NursingNetUK

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To assist the Antenatal and Newborn Screening Co-ordinator(s) with the provision and continuing effectiveness of women centred screening, diagnostic programmes and fetal medicine : incorporating expert clinical practice, consultation and education by;

- Communicating effectively with patients, carers, relatives and all members of the multidisciplinary team which include:

Antenatal and Newborn Screening Operational Governance group (ANSOG).

Southwest screening network.

Regional Public Health

Clinical Commissioning Groups

Clinical midwifery managers and midwives based in all departments.

Ultra sonographers.

Multidisciplinary team.

Mother, babies and families.

Primary health care team.

External agencies.

Local and national organisations i.e. Antenatal Results and Choices, Downs Syndrome Association.

Medical and  midwifery students

Directorate management team.

Human resources personnel.

Deputy screening coordinator

Newborn screening coordinator

Screening Clerical Support

Bereavement Midwife

- Maintaining and develop high standards of care

- Taking on responsibility for personal development and support the development and supervision of others by developing and maintaining specialist knowledge of screening practice

- Conduct oneself in a professional manner and be a role model to less experiences/ non registered and new staff at all times

- Work proactively to ensure that every patient attendance meets the patient’s expectations and needs with timely undertaking of procedure and effective communication with relatives, patients and carers.

- Take an active role in QA external visits

- Auditing of our service against KPI and National benchmarking of our service.

Patient care

- Responsibility and accountability for the care she gives to women and their babies thus maintaining autonomous contemporary practice.

- Initiate and advise directly on referral to other specialties.

- To support parents in interpreting information and making antenatal screening decisions.

- To convey complex, sensitive information regarding antenatal screening testing to parents that may cause emotional distress to all parties.

- Advise and maintain effective communication with professional and voluntary organizations, aiming to provide comprehensive and seamless care across boundaries.

- Show sensitivity and support to both clients and colleagues.

 - To give support where an abnormality is detected, by working closely with other professionals including medical staff and midwives liaising with Antenatal and Newborn Screening Co-ordinator(s)

- To support the Antenatal and Newborn Screening Co-ordinator in the provision of advice and support to staff, parents and other disciplines.

- To provide support to parents during periods of instability and crisis, e.g. at the disclosure of abnormal results or during bereavement liaising with ANSCO.

- To undertake midwifery care assessment of a mothers needs within the specialist area of Antenatal screening and evaluate direct clinical care as appropriate.

- To provide non-directive counselling and support women and their partners through the process of Antenatal screening, high-risk screening results, and decision making regarding potential invasive tests reporting to ANSCO.

- To support the Antenatal (and Newborn) Screening Co-ordinator(s) to regularly produce and review information for parents and in liaison with Practice Development team and national online literature, working towards its availability in other languages relevant to the locality and in a format suitable for the visually impaired.

- To maintain a quality midwifery care in a demanding and unpredictable working environment.

Professional practice

- Adheres to all Trust policies and procedures and Midwives Rules. 

 -To support the Antenatal Screening Co-ordinator for improving practice in the field of Antenatal screening, diagnostic testing and result giving.

- To support the Antenatal Screening Co-ordinator in developing and implementing local Antenatal screening programmes and guidance in line with national guidance, ensuring effective liaison with local, national and regional coordinators, the Antenatal and Newborn Screening Operational Governance Group and line manager.

 -To support and maintain good communication with all staff involved in this service including consultants and relevant countywide and regional groups and networks.

- Observe the Nursing and Midwifery Council ‘The Code’ and ensure personal PREP requirements are fulfilled.

- Ensure accurate records are maintained in accordance with Trust Policy and National Guidelines.

- Effective role model for all members of staff.

- To manage difficult situations and people e.g. supporting parents and their families during the bereavement process with the support and guidance of Antenatal and Newborn Screening Co-ordinator

- Managing time effectively.

 -Will have exposure to unpleasant working conditions and will be required to follow policies and procedures pertaining to bodily fluids, infection control and COSSH regulations.

- Ability to work where the work pattern may be unpredictable but there is also a requirement for concentration e.g. when administering and giving drugs in line with local maternity policies and guidelines.

- Will have frequent exposure to highly distressing situations involving parents, babies, relatives and staff.

Leadership and management

- To deputise for the Band 7 ANSCO in their absence

- To be a resource for midwifery team members.

- Take a keen interest in the professional development of self and junior team members.

- Will be responsible for managing challenging situations and people.

Education and training

- To support the Antenatal and Newborn Screening Co-ordinator(s) to provide initial and ongoing multi professional training in relation to Antenatal and Newborn screening programmes, assisting in the development of screening programmes in line with national and local guidance and initiatives.

- Effective liaison with appropriate members of the University staff as required.