About this role
Job summary
An opportunity has become available for a Maternity Support worker t to work within our hospital midwifery team. The Maternity Support Worker will be providing care to women and their families within the Maternity Assessment Unit, Antenatal Clinic and Theatre whilst also supporting midwives providing antenatal care.Good communication skills are essential and also a willingness to embrace change and be passionate about offering a good quality service supporting women in their choices.
Main duties of the job
The Maternity Support Worker will work as an integral member of the multidisciplinary maternity team, providing high-quality, compassionate care to women and their families throughout pregnancy and the antenatal period. The post holder will support registered midwives and medical staff in the delivery of safe, effective, and woman-centred care across the Antenatal Clinic, Maternity Assessment Unit, and Theatre environments.
The post holder will be expected to demonstrate kindness, professionalism, and respect at all times, promoting a positive experience for women, babies, and their families whilst supporting the delivery of high-quality maternity services.
About us
The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust is the main provider of hospital services for the population of Reading, Newbury, Wokingham and the towns and villages of West Berkshire.
At our heart we are a local hospital that works with NHS and social care partners to provide excellent healthcare services for over 500,000 people who currently live in our catchment area. We also provide specialist hospital services beyond the county's borders.
We employ more than 5,500 staff from 39 different nationalities and deliver care from a network of facilities across sites in Bracknell, Henley-on-Thames, Reading, Thatcham and Windsor.
Each year we are responsible for efficiently and effectively spending more than £400m of NHS resources on the services we provide.
As a founder member of the Berkshire West Integrated Care System, we are one of NHS England's demonstrator sites for integration between primary, community, mental health and acute healthcare services.
Job description Job responsibilities
The Health Care Support Worker should complete the Care Certificate providing that care has been assessed against a specific set of standards and has demonstrated that they have the skills, knowledge and behaviours to ensure they provide compassionate and high quality care and support (HEE, Skills for Health & Skills for Care, 2015).
Key responsibilities include:
Assist midwives in delivering antenatal care and support to women attending clinic appointments and assessments. Undertake delegated clinical duties within the scope of competence, including recording maternal observations, urinalysis, venepuncture, blood pressure monitoring, specimen collection, and point-of-care testing as required. Support the smooth running of the Maternity Assessment Unit by welcoming women and families, preparing clinical areas, chaperoning examinations, and assisting with patient flow. Provide emotional support and reassurance to women and their families during periods of assessment, investigation, and treatment. Prepare clinical rooms, equipment, and supplies, ensuring safe, clean, and well-stocked environments in accordance with infection prevention and control standards. Support midwives and theatre teams in the preparation of women undergoing elective and emergency procedures, including caesarean births. Assist with theatre setup, equipment checks, stock management, and maintaining a safe, efficient theatre environment. Provide support during operative procedures, including assisting with patient positioning, transfer, documentation, and post-operative care under the direction of the midwife and theatre team. Support infant feeding, skin-to-skin contact, and early parent-infant bonding in accordance with local policies and Baby Friendly Initiative standards. Accurately document care provided and maintain confidentiality in line with Trust policies, professional standards, and data protection requirements. Recognise and promptly report any concerns relating to a woman's physical or emotional wellbeing, escalating appropriately to the registered midwife or relevant healthcare professional. Participate in maintaining a safe environment by adhering to safeguarding, infection prevention, health and safety, and risk management procedures. Work collaboratively with midwives, obstetricians, anaesthetists, neonatal staff, and other members of the multidisciplinary team to ensure coordinated and effective care. Contribute to service improvement initiatives and actively participate in mandatory training, competency assessments, supervision, and continuing professional development
To be able to achieve the competencies in relation to supporting the midwives support women/birth people in the birth process as described in the development passport for band 3 maternity support worker
Assists in the monitoring and maintenance of the health, safety and security of self and others in work area. The post holder must ensure that they work within risk management/ occupational health legislation and Trust procedures for safe working practices.
Demonstrates a commitment to continued personal development. Works towards completion of Trusts Maternity Care Assistant Competency Framework within an appropriate timescale.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Basic Numeracy & Literacy
Desirable
NVQ level 3 in promoting care or promoting independence
Experience Essential
Experience as an HCA/MCA in a community or hospital setting
Desirable
Infant feeding experience
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 Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Address Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
London Road
Reading
RG1 5AN
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)