About this role
Job summary
Maternity Tobacco Dependency Advisor
This role will work across all areas of the maternity service, providing compassionate, person-centred support to pregnant women, birthing people, and their household members to improve health and wellbeing outcomes. The post holder deliver Tobacco Dependency treatment and smoking cessation interventions, while recognising the wider social, emotional, and environmental factors that influence health behaviours during pregnancy and beyond.
A key focus of the role will be reducing health inequalities by proactively engaging individuals and families who may experience barriers to accessing healthcare services, including those living in deprivation, those with complex social circumstances, and people who have historically been less likely to engage with smoking cessation support. The post holder will employ flexible, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive approaches to build trust and encourage sustained engagement, particularly with pregnant smokers who are often considered "hard to reach" or who have multiple competing priorities affecting their health.
Main duties of the job
For more detail about the main duties of this role, please see the job description section below. As a key member of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, you will be joining an exceptional team working together to help our patients to stay healthy, when they need it most.
About us
Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford).
Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within peoples own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).
Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.
Its never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as youll help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.
Job description Job responsibilities
For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.
More detail about the role
The role will involve delivering a range of evidence-based tobacco dependency interventions, including Carbon Monoxide (CO) monitoring, behavioural change support, motivational interviewing, and the provision and management of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) following appropriate training and competency assessment. The post holder will support individuals throughout their quit journey, tailoring interventions to meet individual needs and circumstances.
In addition to tobacco dependency treatment, the post holder will adopt a holistic health and wellbeing approach, identifying opportunities to improve wider health outcomes during pregnancy. This will include providing advice, signposting and facilitating access to relevant community services, wellbeing initiatives, peer support networks, and specialist support where appropriate. The role will actively encourage and support service users to attend local groups and services that promote physical health, mental wellbeing, social connectedness, and healthy lifestyles.
Working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams across maternity, public health, primary care, and community services, the post holder will act as an advocate for reducing smoking-related harm and improving perinatal health outcomes. They will contribute to creating equitable access to support, ensuring that interventions are accessible, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of diverse populations.
The post holder will also play a central role in developing the knowledge and confidence of maternity staff regarding Tobacco Dependency treatment. This will include delivering training, education, and ongoing support to colleagues to ensure that evidence-based smoking cessation interventions are embedded within routine maternity care and that all staff feel equipped to support patients effectively.
Through a combination of direct clinical support, health promotion, partnership working, the post holder will make a significant contribution to improving maternal and family health outcomes, reducing health inequalities, and supporting smoke-free pregnancies and smoke-free homes.
Working Pattern: Monday-Friday Days- 22.5 hours
Interview Date: Friday 11th September 2026
Please note, this is a fixed term contract for 2 years. For current NHS employees this post could be a secondment opportunity.
For further information please contact: Meghan Baldwin Antenatal Clinic/Day assessment unit Midwifery Manager/ Smoking Cessation Lead Northern Services. [email protected] or Julia Burston Complex Needs Midwife/ Smoking Cessation Lead Eastern Services [email protected]
As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
Preference will be given to staff with Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.
Benefits
We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.
This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we'll help you get there.
Looking after you is important to us.
We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.
If you're starting out in the NHS, you'll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.
You'll benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.
Salary is not the only financial benefit
You'll have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers.
You will also have access to other benefits including:
National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.
Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter
Car lease schemes.
The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).
Cycle to work scheme
These are just a few of the benefits available if the role is something you are interested in, we'd love to hear from you.
Person Specification
General Requirements Essential
See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description
Desirable
See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details Employer name Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Address Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Barnstaple
Devon
EX31 4JB
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://royaldevon.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)