Bereavement Midwife
About our Trust
At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.
Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to deliver Excellent Care Everywhere for our patients, our people and our communities. Whatever your role here at UHSussex you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us deliver Excellent Care Everywhere. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We value compassion, inclusion and respect as our core values. We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our wellbeing programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
As part of our commitment to access for all, please see the different ways you can access the application form: https://apps.trac.jobs/accessibility?_ts=1
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Job overview
The Bereavement Specialist Midwife will support the Bereavement Lead Midwife and wider multidisciplinary team to deliver compassionate, personalised and equitable care for women, birthing people and families experiencing pregnancy loss across University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust.
The post holder will provide specialist advice, support and education to maternity staff, promoting high quality bereavement care in line with national maternity priorities, bereavement care standards and evidence based practice. Working collaboratively with maternity, neonatal and specialist teams, they will contribute to the coordination, development and continuous improvement of bereavement services, ensuring families receive sensitive, responsive and family centred care throughout their bereavement journey.
The role will work across both St Richards Hospital (Chichester) and Worthing Hospital sites and support a culture of learning, reflection and professional development within maternity services.
Advert
- To provide bereavement support for women, birthing people and families suffering pregnancy loss, stillbirth and early infant loss.
- Play a lead role in the achievement and maintenance of high standards of service, using the tools of clinical audit, environment audit, and consumer satisfaction surveys to their full effect. Delegate where appropriate.
- Be accountable for own professional practice.
- To provide clinical support for staff who are providing bereavement support for a woman/birthing person and their family
- Demonstrate a variety of effective communication skills with women/birthing people and their families in what can be emotionally demanding and distressing situations to enable them to be involved in their care
- Co-ordinate and manage the processes following a pregnancy loss / maternal or neonatal death
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
- To provide bereavement support for women/birthing people and families suffering pregnancy loss, stillbirth and early infant loss.
- Play a lead role in the achievement and maintenance of high standards of service, using the tools of clinical audit, environment audit, and consumer satisfaction surveys to their full effect. Delegate where appropriate.
- Be accountable for own professional practice.
- To provide clinical support for staff who are providing bereavement support for a woman/birthing person and their family.
- Have human relation skills which enable them to understand, influence and communicate with colleagues, women, pregnant people and their families.
- Co-ordinate and manage the processes following a pregnancy loss / maternal or neonatal death
- To appropriately refer women or person for formal bereavement counselling at the request of the family or where identified by healthcare professionals.
- To liaise with all other agencies and departments involved in providing bereavement support i.e. coroner, chaplain, mortuary, cemetery, support groups, pathology departments, funeral service etc.
- To provide training for midwives on bereavement on a regular basis in accordance with the rolling education programme.
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria. For example, applicants for the Senior HCA role must be able to evidence a minimum of 2 years’ experience in the same role to qualify for sponsorship.
If you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
UHSussex values authenticity and encourages applicants to ensure that all application materials accurately reflect their own skills, experience, knowledge and motivations. Candidates may use AI and digital tools to support the preparation of applications, for example to assist with spelling, grammar, structure or accessibility needs. However, applicants remain responsible for the content submitted and should ensure that it genuinely represents their own abilities and experience. Where there are reasonable concerns that an application does not authentically reflect the applicant's own knowledge, skills, experience or suitability for the role, the Trust reserves the right to explore this further and, where authenticity cannot be satisfactorily demonstrated, to reject the application.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check . We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications
Further Information
For help with the application process for Nursing vacancies, please email [email protected].
For help with the application process for Non-Nursing vacancies, please email [email protected].