Job description
Job Summary
We have an exciting opportunity for 1 full time Maternity Support Transitional Care Worker (34.5hrs) to join our team. The successful candidate is expected to undertake an agreed range of extended skills to support the midwifery team service including working unsocial hours and weekends. The midwife will be overall responsible for all care and supervision; whilst the maternity support worker will not always work under direct and immediate supervision, the task being done must be within the framework of a care plan.
The maternity support worker will be an effective member of the team and will provide support in a kind, considerate and professional manner to the woman and her family in providing holistic care. There may be occasions when the maternity support worker is required to work in other areas within the maternity department; whilst at all times working under the direction of the midwife present within the department
Maternity Support Worker- Transitional Care- Band 3
We are looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic individual to join our maternity team. Working alongside a midwife in Transitional Care, you will play a key role in delivering care to our higher risk babies and their parents.
You would need strong organisational skills and the ability to work calmly under pressure. Relevant experience is desirable but not essential. Epsom and St Helier NHS Trust are proud to be UNICEF Baby Friendly Gold Accredited, and we are looking for an individual who strives to help us maintain these high standards.
You will assist the midwife in providing clinical care for these babies, including performing tests for jaundice, new-born blood spot testing, clinical observations and care for a baby undergoing phototherapy.
You will work as part of the wider team and help with other duties around the ward including basic housekeeping and tidying, answering call bells and assisting parents to care for their babies.
Although predominantly based on the maternity ward, you may be expected to work on Labour ward and in theatre when required- full training will be given.
For further information please contact;
Mary Willocks
Maternity Matron for Inpatient Services
[email protected]
Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust provides a range of medical services to approximately 490,000 people living across southwest London and northeast Surrey. In addition, we provide more specialist services, in particular renal and neonatal intensive care, to a wider area, covering parts of Sussex and Hampshire.
We serve an area that is rich in diversity, with a mix of urban and rural areas, and differing levels of quality of life. We cover some of the most prosperous postcodes in the country, as well as some poorer areas. Together with our colleagues at NHS Surrey and NHS Sutton and Merton, we work to make sure that we deliver the best possible care to the communities we serve.
The Trust employs approximately 5,000 staff across its hospitals and is supported by over 500 volunteers.
Duties of the Post
Assisting the midwife within the midwifery unit:
- Work closely with the midwife and assisting within the maternity setting.• Recognise deviations from the normal by following a set criterion.
- Undertake urinalysis, blood pressure readings, temperature and pulse recordings and record accurately in the hospital notes.
- Measure SBR, neonatal blood sugars and carry out newborn blood spot tests when required. Once appropriate training has been completed, perform phlebotomy duties and accurately label bottles and complete forms effectively.
- Promoting infant feeding using the BFI values.
- Accurately weigh the baby, record and report all findings to the midwife in charge.
- Ensure ward areas are checked, clean and clinical equipment available to use instructed by the midwife.
- Work under the direction of the midwife. Recognise deviations from the normal and report back findings to the midwife
- Welcome the mother and her partner to an antenatal/postnatal ward area.
- Provide guidance and support on the general care of mother and baby –emphasising the principles good hygiene and safety.
- Assist the mother with the care of her baby, demonstrating nappy changing and bathing as necessary.
- Support women with infant feeding under the guidance of the midwife and in relation to agreed guidelines.
- Provide social and emotional support to vulnerable women as directed by the midwife.
- Be aware of the principles of health promotion
- Work as a member of the multidisciplinary team.
- Answer the telephone in a friendly and helpful manner; take messages and refer to the midwife for actual midwifery advice.
- Give relevant information to women and as per NICE guidelines.
- Undertake general clerical duties that are associated with the smooth running of the team in all ward areas. Examples might include making up booking and 28 weeks packs, home birth packs, photocopying parent education sheets, data entry for short booking and discharge summaries in to Badgernet (Maternity IT system).
- Undertake simple errands if required.
- Check stock levels of supplies, stationary and other non-medical equipment.
- Work at all times to safeguard health and safety.
- Maintain confidentiality at all times. Do not divulge any client information acquired through the post to any unauthorised person.
- Contribute to team meetings regarding concerns /wellbeing of families under the care of the midwife
- Maintain accurate recording keeping and assist the midwife with collating midwifery data.
- Escalate concerns to a midwife, multidisciplinary team or other appropriate staff.
- Actively participate in the appraisal process and personal development planning, enabling progression through the KSF gateways.
- Attend all statutory and mandatory updates.
- Ensure completion of the Epsom & St Helier NHS Trust Maternity Support Worker competency document within the specified timeframe. Staff can also be assessed against a nationally published standard of competence towards a vocational qualification.
- Be aware of own level of competence and identify limitations.
- Take a lead in supporting women and their babies who require transitional care
- Work closely with the MDT to provide additional care for babies which may include undertaking blood spot testing, blood sugar measurement and basic observations
- Manage the care of those babies requiring phototherapy and proactively support the midwives overseeing the care of these babies.
- Observe these high risk infants closely and report any deviation from normal, ensuring prompt escalation.