Job Overview
We have a new opportunity for a band 4 support worker to work within our Bereavement team.
The Support Worker should have recent experience of working in a maternity bereavement team. You will work along side the bereavement Midwife to support parents following the loss of a baby, providing care in hospital and home. The successful candidate will be sensitive to the needs of the family, and be able to support other members of staff in this area of work.
If you would like to be part of one of our exceptional teams at the RUH then we welcome you to apply.
Main duties of the job
The Support Worker is expected to undertake a set of defined competencies, that will support their currant experience of bereavement services in maternity. The post holder will support the wider multi-disciplinary team to provide clinical care to bereaved families. Helping to maintain the well-being of the birthing person and their family and assisting with the maintenance of a safe care environment. Including preparing and clearing rooms and equipment with particular reference to infection control and safe working environment for patients, visitors and staff. With training and under guidance they will be able to counsel parents on post mortem examinations and take consent for post mortem. This is a highly specialised skill, with legal requirements. The post holder will need to be sensitive and compassionate to the needs of the family. Work with and support maternity care assistants and maternity support workers in the clinical environment and on specific bereavement training to ensure that this part of the workforce has the skills, knowledge and confidence to support bereaved parents and families.
Working for our organisation
We are proud to be part of BSW Hospitals Group - a formal partnership between the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust. With a combined workforce of over 17, 600 colleagues, and budget of 1.6 billion the Group is united by a common purpose to deliver the best possible care to over 1 million people.
We are creating a health and care system that works with the people we care for, reducing the differences people currently face in access, experience and outcomes, improving the experience of our colleagues and tackling shared challenges like sustainability and finances. Every improvement we make across our Group will be guided by what creates the greatest benefit for our colleagues, our patients, our communities and our partners.
By working together, we make a real difference for our patients, each other, and our community. Every role matters in delivering the exceptional, person‑centred care we’re proud of.
We’re committed to a compassionate, inclusive culture where kindness is championed, differences are valued, and diversity makes us stronger.
We want to support you to thrive, taking your career to its full potential. We prioritise staff wellbeing – and yes, we even have a pool!
Discover what it’s like to live and work in Bath, explore our RUH staff benefits, and learn how we’re building healthcare for the future through the Dyson Cancer Centre and our commitment to research.
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
* Works as an effective team member. Understands the importance of team working in the delivery of high quality care.
* Demonstrates excellent two-way communication with birthing people, their families and the maternity team
* Works with team to maintain high standards of cleanliness in the clinical area.
* Assist with non-clinical activities to ensure the smooth running of the service
* Act as a role model by applying best practice and strive for continuous professional improvement
* Supports the Senior Midwives and Matron to ensure the service practices within Data Protection/ Confidentiality/ Caldicott principles
* Understands and can define their own role and those of others within the multidisciplinary team
* Actively promotes diversity, including race diversity, and to maintaining an environment where there is equal opportunity and commitment to anti-discriminatory, anti-racist and anti-stereotyping practices
* Have completed the care certificate and have all skills and competencies for a Band 2 Maternity Care Assistant and Band 3 Maternity Support worker.
Person specification
qualifiactions
Essential criteria
* Recent experience of bereavement services in maternity
* Care certificate
Desirable criteria
* Baby loss training
skills and knowledge
Essential criteria
* Experience of supporting families following baby loss
Desirable criteria
* Good working knowledge of medical terminology
Please note - Due to recent changes in UK immigration and visa rules applicants who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be considered unless an alternative right to work solution can be provided. Candidates requiring sponsorship (or will need sponsorship at the end of a current visa e.g. those with graduate visa's) should review the eligibility criteria on the gov.uk website before applying: Prove your right to work to an employer: Overview - GOV.UK
Applicant requirements
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.
Application numbers
This vacancy may close early if we receive a high number of applications. We strongly encourage you to complete and submit your application in good time to ensure it can be considered.
Documents to download
* Maternity Bereavement support worker (PDF, 243.1KB)
* Join the RUH (PDF, 1.3MB)
Further details / informal visits contact
Name Rebecca Walsh Job title Bereavement Lead Midwife Email address ***email_hidden*** Telephone number 01225826886