Job Description

The Maternity Department at University Hospitals Plymouth is seeking a Practice Development Midwife to join our dynamic senior midwifery team. We provide care for approximately 3800 women and babies per year and are proud to be part of the largest teaching hospital in the South West.
As Practice Development Midwife, you will play a key role in ensuring that all members of our multidisciplinary team are supported to provide excellent standards of care through a framework of training and education which supports continuing professional development.
As a kind and approachable clinical midwifery expert, the Practice Development Midwife will lead by example and be widely accessible to support staff with their training and educational needs. You will also work closely with the Clinical Governance Team to ensure that our maternity workforce is providing high quality, evidence based care which is in line with national policies to improve outcomes for mothers and babies. The post holder will take an active responsibility for supporting training compliance outlined in the Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts, Saving Babies Lives Care Bundle and the Core Competency Framework.
Interested? Please call Clara Southby, Maternity Matron clara.southby@nhs.net or Charlotte Roche, Consultant Midwife charlotte.roche5@nhs.net We encourage informal discussion prior to application.
Main duties of the job
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
The successful candidate will work in partnership with the multidisciplinary team, including the clinical governance team, labour ward leads, medical staff, matrons, and the Consultant Midwife to foster an environment of continuous quality improvement and professional development. The post holder will ensure the delivery of care is regularly reviewed in line with emerging evidence and that service improvements are regularly embedded into practice to improve quality and safety.
The post holder will also provide senior leadership and support for midwives in clinical practice and feel confident to challenge practice calmly and sensitively and develop individual learning plans to improve clinical performance. Consequently, it is envisaged that up to 50% of this role will be spent in the clinical area, working alongside midwifery staff to provide support and training.
About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Details
Date posted
15 October 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 7
Salary
47,810 to 54,710 a year 47,810 - 54,710 Per Annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
216-LH-W7111778
Job locations
Derriford Hospital
Plymouth
PL6 8DH
Job description
Job responsibilities
Responsible for leading and co-ordinating the maternity education team.
Professional support and line management of Band 5 preceptee midwives.
Ensures that all staff have necessary mandatory training in relation to all equipment used.
Ensure own and others professional / educational / training needs are identified and maintains own mandatory and professional updating in order to maintain clinical and professional credibility.
Undertakes an annual Training Needs Analysis.
Make sure that the recruitment, induction and management of staff are in accordance with the Trusts Human Resources Policies and departmental requirements. Develop induction programmes for new staff.
Maintain communication with university educationalists ensuring their involvement in in-service education programmes.
Ability to work in all clinical areas supporting and training midwives in practice, promoting and developing midwifery skills to facilitate clinical practice.
Willing to provide day and night time clinical escalation cover as part of an on call rota.
Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary clinical practice and introduce changes to practice where this is proven to be beneficial and evidence based
For further details please see the attached JD & PS Job description
Job responsibilities
Responsible for leading and co-ordinating the maternity education team.
Professional support and line management of Band 5 preceptee midwives.
Ensures that all staff have necessary mandatory training in relation to all equipment used.
Ensure own and others professional / educational / training needs are identified and maintains own mandatory and professional updating in order to maintain clinical and professional credibility.
Undertakes an annual Training Needs Analysis.
Make sure that the recruitment, induction and management of staff are in accordance with the Trusts Human Resources Policies and departmental requirements. Develop induction programmes for new staff.
Maintain communication with university educationalists ensuring their involvement in in-service education programmes.
Ability to work in all clinical areas supporting and training midwives in practice, promoting and developing midwifery skills to facilitate clinical practice.
Willing to provide day and night time clinical escalation cover as part of an on call rota.
Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary clinical practice and introduce changes to practice where this is proven to be beneficial and evidence based
For further details please see the attached JD & PS
Person Specification
Knowledge & Experience
Essential

• oWell-rounded demonstrable clinical midwifery experience
• oGood understanding of Risk Management and Complaints procedures
• oUp to date with the NHS Agenda, national directives and all Governance aspects

Desirable

• oDemonstrable experience of staff development and performance management
• oIV cannulation

Qualifications
Essential

• oRegistered Midwife
• oProven evidence of Continuing Professional Development.
• oEducated to a minimum of 1st degree level/able to demonstrate evidence that is working at degree level/commenced degree pathway

Desirable

• oDocumented evidence of continued appropriate studies.
• oFurther relevant development to postgraduate certificate or equivalent.

Aptitude & Abilities
Essential

• oMust be capable of carrying out physical activities required for the job.
• oGood communication skills, written and verbal, with ability to demonstrate fluency, clarity and effectiveness at all levels.
• oEffective influencing skills: in general and with senior health care professionals.

Desirable

• oDemonstrable experience of involvement in successful change management
• oProven ability to present complex and sensitive information to service users and staff at all levels

Person Specification
Knowledge & Experience
Essential

• oWell-rounded demonstrable clinical midwifery experience
• oGood understanding of Risk Management and Complaints procedures
• oUp to date with the NHS Agenda, national directives and all Governance aspects

Desirable

• oDemonstrable experience of staff development and performance management
• oIV cannulation

Qualifications
Essential

• oRegistered Midwife
• oProven evidence of Continuing Professional Development.
• oEducated to a minimum of 1st degree level/able to demonstrate evidence that is working at degree level/commenced degree pathway

Desirable

• oDocumented evidence of continued appropriate studies.
• oFurther relevant development to postgraduate certificate or equivalent.

Aptitude & Abilities
Essential

• oMust be capable of carrying out physical activities required for the job.
• oGood communication skills, written and verbal, with ability to demonstrate fluency, clarity and effectiveness at all levels.
• oEffective influencing skills: in general and with senior health care professionals.

Desirable

• oDemonstrable experience of involvement in successful change management
• oProven ability to present complex and sensitive information to service users and staff at all levels

Skills Required