Midwife - Saving Babies Lives

Preterm birth (PTB) is defined as delivery at less than 37+0 week's gestation, and is a common complication of pregnancy comprising around 8% of births in England and Wales. It is the most important single determinant of adverse infant outcome with regards to survival and quality of life. Babies born preterm have high rates of early, late, and post-neonatal mortality and morbidity and contributes to an estimated to cost health services in England and Wales of £3.4bn per year. The Preterm Birth Midwife will work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team, and will play a key role in co-ordinating the care and support of women who are at increased risk of preterm labour, with suspected or confirmed preterm labour, or having a planned preterm birth (i. e. due to fetal growth restriction, preeclampsia or other clinical reason). The Preterm Birth Midwife will participate actively in local and regional networks, teaching and research to improve education and implementation of Preterm Birth pathway. They will also work closely with the MVP & parents' network to co-design services to ensure that pathways are supportive and equitable for women and families accessing maternity care at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust. Main duties of the job This is a key role in developing and maintaining our preterm birth service ensuring the continued high standard of care for women. The successful candidate will have in depth knowledge of current local, regional and national agendas, including published reports and guidance in relation to reducing preterm birth. The post holder will develop expert knowledge of preterm pregnancy management options including the pros and cons of prophylactic vaginal progesterone or cervical cerclage procedures, services and support. And will be responsible for the management of individualised care of a defined group of mothers and babies using the assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating process within a multidisciplinary framework.

• RM and eligible to practice
• Working at a degree level
• Evidence of further study and development of professional and academic skills, Leadership / management qualification
• Achieved or working towards MSc
• Ultrasound and clinical skills management of pregnancies at high risk of preterm birth, Band 6 experience or above
• Ability to assess, plan , implement and evaluate Midwifery care for women and their babies
• Manage own caseload including ability to prioritise and meet deadlines
• Sound knowledge of recent Government / Professional documents with awareness of implications to service provision.
• Ability to work within acute and primary health care settings.
• Experience of acting as a mentor to both qualified midwives and students encouraging evidence-based practice
Desirable criteria To have developed local and national networks. Skills Essential criteria
• Leadership & management skills
• Conflict management skills
• Competent in IT & able to produce detailed and accurate reports
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Able to work both independently and autonomously as well as part of a wider MDT, To have participated in audit / research and development programmes
• Good presentation skills
  
  MTW is a large acute hospital trust in the south-east of England.
We provide a full range of general hospital services and some aspects of specialist and complex care to around 600,000 people living in west Kent and East Sussex. We have a team of over 8,000 full and part-time staff. We also provide specialist cancer services to around 2 million people across Kent and East Sussex via the Kent Oncology Centre. In the 2024 NHS staff survey, our employees ranked MTW among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and the second-best Trust to work for in the South East. Would you like to work flexibly? In the NHS, we are reminded every day of how important life is. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us, for our patients and for you.

The programme is full-time (please email if this is problematic) and will involve travel to both Trust sites. The programme includes supernumerary shifts in the clinical area, classroom-based sessions and e-learning. Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure & Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children) At MTW, we seek to develop a culture where everyone can reach their full potential with opportunities to grow and develop their career. We recognise and value the unique contributions that each of our staff bring, delivering the best quality care and service to our patients. We are committed to being a diverse employer and strive to reflect everyone in our local communities. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences and celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that will make our Trust the best place to work. We support our staff with disabilities to ensure they have the adjustments they need to be the best they can be in the workplace. Collaborating with Access to Work means that our staff are assessed by experts in the workplace and we ensure that their recommendations are implemented as quickly as possible. You can find out more here : Access to Work : get support if you have a disability or health condition : What Access to Work is - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Interview Date : To be confirmed Please note that this role may often attract a high level of applications. Please note this role may close earlier than the original closing date so please ensure you submit your application as soon as possible Person specification