Job Advert
NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.
An exciting and rewarding opportunity has arisen for an integrated midwife to work in a continuity of care model within Ayrshire and Arrans Expanding Home birth team.
This role requires a passionate midwife with excellent communication skills and a desire to support women in their choices for birth.
As a member of our homebirth team you will work towards the Scottish governments Best Start recommendations, supporting the expectant families and planning their care around their own individual needs and circumstances. Knowledge of additional services and referral pathways for specialist services will be required.
Working within an exceptionally supportive team, you will be expected to manage your own diary and caseload to ensure maximum continuity where possible.
The majority of antenatal care will be carried out in the families own homes helping to build trusting and caring relationships with a clear understanding of each woman’s preferences and needs for her care. In some cases attendance at hospital appointments or scans may be required to offer support when plans of care may un-expectantly change.
The team work a rota to cover the on call commitment to attend planned homebirths and are supported by the wider community team who will attend as the 2nd midwife at each birth. Midwives in the team are passionate about supporting birth at home and many offer hypnobirthing sessions, acupuncture, aromatherapy and biomechanics of birth to help support normal labour with minimal intervention.
Birthing in the home setting requires clear knowledge of local protocols and excellent communication with families and the multi-disciplinary team to ensure safe care and swift decision making. The use of Microsoft teams offers support from the wider team and communication with maternity assessment unit and labour ward ensure the hospital staff are aware of any possible requirement to transfer to hospital.
The team aim to provide postnatal continuity where possible and NIPE is also carried out in the family’s home by a member of the team.
The homebirth service in Ayrshire has been growing steadily over the past few years and sharing the success and reflective practice is encouraged within the team for learning and development.
This role requires a midwife who has a passion for ensuring women feel included in their plan of care, who is prepared to work with a degree of flexibility to maximise continuity when possible. Support will be given for the right candidate with the right ethos and commitment to working in a continuity of care model. Support and training will be given to the right midwife to develop skills and confidence to progress from attending as 2nd on call to 1st on calls. It is essential that you have excellent organisation, communication and team working skills to ensure the service needs are met and all team members are able to have sufficient rest periods and days off and all women and babies have safe and effective care with positive experiences.
For informal enquiry’s contact Diane Cunningham on 07734916699
Applications are welcome from UK, EEA and non-EEA candidates.
As part of the recruitment process, you will be required to produce proof of your EU Settlement status from 1st July 2021 to demonstrate your Right to Work in the United Kingdom. Further information: https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families. Existing employees may be asked to provide evidence of their EU Settlement Status from 1st July 2021.