Join the team and

Careers in midwifery make a difference

Welcome to the NHS
The NHS offers a huge range of exciting and challenging opportunities for people who
are passionate about making a difference.
With more than 300 different careers on offer, there is a job for you no matter what
your skills, interests or qualifications.
Whats more, youll be given every opportunity to build on your skills and learn new
ones as part of the Career Framework a system that demonstrates our commitment
to skills development. See pages 8 and 9 for more information about this.
Scientists, accountants, midwives, porters, psychologists, nurses, information
technologists and estate managers, to name but a few, are all needed to ensure the
smooth running of the NHS. These people, and many more, work together as a team
to deliver the very best care for our patients.
To find out more about becoming a member of the NHS team, call 0345 60 60 655,
email [email protected] or visit www.nhscareers.nhs.uk

We look forward to hearing from you!

Contents

2 The NHS a rewarding place to work 11 Getting started

Benefits
Pay and conditions 16 Future career options
Work-life balance
18 Whats your next step?
6 Your career as a midwife

8 Career Framework
Developing your career in the NHS
Foreword
Midwives often describe their job as privileged. The qualifications) before going on to study for a registered
role they have in preparing women for the delivery of midwifery degree. Some begin their midwifery career
new life makes them a vital presence during all stages after a first career in an unrelated field.
of pregnancy, labour and the early postnatal period.
Once you have joined the NHS youll enjoy flexible
As well as the satisfaction it brings, this unique role is working conditions, excellent benefits and a wealth
demanding and carries plenty of responsibility. More of opportunities to develop your career. There are
midwives now work in the community, providing few professions that offer so much in terms of job
services in womens homes, local clinics, childrens satisfaction and support, as well as giving you the
centres and GP surgeries. There is of course the chance to enhance peoples lives during their times
option to be hospital based, where there are plenty of need.
of opportunities for midwives to work on antenatal,
labour and postnatal wards and neonatal units. The NHS Careers team

Becoming a midwife means undertaking professional For more information about working as
education at degree level. Some midwives are a midwife in the NHS, please visit
qualified nurses who have chosen to change career www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/list/working
direction and undertake the extra study necessary
If you have any questions, call our
to register as a midwife. Others begin their career
helpline on 0345 60 60 655 or email
by working their way up via a range of routes (for
[email protected]
example from support roles, which require no
2 Careers in midwifery

The NHS a rewarding place to work

There are few careers as rewarding as one in the NHS, or that give you the opportunity to work
with such a wide variety of people.

We actively recruit people of all ages, backgrounds On top of your basic salary, you will receive at least
and levels of experience. This helps us understand 27 days holiday each year, plus a range of other
the different needs of the patients we serve every benefits, including occupational health and
day and provide the best possible service. counselling services.

Whichever area you join, you become part of a Join one of the UKs best pension schemes
talented, passionate team of people committed to The NHS Pension Scheme is one of the most
providing the best care and treatment to patients. generous and comprehensive in the UK. Every new
You will also enjoy one of the most competitive and employee automatically becomes a member and you
flexible benefits packages offered by any employer will get an excellent package of pension benefits.
in the UK.

Benefits of working in the NHS For more information about the pension, and
Everyone who joins the NHS is guaranteed a salary a full list of the benefits included, please visit
that matches their ability and responsibilities, and www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/list/payandbenefits
given every opportunity to increase it through
training and development.

PAY AND CONDITIONS

The NHS pay system, known as Agenda for Other benefits of working in the NHS include
Change, offers real benefits for all directly training, occupational health services,
employed staff except doctors, dentists and very automatic membership of the NHS Pension
senior managers, including: Scheme (unless you choose to opt out) and
a standard working week of 37.5 hours study leave for sponsored courses.
holiday entitlement of 27 days a year, plus eight
general and public holidays, rising to 33 days To find out more about the different
after 10 years of service Agenda for Change pay bands, and see
new pay enhancements to reward out of hours, the most up-to-date starting salaries
shift and overtime working for each one, please visit
better career and pay progression based on the www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/list/payandbenefits
application of knowledge and skills
annual personal development review to support
career aspirations.
telephone 0345 60 60 655 email [email protected] Careers in midwifery 3

