role, development of best practice, quality and service improvement priorities in conjunction with the Business Unit and other key stakeholders.

Responsible for advising on the appropriate skill mix and establishment of midwifery staff in line with BirthRate Plus recommendations.

To provide visible, accessible and senior leadership presence in the hospital and community settings.

Deal with concerns and actively problem solve to improve both patient and staff experience.

Investigate and respond to incidents and complaints within target timescales.

To role model compassionate and inclusive leadership in order to shape the creation of a collective leadership culture within the trust. This means demonstrating a consistent leadership style which (a) engages, enables and empowers others (b) uses coaching to promote ownership of learning and quality improvement and (c) facilitates team working and collaboration within teams / departments and across organisational boundaries.

Provide professional and clinical advice.

Prepare, plan and deliver matron and ward managers development for  succession planning.

Facilitate an environment where health promotion and informed patient choice and personalised care is encouraged and developed to its maximum potential, with the available resources.