Job Details

Job Description

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:

At MBHS, the Unit Leader (Midwife) is responsible for supporting all midwifery staff working under her/his jurisdiction in order to maintain the MBHS Standards. He/she will provide clinical and managerial leadership to midwives and support staff and will work with the Clinic/Hospital Manager to ensure the effective running of the midwifery service at the clinic. The Unit Leader will promote a culture of learning and continuous quality improvement.  At MBHS, the Unit Leader works within a multidisciplinary team to ensure that high quality midwifery care is provided to all patients/clients at MBHS.  The Unit Leader must adhere to the MBHS and General Nursing Council of Zambia’s Code of Conduct and must practise safe, ethical and evidence-based midwifery care at all times according to the MBHS standards.

KEY DUTIES:

• The Unit Leader will apply relevant policies and statutory requirements within a framework of governance and communicate requirements to the wider midwifery team. He/she will ensure that standard operating procedures (SOPs) and policies are followed with regards to midwifery care that is in keeping with the MBHS Standards of Care.

• The Unit Leader will be responsible for ensuring that all midwifery staff provide competent and compassionate care to their patients.

• Ensures that risk is assessed and managed across the immediate and wider working environment and reports all areas where risk is identified to the Clinic/Hospital Manager.

• Respects and applies the requirements of equality and diversity, promoting and role modelling these across the team.

• Ensures that all staff members follow the MBHS Confidentiality Policy.

• Ensure that all staff members have access to the MBHS Standards of Care.

• Ensure that all staff members on the unit are familiar with the MBHS Code of Conduct and how it is applied.

• The Unit Leader is responsible for rostering midwifery staff for regular shifts and oncall/emergency labour and delivery to ensure an appropriate skills mix.  Identifies deficits in skill mix and safe staffing levels and acts to address these deficits along with the Clinic/Hospital Manager.

• Supervises team members and contributes to their overall Continuous Professional Development (CPD), mandatory training and appraisal process recognising the skills required across the team. Ensures that all relevant staff members are included in in-service training.

• Acts as a role model to promote a culture of learning, development and inquiry and a team vision.

• Take an active part in junior staff performance appraisals as directed by the clinic/hospital manager.

• Holds and is responsible for the drug cupboard keys.

• Maintain patient dignity and confidentiality at all times.  Make ethical decisions related to consent and confidentiality.  Any breach in patient confidentiality will result in disciplinary action.

REQUIRED TECHNICAL SKILLS, TRAINING & EXPERIENCE

• Must have a current Registered Midwife (RM) qualification (essential); Diploma in Midwifery (essential).
• Bachelors in midwifery (desirable).
• A current licence to practise midwifery in Zambia from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Zambia (NMCZ). BLS training (desirable).
• Must have experience leading a team preferably in MCH
• High computer literacy