Infant Feeding Coordinator

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities:

Provide specialist knowledge and clinical guidance related to maternal and infant nutrition to ensure positive outcomes and safety

Lead strategically and operationally on the UNICEF BFI initiative aligning pans for BFI compliance with wider maternity improvement plans

Support staff and embed the development of Baby Friendly UNICEF standards across Maternity and Neonatal Unit

Signpost for specialist information/ support for vulnerable families

Support the review and potential implementation of NICE guidance, and other relevant policy directives

Represent the Trust at local, regional and national breastfeeding and infant feeding forums

Work with key stakeholders to formulate policies, guidelines and protocols in respect of UNICEF guidelines and implement evidence-based practice changes

Ensure that all relevant healthcare staff have the skills to support women to make informed decision about feeding their babies

Participate in the Governance agenda as required i.e. investigations and risk assessments

Take responsibility for equipment and resources used for infant feeding by introducing appropriate processes within the clinical environment

Ensure timely and accurate record keeping.

Management Responsibilities:

Line management responsibility including 1:1, annual appraisals, sickness absence etc.

In the absence of the Maternity Matron provide mentorship, day to day management and supervision of the team.

Ensure appropriate cover for service delivery within the team

Contribute to managing flow throughout the service and escalating as appropriate

Identify gaps in service provision as they occur and take the necessary steps to remedy this. This may require the development of individual and or specialized programs or packages of care in order to address childrens /families/ client group needs

Manage the improvement programme required to meet BFI Level 3 within maternity collaborating with neonatal colleagues. Manage the project budget.

Support midwives through the Revalidation process

Define health informatics requirements for midwifery as they relate to infant feeding and BFI assurance processes

Provide input to the development of business cases for areas of responsibility and provide leadership on specific projects where required.

Identify ways of making efficiencies to support of the delivery of the Cost Improvement Programme (CIP).

Working with the senior midwifery team, review and update the risk register for relevant projects / areas.

Undertake regular audits of clinical data and service delivery associated with Infant feeding support services i.e. breastfeeding, supplementation audits

Coordinate the collection and analysis of data associated with national, regional and local breastfeeding targets and provide reports and documents as required

Education and development responsibilities:

Undertake annual review and statutory and mandatory training

Keep portfolio

Provide Infant feeding training throughout the service for all staff (relevant to their role) that come into contact with new parents to empower meaningful conversations and care plans

Provide and maintain educational resources relevant to infant feeding for staff and service users

Establish and facilitate support programmes of learning for students

Ensure attendance at department training sessions as required for professional/personal/service development

General responsibilities:

Patient Experience

Staff should ensure that they always put the patient at the heart of everything they do. All staff will strive to create a positive patient experience at each stage of the patients/service users care journey

Trust Policies and Procedures

To adhere to the Trusts agreed policies and procedures.

Equal Opportunities

To promote and develop the equality of opportunity in accordance with the Trusts Equal Opportunities Policy

Confidentiality

To protect the confidentiality of information relating to the Trust, Patient and Staff or other agencies

Quality

To provide a quality service to internal and external agencies and participate/ develop clinical governance within sphere of responsibility.

Infection Control

All Trust employees are required to be familiar with, and comply with, Trust polices and guidelines for infection control and hand hygiene in order to prevent the spread of healthcare-associated infections.

For clinical staff with direct patient contact, this will include the uniform and dress code policy, the use of personal protective equipment guidance, the guidance on aseptic techniques and the safe handling and disposal of sharps.

All staff are required to attend mandatory training in Infection Control and be compliant with all measures known to be effective in reducing healthcare-associated infections.

Information Governance

To be responsible for the security and governance of information, systems and networks.

Health and Safety

To share responsibility for abiding by health and safety policies and regulations, infection prevention and control policies and act in accordance with the Risk Management Policy.

Sustainability

It is the responsibility of all staff to minimise the Trust's environmental impact by recycling wherever possible, switching off lights, computers, monitors and equipment when not in use, minimising water usage and reporting faults promptly.

Our Behaviours

All staff are expected to behave in accordance with Our Behaviours. The six areas of focus are the responsibility of each individual and should be the basis for all work undertaken within the Trust.

Safeguarding

The Trust expects all employees to adhere to the principle that safeguarding children and adults is everybodys responsibility, including the escalation of any concerns.

Person Specification

Education

Essential

• Registered Midwife
• Qualified Professional Midwifery Advocate
• Evidence of continuous professional development
• Evidence of management and leadership skills and autonomous practice

Desirable

• Teaching qualification
• Management course

Experience

Essential

• At least 5 years post registration experience
• Currently practising as a midwife
• Previous experience as a PMA

Desirable

• Teaching/coaching experience

Knowledge and skills

Essential

• Indepth understanding of national drivers and initiatives in maternity care
• Able to work on own initiative and in collaboration with others
• Proven ability to make judgements involving complex facts or situations
• Evidence of knowledge and involvement in Quality Improvement projects
• Excellent verbal, written communication and facilitation skills
• Excellent leadership skills
• Ability to exercise own initiative and work to deadlines

Desirable

• Counselling skills

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

Address

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust - all sites

Darenth Wood Road

Dartford

DA2 8DA

Employer's website

https://www.dgt.nhs.uk/working-for-us (Opens in a new tab)