The Higher Diploma Midwifery programme is a full time 18 month programme commencing on 4th March 2024  providing you with the opportunity to meet specific clinical and education requirements to enable you to be eligible for registration as a Registered Midwife (RM) with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). The programme is awarded at Level 8 Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), on the National Qualification Authority Ireland Framework (www.Irish National Framework of Qualifications, NFQ). The Higher Diploma in Midwifery Programme builds on prior professional learning and experience of nursing. The programme duration is 18 months and consists of 26 weeks theory and 54 weeks clinical practice.
The Student Midwife is expected to successfully meet the Midwife Registration Education Post-RGN Programme Standards and Requirements (NMBI September 2016 and addendum 2017) which includes specified competencies to be achieved on completion of the education programme.

Organisational Context

Clinical / Professional

The Student Midwife will under supervision:

• provide safe, kind and caring midwifery care to women and babies respecting individuality within the scope of midwifery practice
• Participate in the education and health promotion to women and their families as appropriate
• Communicate effectively to develop sound working relationships with women, members of the multidisciplinary team and colleagues from other areas
• practise as part of the service’s staff complement in gaining clinical midwifery experience in providing high quality woman and baby centred care, always acting in the best interest of the woman and baby
• practise as part of the multidisciplinary team under the supervision of the Registered Midwife or Nurse (where Student Midwives are assigned to specialist areas e.g. Gynaecology, Neonatal, Theatre)
• maintain confidentiality
• practise in accordance with relevant legislation influencing Nursing & Midwifery practice
• practise within the limits of own competence and scope of practice
• adhere to NMBI guidelines, Code of Conduct and Ethics and Scope of Nursing and Midwifery Practice
• take measures to develop own competence in accordance with the competency assessment process and achieve EU requirements (Midwife Registration Programme and the Requirements (September 2016 and addendum 2017)Observe professional courtesy and other requirements of professional behaviour in her / his working relationships
• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information & Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.
• To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

Risk, Health & Safety

The Student Midwife will under supervision:

• adhere to local and national policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines, relevant legislation and standards to provide safe professional practice
• be aware of risk management issues, identify risks and take appropriate action
• report any adverse incidents and near misses
• comply with current legal and professional requirements for medication management
• assist in the provision of a safe environment of care for women and babies

Education, Training & Development

The Student Midwife will:

• take responsibility for own learning and development needs
• be aware of and make known own limitations
• complete all mandatory training
• actively engage in the curriculum as per HEI requirements
• utilise opportunities and take measures to develop own competence in accordance with the competency assessment process and achieve EU requirements (Midwife Registration Programme and the Requirements (September 2016 and addendum 2017)
• develop and use reflection to inform and guide practice
• complete contemporaneous records that are countersigned in a timely manner

Administrative

The Student Midwife will under supervision:

• utilise the resources in an effective and economic manner
• contribute to ongoing monitoring, audit and evaluation of the service as appropriate
• maintain records and submit data as required - ensuring that records are safeguarded and managed in a confidential manner and in accordance with the standards set by NMBI, HIQA  and the HSE / local policy

The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

At the time of application:

• Be registered in the General Division of the Register of Nurses maintained by Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) or entitled to be so registered
• Have a minimum of 6 months post registration experience as an RGN within the past 3 years, working a minimum of 78 hours per month

Health

A candidate for, and any person holding the office, must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office, and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Character

Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character

Age

The Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act, 2018* set 70 years as the compulsory retirement age for public servants.

* Public Servants not affected by this legislation:

Public servants joining the public service, or re-joining the public service with a 26 week break in service, between 1 April 2004 and 31 December 2012 (new entrants) have no compulsory retirement age.

Public servants, joining the public service or re-joining the public service after a 26 week break, after 1 January 2013 are members of the Single Pension Scheme and have a compulsory retirement age of 70.

Please note that appointment to and continuation in posts that require statutory registration is dependent upon the post holder maintaining annual registration in the relevant division of the register maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board Ireland

It is important that the candidate demonstrates:

• an understanding of the role and function of the midwife
• an awareness of developments in Maternity Services in Ireland, e.g. National Maternity Strategy
• transferable skills from General Nursing / other experience e.g. knowledge and experience of current nursing practice including individualised care planning and case management, medication management, infection prevention and control measures
• an understanding of the principles of clinical audit
• an understanding of the importance of evidence-based clinical knowledge in making decisions regarding client / patient care
• an understanding and/or experience of health promotion
• a commitment to continuing professional development
• evidence of effective planning and organising skills and importance of value for money
• the ability to build and maintain relationships including the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment
• evidence of ability to empathise with and treat patients / clients, relatives and colleagues with dignity and respect
• effective analytical, problem solving and decision making skills
• effective communication skills in order to carry out the duties of the role
• a willingness to engage and develop IT skills relevant to the role
• a knowledge and understanding of the requirements of the midwifery programme