About this role
Job summary
The Maternity Discharge Support Worker will provide a compassionate and supportive role in assisting with the smooth transition of care for women and families following childbirth. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, this role will involve offering physical and emotional support to mothers and newborns, ensuring that they receive the appropriate guidance and information prior to discharge from the maternity unit. The role will be vital in enhancing the experience of service users and ensuring continuity of care after leaving the hospital
Interview date: TBC
Main duties of the job
The Band 4 Maternity Discharge Support Worker will play a key role in facilitating a smooth and efficient discharge process for mothers and their newborns, ensuring they receive the necessary support, guidance, and care information before leaving the maternity unit.
This role involves providing practical assistance to families, supporting the coordination of follow-up care, and liaising with multidisciplinary teams to ensure continuity of care post-discharge. The Maternity Discharge Support Worker will deliver compassionate and person-centred support, promoting a positive and safe transition from hospital to home for new mothers and their babies.
The post holder will maintain an overview of incoming admissions and ensure early recognition of the ability to discharge home which will enable the flow of the postnatal ward to run seamlessly and alleviate pressure on the wider team.The postholder will work closely with the Midwife in charge and in co-ordination with the midwifery team will take responsibility for women and their babies who have been assessed as fit for discharge.
About us
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is an integrated Trust and the only provider of NHS acute care in Walsall, serving a population of 284,300, providing inpatient and outpatient services at the Manor Hospital as well as a wide range of services in the community. Walsall Manor houses the full range of district general hospital services under one roof. The £170 million development was completed in 2010 and the continued upgrading of existing areas ensures the Trust now has a state-of-the-art Critical Care Unit, Neonatal Unit, Obstetric Theatre, and Integrated Assessment Unit facilities.
A new Urgent Emergency Care Centre was opened in March 2023. The two-storey development has significantly improved emergency care facilities and capacity and has provided almost 5,000 square metres of additional clinical space.
Job description Job responsibilities
The Band 4 Maternity Discharge Support Worker will play a key role in facilitating a smooth and efficient discharge process for mothers and their newborns, ensuring they receive the necessary support, guidance, and care information before leaving the maternity unit.
This role involves providing practical assistance to families, supporting the coordination of follow-up care, and liaising with multidisciplinary teams to ensure continuity of care post-discharge. The Maternity Discharge Support Worker will deliver compassionate and person-centred support, promoting a positive and safe transition from hospital to home for new mothers and their babies.
The post holder will maintain an overview of incoming admissions and ensure early recognition of the ability to discharge home which will enable the flow of the postnatal ward to run seamlessly and alleviate pressure on the wider team.The postholder will work closely with the Midwife in charge and in co-ordination with the midwifery team will take responsibility for women and their babies who have been assessed as fit for discharge.
They will have oversight of tasks related to feeding, infant care, Safe Sleeping, Periprem Passport, Health Education/ discharge advice and routine Enquiry completion prior to discharge. They will further work collaboratively with the NIPE Midwife to collaboratively identify order of priority for both examination and discharge to ensure flow throughout the department. The post holder will be required to support and undertake referrals to specialist practitioners/therapists as appropriate for both mum and baby i.e. BCG clinic, physio referral and any other referral as required.
Within their remit, the Maternity Discharge Support Worker will liaise with appropriate external professionals to facilitate the discharge process. i.e. safeguarding midwives/childrens services to identify when a case conference is due to take place.The post holder with appropriate training will develop their knowledge and understanding of the needs of the newborn baby and be able to give practical support to mothers with the care of their babies such as bathing, nappy changing, cord care and will deliver STORK training.The postholder will be instrumental in supporting education programmes and the upskilling of the junior work force to develop knowledge and understanding of discharge management including all requirements within our digital platforms, sending of birth notifications, GP liaison & the discharge process including managing patient expectations.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
.NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care (or equivalent experience) .Previous experience in a maternity or healthcare setting
Desirable
.STORK training Qualification
Knowledge and Experience Essential
.Basic understanding of maternity care, postnatal care, and infant care .Awareness of relevant NHS policies and procedures, including those related to discharge planning .Understanding of confidentiality and data protection regulations
Desirable
.Experience in supporting women in their feeding method of choice. Proficient in Breastfeeding and Artificial Feeding support Experience of managing a small team
Key Competencies Essential
Demonstrates a compassionate and empathetic approach to supporting new mothers and families, ensuring that their individual needs and preferences are respected Communicates effectively with patients, families, and multidisciplinary healthcare teams to ensure that all discharge plans are clearly understood and followed Supports the smooth transition of patients from the maternity unit to home by assisting with discharge planning and ensuring all necessary paperwork, instructions, and referrals are completed Demonstrates a good understanding of postnatal care requirements for both mothers and newborns, including breastfeeding, wound care, and infant care Provides emotional support to new mothers, addressing concerns related to their physical and mental health, and offering reassurance and guidance Manages time efficiently and effectively to support multiple discharge processes, ensuring that all tasks are completed within appropriate timeframes Maintains accurate and confidential records, including discharge plans, patient interactions, and follow-up arrangements Ensures a safe environment for patients, visitors, and staff, adhering to infection control guidelines and NHS health and safety standards Works collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, including midwives, healthcare assistants, and doctors, to ensure seamless care and effective discharge planning Supports colleagues in the delivery of care and assists with any tasks as directed Adapts to changing patient needs, discharge requirements, and hospital demands with a flexible and positive attitude
Skills and Aptitudes Essential
Compassion & Sensitivity - Supporting families during an emotional and significant life event Attention to Detail -Ensuring all discharge procedures are completed thoroughly Resilience & Adaptability - Coping with high-pressure situations in a hospital setting Cultural Awareness -Respecting diverse backgrounds and providing inclusive care
Flexibility Essential
This role requires flexibility to work various shifts, including weekends and bank holidays
Other Desirable
Full driving licence
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust
Address Walsall Manor Hospital
Moat Road
Walsall
WS2 9PS
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://walsallhealthcare.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)