Job summary
The post holder will be required to support the Infant Feeding
Team when caring for women and birthing people attending for their Antenatal
Clinic appointments during pregnancy. They will advise on the benefits of
initiating breastfeeding and discuss health promotion stratergies related to
infant feeding methods.
The post holder will work as part of the Infant Feeding Team
in line with Trust policies, guidelines and UNICEF standards for infant
feeding. This is a fantastic opportunity for staff who are interested in
maternity care to gain experience and expertise within this important area of
maternity care.
The post holder will undertake appropriate
training to meet the needs of the service ensuring competency is achieved,
maintained and updated yearly.
Main duties of the job
This is an interesting and varied role, working
independently with women and families under the guidance of the midwifery and
obstetric team. It would suit an experienced Health Care Assistant who has a
passion for patient education and collaboration and a drive to achieve
important public health outcomes that directly infulence the health of our
local communty. An interest and understanding of the importance of breast
feeding initiation or previous experience caring for women and children would
be advantageous to the role. The role will include;
Providing care to women requiring Infant Feeding support
in line with agreed competencies.
Supporting and assisting the Infant Feeding team in providing
safe, effective and timely Infant Feeding advice.
Providing support to women seen within specialist infant
feeding clinics.
Being able to input data accurately and appropriately, and
coordinate the facilitation of Infant feeding training dates in relation to
this.
Working alongside the Infant Feeding Team, and
support with the maintenance of the Trusts UNICEF accreditation, in line with
the needs of the Infant Feeding Team.
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.
From April 1 2024 we are unable to offer sponsorship for healthcare roles that do not meet the minimum salary, If you are in the UK on a VISA please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post.
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.
Job description
Job responsibilities
We have an attractive opportunity for motivated staff
members to come and join our dedicated Infant Feeding Team with focus on Infant
Feeding advice, support and education for women and families cared for by our
wider maternity teams within the Antenatal Clinic Setting.
As a Maternity Infant Feeding Support Worker within our team
you will be uniquely placed to improve the outcomes of maternal and newborn
feeding experience, by providing high quality and safe care through clinical
excellence, based within our maternity antenatal clinic. The postholders will
be expected to contribuite towards healthy maternal and infant weight agenda,
delivering upon UNICEF standards, promoting and driving the Infant Feeding
Agenda.
Breastfeeding initiation rates for County Durham
and Darlington have remained lower than our target over recent years despite
continued promotion and high-quality support for breastfeeding mothers,
including working toward full UNICEF Baby Friendly Accreditation within our key
services, and we look to postholders to work with us to influence positive change
through this varied and exciting role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
We have an attractive opportunity for motivated staff
members to come and join our dedicated Infant Feeding Team with focus on Infant
Feeding advice, support and education for women and families cared for by our
wider maternity teams within the Antenatal Clinic Setting.
As a Maternity Infant Feeding Support Worker within our team
you will be uniquely placed to improve the outcomes of maternal and newborn
feeding experience, by providing high quality and safe care through clinical
excellence, based within our maternity antenatal clinic. The postholders will
be expected to contribuite towards healthy maternal and infant weight agenda,
delivering upon UNICEF standards, promoting and driving the Infant Feeding
Agenda.
Breastfeeding initiation rates for County Durham
and Darlington have remained lower than our target over recent years despite
continued promotion and high-quality support for breastfeeding mothers,
including working toward full UNICEF Baby Friendly Accreditation within our key
services, and we look to postholders to work with us to influence positive change
through this varied and exciting role.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Maths and English at GCSE or Equivalent.
Desirable
- Knowledge of Infant Feeding Agendas.
Special Requirements
Essential
- Ability to travel across site and community areas to provide care in a range of settings.
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of health and lifestyle issues relating to adults (gained through practical experience and/or a health related qualification).
- Skills to listen, influence, negotiate and motivate individuals in relation to health related behaviours.
- Ability to handle sensitive data with confidentiality.
- Good communication, interpersonal and listening skills.
- Good sound IT skills with experience in a range of Office packages.
- Ability to act upon own initiative, respond to changing situations with good organisational and time management skills.
- Be supportive and encouraging to people, offering advice and motivation in a non-judgemental manner.
- Ability to work well under pressure.
Desirable
- Experience of working in a partnership or with partners.
- Experience of evaluating projects or services, using a range of techniques.
- An awareness of behaviour change models.
- Ability to collate information and prepare reports.
- Sympathetic, pleasant manner with the ability to negotiate behaviour changes with a wide range of people and at all levels.
- Able to deliver factual information using reassurance, tact and empathy.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working within a healthcare setting.
Desirable
- Experience of working with pregnant women and their families.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Maths and English at GCSE or Equivalent.
Desirable
- Knowledge of Infant Feeding Agendas.
Special Requirements
Essential
- Ability to travel across site and community areas to provide care in a range of settings.
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of health and lifestyle issues relating to adults (gained through practical experience and/or a health related qualification).
- Skills to listen, influence, negotiate and motivate individuals in relation to health related behaviours.
- Ability to handle sensitive data with confidentiality.
- Good communication, interpersonal and listening skills.
- Good sound IT skills with experience in a range of Office packages.
- Ability to act upon own initiative, respond to changing situations with good organisational and time management skills.
- Be supportive and encouraging to people, offering advice and motivation in a non-judgemental manner.
- Ability to work well under pressure.
Desirable
- Experience of working in a partnership or with partners.
- Experience of evaluating projects or services, using a range of techniques.
- An awareness of behaviour change models.
- Ability to collate information and prepare reports.
- Sympathetic, pleasant manner with the ability to negotiate behaviour changes with a wide range of people and at all levels.
- Able to deliver factual information using reassurance, tact and empathy.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working within a healthcare setting.
Desirable
- Experience of working with pregnant women and their families.
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.
Employer details
Employer name
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust
Hollyhurst Road
Darlington
County Durham
DL3 6HX
Employer's website
https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
