Infant Feeding Support Worker London, England
Job description
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a part time support worker to join the infant feeding team at University Hospital Lewisham.
We are looking for a friendly, dedicated and motivated specialist infant feeding support worker who, under the supervision of the Infant Feeding Lead Midwife and Infant Feeding advisor, will provide daily practical support for mums / birthing people on the postnatal ward, and throughout the department/hospital as required. You will also be expected to support the Infant Feeding Lead to provide care, support and advice for women / birthing people on the maternity ward antenatally, and provide feeding support for parents with babies admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
You will support running breastfeeding classes for expectant and new mums, taking part in audit, and assisting the Infant Feeding Midwife to implement the Baby Friendly Initiative Standards. With training, you will provide specialist support to mums with ongoing feeding issues, such as tongue tie, and will also assist with implementing Baby Friendly Training to all members of the multi-disciplinary team.
You must be organised, flexible with working hours, and able to take responsibility and prioritise your own workload. Good communication and some experience of working with breastfeeding mums is essential. A recognised qualification is desirable.
You will support women / birthing people with their choice on how they feed their baby ensuring informed consent is received and record all clinical care given as appropriate.
You will provide, support and care for the woman / birthing person/baby with regards to how they have chosen to feed their baby respecting their need for privacy and dignity.
You will help to facilitate breast feeding support and workshops on the postnatal ward in addition to Antenatal Infant feeding classes
You will give breast feeding support in other clinical areas when asked i.e. Children’s’ Wards, Neonatal Unit, Children’s A&E
You will show how women / birthing people how to prepare and give formula milk if asked
You will be able to diagnosis, support, referral, and follow up of babies with tongue tie as well as supporting women / birthing people in the care of their baby providing knowledge and up to date information on infant feeding practices and to refer on to Infant Feeding Lead Midwife when confronted with breast feeding issues outside of own competence
You will be able to support and advise women / birthing people and other staff members who are using the breast pumps
Working as a Maternity Support Worker enables you to gain exposure to a wide range of skills and offers extensive scope for professional development under the supervision of midwives. The Trust provides an extensive range of in-house training and support in ongoing professional development. Your personal development will be identified at your annual appraisal reviews and supported by your team leads and senior midwifery managers.
Please read the job and personal specifications carefully. You need to provide evidence in your application of all the essential criteria. Car driver essential. Must be currently an HCA with maternity experience.
This post will be shortlisted after closing. All applicants are tested in literacy and numeracy prior to interview.
Applicants need not apply if you do not have at least 1 years experience as a band 2 Health Care Assistant on either a maternity ward or paediatric ward as you will NOT be shortlisted.
Under the supervision of the Infant Feeding Lead Midwife, take a lead in the care of women / birthing people both antenatally and postnatally with respect to how they choose to feed their baby. To provide women / birthing people/family centred Specialist care and to document all care given.
You will be an important part of the maternity unit working alongside midwives, doctors, and other health professionals in the hospital setting, understanding their different roles.
Key responsibilities:
- To support women / birthing people with their choice on how they feed their baby.
- Record all clinical care given as appropriate.
- To provide, support and care for the woman / birthing person/baby with regards to how they have chosen to feed their baby respecting their need for privacy and dignity.
- Ensure informed consent is obtained when giving care to women / birthing people and their babies
- To facilitate breast feeding support and workshops on the postnatal ward
- To give breast feeding support in other clinical areas when asked i.e. Children’s’ Wards, Neonatal Unit, Children’s A&E
- To facilitate Antenatal Breastfeeding classes
- Show women / birthing people how to prepare and give formula milk if asked
- Provide diagnosis, support, referral, and follow up of babies with tongue tie
- To support women / birthing people in the care of their baby providing knowledge and up to date information on infant feeding practices and to refer on to Infant Feeding Lead Midwife when confronted with breast feeding issues outside of own competence
- To support and advise women / birthing people and other staff members who are using the breast pumps
- To support Infant Feeding Lead Midwife with data entry of infant feeding statistics and participate in audit
- To support the implementation of the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
- Demonstrate duties to new starters/volunteers
- General and clinical supervision of less experienced staff.
