Antenatal Screening Co-Ordinator

Job/Role Summary

I co-ordinate the infectious diseases in pregnancy screening programme. I deal with all positive results, sample errors and electronic transfer of results within a philosophy of women-centred and individualised care. I also provide expert advice on all infections in pregnancy to the obstetric team and primary care colleagues. I provide staff training for medical and midwifery colleagues and facilitate and contribute to policy and guideline development on screening within the Trust.

Specific qualifications and experience required

Registered Midwife, specialist module in antenatal screening.

Career Milestones

I have contributed to changes in practice within antenatal screening practice locally and regionally.

The introduction of regional data collection and management IT systems to the local maternity service.

I have contributed to policy development regionally.

The development and provision of localised care for category 3 patients.

What attracted you to this job?

I was keen to be involved in a new role which I could shape and develop. I was also interested in antenatal screening as an area of specialised midwifery practice.

Enjoyable aspects of the job/role

The provision of individualised and one- to- one care and support for service users within a specialist area.

I enjoy being part of change and innovation and service development.

Teaching midwifery and medical colleagues as an expert in this area of midwifery practice.

I enjoy collorative and inter-disciplinary working across a range of medical and midwifery practice eg. genitourinary medicine, hepatology services, public health.

Challenging aspects of the job/role

Managing resistence to change.

Working with service users who are not compliant with recommendations about their treatment.

Challenging preconceived attitudes and beliefs towards infectious diseases in pregnancy.

Important success factors

Successfully enabling the electronic upload of results to NIMATS.

Providing care for patients that previously would have had to go to the regional unit.

Advice for those considering the type of job/role?

Be well prepared, speak to other screening co-ordinators.

Attain a recognised relevant qualification

Be computer literate.

Be prepared to underate further learning

Be willing to work outside the normal working day if necessary.

Key skills that can be gained within this job/role?

Confidence in delivering training programmes.

Counselling skills.

Guideline writing.

Influencing and introducing change.

Time management skills.

Career Profiles