Job interview for a midwifery assistant - advice please!!

[excitedforinterview]

I am very excited I have an interview for a job as a midwifery assistant. Apparently 170 applied and they are interviewing 9 for 2 jobs so I am pleased I have got this far.

I currently work as a clinical support worker (sort of one up from a HCA) in the same trust but I am ward based looking after adults. I work across various areas so have quite a bredth of experience. I have my NVQ3 in care too.

Its a midwifery led centre so my answers will need to be around holistic client centred care I imagine?

Any advice or specific things I should look up? Many thanks!

[StripeyKnickersSpottySocks]

One important thing to remember is to talk about women rather than patients.

I'm sure they'll ask the standard type questions about things like transferable skills, team working, communication.

Can you think of situations where you've had to stay calm/help in an emergency as these will still happen even in a midwifery led centre.

They'll probably want to know about why you want to work as a midwifery assistant as opposed to your current job.

Good luck.

[excitedforinterview]

The interview letter says:

As part of the interview we would like you to discuss the effect a midwifery assistant can have on a woman and her partner's experience of maternity services.

What does this mean?

Is this about me discussing confidentiality, empowerment, communication skills, support with feeding choices, security, clean environment etc? Or am I missing the point?

[StripeyKnickersSpottySocks]

How much would you do as part of the job? Where I work they do room cleaning, bed making and make cups of tea.

However I know other hospitals utilise MAs a lot more and may even have them supporting the women in labour.

Whichever it is all the points you mention are very valid ones to discuss.

Have you read the recent NICE labour guidelines? They talk aboutthings like being welcomed to the unit/room with a smile. Then things like ensuring the room is clean, that women have what they need such as water, buzzer to hand, rooms are stocked, buzzer answered promptly.

[excitedforinterview]

The job spec mentioned meals, stocking, bed making. Also mentions obs (being trained up to do them but I can do them already because of my job), supporting feeding - prob my weakest thing tbh have support friends with breastfeeding but more in terms of facts around it than actual latching etc, working within a small team, working within the philosophy of the birth unit, basic documentation...

I am worried because I am used to working with unwell people and obviously pregnant women are well so I know I have to be careful how I phrase things.

Did not know about the NICE thing, will look at that now. I do a lot of that in my current role - always give a jug of water, answer buzzers promtly, ensure clinical areas are kept well stocked, do routine cleaning (of beds and equipment not especially floors etc).

I don't have children so I am worried this will go against me?

Any other policies I can look into?

What is specific about a midwifery led unit that you might not see within a consultant led unit, I am assuming its more natural type births?

Thanks for your help!

[StripeyKnickersSpottySocks]

I think as far as policies go then NICE would be the only one worth reading.

Not having children should not go against you. You don't have to have had cancer to make a good oncology nurse/HCSW. Also I think people who have had babies can sometimes project their own feelings about their own experience onto other people. Just because I've had a baby does not mean that I know what the woman I'm looking after is feeling/going through. Its different for everyone.

I've never worked in a midwifery led unit but they are generally for women who are considered "low risk". I don't think they would offer epidurals and women wanting one or encountering other problems would have to be transferred.

[StripeyKnickersSpottySocks]

As for the B/F they would have to send you on a training day as well as on the job shadowing.

[excitedforinterview]

Thank you very very much.

I figure that even if I don't get the job I have done well to get the interview!

Does this sound ok as to why I want to work there - I want a change in my job (if i am honest i am a bit worn down by endless bedbaths and dementia my job is so so heavy sometimes and i want to look after healthy people for a change! - would not mention this), i think being a midwifery assistant would be so interesting, involve my current skills but allow me to learn new ones. Love the idea of working in a small team in a supportive role, helping women and their partners have the birth they want and enjoy their new born. Birth can be scary (?) so make it a good experience?

Have experience recognising deteriorating patients via obs so thats a useful skill I guess.

Is holistic care a key issue in midwifery care?

[excitedforinterview]

Two weeks time which gives me too long to stew !!

Thanks! I am kind of thinking I won't get it but you never know do you?

[dollyparting]

Might be useful to think of examples in your current job where you have recognised when to call for senior / professional assistance.

[excitedforinterview]

Good idea, I do that regularly actually so I should have some good examples.

I have another interview the day after for a nice job so it takes the pressure off a bit.

[agedknees]

Just wanted to say good luck with the job interview. Know what you mean about moving jobs. I worked on a really heavy surgical unit, and moved onto a clinic (outpatients department). Have not looked back.