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
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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.
West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust provides acute healthcare services to a core catchment population of approximately half a million people living in west Hertfordshire and the surrounding area. The Trust also provides a range of more specialist services to a wider population, serving residents of North London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and East Hertfordshire.
As an employer of nearly 6,000 people the Trust is one of the biggest employers in the area and sees nearly a million patients each year.