FULFIL YOUR POTENTIAL

The NHS is committed to offering You will be encouraged to extend your range
development and learning opportunities for of skills and knowledge and take on new
all full-time and part-time staff responsibilities through the Knowledge and
Skills Framework.
No matter where you start within the NHS,
youll have access to extra training and be See pages 8 and 9 for more on the Career
given every chance to progress within the Framework and examples of how other
organisation employees have progressed through
the NHS.
You will receive an annual personal review
and development plan to support your
career progression
4 Careers in midwifery

CASE STUDY

Name: Melvin Wilkinson

Job title: labour ward lead/manager, Lewisham Hospital NHS Trust, south London
Entry route: after working as a registered nurse

Melvin was a business studies student when I then moved into a charge midwife post,
a friend who worked as an A&E nurse where I co-ordinated services at ward level
encouraged him to look into nursing because and took on other challenges in theatre
he asked so many questions about her job. He scrubbing for Caesarean sections and so on.
subsequently trained to become a midwife.
My role is that of labour ward lead/ward
As a nurse, I worked in various medical wards for manager. My job is twofold a ward manager
a year but I enjoyed obstetrics most, so I decided for three days plus two days hands-on
to embark on a midwifery course. I studied for a clinical work.
diploma* in midwifery and have never looked To be a midwife, you need to have a friendly,
back Ive just kept taking on more roles and gentle approach, be mindful of individual
doing more studies. womens needs and respect their cultures. You
need to always have the womans wishes at
After qualifying, I worked as a bank midwife at heart, especially where she has a birth plan.
St Hellier Hospital, Surrey, while studying for a I am very open when I approach patients, and
degree in health service management. I then have delivered patients from different religions
spent a further three years as a senior midwife. and cultures. If a woman prefers a female
midwife, then thats fine and her choice must
be respected.

During my career, on a few occasions, Ive

been in a labour ward where women have
requested to be attended by male practitioners
only. On one occasion my being there
encouraged a partner to stay and witness his
child being born. His expression was, thank
goodness for your presence, I thought I was
going to be the only man in this room.

The rewards are brilliant it is always lovely

to be there when a baby is born and see the
parents very happy. That personal fulfilment,
having helped a mother to give birth, is
tremendous. It is very rewarding to be with
families at such an eventful time.
*The last intake to diploma programmes in midwifery
in England was in 2008.
telephone 0345 60 60 655 email [email protected] Careers in midwifery 5

Looking after your well-being As well as advice and support for people looking
The NHS is committed to improving the working lives after sick or elderly relatives, if you work for the
of all staff. There is a real focus on areas that are NHS you will also have access to a range of free
designed to maintain employees health, well-being childcare services, including:
and safety and provide additional support to nursery care
individuals when needed. These include: after-school and breakfast clubs
flexible working and flexible retirement holiday play schemes
childcare provision and support for carers in emergency care.
the workplace
training and development
Get more information about flexible
coping with stress
working opportunities at
tackling discrimination, bullying and harassment. www.nhsemployers.org/flexible

You can find out more about the benefits

of working in the NHS at
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/list/payandbenefits

Managing your commitments in and out

of work
The size and diversity of the NHS means we can offer
you a range of flexible working opportunities.

Part-time roles and job-share opportunities are

often available in some jobs, as well as term time
only, evening and weekend positions. We will
do everything we can to help you combine your
work for us with commitments in your everyday
life whether youre studying for a new
qualification, raising a family or juggling
other responsibilities.

Many people take an extended break to look

after young children or other dependants who
need special care, or to study full time.

