Maternity Infant Feeding Team Support Worker

Maternity Infant Feeding Team Support Worker An exciting opportunity has arisen for a passionate and committed person to join the Infant Feeding team at Walsall Manor Hospital. The post holder will be working as part of the Walsall Manor Hospital (Maternity Directorate) Infant Feeding Team, contributing to all aspects of the service, but focusing on working on Ward 25 and within the community, working closely with midwives and maternity support workers to assist in achievement of full baby Friendly Initiative Accreditation for Walsall Maternity and Neonatal Units. Main duties of the job The Infant Feeding Maternity Team Support Worker (IFMTSW) will work together with the members of the maternity and neonatal team to provide a high standard of care to women and their families to provide infant feeding support and information. The role will involve both clinical work with families on the postnatal ward and within community to achieve their infant feeding goals as well as participation of Baby Friendly staff and family audits. There is an opportunity to be involved with delivering training to staff and to attend Baby Friendly Conferences. About us Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is an integrated Trust and the only provider of NHS acute care in Walsall, serving a population of 284,300, providing inpatient and outpatient services at the Manor Hospital as well as a wide range of services in the community. Walsall Manor houses the full range of district general hospital services under one roof. The £170 million development was completed in 2010 and the continued upgrading of existing areas ensures the Trust now has a state-of-the-art Critical Care Unit, Neonatal Unit, Obstetric Theatre, and Integrated Assessment Unit facilities. A new Urgent Emergency Care Centre was opened in March 2023. The two-storey development has significantly improved emergency care facilities and capacity and has provided almost 5,000 square metres of additional clinical space. Job responsibilities To provide infant feeding support and information to enable parents to make informed feeding choices and to support them with their chosen method of feeding. To provide a high standard and quality of care to women and babies in accordance with Trust clinical policies, procedures and guidelines. To observe women/baby and report to the midwife/ nurse responsible for care, any signs of discomfort, distress or concern. To provide advice and information on discharge planning in accordance with agreed procedures. To take emergency action as necessary to safeguard women and babies and notify the midwife/nurse of the situation as soon as possible. To bleep medical staff (and others) when requested to do so by nursing/midwifery staff. Also to answer general telephone enquiries. To refer to the appropriate health professional when deviation from the normal occurs and to work in partnership with that health professional to ensure safe standards of care. To provide lactation and breastfeeding support following local and national guidance. Take part in the audit of the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Neonatal standards. Be involved in the delivery of infant feeding training, support the organisation and delivery of practical skills reviews for relevant staff. To support women who have chosen to formula feed. Provide information about the different types of formula, how to sterilise equipment and prepare feeds correctly and responsive bottle feeding. To support families when their baby is transitioning from tube feeds to breastfeeding, to work with families, nurses and neonatologists to develop feeding plans appropriate to the babys stage. Exercise compassionate counselling and information giving skills. To assist in the safekeeping of the families property or personal belongings in accordance with hospital policies. To deal with waste and soiled linen in the appropriate way and in accordance with hospital policy. To maintain a clean and pleasant and safe clinical environment. To communicate with women, relatives and colleagues in a courteous and helpful way. To assist in the monitoring and restocking of supplies and ensure adequate levels including leaflets, in clinical areas and community. To assist in the maintenance of equipment. Check breast pump equipment and report any discrepancies to midwives/nurses including action taken. To maintain infant feeding stocks in the clinical environment, ensuring adequate stock levels at all times. To carry out any other reasonable duties as may be required, which are commensurate with the post, to meet the needs of the service. This will include cover of appropriate duties during the absences of colleagues. Communicating via a range of multi-disciplinary agencies. To be familiar with the P.A.S system, to assist in clerical duties including input of data following appropriate training. To maintain accurate contemporaneous legible records and statistical data as required. To have knowledge of transport of patient information in the community setting. To assist and support the continual review, development and improvement of maternity services. To participate in clinical incident reporting within maternity. To be competent in taking Blood glucose monitoring (BGs) samples on Neonates following appropriate training. To be competent in alternative means of feeding, such as tube and cup within the transitional care environment following appropriate training. Personal responsibilities To maintain standards of organisational conduct e.g. correct wearing of uniform, punctuality etc. To work effectively within a team and assist in maintaining a good working atmosphere. To present a positive attitude and demonstrate a commitment to the Trust. Keep up to date with changes in Trust policies and comply with these in carrying out duties, in particular your personal responsibilities as defined in the Health and Safety at Work Act. The requirements of ‘The Lone Worker’ Policy. The requirements in the Fire Safety Policy. The requirements in the Sickness and Absence Policy and your responsibility. The requirements of the Working Time Directive and Trust policy HR 33 working time regulation. To attend Mandatory lectures relating to Lifting & Handling, Fire and Basic Life Support annually and any others identified. To undertake any identified training to ensure compliance with the role. LOCATION Based in the Maternity Unit at Walsall Manor Hospital and to work within the community of Walsall which may include other local premises (i.e. health centres, children’s centres and women’s homes). Person Specification Qualifications A recognized externally validated breastfeeding course such as the Breastfeeding Network Helpers/Supporters course Recent experience of supporting breastfeeding in a healthcare setting Key Competency Ability to work within policies and procedures/guidelines and act accordingly 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. £24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum pro rata #J-18808-Ljbffr