The Practice Development Midwife is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and enthusiastic midwife who is passionate about supporting staff development, improving clinical practice and delivering excellent care for women, babies and families. Combining clinical practice with education and development responsibilities, this role is central to fostering a positive learning culture across maternity services.
Working closely with the Practice Development, Education and Leadership teams, you will support newly qualified, internationally educated and experienced midwives to develop confidence, competence and professional growth. A key aspect of this role is leading and developing the maternity preceptorship programme, ensuring newly qualified and internationally educated midwives receive high-quality support, guidance and development opportunities as they transition into practice.
You will work collaboratively to create an inclusive and nurturing learning environment that promotes retention, wellbeing and professional excellence.
We are looking for a motivated and approachable registered midwife with strong clinical credibility, excellent communication skills and a passion for developing others.
The Practice Development Midwife will play a key role in supporting the development, education and wellbeing of the maternity workforce, helping to ensure women, babies and families receive safe, high-quality and evidence-based care. Working across both clinical and educational settings, you will provide hands-on support to midwives, maternity support workers and students, promoting excellence in practice and continuous professional development.
This role currently holds the lead portfolio for the maternity preceptorship programme and will be responsible for the strategic development, delivery and evaluation of preceptorship support for newly qualified and internationally educated midwives. You will champion the transition from student to autonomous practitioner, ensuring staff receive high-quality clinical support, pastoral guidance and development opportunities that promote confidence, competence, retention and professional growth. Portfolio responsibilities within the Practice Development Team are flexible and may be reviewed or amended in line with service priorities, workforce needs and organisational objectives.
You will deliver education and training, facilitate learning opportunities, provide clinical coaching and support quality improvement initiatives across the service. We are looking for an experienced and motivated registered midwife with excellent clinical knowledge, strong communication, leadership and teaching skills, and a passion for developing others.
With a new hospital planned for Watford, work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, 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 closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare.
Staff wellbeing and development are a priority, 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 require support or guidance please contact
[email protected]
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.
The PDM facilitates ongoing education and training programs for midwives, ensuring that they stay up to date with the latest evidence-based practices, guidelines, and advancements in midwifery care.
Organise training sessions, workshops and other learning opportunities for midwives and other health professionals to improve clinical competencies and skills.
Provide ongoing professional development opportunities to enhance the skills of the maternity care team. This includes working with the Learning Environment and Preceptorship Lead Midwives to promote and foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
Providing clinical supervision to midwives, offering guidance and support in their practice, and ensuring adherence to best practices and standards.
Work with Ward Managers and Matrons in supporting staff on performance improvement plans. Address any challenges and concerns related to clinical practices through guidance and coaching.
Collaborate with healthcare teams to identify areas for improvement in maternity care
Collaborate with external organisations and institutions to share best practices and promote collaborative learning.
Actively participate in guideline/policy development. Ensure information is disseminated to clinical staff members in a timely manner .
Implement quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient safety and satisfaction.
Support the recruitment team with recruitment processes including interviewing.
Support delivery of onboarding of new starters and provide efficient and effective inductions, liaising with the lead midwife for recruitment/ recruitment and onboarding team.
Engage in and work with the research midwife/ team to contribute to the advancement of midwifery practices.
Collate and present relevant data to senior team members and disseminate information at appropriate meetings.
Ensure compliance with regulatory standards and guidelines.
Communicate the outcome of training needs analysis, CPD planning and aspects of programme enrolment to staff.
Promote continuous professional development for staff and be aware of current opportunities for CPD. Be able to signpost to relevant staff/agencies as required.
Foster a creative and open working culture, which encourages and nurtures innovation and new ways of working.
As a member of the Education Team, you will be required to support with in-house training such as PROMPT, Maternity Education Days and skills and drills in the clinical area.
Be a resource and support for staff working towards educational requirements and revalidation.
Collaborate with other departmental PDM and pdns and Lead for Practice Development and Education.
Identify equipment and resource needs which will enhance the learning experience and collaborate with LME and external companies to cost and source equipment.
As a member of the midwifery team you will be responsible for developing your own skills and knowledge.
Be able to support staff within the inpatient and outpatient areas.
Working within all clinical areas with midwifery staff (both inpatient and outpatient areas), including newly qualified and internationally educated midwives on an individual basis to develop and enhance clinical skills and competence.
Participate in the development and delivery of competencies and training material that demonstrates compliance with local and national guidelines and policies.
Support the Matron, Education Lead and the Governance Lead in the review of complaints and incidents helping to devise, implement and evaluate appropriate resultant action plans. Analyse and respond to clinical risk management issues to promote a good standard of care.
Acting as a role model, employing professional behaviour that encourages self and team development.
Proactively maintain and foster clear lines of communication between the clinical staff, service users, their families and the ward and department team.
Ensure that systems and processes are followed to monitor patient dependency in line with Trust recommendations and specialty-specific tools.
Participate in the bleep holder/ escalation/ clinical rota as required