We will help you combine your

work for us with commitments
in your everyday life
6 Careers in midwifery

Your career as a midwife

The care and expertise provided by midwives is When pregnancies do not go to plan, it will be up to
invaluable to the thousands of women and you to offer support and advice following events
their families who use their services in NHS such as stillbirth, miscarriage, termination, neonatal
clinics, hospitals and at home while pregnant, death and neonatal abnormalities. Often, midwives
throughout labour and during the period after especially those based in the community can
a babys birth. develop good professional relationships with their
clients due to the continuity of care involved, which
As a midwife, youll mainly deal with women who makes counselling easier at difficult times.
are healthy but require professional support and
advice to help them throughout pregnancy. If there By its nature, midwifery is not a nine-to-five job.
are no complications, you will be the main health Midwives usually work on an on-call rota so that
professional contact for a woman, helping her make they can provide 24-hour care, at the womans
informed choices about the options and services home as well as in hospital.
available during pregnancy.
Women-centred care
Midwives work as part of a multidisciplinary As midwifery services are increasingly moved from
healthcare team that includes hospital doctors, GPs, hospital to community, the settings in which you
other midwives, neonatal nurses and support staff could work will reflect this. Some midwives, however,
but you could also work alone. Midwives are experts will choose to remain working in hospital maternity
and lead other healthcare professionals during units antenatal, labour and postnatal wards while
normal childbirth. The responsibilities of midwives are others will work in community and GP clinics, and
diverse. Youll provide full antenatal care including birthing centres.
classes, clinical examinations and screening, identify
high-risk pregnancies, monitor women and support There is an increasing trend for midwives to work as
them during labour and the birthing process. You will part of a team, following their clients from the day
also teach women particularly new mothers how they become pregnant through to the birth of their
to feed and bathe their babies before handing over child, or managing a caseload of clients in a specific
care to a health visitor after around one month geographic area.
following the babys birth.

As a midwifes client base includes women from For information about the qualifications
all walks of life, you will be confident enough to needed to work in midwifery, see the
communicate with all types of people. Some women Getting started section on page 11 or visit
and their families will be from challenging www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/list/qualifications
backgrounds they may be homeless, socially
excluded, have disabilities or be very young, in which
case you may liaise with social services. Other clients You will be the main health
may be from certain cultural or religious backgrounds
where high levels of empathy and intuition are just as
professional contact for a woman,
important. Regardless of background, all women will helping her make informed choices
need their midwife to understand the emotional,
physical and psychological processes of pregnancy
about the options and services
and birth. available during pregnancy
telephone 0345 60 60 655 email [email protected] Careers in midwifery 7

CASE STUDY

Name: Alison Meinel

Job title: Sure Start midwife, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, north London
Entry route: after working as a registered nurse

Alison worked as a nurse for a year before I did that for two or three years and worked
applying to do a degree in midwifery. She quite closely with a Sure Start midwife, which
says the variety of opportunities for NHS is how I got to know about the scheme. Its a
midwives can be daunting but allowed her government programme that brings together,
to direct her own career path. early education, childcare, health and family
support. I applied for a post when one
When I first qualified, I worked on wards became vacant. My role now is based within
postnatal, antenatal and labour wards and in a childrens centre, where I run antenatal
clinic. I then helped with the formation of a classes, aqua-natal classes, baby massage
caseload team that focused on the community. classes and a support group for antenatal and
After taking someone on at booking, we did all postnatal women so they can meet informally.
their antenatal visits, and were on call for them
I also do outreach work with those in
when they went into labour, so it was 24 hours a
temporary accommodation such as travellers
day, seven days a week. I worked with a partner
who may have been missed by the system.
so one of us was always available.
I do postnatal support visits, so if somebody
lives in our area and just wants to have a chat
with a midwife, I am there rather than them
having to wait for an appointment.

There are many different avenues you can go

down depending on your special interests.
When I started this job, I was given a blank
piece of paper and it was up to me to get on
with it great in some ways but daunting in
others. You have to be really self-directed
and motivated.

Its the sort of job that you cant enter lightly

it is often called a vocation but on the
plus side there are not many other jobs where
you can get this kind of satisfaction, where
someone looks into your eyes and says thank
you, and you know that youve helped them
on that journey. It isnt just about delivering
babies, it is so much more.
8 Careers in midwifery

Career Framework
The Career Framework has been designed to within the organisation. Many people take on
improve career development and job additional responsibility within their own area, while
satisfaction for NHS employees. others retrain and move in to different roles.

