Job summary
To work as an integral member of the multi-disciplinary maternity care team, caring for women and babies within the locality with competence, compassion, and respect, mindful always of issues of consent and principles of equality and diversity.
To support midwives in the provision of effective infant feeding support in the hospital.
To attend Trust Mandatory training days, complete the 'Care Certificate' and competencies specialist to this role.
To share impartial, evidenced based information about Infant feeding with antenatal and postnatal women to enable them to make a fully informed choice as to how they feed and care for their babies in accordance with the Trust 'Standards for Infant Feeding' and associated guidelines.
To support mothers in safe feeding practices should they choose to feed their baby with formula milk.
To work under the guidance and direction of midwives, undertaking delegated tasks once trained and declared competent and aware at all times of the responsibilities and limitations of the MCA role.
Main duties of the job
All duties are performed in co-operation with other staff, complementing the roles of maternity support workers, midwives, housekeepers, domestic staff, clerical support staff, nursery nurses and so on; the extent and focus of the role will therefore vary according to the presence or absence of these people in each area of work.
The following description is not exhaustive; the MCA may be required to perform other reasonable tasks, providing she feels competent to do so.
About us
Why colleagues think we are "a great place to work!"
What does Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust offer you?
As part of our BHT family, you'll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression.
Alongside NHS benefits of generous annual leave entitlement and pension scheme, you'll have access to NHS discount schemes.
We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce.
What do we stand for?
Our vision is to provide outstanding care, support healthy communities and be a great place to work.
Our mission is to provide personal and compassionate care every time.
We are working hard to increase diversity at all levels within the trust. We believe a diverse workforce can have a positive effect on both staff wellbeing and patient outcomes.
We welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates, candidates with disabilities and care-experienced candidates.
We are proud to achieve the Gold award for the Armed Forces Covenant and support applications from the Armed Forces Community. Please contact Pam.Daley@nhs.net (our Armed Forces Covenant Lead) if you would like guidance or assistance with your application.
We make employment decisions by matching our service needs with the skills and experience of candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.
Job description
Job responsibilities
HOUSEKEEPING and ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Clean, restock and make ready beds, cubicles, rooms, and other clinical areas between patients on the antenatal/postnatal ward, labour ward and in clinics.
2. Using appropriate checklists, check, clean and restock as necessary clinical trolleys, community bags, neonatal resuscitaires and other items.
3. Monitor, order, and store in orderly fashion clinical and non-clinical supplies, in co-operation with housekeepers and clerical support staff, for use in both hospital and community settings.
4. Work with all other staff to ensure a generally clean, safe and tidy working environment in clinical and non-clinical areas, in the community and in hospital.
5. Assist midwives with the cleaning, care and orderly storage of medical devices and other clinical equipment in all settings.
6. As requested by midwives, report defective devices to the medical engineering department or other agencies.
7. Welcome, supervise and attend to the needs of visitors to the hospital, being mindful of the security policy within the Maternity Unit.
8. Greet, involve and treat with courtesy and respect all family members and others involved in support of mother and baby in community settings.
9. Report accidents and other incidents to the midwife in charge of the area and complete appropriate records, including DATIX forms.
10. Ensure care and safe keeping of patients personal possessions in accordance with hospital policy.
CLINICAL CARE
1. Assist midwives during antenatal and postnatal clinics and checks; meet and greet women, listen and comfort, fetch equipment, prepare rooms and couches, prepare women for examinations, keep the clinic area clean, orderly and efficient, help with baby care and breastfeeding, answer questions if within competence or refer to midwife.
Job description
Job responsibilities
HOUSEKEEPING and ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Clean, restock and make ready beds, cubicles, rooms, and other clinical areas between patients on the antenatal/postnatal ward, labour ward and in clinics.
2. Using appropriate checklists, check, clean and restock as necessary clinical trolleys, community bags, neonatal resuscitaires and other items.
3. Monitor, order, and store in orderly fashion clinical and non-clinical supplies, in co-operation with housekeepers and clerical support staff, for use in both hospital and community settings.
4. Work with all other staff to ensure a generally clean, safe and tidy working environment in clinical and non-clinical areas, in the community and in hospital.
5. Assist midwives with the cleaning, care and orderly storage of medical devices and other clinical equipment in all settings.
6. As requested by midwives, report defective devices to the medical engineering department or other agencies.
7. Welcome, supervise and attend to the needs of visitors to the hospital, being mindful of the security policy within the Maternity Unit.
8. Greet, involve and treat with courtesy and respect all family members and others involved in support of mother and baby in community settings.
9. Report accidents and other incidents to the midwife in charge of the area and complete appropriate records, including DATIX forms.
10. Ensure care and safe keeping of patients personal possessions in accordance with hospital policy.
CLINICAL CARE
1. Assist midwives during antenatal and postnatal clinics and checks; meet and greet women, listen and comfort, fetch equipment, prepare rooms and couches, prepare women for examinations, keep the clinic area clean, orderly and efficient, help with baby care and breastfeeding, answer questions if within competence or refer to midwife.
Person Specification
SKILLS, ABILITIES & KNOWLEDGE
Essential
- Ability to write clearly and legibly in English
- Willingness to undertake the Health and Social Care level 3 apprenticeship
- Understands concept of Confidentiality and standards of conduct and care
EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING
Desirable
- National Care Certificate
- Functional Skills in English and Maths, (Level1 or equivalent) at interview assessment, or GCSE A to G
- Level 2 or Level 3 In Health and Social Care Subject (or willingness to work towards)
Experience
Desirable
- Understands nature of the HCSW role and responsibilities
- Previous experience in a health care environment
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
Essential
- Work agreed shift patterns designed to meet service needs
Person Specification
SKILLS, ABILITIES & KNOWLEDGE
Essential
- Ability to write clearly and legibly in English
- Willingness to undertake the Health and Social Care level 3 apprenticeship
- Understands concept of Confidentiality and standards of conduct and care
EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING
Desirable
- National Care Certificate
- Functional Skills in English and Maths, (Level1 or equivalent) at interview assessment, or GCSE A to G
- Level 2 or Level 3 In Health and Social Care Subject (or willingness to work towards)
Experience
Desirable
- Understands nature of the HCSW role and responsibilities
- Previous experience in a health care environment
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
Essential
- Work agreed shift patterns designed to meet service needs
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
