Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen, to join our baby friendly infant feeding team on the Postnatal Ward at East Lancashire NHS Trusts; we are looking for enthusiastic motivated and caring individuals who want to enhance the experience of the families who use our services. Working across inpatient services alongside Midwives and Doctors to deliver women centred, holistic and personalised care.
The post-holder will assist the Baby Friendly Lead in maintaining the Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) Standards within maternity / neonatal services and community services. This will be by providing infant feeding support and information to local families in the antenatal and postnatal period. Additional activities will be to assist the Baby Friendly Lead in infant feeding / BFI related activities, supporting the work of the Baby Friendly Team, at Band 3 level.
Main duties of the job
The scope of the role and the job description for the post is aligned with the national maternity support worker competency, education and career framework at Band 3 and enables opportunities to develop on an exciting career pathway.
The successful applicant will support the baby friendly infant feeding maternity teams, undertaking a range of clinical skills and providing knowledge and support to women and babies. Be accountable for particular reference to infection control, health and safety and audit. This will also include offering infant feeding support for which mandatory training will be given.
Working for our organisation
At East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust our vision is to be widely recognised for providing safe, personal and effective care. We currently provide high quality services and treat over 600,000 people across East Lancashire and the surrounding area. We employ over 8,000 staff, many of whom are internationally renowned and have won awards for their work.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Primarily this role will be with postnatal mothers. However, it may also include the facilitation of conversations with women in the antenatal period about their feeding choices and experiences.
The post holder will give information about feeding in the antenatal period to allow women to make fully informed choices, refer women for specialist information / support to the senior Baby Friendly Team members when appropriate, and support new mothers to establish breastfeeding and formula feeding on the Birth Centres and inpatient wards, using your skills and knowledge to teach them how to feed and handle their baby.
The successful candidate may also support mothers whose babies are on the neonatal unit / or whose babies aren’t breastfeeding effectively, to establish a milk supply and progress to breastfeeding effectively.
Person specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential criteria
* Evidence of appropriate training in relation to infant feeding and relationship building support and the BFI standards (Baby Friendly Initiative)
* GCSE English and Math Grade C/level 4 or equivalents
* Ability to assess effective infant feeding and develop / support individualized care plans that address feeding challenges.
* New post holders will be required to complete the neonatal BFI bolt on course in ELHT
Desirable criteria
* Evidence in additional training that would support this role.
* BFI qualified practitioner
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
* Experience in supporting infant feeding over a recent 12-month period in a Baby Friendly Service.
* Knowledge in relation to the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Maternity standards and Neonatal BFI standards – infant feeding and relationship building and safety topics such as safer sleep.
Desirable criteria
* Experience in facilitating the learning of others.
* Experience in auditing baby friendly care
Skills & Abilities
Essential criteria
* Ability to build effective working relationships, with an ability to inspire and motivate others.
* Ability to follow instructions, work independently and plan, prioritize and complete own workload in times of pressure.
* Proficient IT skills for documentation of activity and data collection
* Able to understand and comply with detailed instructions and care plans.
* Able to adapt to new ideas, knowledge and skills.
* Requires minimum supervision.
* Able to deal competently with conflict and complaints.
* Able to deal and manage confidential information.
Desirable criteria
* Experience of team working and motivating others
Special Requirements
Essential criteria
* A high interest and passion in infant feeding
* Able to work the hours required by the needs of the service – this may include weekend work.
* Able to adapt to change
* Self-resilience
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a high level of emotional intelligence. Have sympathetic and/sensitive approach and be able to speak effectively with staff, colleagues, patients and partners and visitors
* Excellent interpersonal skills, honest and trustworthy
* Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team in a busy working environment with an organized approach to work, paying attention to detail
* Able to deal with sensitive, emotional, and difficult situations with empathy, compassion, and confidence.
* Flexibility across hours of work
* Understand the importance of confidentiality
Desirable criteria
* Customer care experience
Values
Essential criteria
* Demonstrate alignment with the vision and values of the Trust.
* Demonstrate an understanding of the practices of equality and inclusion in the delivery of this role