Deputy Bereavement Midwife

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Deputy Bereavement Midwife to provide leadership and clinical guidance in bereavement care within the maternity/services division. The role focuses on safeguarding evidence-based practice, supporting newly registered midwives, and driving improvements in patient care for bereaved families.

The post involves collaboration with the lead bereavement midwife, development of skills, and ensuring alignment with the NMC Code and Trust

Qualifications

• Registered midwife with NMC registration.
• SSSA trained/MSPP or equivalent meeting NMC Practice Assessor standards.
• Experience in cross professional working and liaison.
• Evidence of clinical leadership skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to supervise and support newly registered midwives.
• Flexible working hours, including weekends.

Responsibilities

• Lead midwifery care for service users and families.
• Maintain and develop clinical skills and competencies.
• Support lead bereavement midwife and drive service improvements.
• Adhere to NMC Code and Trust policies and procedures.
• Foster effective teamwork within multidisciplinary groups.

Skills

Communication skills

Time management

Organisational skills

Supervision

IT literacy

Collaborative working

Education

NMC Registered Midwife

SSSA/MSPP training

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Email systems

Job description

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Deputy Bereavement Midwife

The closing date is 18 November 2026

Hours: 30 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working

An opportunity has arisen for a deputy bereavement midwife. The deputy bereavement midwife will be a highly motivated, experienced clinical midwife who focuses on the provision of leadership and clinical advice to support and promote excellence in safe, evidenced based practice.

The postholder will support the Division in supporting newly registered midwives both clinically and pastorally, to develop their confidence and competence whilst caring for bereaved families. You will work closely with the lead bereavement midwife to support ongoing improvement in services, driving change within practice. Applications are welcome from NMC registrants who are highly motivated, organised and passionate about providing safe, quality evidence-based care to the Women/birthing people who use our Maternity services.

We are proud to offer the opportunity to work in a progressive environment where we are committed to an ambitious transformation of our maternity services.

Lila Ravel - Lead midwife for risk and quality improvement

Interview date: 23.11.2026

We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work as a member of the team, providing and leading midwifery care to the service users and families accessing the services at Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS.

The postholder will maintain own clinical skills and competencies and have excellent communication skills. The postholder will work within the NMC Code of professional standards and behaviour, and Trust guidelines and procedures.

We are excited to watch the development of our Women and Children's Hospital due to commence 2024. We are supportive of flexible working and appreciate the importance of ensuring that your successful career is complimented by a work/home life balance. Milton Keynes University Hospital recognises the positive value of diversity and inclusion, and we welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. Interviews will be offered at least one week after the closing date.

About us

Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.

As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.

We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre. We have just opened the Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards.

Further investment is underway, including the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.

Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital -

For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes

Job responsibilities

Clinical Practice

Assess, plan, implement and evaluate midwifery care consistent with evidence-based practice for service users, parents, babies and families

Discuss options and support families in making informed choice in their plan of care

Responsible for the assessment and planning of the midwifery care needs of service users in the hospital and community environment

Adhere to Trust polices in relation to information governance and service user confidentiality.

Communication and Relationship Skills

Develop and maintain effective working relationships with the multi-professional team, allied groups within the acute Trust and Community Health, public and voluntary sectors.

Represent and promote the Women's Service Unit, Women & Children's Division and Trust internally and externally as required.

Utilise a range of communication methods to support informed decision-making, ensuring that information is provided in an appropriate, accessible, and culturally sensitive manner.

Professional and Legal Responsibilities

• Abide by legal requirements and statutory rules relating to practice in accordance with the NMC Code of professional standards and behaviour.
• Maintain a high standard of professional practice at all times, developing the role of the midwife in the best interests of the profession and service user in accordance with the NMC Code
• Be aware of the hazards associated with using equipment and to report any failures of equipment.

Education, Training and Development

Undertake appropriate activities to update professional knowledge and skills.

Maintain a professional portfolio of continued professional development in preparation for revalidation.

Act as a positive role model and provide support and supervision to staff and students.

Operational and Working Conditions

To comply with the Health and Safety Policy in accordance with the agreed policies and procedures. To report any accidents, incidents, near misses, hazards or serious untoward incidents in accordance with the agree procedures.

Equality and Diversity

To recognise the importance of peoples rights and interpret them in a way that is consistent with Trust procedures, policies and legislation.

To challenge behaviour that infringes the rights of others.

Operational and Working Conditions

To comply with the Health and Safety Policy in accordance with the agreed policies and procedures. To report any accidents, incidents, near misses, hazards or serious untoward incidents in accordance with the agree procedures.

Equality and Diversity

To recognise the importance of peoples rights and interpret them in a way that is consistent with Trust procedures, policies and legislation.

To challenge behaviour that infringes the rights of others.

Please refer to the job description for further details.

Person Specification

Qualifications and knowledge

• Registered Midwife with the NMC registration
• SSSA trained/MSPP/or equivalent meeting NMC Practice Assessor standards

Experience

• Proven abilities in cross professional working and liaison
• Current evidence of significant clinical midwifery experience in all areas
• Evidence of clinical leadership skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills with particular ability to liaise effectively with multidisciplinary team members

Skills

• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work closely with relevant staff to ensure optimum care is delivered
• An ability to supervisor and support newly registered midwives
• Effective time management skills and ability to meet deadlines
• Effective organisational skills
• Computer literacy and use of IT skills inc. email, Excel, PowerPoint and Word

Personal and people development

• Recognition of own level of competence and limitations and ability to communicate these to appropriate staff
• Demonstrate ability to work effectively within the multi-professional team.

Communication

• Ability to constructively challenge others and formulate resolutions in conflict situations
• Ability to convey sensitive information in an empathetic manner to students / learners, patients, relatives / carers and staff

Specific requirements

• Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
• Act as role model
• Self-motivated, enthusiastic, innovative and flexible to changing environment and workload.
• Trustworthy and reliable
• Flexible working hours, which will include weekend working

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

£39,959 to £48,117 a yearPer annum pro rata