Band 7 - Practice Development Midwife, Maternity | West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

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, internationallyeducated 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 withexcellent 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 westherts.recruitment@nhs.net

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.

ThePDMfacilitatesongoingeducationandtraining programsformidwives,ensuring thatthey stay up to date with the latest evidence-based practices, guidelines, and advancements in midwifery care.

Organisetrainingsessions,workshopsandotherlearningopportunitiesformidwivesandother health professionals to improve clinical competencies and skills.

Provideongoingprofessionaldevelopmentopportunitiestoenhancetheskillsofthematernity care team. This includes working with the Learning Environment and Preceptorship Lead Midwives to promote and foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

Providingclinicalsupervisiontomidwives, offeringguidanceandsupportintheirpractice,and ensuring adherence to best practices and standards.

WorkwithWardManagersandMatronsinsupportingstaffonperformanceimprovementplans. Address any challenges and concerns related to clinical practices through guidance andcoaching.

Collaboratewithhealthcareteamstoidentifyareasforimprovementinmaternitycare

Collaboratewithexternalorganisationsandinstitutionstosharebestpracticesandpromote collaborative learning.

Activelyparticipateinguideline/policydevelopment.Ensureinformationisdisseminatedto clinical staff members in a timely manner .

Implementqualityimprovementinitiativestoenhancepatientsafetyandsatisfaction.

Supporttherecruitmentteamwithrecruitmentprocessesincludinginterviewing.

Supportdeliveryofonboardingofnewstartersandprovideefficientandeffectiveinductions, liaising with the lead midwife for recruitment/ recruitment and onboarding team.

Engageinandworkwiththeresearchmidwife/ teamtocontributetotheadvancementof midwifery practices.

Collateandpresentrelevantdatatoseniorteammembersanddisseminateinformationat appropriate meetings.

Ensurecompliancewithregulatorystandardsandguidelines.

Communicatetheoutcomeoftrainingneedsanalysis,CPDplanningandaspectsofprogramme enrolment to staff.

Promotecontinuousprofessionaldevelopmentforstaffandbeawareof currentopportunitiesfor CPD. Be able to signpost to relevant staff/agencies as required.

Fosteracreativeandopenworkingculture,whichencouragesandnurturesinnovationandnew ways of working.

Asamemberof theEducation Team, youwillberequiredtosupport within-house training such as PROMPT, Maternity Education Days and skills and drills in the clinical area.

Bearesourceandsupportforstaffworkingtowardseducationalrequirementsandrevalidation.

Collaborate withotherdepartmentalPDMand pdns andLeadforPractice DevelopmentandEducation.

Identifyequipmentandresourceneeds whichwillenhancethelearningexperienceand collaborate with LME and external companies to cost and source equipment.

Asamemberof the midwiferyteamyou willbe responsiblefordeveloping yourown skillsandknowledge.

Beabletosupportstaffwithintheinpatientandoutpatientareas.

Workingwithinallclinicalareaswithmidwiferystaff(bothinpatientandoutpatientareas), including newlyqualified and internationallyeducated midwiveson an individualbasisto develop and enhance clinical skills and competence.

Participateinthedevelopmentanddeliveryofcompetenciesandtrainingmaterialthat demonstrates compliance with local and national guidelines and policies.

Supportthe Matron,EducationLeadand theGovernanceLead inthe reviewof complaintsand incidentshelpingtodevise,implementandevaluateappropriateresultantactionplans.Analyse and respond to clinical risk management issues to promote a good standard of care.

Actingasarolemodel,employingprofessionalbehaviourthatencouragesselfandteamdevelopment.

Proactivelymaintainandfosterclearlinesofcommunicationbetweentheclinicalstaff,service users, their families and the ward and department team.

Ensurethatsystemsandprocessesarefollowedtomonitorpatientdependencyinlinewith Trust recommendations and specialty-specific tools.

Participateinthebleepholder/escalation/clinicalrotaasrequired

This advert closes on Wednesday 17 Jun 2026