Lead Infant Feeding Midwife

The Portland Hospital, W1W 5AH
Permanent, Full Time
Competitive Salary + Excellent Benefits (pension, health cover, flexible benefits and excellent career development)
About The Portland Hospital
Internationally renowned for clinical excellence, The Portland Hospital is the UK's only private hospital dedicated to the care of women and children.

The post holder will be responsible and accountable for the provision of high-quality care within the maternity setting, providing daily hands-on breastfeeding support to all new mothers as part of the Infant feeding team.

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced midwife to join our team at The Portland Hospital as the Lead Infant Feeding Midwife. The role will provide specialist advice and support to women and families in relation to infant feeding. The post holder will ensure exceptional patient experience in delivery of an infant feeding support service across the week and also work collaboratively with the MDT and external stakeholders to ensure timely referrals for specialist support where required, such as the tongue tie service within HCA Healthcare. They will monitor and lead improvements to standards of care through, evidence- based practice, teaching and supporting the team to deliver outstanding care in relation to infant feeding.

Duties And Responsibilities

• To promote best practice in supporting breastfeeding within the unit. To facilitate informed choice and support mothers' choice of infant feeding.
• To facilitate an environment and culture conducive to learning. To lead teaching, mentoring and assessment of staff in relation to infant feeding, providing written reports as required. To be a role model and source of expertise in infant feeding, promoting and sharing good practice.
• To lead a Team of Infant Feeding Midwives and provide Line Management responsibilities to this team as well as the Nursery Nurse Team.
• To inform and educate health care professionals, participating in and developing infant feeding training programs in line with current research and service objectives. Participate in the orientation and induction of staff including obstetric / paediatric medical staff.
• To teach and work with student midwives acting as an effective role model and to liaise with appropriate members of the educational institutions.
• To ensure accurate dissemination of information amongst staff and effective methods of communication, so that consistent advice and continuity of support effectively meet the mothers 'and babies' needs in relation to infant feeding.
• To attend staff meetings as a representative of the post. To represent the speciality in any appropriate meetings, working groups or research projects.
• To ensure effective communication networks between Midwifery and Neonatal teams, primary care and other professionals referring for assistance.
• To supervise practices and ensure supportive guidance in the implementation of the hospital breastfeeding policy. Continually review policies, procedures and practices that impact on infant feeding using evidence based practice.
• To undertake regular audit to map infant feeding trends. To participate in audit presentations, research and related projects as required.
• To provide midwifery advice to support and facilitate high quality, individualised care to women and their families without supervision, in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team.
• Work with the ward sister in the management of the clinical area. This will involve dealing with complex situations and having to take appropriate action in emergency or unforeseen situations.

Skills And Experience

• Demonstrable knowledge as a qualified midwife with a minimum of 2 years experience
• NMC Registered Midwife
• Evidence of in-depth experience and postgraduate study or post registration study such as master's degree or equivalent experience.
• Basic adult and newborn Life Support
• Understanding of Safeguarding issues
• Competent with computers and able to use clinical systems
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent clinical governance and experience with audits
• Ability to work within a team and independently
• Able to support the on-call rota

At HCA UK we care about what you care about. We care that you want to deliver the very best care. We care that you want a career you can be proud of. We care that you want working conditions that support your health and wellbeing. Let us care for you and your career, the same way you do for others.

Why HCA UK?
Originally founded over 50 years ago by Dr Thomas Frist, HCA has gone on to become one of the world's leading healthcare providers. In the UK, we're one of the largest providers of privately funded healthcare and have invested over £500 million in the latest treatments, technology, techniques, medication and facilities. Being part of a large multisite, established healthcare group we can offer you unrivalled opportunities for career progression through internal and external courses, as well as working conditions that prioritise both your mental and physical wellbeing.

Benefits
We believe that by caring for our employees, we empower them to provide exceptional care for our patients. That's why we offer a host of flexible benefits that reflect the invaluable contribution they make every day. As a Midwife you'll be eligible for:

• 25 days holiday each year (plus bank holidays) increasing with service, with option to buy or sell leave to suit you
• Private Healthcare Insurance for treatment at our leading hospitals
• Private pension contribution which increases with length of service
• Season Ticket Loan and Cycle to Work scheme
• Group Life Assurance from day one
• Critical illness cover
• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay
• Corporate staff discount for all facilities including Maternity packages at The Portland
• Comprehensive range of flexible health, protection and lifestyle benefits to suit you
• Discounts with over 800 major retailers

Diversity and Inclusion
Patients first. Colleagues always. That's the guiding philosophy behind our approach to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. We believe healthcare is built on a foundation of inclusion, compassion and respect for our patients and for each other. By working together with our colleagues we're creating a truly inclusive environment, where individual differences are celebrated and everyone can achieve their potential.

We believe everyone should feel comfortable to bring their full self to work and be afforded the same opportunities. That's why we're happy to discuss flexible working arrangements to suit your needs as well as offer reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process, and in the workplace, to anyone that needs them.