Screening Midwife

Job overview

The post holder will work with the screening coordinator in providing high quality midwifery care to a defined population of women identified through antenatal screening. As part of the screening team, the post holder is responsible for providing support and counselling to women and will demonstrate the ability to work autonomously in assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating care. The post holder will also ensure that the level of service provided is equitable, evidence based and consistent with the recommendations of the National Screening Committee and is within accordance of trust policies and procedures.

They should be an expert in all areas of midwifery care, which facilitates clinical practice development. The post requires effective communication skills and an ability to provide support for the multidisciplinary team

Main duties of the job

Clinical

To develop the Antenatal screening service within the hospital and community supported by the Antenatal Screening Coordinator.

Ensure that the Programmes of antenatal screening offered are in line with National Screening Committee Guidance and to assist with the implementation of screening programmes at a local level.

To assist in formulating new Antenatal Screening Policies /Protocols / Guidelines within the Trust in line with National Screening Committee guidance

To promote awareness of guidelines, protocols and procedures in antenatal screening to ensure best practice and equitable service.

To maintain good communication links with the screening coordinator in order to promote and further develop the service on behalf of the Trust.

Review and revise patient information and ensure that literature reflects advances in antenatal screening and the requirements of the National Screening Committee, and that it is in alternative languages when available.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To ensure that the antenatal screening test results are acted upon appropriately and that results are received in a timely manner.   Follow up any incomplete tests and liaise with the laboratory to ensure accuracy of results.

To assist with the assessment, planning and implementation of care for mothers identified through the antenatal screening pathway as high risk, reflecting the clients’ health and wellbeing.

Respond to patient and staff enquiries and requests for specific screening information. To provide specialist advise and support to students, midwives and medical staff regarding specific screening information.

Effectively communicate, counsel and support families prior to, during and following their screening choices.

Maintain accurate and legible patient notes in accordance with Trust and national professional policies and guidelines.

Keep up to date and act consistently within quality standards and guidelines within own clinical specialty and associated areas.

Identify own personal professional development needs and attend Regional and National training days pertinent to the specialist area of work.

Promote and maintain good communication between all disciplines involved in Antenatal Screening Services

Management

Promote and encourage the setting and adherence to good practice standards by promoting an environment in which excellent clinical care will flourish

Assist the screening coordinator to monitor progress of work recognizing changing priorities and implement corrective actions and to liaise with other members of the multidisciplinary team.

Support the efficient use of physical and/or financial resources within the current financial constraints.

Ensure a positive learning environment for students and junior staff, act as a mentor and assessor to assigned learners and teach and support them through their competency assessments ensuring that the necessary standards for placement are met.

Alert Senior Managers to resource issues which affect learning development and performance.

Monitor and maintain health, safety and security of self and others in own work area. Identify and assess potential risks in work activities and take immediate and appropriate action including supporting others to manage risks in relation to adverse incident reporting via the hospital incident reporting system.

Work within legislation and Trust procedures on risk management.

Report any incidents/complaints or accidents to the clinical lead and assist/support in the investigation and resolution of the same.

Professional Development

Undertake Midwifery care consistent with evidence-based practice,

Influence and prioritize the development of knowledge, ideas and   work practice in self and others, maintaining a high clinical standard and facilitate application of theory   to practice.

Take an active role in the implementation of the emerging Nursing and Midwifery agenda.

Ensure that continuing professional development is maintained.

Assess, identify and evaluate own development needs through a personal development plan/portfolio, in relation to midwifery knowledge and skills required, to meet the demands of the role and in accordance with registration requirements.

Undertake annual mandatory training updates and other relevant courses in line with Trust and local policies.

To have an annual supervisory meeting and regular supervisory contacts with named Supervisor of Midwives

Adhere to Trust policies and procedures relating to own workplace and contribute to service development.

Participate in Clinical Governance initiatives and take a proactive role in service development.

Accountable for own professional actions undertaking all duties having regard to the NMC ‘Code of Professional conduct’ for the nurse, midwife and health visitor and their professional contribution to Clinical Governance

Safeguarding

All employees have a duty and a responsibility to protect and safeguard children

Have an awareness of the child protection procedures and who to contact within the Trust for further help and guidance.

Able to contribute to Child Protection processes to ensure a safe delivery of care.

Maintain current knowledge and be aware of any changes to child protection information by attending mandatory training.

These duties may be subject to regular review and change.