It encourages individuals to learn new skills and take The case study on page 10 describes how Karen Baker
on extra responsibilities that enable them to progress has progressed within the NHS.

Ambulance service Allied health Dental care

Healthcare science
professions professions professions

9 More senior staff Director of therapies Director of regional

genetics services

8 Consultant practitioners Consultant radiographer Consultant

clinical scientist
(medical physics)

7 Advanced practitioners Specialist speech and Specialist respiratory

language therapist physiologist

6 Senior practitioners/ Emergency care Senior occupational Senior dental technologist Senior biomedical
practitioner therapist scientist
specialist practitioners

5 Practitioners Paramedic Dietitian Dental technician Cardiac physiologist

4 Assistant practitioners/ Control room duty officer Assistant clinical Dental therapist Critical care technologist
psychologist
associate practitioners

3 Senior healthcare Emergency medical Rehabilitation assistant Dental hygienist Newborn hearing
dispatcher screener
assistants/technicians

2 Support workers Patient transport service Therapy clinical support Dental nurse Pharmacy dispensing
driver worker assistant

1 Initial entry level jobs

 telephone 0345 60 60 655 email [email protected] Careers in midwifery 9

You can follow her career path in the white boxes on Framework. It is not exhaustive; details on other
the diagram below, alongside other potential paths careers can be found in the relevant booklets and
in the different areas of the NHS. on the NHS Careers website.

The diagram below gives an illustration of a variety of Visit the NHS Careers website at
NHS careers and where they may fit on the Career www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/list/working

Wider
Health informatics Management Midwifery Nursing
healthcare team

Director of information Director of human Director of maternity Director of nursing

management and resources services
technology

Pictures archiving Divisional director of Consultant midwife Nurse consultant in stroke

communication manager operations for
unscheduled care:
strategic leadership
and management of
emergency care, elderly
care, cancer care and
medicine

Clinical researcher General manager: Head of midwifery District nurse (team Head of estates
maternity, gynaecology manager)
and fertility service:
developing and
managing integrated
midwifery services
between the community
and the hospital sectors

Systems analyst Project manager Delivery suite manager: Community psychiatric Chaplain
supporting mothers nurse
during labour, delivering
their babies and
managing a small team

Librarian Payroll manager Midwife Staff nurse: providing Catering manager

nursing care to patients
in hospital

Clinical coder General office manager Community care assistant Medical secretary

Medical records clerk Maternity support worker Senior healthcare Security officer
assistant

Support desk assistant Healthcare assistant Healthcare assistant Maintenance assistant

(maternity) (nursing)

Health records assistant Nurse cadet Porter

10 Careers in midwifery

CASE STUDY

Name: Karen Baker

Job title: divisional director of operations for unscheduled care, Southampton University Hospitals
NHS Trust
Entry route: nursing and midwifery course

Karen is the manager responsible for the I spent ten years in a variety of hospital and
emergency department, cancer care and community midwifery posts before becoming a
medicine and elderly care at a major hospital delivery suite manager. Since then I have been
trust, with more than 1100 staff and a a head of midwifery services, a general
budget of 62 million. manager, associate director of midwifery and
nursing services, care group manager for
When I started my career, you had to train as a
obstetrics and gynaecology, and divisional
nurse before becoming a midwife. But early on I
director of operations for women and children,
realised that midwifery appealed to me most. You
before taking on my present role.
care holistically for people and the diagnosis and
care plan you prepare is your own work. The I have also been a council member with the
work itself is exciting: youre helping bring a new Royal College of Midwives, taught on university
life into the world. There are emergency courses and been involved in various national
situations that get the adrenalin flowing, as well policy-making and review groups.
as complex cases to stretch your knowledge and
I guess I like a challenge even more as my
skills. Theres a lot of fun, too.
career has developed and I have seen the
I never planned the career Ive had. I think Ive many challenges posed by advances in
always wanted to do a job to the best of my ability, treatment and rising expectations. I have been
and when I feel Ive reached that level thought: given the opportunity and support to develop
what more could I do to make a bigger difference? my leadership abilities.

