This website is designed to describe the opportunities that exist for midwives within the HSC in Northern Ireland and to showcase the roles that have been developed which you may be interested in working towards in your midwifery career.
There are four Sections which are designed around four career pathways:
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Clinical Practice
Most midwives choose to work in a role which enables them to provide care in partnership with women. There are numerous clinical practice opportunities from a Band 5 Midwife to a Band 8a Consultant Midwife. There are also an increasing number of clinical roles for midwives with a specialist interest such as: Bereavement Midwife, Clinical Governance Midwife, Infant Feeding Lead, Practice Development Midwife. If you are thinking about progressing further along the clinical practice career pathway, or wishing to work at a specialist or advanced practice level, click here for more information on the next steps to take.
To view the career profiles, please go the Areas of Practice page.
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Education
Midwives on the Education Career Pathway have an overarching responsibility to develop and enhance the professional knowledge, clinical skills, and attitudes of students and midwives. Midwifery Educators design, develop and deliver pre and post registration education programmes with the intent of ensuring midwives are equipped with the knowledge and skills to deliver quality services to women and their babies. Their role often includes that of a teacher, mentor, counsellor, facilitator and coordinator. As a midwife thinking about progressing further along the education career pathway, or wishing to incorporate education into your existing career; follow the link here to find out the next steps to take.
To view the career profiles, please go the Areas of Practice page.
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Leadership & Management
Leadership & Management Pathway
Midwifery leaders and managers are closely involved in providing care for women and are also involved in influencing care. Midwifery leaders and managers may be responsible for developing policy or commissioning health and care services. Changing demographics, increasing demands on services, advances in maternity services, targets, efficiency savings, managing change and rising public expectations combine to make these very responsible and challenging roles. As a midwife thinking about progressing further along the leadership and management career pathway, or wishing to incorporate the knowledge and skills into your existing career, the links here will provide information on the next steps to take. If you are interested in a Ward Sister/ Charge Midwife role click here
To view the career profiles, please go the Areas of Practice page.
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Research & Development
Research & Development Pathway
Midwives can make a difference to the quality of midwifery care by integrating research and development activity into their professional roles. Midwife researchers are involved in and lead high quality research and innovation which ultimately influences maternity care. As a midwife thinking about progressing further along the research and development career path, or if you wish to incorporate research into your existing career, visit the career profiles and real life stories sections and view the useful links.
To view the career profiles, please go the Areas of Practice page.
In each section you will find examples of midwifery roles with links to midwives experiences of their own career pathway. Additional career opportunities for midwives exist on the nursing career pathway such as Child Protection Nurse Specialist. Explore the Nursing and Midwifery Career Pathway microsite.
Becoming a Registered Midwife
There has never been a more exciting time for Midwifery in Northern Ireland. Find out more about how to become a Registered Midwife.