Bereavement Midwife

Job description

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

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 Trust's 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.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Registered Midwife
• First Level Degree in related healthcare discipline or substantial experiential equivalence
• Evidence of learning beyond registration evidenced by relevant professional portfolio

Desirable criteria

• Masters qualification in relevant discipline
• Leadership/Management qualification
• Teaching qualification

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of multi-disciplinary working
• Evidence of midwifery experience in all clinical areas
• Previous experience with bereaved parents
• Proven leadership skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, report writing and investigation skills
• Knowledge of NMC Standards and Guidance
• Developed computer skills

Desirable criteria

• Counselling qualification

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Ability to work effectively within the Multidisciplinary team
• Knowledge of current professional issues both locally and nationally
• Demonstrate awareness of current issues of National recommendations in line with the reduction of stillbirths and neonatal deaths in midwifery and nursing
• Provide written reports for the Head of Midwifery and Trust Board

It is an exciting time to join Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We run two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Our 7,500 staff provide high quality care for a growing population of around 700,000 across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. Travel between hospital sites may be required. We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post.

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