Honestly, I cant think of any career that beats

being in the NHS. You are working alongside
amazing people who are deeply committed to
what theyre doing. The job satisfaction cant
be matched. You really are changing peoples
lives and there are so many different directions
you can take. Youre almost certain to find the
thing that lights you up.

I cant think of any career that

beats being in the NHS. The
satisfaction cant be matched
telephone 0345 60 60 655 email [email protected] Careers in midwifery 11

Getting started
To work in the NHS, midwives must hold a Professional training
pre-registration qualification in midwifery at Pre-registration programmes in midwifery are
degree level, which allows them to register provided by universities. All applicants must be
with the Nursing and Midwifery Council numerate, literate and of good character and good
(NMC). You can enter the NHS at various health. Pre-registration degree courses in midwifery
levels, and be assured of practical, and are at least three years long and comprise 50 per
possibly financial, support as you progress. cent academic study and 50 per cent supervised
work placements in hospitals and the community.
Who can become a midwife?
Some people apply for a place on a full-time There are no national standard entry requirements
pre-registration course after gaining good grades for midwifery degrees. It is up to each university to
at A level (or equivalent) at school or college. decide what they want to accept but on the whole,
degree programmes usually require applicants to
Others may not possess A levels but will have relevant have a minimum of five good GCSEs and two A
work experience such as time spent as healthcare levels (or equivalent), one of which should preferably
assistants or associate practitioners and be able to be a science subject.
show evidence of academic ability, which can be
enough to meet a universitys requirements. Accelerated training for registered nurses
Registered nurses can undertake a shortened
Qualified nurses can take a shortened pre-registration programme to qualify as midwives.
course in midwifery; the course lasts for around 18
months.

Midwifery education involves a mixture of modules of

academic study and placements in hospitals and the
community, where you will begin to work under the
supervision of qualified midwives, whilst in midwifery
areas. Once qualified, midwives are responsible for
keeping their knowledge up to date, and have to
keep the governing body, the NMC, informed of
their progress, so that they can remain on the
professional register. If you decide to take an
extended career break it is important the registration
is not allowed to lapse otherwise you will not be
able to practice.

Whatever your entry route to midwifery, you will be

able to benefit from the flexibility, support and
learning opportunities offered by the NHS through
all stages of your career.
12 Careers in midwifery

CASE STUDY

Name: Rachel Cox

Job title: postnatal ward midwife, Southmead Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust
Entry route: direct entry through diploma course

Rachel joined a midwifery diploma course In my student group there was only one other
straight after leaving school at the age of 18. girl my age, all the rest were older. The first
She benefited from excellent mentoring and few days on a labour ward felt quite scary.
values the teamwork. I was in a different world with its own rules
and atmosphere, even its own language, so I
From quite a young age, Id liked the idea of
stuck very close to my tutors and mentors who
being in a hospital and helping people. My
were excellent. I wanted to become like them.
problem was that I wasnt sure about looking
after people who were actually ill! So I worked Some of those mentors I now work alongside
out that the best job for me would be as a as colleagues, which gives me a great sense of
midwife, and set my sights on that. how much Ive learned and how far Ive
come. I have added a teaching and assessing
I got the GCSEs I needed and then took A levels qualification to my diploma, and plan to step
that I knew would help me later: biology and up to degree level soon.
English language. I wanted to stay in Bristol and
the only course available at the time was a During the diploma course we did placements
diploma at the University of West of England. in the community as well as hospital. After
Fortunately, I convinced the interview panel that qualifying five years ago, I opted to work on a
I was committed to this career. hospital labour ward. I like the constant contact
with other healthcare professionals, and the
set shift patterns protect your time outside work.
I cried at the first birth I attended I dont do
that any more, but the emotional impact is
still there every time. As in any job there are
pressures and days when things dont go
right but Im doing a job I love. To be where
I am now and have this positive feeling about
my job, Im a very lucky person.

