Ashford & St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Maternity Support Worker, Band 2

This job is now closed

Job summary

A Maternity Assistant (MA) provides support to a maternity team, mothers and their families. A maternity assistant undertakes duties in a maternity setting, under the supervision of registered midwives, complementing the care that midwives provide to mothers and babies. An MA can carry out a vast range of clinical tasks that focus on the direct care of mothers and babies, housekeeping and documentation. They will work in all areas of the maternity settings; including the antenatal clinic, antenatal and postnatal ward, labour ward and obstetric theatres, with lots of support to achieve these skills and confidence. This is a developmental post with a structured pathway of progress to band 3 once the relevant competencies have been learned and assessed.

Main duties of the job

The role includes giving direct care to women and babies and supporting new mothers during the antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal period. Duties include personal and emotional care and support for patients, infant feeding and care of the newborn, taking observations, phlebotomy, risk assessing and general hospital administration. Clerical duties including use of the computer are required as are housekeeping responsibilities such as serving food, making beds and cleaning.

Maternity Assistants also take part in the care of bereaved parents and assist in maternity theatres during caesarean sections and other obstetric procedures. Cleaning theatres and delivery rooms after use will involve dealing with blood and other body fluids.

The maternity service is a 24-hour service and staff will be expected to be flexible within the agreed working pattern of the unit in all areas which includes a combination of day shifts, night shifts, weekends and bank holidays.

To help to ensure that the experience of the Trust of women, babies and their families is a positive and one.

To achieve professional development through completion of the care certificate and band 3 competency documents.

About us

Ashford and St. Peters Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust serves a population of more than 410,000 people living in the boroughs of Runnymede, Spelthorne, Woking and parts of Elmbridge, Hounslow, Surrey Heath and beyond. The Trust employs around 4,400 individual members of staff. Our turnover was £387.3 million in 2020/21.The Trust provides a whole range of services across its hospital sites. The majority of planned care, like day case and orthopaedic surgery and rehabilitation services, is provided at Ashford Hospital, with more complex medical and surgical care and emergency services at St. Peters Hospital. Our vision at Ashford & St Peters is to provide an outstanding experience and outcomes for patients and staff. There has never been a better time to join us in the NHS at Ashford & St Peters Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust with our strong commitment to staff health and wellbeing. We are committed to providing continuous professional development, staff benefits and flexibility to shape our workforce around our patient care.

Visit Join the Team - https://www.ashfordstpeters.nhs.uk/your-job-application

Date posted

15 July 2022

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£19,612 to £20,984 a year inc. HCAS

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9323-JNE2388

Job locations

Guildford Road

Chertsey

Surrey

KT16 0PZ

Job description

Job responsibilities

To maintain the highest possible standards of compassionate and professional patient care with particular attention to privacy and dignity.

Provide direct care to mothers and newborn babies and assist them in their daily living activities under direct and indirect supervision of a midwife.

Carry out basic observations of mother and baby and report any deviations from the normal to the midwife in charge.

Assist women in their chosen method of feeding and providing specific support to breastfeeding women.

Assist in Obstetric Theatre during planned and emergency procedures.

Promptly and accurately record care given.

Ensure a clean environment including the cleaning of beds and floors as required, minimising infection control risks.

Ensure equipment is clean and in working order and report any repairs necessary.

Be aware of the cost of equipment and clinical consumables and take responsibility for safe and prudent use.

Undertake clerical duties as required to deliver the service including data entry and maintenance

Maintain a secure environment within the maternity unit minimising risk to mothers and babies.

Understand Child Protection responsibilities and ensure that all concerns are communicated to the relevant personnel.

Support the midwife and doctor in the labour ward which may involve providing emotional support to women during labour and assisting at births.

Provide direct care and emotional support in a sympathetic manner to bereaved parents as required.

Recognise and promote the patient’s rights, cultural beliefs and values, with careful provision and respect for equality, diversity and inclusivity.

Understand and adhere to the procedures for dealing with complaints from service users, ensuring that they are dealt with promptly and sympathetically.

Work flexibility in all areas of the maternity service

Communication

Answer the telephone in accordance to the Trust’s Standards for Practice and Care and refer calls to the appropriate person.

Communicate with patients and relatives in a courteous, caring, sensitive and appropriate manner, and refer to the midwife in charge as required.

Report any incidents, accidents, concerns, near misses or complaints to the midwife in charge.

Be sensitive to the patient and their environment, ensuring communication of a personal and or private nature is discreet and patient confidentiality is maintained.

Learning and Training Requirements

To achieve agreed objectives and competencies within the agreed time frame.

To complete a nationally recognised Care Certificate in full by six months of employment.

Develop knowledge and keep updated in the care and observation requirements of women and the newborn through training and mentorship.

Be accountable for maintaining compliance with mandatory training specific to both the trust and the maternity department.

Develop good working relationships with the wider team and work under direct supervision

Undertake training for Obstetric Theatre duties

Attend Child Protection training and be able to apply this in the maternity unit.

Learn how to maintain a clean, safe and secure environment in the maternity unit and how to reduce infection control and security risks.

Learn how to safely use, clean and maintain equipment.

Learn how to use and dispose of the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) in the relevant clinical areas during the relevant tasks.

Ensure an understanding of any local clerical duties, acquiring the necessary skills to deliver the service.

To be trained in basic computer data entry such as Badgernet, Surrey Safe Care and other relevant software.

To learn how to provide appropriate support to midwives and doctors and how to provide emotional support to women during the perinatal period.