Placement Overview

This independent Midwife works within a number of local NHS hospitals providing support to mothers before and after pregnancy.

Generic Job Description for a Midwife

Midwives provide care, support and advice to pregnant women and their partners. They look after the mother and the baby during the labour and birth. Midwives also carry out checks on new babies and offer advice and support to the parents for 28 days after the birth.

Midwives are independent practitioners working in all health care settings. They work alongside other healthcare professionals whom they can call upon if they have concerns about the health of the mother of baby.

Skills:

• Good communication skills
• A pleasant and comforting manner
• Attention to detail
• Patience
• Sensitivity
• Knowledge of the medical needs of a range of cultures
• The ability to stay calm under pressure
• Physical stamina

Pay:

• Entry salary for a qualified midwife is approx £20,000
• £23,000 after around 1-2 years experience
• Up to £70,000 for experienced Midwife Consultants

Please not that salary figures are a guide only. Actual salaries may vary depending on the organisation and geographical location

Hours:

• Typically around 40 hours per week
• Hours are often on a rota basis and include unsocial hours
• Some independent midwives can be on 24-hour call

Environment:

• Travel to and from patients homes is common
• The work can be physically and mentally demanding

Qualifications:

• A midwifery qualification is essential
• Courses run for three to four years
• Entry requirements are usually five GCSE passes grades A – C and two A-Levels
• Trained nurses can do a 12-18 month conversion course

Training:

• Training consists of theory and practice learning
• Courses involve gaining clinical experience in hospitals and in the community
• To qualify Midwives must register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council
• Continuous professional development is required

Opportunities:

• There are approx 30,000 people practicing as Midwives in the UK
• Most are employed through the NHS
• Some opportunities exist with private hospitals and maternity clinics and the Armed Forces
• It is possible for a Midwife to work on a self-employed basis

Links:

www.nhs.uk - The National Health Service

www.nct.org.uk - National Childbirth Trust

www.nmc-uk.org - Nursing and Midwifery Council

www.nmas.ac.uk - Nursing and Midwifery Admissions Service