I like the constant contact with

other health professionals, and
the set shift patterns protect
your time outside work
The last intake to diploma programmes in midwifery in
England was in 2008.
telephone 0345 60 60 655 email [email protected] Careers in midwifery 13

Work placements and volunteering

For those with no experience of working in the
health service, or whose careers have been based in
non-midwifery environments, it is a good idea to
spend some time making sure that it is the right
career for you.

Securing a work placement will give you valuable

experience. Also, work placements in midwifery
settings will give you a chance to speak to people
who work in the profession.

As openings for midwifery or healthcare work

placements and voluntary roles vary around the
country, its best to speak to your local NHS or
voluntary organisations to see whats available.

Support workers/assistants
Support workers and healthcare assistants often dont
need set qualifications to do their jobs but gaining
experience and appropriate vocational qualifications
while working can be a stepping stone to more Cadet schemes and apprenticeships
senior support roles, such as midwifery support Some NHS organisations offer apprenticeships in
workers or assistants, as well as to further study if health and social care, enabling apprentices to enter
they wish to pursue a career in midwifery. placements at support worker level for around two
years, while giving them the opportunity to work
Those who have worked in the NHS and have the towards a Qualifications and Credit Framework
academic ability to cope with the demands of a (QCF) qualification.
professional midwifery course will find that their
experience is an advantage when they apply for a Although apprenticeships will enable a young person
place on a midwifery degree, which will normally be to work towards a QCF qualification, it will not count
part-time and last for five or six years. towards professional midwifery training. Instead, an
apprenticeship aims to get an individual to the
appropriate level so that he or she can apply to study
For more information, see our clinical support a part-time midwifery degree which usually lasts
worker factsheet or visit five or six years at the end of their apprenticeship.
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/list/working

To search for jobs in your local area, please

visit www.jobs.nhs.uk
14 Careers in midwifery

Access courses Registration

Applicants with no formal educational qualifications All midwifery courses are approved by the Nursing
can take Access to Higher Education courses, which and Midwifery Council (NMC). You must be
teach skills around study and confidence in how to registered with the NMC to work as a midwife.
deal with the academic demands of a university
course. Access courses tend to be run by further Funding
education (FE) colleges around the country and are NHS Student Bursaries provides financial support
often linked to a specific university course. In such to eligible students taking approved courses. To be
cases, applicants may be interviewed by someone eligible for financial support you must meet
from the FE college as well as the university. Students certain conditions.
may be guaranteed a place on a university course on
successful completion of an Access course. You can visit the NHS Student Bursaries website at
www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/students for more information
Foundation degree about financial support.
Another way in to midwifery is to study for a
foundation degree. This tends to be a part-time Pay
qualification, often run in conjunction with FE Most jobs are covered by the Agenda for Change
colleges. The foundation course lasts for two years (AfC) pay scales. This national pay system applies to
followed by the three-year midwifery degree. People all NHS staff except doctors, dentists and very senior
on foundation degrees are normally employed by an managers. The NHS job evaluation system determines
NHS trust. a points score, which is used to match jobs to pay
bands and determine basic salary levels.
Someone on a foundation degree could secure a
healthcare assistant role whilst preparing to work Your career in midwifery could start at an AfC Band
their way up to a degree. 2 as a clinical support worker (nursing) rising to
midwife consultant at a Band 8a-c. Examples of
other roles and the typical AfC pay bands they attract
For more information on training in the NHS, include: maternity care assistant (Band 4); midwife
visit www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/list/training entry level (Band 5 rising to Band 6); and midwife
team manager (Band 7).
For more information about professional
bodies and other contacts, visit
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/list/contacts For more information on pay and
benefits, visit
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/list/payandbenefits
If you have no formal educational
qualifications, you can take an
Access to Higher Education course
telephone 0345 60 60 655 email [email protected] Careers in midwifery 15
16 Careers in midwifery

