Download Post - Rotunda Hospital

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION / SELECTION CRITERIA
Each statement contained in the Personal Specification / Selection Criteria must be justifiable by evidence
obtainable from an analysis of the job. The specification should decide the person is capable of doing the job
adequately.
POST
Mental Health Support Midwife
DEPARTMENT
Midwifery and Nursing
LOCATION:
The Rotunda Hospital
DATE:
February 2014
FACTORS
ESSENTIAL
QUALIFICATIONS


EXPERIENCE
(LENGTH AND TYPE)

PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE

KNOWLEDGE




CORE COMPETENCIES








DESIRABLE
Registered in the Division of
Midwifery or Nursing or
Psychiatric Nursing
Clinical expertise in the care of
women who are experiencing
distress in pregnancy and
postnatal depression in the first
year following childbirth
3 years post- registration
experience.
Evidence of professional
development.
Up to date knowledge of issues
and treatments relating to this
group of patients, or ability to
source same.
Knowledge of relevant research.
Strategic planning and
development knowledge.
National Quality/Hygiene
Schemes
Freedom of Information.
Risk Management.
Scope of Practice.
Good Communication Skills
Good Organisational Skills
Good Management/Leadership
Skills.
Good Counselling Skills
Ability to work as part of the
Multidisciplinary Team and alone.
1


Have undertaken
professional study at
third level.
Counselling
Programme.

Have undertaken
relevant courses or
attended relevant
conference workshops
and seminars.

Have evidence of
presenting data or
reports to a wide
audience.
Counselling
Qualification

February 2014
JOB DESCRIPTION
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT MIDWIFE
TITLE OF POST :
Mental Health Support Midwife
GRADE:
Clinical Midwife Manager 2
REPORTING TO:
Consultant Psychiatrist
Assistant Director of Midwifery/Nursing
ACCOUNTABLE TO:
Director of Midwifery & Nursing
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:




Registered Nurse/Midwife.
Experience and clinical expertise in the care of women who are experiencing antenatal and postnatal
depression in the first year following childbirth. Anxiety management is also an essential part of the role.
Have the ability to practice safely and effectively, fulfilling his/her professional responsibility within
his/her scope of practice.
Evidence of continuing professional development must be demonstrated.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:
The Mental Health Support Midwife is an expert Midwife and local champion who leads work with the
Maternity Services to ensure that women with perinatal mental illness and their families receive the
specialist care and support they need during pregnancy and in the postnatal period. They also raise
awareness of Postnatal Depression and organise early management and treatment. Specialist Mental
Health Midwives can provide expert advice to colleagues and to women and their families, and act as a
resource on issues relating to the identification, assessment and management of mental health problems
during pregnancy or after birth. This is turn:







Raises awareness to ensure pregnant women and their partners are informed of the emerging signs of
mental health problems and illness and what to do if these problems occur.
Assists with building a trusting relationship which helps women to feel confident in speaking out if they
are unwell.
To support women to access additional care if required.
Prevents depression in some women.
Also benefits women not vulnerable to clinical depression.
Promotes positive mental health of mothers which is central to the physical and psychological wellbeing
of families/preservation of family unit and helps to reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with
poor mental health.
Promotes a positive relationship with babies.
2
February 2014
RESPONSIBILITIES:



















