Job summaryWorking Full time: 37.5 hours per week
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Midwife to apply for the position of Labour Ward Co-ordinator. The Countess of Chester NHS Trust combines an obstetric led unit & MLU.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic & forward-thinking maternity team. We pride ourselves on our three core values to be safe, kind and effective. You will become a valued member of our maternity unit, be part of an innovative team that will help us to excel further to deliver our Trust objectives & values.
We are looking for an adaptable individual who has 5 years clinical experience, excellent interpersonal skills, works well as part of the multi-disciplinary team & has an ability to work under pressure, whilst moving the services forward.
The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate previous experience of leadership and staff management skills with recent experience in the intrapartum, Day unit, Triage and antenatal/ postnatal ward. The candidate would be able to co-ordinate safe, high-quality intra-partum care on a shift-by-shift basis.
Main duties of the jobProvide shift-by-shift leadership and operational management of the Labour Ward, MLU, Triage, Day Assessment and Induction of Labour rooms. Coordinate safe staffing levels and allocate resources according to clinical acuity and service demands. Maintain oversight of patient flow, bed capacity and escalation processes across maternity services. Lead and support the multidisciplinary team to ensure the delivery of safe, effective and personalised care. Act as a senior clinical resource, supporting complex decision-making and the escalation of clinical concerns. Promote effective communication between midwifery, obstetric, neonatal and wider multidisciplinary teams. Support and develop midwives, maternity support workers and students through leadership, supervision and role modelling. Ensure compliance with national maternity safety standards, Trust policies and clinical governance requirements. Lead safety huddles, incident management, risk identification and service improvement initiatives.
About usThe Trust's services are provided from three locations:
- The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 473 general and acute beds.
- Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 60 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility.
- Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.
The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust employs 5,964 staff (headcount) to provide care and treatment to a population of over 400,000 people living in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire.
The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System. Due to its location on the border with North Wales, the Trust also works closely with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
The Trust treats patients from England and some parts of Wales. During 2024/2025, there were approximately 643,000 patient attendances (inpatient, A&E, outpatient and diagnostic) ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major cancer surgery
DetailsDate posted: 15 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year pa
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 210-2026-700
Closing date: 25 October 2026
Person SpecificationQualifications- Registered Midwife with current NMC registration
- Degree /relevant experience
- ALSO/PROMPT course
Knowledge and Experience- Minimum five years post registration
- Ability to manage own workload, plan the work of others and work autonomously
- Effective delegation skills
- Knowledge of professional, Public Health and NHS issues
- Desirable: Presentation/ teaching skills
- Desirable: Knowledge of and participation in financial management within the clinical setting
Skills- Broad range of clinical experience
- Excellent organisational skills
- Demonstrate ability to manage complex emotional, mental and physical problems and situations.
- Desirable: Understanding of quality and change in the clinical setting.
ContactLabour Ward Manager Jenni Martin, jennifer.martin38@nhs.net, 01244365099
The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet immigration rules. Applicants are advised to apply early as a large number of applications may lead to the vacancy closing prior to the advertised date. 