Future career options

Your midwifery qualifications and experience will level within an NHS Trust, influencing the shape of
open a wide range of options to develop your career healthcare across a whole community.
in the directions that interest you most. As your
knowledge and expertise increase, you could move You could also move into other professions, including
into more senior practitioner roles. Becoming a team neonatal nursing or health visiting. Neonatal nurses
or unit manager, you could combine responsibility for have a clinical focus on the treatment and care of
managing other staff with ongoing hands-on women and babies with health complications around
involvement with clients. birth: for example, helping premature babies to get
through the critical first few days after they are born.
You may choose to specialise in a particular area of
perinatal care and study for further qualifications. As Health visitors work with families at home and in the
part of this process you might carry out research that community, promoting good health with particular
helps move the profession forward. You could attention on young children. In effect, they take over
become attached to a university and be involved in where the community midwifes role ends, and have
teaching future midwives. If you stay in practice, you a wider concern with the circumstances in which a
could consider the role of consultant midwife, which young child is growing up.
provides clinical leadership for midwives and others
across maternity services.
For information about the qualifications
Your career could well move through different needed to work in nursing, visit
elements of research, teaching, practice development www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/list/qualifications
and management including management at board
telephone 0345 60 60 655 email [email protected] Careers in midwifery 17

CASE STUDY

Name: Sue Jones

Job title: midwife, Bloomsbury Birthing Centre, University College London Hospitals
NHS Foundation Trust
Entry route: following a three year degree course in midwifery

After studying for her degree in midwifery, I have been working at UCLH for the past
Sue qualified in September 2004. She says five and a half years. I did the last half of my
that midwifery is hard work and the role can training here and then joined as a community
be brutal and beautiful in equal measures. midwife. For the last year I have been working
at the birthing centre. As well as caring for
The midwives who have inspired me in my career mothers during labour, I am also there to help
are all excellent communicators and decision them during the birth and the early postnatal
makers. To be a midwife, you cannot be a period, for example supporting them in
shrinking violet. A mother needs to know that establishing breastfeeding.
you will take control of a situation.
There have been some fantastic experiences
in my time as a midwife. Its an incredibly
intimate time and sometimes it amazes me
just how quick and easy it is to build up a
rapport with a woman in labour. One that
always sticks in the mind was when a mother
who had given birth at home came into the
birthing centre with a thank you card. It
brought back lovely memories of a wonderful
and emotional birth.

Midwifery is hard work and not all

experiences are as wonderful as this. On these
occasions, it is important for colleagues to be
supportive and then any situation is workable.
The women we look after are very important
to us but they also pass quite quickly through
our working lives. A work colleague and
friend recently said to me that a working day
can be very different depending on whom
you're working with. My colleagues are
caring and understanding which makes
such a difference.
18 Careers in midwifery

Whats your next step?

We hope this booklet will have given you Here is a checklist of things you should be doing,
some idea of the many opportunities on offer whether youre still at school, studying for your
for midwives in the NHS. degree or looking for a change in direction:

If you have decided that you want to join the NHS Have you explored routes into your chosen career?
team as a midwife, your next step depends on your You will need to gain a degree in midwifery but
starting point. NHS Careers can provide further you could work your way up from healthcare
information on how to apply for training and you assistant roles, or could convert from nursing.
can also consult your local careers adviser.
Are there any particular skills or experience that
If you need a degree, use the coursefinder on the will improve your chances of getting into your
NHS Careers website to find out which universities chosen career?
offer approved midwifery courses (leading to
registration with the NMC). The individual universities Have you enquired about opportunities to
will be able to tell you what qualities and volunteer or do relevant work experience?
characteristics they look for in applicants. For example,
getting some work experience is an excellent way of Have you investigated further qualifications you
showing your commitment and enthusiasm. You will might need for your chosen role?
need to apply for the course through UCAS.
Have you searched the NHS Jobs website or
If you are considering a change of career, spoken to your local trust to get an idea of the
volunteering or shadowing an established professional type of vacancies available?
in your spare time is a useful way to find out more
about the field of work that you wish to pursue and
can be invaluable in terms of making contacts. Whatever position youre in right now,
the NHS Careers service can help. For more
information, please call 0345 60 60 655,
email [email protected] or visit
Getting some work experience is www.nhscareers.nhs.uk
an excellent way of showing your
To search for midwifery jobs in the NHS, visit
commitment and enthusiasm www.jobs.nhs.uk, and for more information
about professional bodies, please visit
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/list/contacts
telephone 0345 60 60 655 email [email protected] Careers in midwifery 19

CASE STUDY

Name: Joy Kirton

Job title: midwife, Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Trust
Entry route: after working as a registered nurse

Joy qualified as a midwife in 1981 but left emergencies. I am part of the team that
the profession three years later to set up her updates them on these issues. I am also part
own business. She missed the caring side of of the Basildons Perineal Repair Team which
midwifery and returned to practice 15 years teaches midwives from Basildon and other
later. hospitals how to suture.

To be a midwife, common sense, a good sense of Many midwives specialise in certain areas but
humour, being a team player and communication I enjoy all aspects of the role. For me, the best
skills are all important. A good midwife also thing about being a midwife is the variety of
knows their limitations and when it is time to the role as I love doing lots of different things.
call for help. At the end of each day, it is also great to see
a happy, healthy mother and baby leaving the
As part of our mandatory study days, all midwives ward. Working with a good team is also
need to be up to date on procedures for obstetric paramount. In an emergency, and when
things get tough, it is good to know you
have the support of your colleagues.

In my early career, I trained as a nurse and

later trained as a midwife and qualified in
1981. At the time you had to be a nurse
before becoming a midwife and you didnt
need a degree.

I left the NHS in 1984 to set up my own

business with my sister but I found myself in
a management role and attending a lot of
meetings. I missed the hands-on, clinical side
of midwifery so returned to practice in 1999
and I had to undertake some study sessions
at degree level. I think Ill be in the NHS until
I retire. It is a stable environment and there is
a good pension. There are also lots of career
opportunities and scope for training. And
because I have been in the NHS so long, I
also get lots of holiday every year!
20 Careers in midwifery

Here are some other things you can be doing, depending on where you are right now. For all
contact details, visit www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/list/contacts

Where are you now? What should you do now? Who can help?

Visit www.stepintothenhs.nhs.uk and register for Subject teachers

more information on chosen careers. Your careers adviser
Check what your likely exam grades/results will be.
Professional bodies
Explore routes into your chosen career will you
need a degree or other qualification before you NHS Careers
join, or will the NHS train you on the job?
Studying for Can you start as an assistant?
your GCSEs Are there any particular skills or experience that
will improve your chances of getting into your
chosen career?
Enquire about volunteering or work experience.
Find out if you need any specific A levels, or
equivalent qualifications.

As GCSEs, plus: Subject teachers

If you need to study a particular degree, investigate Your careers adviser
Studying for which universities offer it.
UCAS
A levels or Investigate any further qualifications you might
NHS Careers
another course need for your chosen role.
Professional bodies
at your school or Search the NHS Jobs website at www.jobs.nhs.uk
and speak to your local trust to get an idea of NHS Jobs
a local college
current vacancies. Apprenticeships website
Consider the option of an apprenticeship locally.

As A levels, plus: University

Take advice on whether its a good idea to switch careers service
your degree course. NHS Careers
At university
Complete your current degree and look for Professional bodies
post-graduate courses in midwifery.
NHS Jobs

As A levels, plus: Careers adviser

Find out if you will need to retrain before you NHS Careers
apply for new roles or if the NHS will train you
Looking for Jobcentre Plus
while you are working.
a new career Professional bodies
NHS Jobs
UCAS
FOR FURTHER COPIES OF THIS BOOKLET PLEASE CONTACT:

NHS Careers
PO Box 2311
Bristol BS2 2ZX
Tel: 0345 60 60 655
email: [email protected]
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk

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NHSBC71 Dec 2011

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