Work with colleagues to ensure that there is routine screening and early identification of women with, or
at risk of a mental illness.
Work with colleagues to ensure that women and their families receive appropriate information about
mental health and illness in a sensitive way.
Ensure that all policies and guidelines relating to women with perinatal mental illness are evidence
based and appropriate, and that they are adhered to.
Support and assure the implementation of guidelines by statutory and professional bodies as they relate
to mental illness.
Collate, analyse and report on information about the quality of service provided to women with mental
illness.
Use research to support evidence based practice and shape the strategic direction of support for women
with mental illness and their families.
Identify areas for research, audit and development relevant to mental health. Initiate and participate in
research and clinical audit programmes, and encourage other Midwives to do the same.
Screening all pregnant women for risk factors starting at the booking clinic and continuing throughout
antenatal period.
Early intervention by Mental Health Support Midwife offered to High-Risk group.
Communication and referral between appropriate professionals.
Normalising the possibility of PND through the use of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)
on all patients prior to discharge. This is used in conjunction with a discussion on the symptoms,
prevention and early identification of PND and information on where help is available. Early follow-up
offered to those at risk.
Close attention to those women showing evidence of risk factors such as previous history of depression,
unexpected difficulties at delivery, social isolation, a poor partnership relationship or recent adverse life
events.
Liaison with appropriate agencies that can provide service for at risk women i.e. Social Work
Department, Public Health Nurses, Local Psychiatric Services, Hospital Psychiatric Services, Postnatal
Distress Support Group, Mother and Toddler Group. (Social support can help to prevent or alleviate
depression).
Challenging beliefs and myths around Motherhood and social expectations e.g. ‘New mothers should be
very happy and able to cope’ and encourage mothers to have more realistic ideas on the stresses of
Motherhood and to accept help when available and appropriate.
Discussion on the importance of ‘time off’ (e.g. An uninterrupted bath or walk to shops) and also the
importance of time to relax and enjoy baby.
Sharing information on PND with partners where possible as depressive behaviour can be interpreted
as hostility and rejection rather than a cry for help.
Above discussions to be accompanied by literature on postnatal distress.
Be aware of and implement all Policies, Guidelines in relation to Infection Prevention and Control /
Decontamination
Actively contribute, participate and ensure compliance with the key areas identified in the following:
o Infection prevention and control / decontamination
o National Quality/Hygiene Schemes
o B.F.H.I.
and all audits deemed necessary by the Rotunda Hospital Management Team.
PATIENT/CLIENT ADVOCATE
 To act as an advocate for the individual woman by communicating, negotiating and representing her
needs to the multidisciplinary team and to ensure they get the specialist mental health care they need.
3
February 2014
 To support the woman in aspects of her relationship with her family which may be affected by the
condition.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING:
 Act as a resource for all staff involved in maternity care (including Obstetricians, Midwives, Student







Midwives and Maternity Support Workers. Provide evidence based advise, support and information with
regards to the appropriate management and referral of women with mental health problems and their
families.
Provide education and support for staff caring for women diagnosed with postnatal depression.
Identify training needs for all staff caring for women with postnatal depression and plan and assist with
in-service teaching programmes to address these needs.
Plan and implement appropriate specialist in-put to induction and orientation programmes for new staff.
Provide information, education and support for families where appropriate.
Undertake family education where appropriate.
Ensure that appropriate and up-to-date information is readily available for patients, families and staff.
Maintain high standards of clinical skills by continually reflecting on practice and accessing appropriate
education.
RESEARCH AND AUDIT:
 Initiate and facilitate developments in nursing within the specialty.
 Lead in the evaluation of midwifery/nursing care in this care group.
 Lead in the development of multidisciplinary and midwifery standards of care, protocols and guidelines




for women who are diagnosed with Perinatal Depression.
Lead in the development of databases and the collection of data.
Improve the quality of service for patients by implementing evidence-based care.
Lead in the audit of perinatal care and outcomes in this cohort of women.
Identify and facilitate areas for midwifery/nursing research relating to this group and participate in
multidisciplinary research projects.
CONSULTANT:

To be involved in the provision and development of Mental Health Perinatal Services in conjunction with
the Consultant Psychiatrist.
MANAGEMENT:








Collect statistical information and data in order to inform the service and to aid the future planning
process.
Establish links with other organizations, both at national and international level where appropriate,
providing support and information regarding this specialized area and utilize these additional resources
where necessary, to benefit parents care.
Be available as a resource to colleagues in other institutions in the process of establishing similar
Midwife-led support programmes.
To identify and communicate to all staff in the department, procedures/practices, which will ensure the
implementation of Infection Control Policies as agreed by the Hospital.
Identify Clinical Risks and liaise with the Clinical Risk Manager to ensure they are investigated and
action taken to reduce future risks.
Actively contribute and ensure compliance with the key areas identified in National Quality/Hygiene
Schemes.
Ensure that Data Protection Regulations are adhered to.
Work with the Assistant Director of Midwifery & Nursing and others in identifying Key Performance
Indicators and reporting on a monthly basis compliance and progress.
4
February 2014

Be aware of and comply with the policy on Staff Responsibility for the Protection and Welfare of
Children.
Each appointment is subject to a hospital contract.
Roster:
Full-time:
39 hours per week (average exclusive of meal times)
Annual Leave & Public Holidays:
As approved by the Department of Health & Children.
Salaries:
As approved by the Department of Health & Children.
THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IS SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY FROM TIME TO TIME.
THIS IS A JOB DESCRIPTION OF THE PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POST AND IS NOT A
COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF DUTIES.
5
February 2014
6
February 2014