Job overview
The post holder will be an experienced midwife, practicing autonomously to provide infant feeding care and support to women and birthing people throughout the antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal periods.
To ensure staff are supported to deliver Infant feeding advice and to deliver the training programme to support the trust to deliver the Breast feeding initiative.
As a primary care provider, the midwife will support mothers, birthing people, and their families, working both in the hospital and community settings. The post holder will deliver care in accordance with the NMC Midwives Rules and Standards and Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Guidelines and Protocols.
Main duties of the job
Monitor and maintain clinical standards and lead quality improvement initiatives using audit tools to achieve Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).Provide effective leadership and day-to-day line management of the Infant Feeding Team. Act as the primary lead on all infant feeding matters within the maternity division. Ensure the provision of expert support and feeding advice, particularly for complex cases.
Be responsible for the operational delivery of the infant feeding service. Lead the development and implementation of infant feeding policies and practices across the maternity service. Act as the key contributor to the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) accreditation process with the aim of achieving Gold Standard status. Collaborate with partner organisations, such as Health Visiting teams, to enhance continuity and quality of feeding support. Support the wider maternity service during periods of operational pressure and escalation, as required.
Registered Midwife with current NMC registration. Significant post-registration experience in maternity services. Demonstrated expertise in infant feeding support and education. Experience in service development and leading change. Ability to lead and manage a team effectively.
Knowledge of the UNICEF BFI standards and accreditation processes. Excellent communication, teaching, and interpersonal skills
Working for our organisation
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology.
Our Values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
for full details see See Job Description attached :
Deliver high-quality, evidence-based maternity care across all care settings.
Act as a clinical resource and provide support to the multidisciplinary team.
Monitor and maintain clinical standards and lead quality improvement initiatives using audit tools to achieve Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
Infant Feeding Leadership:
Provide effective leadership and day-to-day line management of the Infant Feeding Team.
Act as the primary lead on all infant feeding matters within the maternity division.
Ensure the provision of expert support and feeding advice, particularly for complex cases.
Improve the consistency and quality of information and support provided to mothers and birthing people on infant feeding.
Be responsible for the operational delivery of the infant feeding service.
Strategic Development:
Lead the development and implementation of infant feeding policies and practices across the maternity service.
Act as the key contributor to the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) accreditation process with the aim of achieving Gold Standard status.
Collaborate with partner organisations, such as Health Visiting teams, to enhance continuity and quality of feeding support.
Support the wider maternity service during periods of operational pressure and escalation, as required.
Registered Midwife with current NMC registration.
Significant post-registration experience in maternity services.
Demonstrated expertise in infant feeding support and education.
Experience in service development and leading change.
Ability to lead and manage a team effectively.
Knowledge of the UNICEF BFI standards and accreditation processes.
Excellent communication, teaching, and interpersonal skills.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. •Registered Midwife with experience at band 6 level
2. •Evidence of continuing professional development
3. BFI accreditation knowledge
Desirable criteria
4. •Degree or evidence of level 3 study or diploma( or relevant experience)
5. •Frenulotomy/Tongue tie Qualification/ Practitioner
Experience
Essential criteria
6. •Rotational midwifery experience
7. •Act as mentor and assessor
8. •Experience in taking charge of shifts
Desirable criteria
9. •Has management experience
10. •Infant feeding experience in a specialist capacity
Knowledge
Essential criteria
11. •Has a keen interest in Infant feeding
12. •Has awareness of the baby friendly initiative
13. •Understanding of the need of confidentiality awareness at all times.
14. •Evidence based client centered care
15. •Demonstrates continual professional development
16. Knowledge of child protection issues and policies
17. •Demonstrate awareness of public health agenda
Desirable criteria
18. •Has a proven track record of the baby friendly initiative
19. •Awareness of resource management and budget control.
20. •Knowledge of research and audit and governance
21. •Has experience delivering Infant feeding Antenatal classes
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.