Bereavement Midwife

NHS Jobs; England; In loco; GBP 42.000 - 52.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced bereavement care lead to provide specialist clinical, emotional and administrative support for families experiencing pregnancy loss. The post-holder advises staff on clinical aspects, coordinates care pathways and ensures culturally sensitive bereavement support across the Trust.

You will run the Rainbow Clinic, manage referrals, support CDOP processes, supervise nursing and support staff, and lead on policy and service

Mansioni

• Provide specialist clinical, emotional and administrative bereavement support for families experiencing pregnancy loss.
• Lead Rainbow Clinic, manage referrals and liaise with chaplaincy and community services.
• Ensure policies and documentation follow National Bereavement Care Pathway and maintain databases.

Descrizione del lavoro

SUMMARY OF ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES The role centres on providing specialist clinical, emotional, and administrative support for families experiencing pregnancy loss, while ensuring high-quality bereavement care across the organisation. The post-holder acts as a clinical expert, advising staff at all levels on the physical, psychological, and procedural aspects of pregnancy loss. They support families from the point of loss through follow-up contact, facilitate communication with healthcare professionals and chaplaincy, and ensure families cultural and religious needs are met. They also coordinate funeral arrangements within hospital guidelines, manage tissue and organ retention processes, and oversee dignified handling and disposal of fetal remains, stillbirths, and neonatal deaths. A key component is running the Rainbow Clinic, managing referrals, and supporting CDOP processes alongside the safeguarding team. The post-holder inputs data into PMRT and MBRRACE, participates in review meetings, maintains databases for death certification and post-mortem consent, and monitors national developments in post-mortem and tissue retention practice. They ensure all policies, guidelines, and procedures related to bereavement care are evidence-based, up-to-date, and accessible via the Trusts intranet and website. They also maintain accurate nursing and bereavement documentation in line with the National Bereavement Care Pathway. In caring for patients, the post-holder delivers emotional and psychological support following pregnancy or neonatal loss, facilitates viewings, and refers families for formal counselling when required. They ensure high standards of care, clear communication, safeguarding, and a safe, clean clinical environment. They coordinate timely discharge planning and liaise with community services. Leadership responsibilities include day-to-day management of nursing and support staff, leading recruitment and appraisal processes, maintaining low vacancy rates, and supporting induction and development programmes. They mentor and motivate staff, act as a role model, investigate incidents and complaints, and support staff in delivering bereavement care. They promote effective teamwork and communication across departments and support teaching, staff development, and student nurse education. The role contributes to policy and service development by ensuring staff compliance with Trust policies (e.g., infection control, confidentiality, equality) and by helping develop and implement relevant guidelines. They identify and escalate concerns about care quality and lead on service improvement initiatives. Financial and physical resource responsibilities include maintaining a safe ward environment, ensuring proper storage and recording of medications (including controlled drugs), overseeing non-staff budgets, and promoting cost-effective use of supplies. Information governance duties include ensuring confidentiality and secure handling of patient records, as well as maintaining effective communication systems that keep staff informed of organisational changes. In research and development, the post-holder participates in audits of clinical practice, stays updated on current evidence and trends, maintains mandatory training, and supports the learning environment for all staff and students. They contribute to teaching and education programmes, ensure appropriate mentorship provision for student placements, and act on the outcomes of education audits. Overall, the role integrates expert clinical practice, compassionate family support, multidisciplinary coordination, staff leadership, policy involvement, and service improvement to ensure high-quality, holistic bereavement care within the Trust.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust