Job summary
This is a key role in developing and maintaining high standards of care for women and birthing people who are developing, or at risk of developing mental health problems in pregnancy and the early post natal period. You will be joining a well-established service and you will be expected to work with the multidisplinary team within in the Perinatal Mental Health (PNMH) clinics.

You will have a high level of relevant expert knowledge and skills which you will use to manage, develop and lead care and care pathways and for pregnant and new mothers/birthing people with current or historic mental health needs. The role will be responsible for case loading women with identified mental health diagnosis.

This role includes participation in the Manager on Call rota.

Main duties of the job

• Support, assist and advise women with, or at risk of, perinatal mental illness and their families to supplement the care provided by their midwives.
• Develop individual care plans and make referrals to additional specialist support where required.
• Act as an advocate for women to ensure they get the specialist mental health care.
• Liaise with specialist perinatal mental health service (SPMHS), and other services and partner agencies to ensure that women with severe mental illness are receiving active and effective support

About us
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.

Job responsibilities
Please see Job Description and Person Specification for full details.

• Support, assist and advise women with, or at risk of, perinatal mental illness and their families to supplement the care provided by their midwives.
• Develop individual care plans and make referrals to additional specialist support where required.
• Act as an advocate for women to ensure they get the specialist mental health care.
• Liaise with specialist perinatal mental health service (SPMHS), and other services and partner agencies to ensure that women with severe mental illness are receiving active and effective support
• Managing the professional expectations of multidisciplinary teams
• Act as a role model to other members of the team, demonstrating professional behaviours and exemplary conduct.
• Deal with and manage conflict in the first instance within the clinical area & escalate where appropriate.
• Provide clear feedback to staff members in a way that is conducive to maintaining and improving performance.
• Performance manage staff in line with Trust policy with support from the HR department
• Able to communicate highly complex and highly sensitive information to patients & other departments (both internal and external) regarding care and treatment using effective communication skills both verbal and non-verbal
• Through effective communication overcome barriers to understanding & act as the patients advocate supporting the decision of women
• Demonstrates kindness and compassion by being non-judgemental; treating all staff equally; being honest and giving timely and constructive feedback
• Communicate highly contentious information to patients, family members or health care professionals with regards to diagnosis and treatment.
• Using negotiating, persuasive and reassurance skills to overcome barriers to acceptance of information, advice and knowledge.

Person Specification
Essential

• NMC Registered Midwife
• Experience managing own caseload of patients
• Knowledge of data protection, confidentiality etc.
• Significant post reg experience

Desirable

• Effective teaching and presentation skills
• Post grad qualification or equivalent experience in related field
• Management/leadership experience/working towards
• Experience of working with complex service users

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route however sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds (£25000), and any role-specific criteria.