Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Midwife to work to support the bereavement service across both Maternity and the Neonatal unit.

The post holder will be the lead Bereavement Specialist Midwife, providing a high quality and effective bereavement service that is reactive to relevant issues from both a local and national perspective.

Main duties of the job

They will provide support to the wider midwifery, neonatal and medical staff within the directorate when caring for women and families experiencing a loss in pregnancy, stillbirth or early neonatal death.

The post holder will be an educational resource for nursing, midwifery and Maternity care workers on physical, psychological and administrative aspects of bereavement care.

They will provide support and training to staff in bereavement issues.

The post holder will develop a collaborative approach in ensuring the bereavement service is working effectively and appropriately to meet the needs of the women and families within our care.

They will require excellent organisational and communication skills, working closely with the SWAN team and the bereavement admin specialist.

Working for our organisation

Working for Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will provide you with lots of opportunity to develop your skills and further your career. The Trust provides services to the 440,000 residents of Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre and North Lancashire.

As a Trust we are committed to:

  • Developing new roles and ways of working to ensure a flexible and innovative approach to staff.
  • Real equality of opportunity.
  • Continual development and learning for staff.
  • Achieving a work life balance.

    • We are committed to the effective recruitment, retention and development for our employees, which is why we offer a great working environment, an attractive range of benefits and excellent opportunities for training and development.

    The Trust is accredited as a disability Confident employer. That means we recognise our obligations to ensure people with disabilities are afforded equal opportunity to enter employment and progress if and where possible.

    We recommend that all individuals employed in patient facing roles, or those located on a ward or department where patients receive a service should be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

    Detailed job description and main responsibilities

    The post holder will be the key Bereavement Specialist Midwife that provides sensitive, compassionate specialist care and support to families who have experienced the loss of their baby through stillbirth, miscarriage or neonatal death. They will meet the needs of each family as unique individuals respecting their diverse needs and ensuring equity.

    The post holder will work with the specialist bereavement SWAN service and the wider multidisciplinary team to provide continuity of care to families in both the Maternity and Neonatal unit. They will visit women and their families after admission, daily to introduce the bereavement team, to offer support and care from the diagnosis of death of their baby, post-natal and bereavement care and offer support in a subsequent pregnancy.

    The post holder will work collaboratively with Matron and Ward managers in the unit, contributing to the development and delivery of both Trust and Divisional objectives.

    The post holder will enable and empower families to ask questions about their care when a review of their care is taking place (namely PMRT). They will be required to support the PMRT process.

    The post holder will advise on the legal frameworks and requirements after a death has occurred, this includes the Coroners referral process, registration, medical examiners, funeral process for registered births and non-registered births.

    The post holder will participate in audits and associated projects.

    They will be part of the team implementing the National Bereavement Care Pathway

    Person specification

    Qualifications

    Essential criteria

  • Registered midwife with at least 5 years post qualification experience
  • Evidence of ongoing professional development.
  • Student assessor qualification

    • Desirable criteria

  • Evidence of post graduate study

    • Experience

    Essential criteria

  • Demonstrable clinical experience in all areas of Midwifery.
  • Experience of being a student assessor.
  • Decision making ability.
  • Leading or participation in meetings, with bereaved families.
  • Experience of dealing with women who have experienced a loss.
  • Experience of change management/implementation of practice change.

    • Desirable criteria

  • Evidence of implementation of innovation, service change and development.
  • Participation in service development
  • Experience of resource management

    • Skills

    Essential criteria

  • Knowledge of Bereavement Services nationally and locally.
  • Understanding and knowledge of current issues in Midwifery and NHS
  • Demonstrates a high level of personal and professional autonomy and an understanding of professional accountability.
  • Incorporate high quality evidence in women centred care.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the current public health agenda.
  • Is aware of responsibility in relation to NMC Professional Code of Conduct and Midwives Rules
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Ability to lead, influence and motivate others
  • Understanding and participation in Risk Management Strategy

    • Desirable criteria

  • Experience in or desire to learn Counselling.
  • Experience in guideline development and implementation.