About this role
Job summary
The post holder will be required to support the Infant Feeding Team when caring for women and birthing people attending for their Antenatal Clinic appointments during pregnancy. They will advise on the benefits of initiating breastfeeding and discuss health promotion strategies related to infant feeding methods.
The post holder will work as part of the Infant Feeding Team in line with Trust policies, guidelines and UNICEF standards for infant feeding. This is a fantastic opportunity for staff who are interested in maternity care to gain experience and expertise within this important area of maternity care.
The post holder will undertake appropriate training to meet the needs of the service ensuring competency is achieved, maintained and updated yearly.
This is a 36 month Fixed Term opportunity.
Main duties of the job
This is an interesting and varied role, working independently with women and families under the guidance of the midwifery and obstetric team. It would suit an experienced Health Care Assistant who has a passion for patient education and collaboration and a drive to achieve important public health outcomes that directly influence the health of our local community. An interest and understanding of the importance of breast-feeding initiation or previous experience caring for women and children would be advantageous to the role. The role will include;
Providing care to women requiring Infant Feeding support in line with agreed competencies.
Supporting and assisting the Infant Feeding team in providing safe, effective and timely Infant Feeding advice.
Providing support to women seen within specialist infant feeding clinics.
Being able to input data accurately and appropriately and coordinate the facilitation of Infant feeding training dates in relation to this.
Working alongside the Infant Feeding Team, and support with the maintenance of the Trusts UNICEF accreditation, in line with the needs of the Infant Feeding Team.
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.
Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
Job description Job responsibilities
We have an attractive opportunity for motivated staff members to come and join our dedicated Infant Feeding Team with focus on Infant Feeding advice, support and education for women and families cared for by our wider maternity teams within the Antenatal Clinic Setting.
As a Maternity Infant Feeding Support Worker within our team, you will be uniquely placed to improve the outcomes of maternal and newborn feeding experience, by providing high quality and safe care through clinical excellence, based within our maternity antenatal clinic. The postholders will be expected to contribute towards healthy maternal and infant weight agenda, delivering upon UNICEF standards, promoting and driving the Infant Feeding Agenda.
Breastfeeding initiation rates for County Durham and Darlington have remained lower than our target over recent years despite continued promotion and high-quality support for breastfeeding mothers, including working toward full UNICEF Baby Friendly Accreditation within our key services, and we look to postholders to work with us to influence positive change through this varied and exciting role.
Person Specification
Experience Essential
Experience of working within a healthcare setting.
Desirable
Experience of working with pregnant women and their families.
Qualifications Essential
Maths and English at GCSE or Equivalent
Desirable
Knowledge of Infant Feeding Agendas.
Specials Skills & Knowledge Essential
Knowledge of health and lifestyle issues relating to adults (gained through practical experience and/or a health related qualification). Skills to listen, influence, negotiate and motivate individuals in relation to health related behaviours. Ability to handle sensitive data with confidentiality. Good communication, interpersonal and listening skills. Good sound IT skills with experience in a range of Office packages. Ability to act upon own initiative, respond to changing situations with good organisational and time management skills. Be supportive and encouraging to people, offering advice and motivation in a non-judgemental manner. Ability to work well under pressure.
Desirable
Experience of working in a partnership or with partners. Experience of evaluating projects or services, using a range of techniques. An awareness of behaviour change models. Ability to collate information and prepare reports. Sympathetic, pleasant manner with the ability to negotiate behaviour changes with a wide range of people and at all levels. Able to deliver factual information using reassurance, tact and empathy
Special Requirement Essential
Ability to travel across site and community areas to provide care in a range of settings. Driving posts musty have valid Full UK 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 County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust
Hollyhurst Road
Darlington
County Durham
DL3 6HX
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)