Here at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, we are proud to provide expert, compassionate care for our local population. We are ranked as the third in the country for research, embedding education and training across the organisation. Our main hub is the Queen Alexandra Hospital, which is one of the largest hospitals on the south coast employing over 8,700 staff.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and caring Maternity Support Worker to join our highly skilled and multi-disciplined Maternity Service, providing outstanding care to women and their families.  Portsmouth Maternity Service has recently been rated as 'Good' by the CQC and we have recently been successful in achieving our Level 2 BFI accreditation.  It is a really exciting time to join us as we move forward with our future visions and our final stages of achieving full BFI accreditation. We are a forward-thinking and innovative Trust, committed to developing and encouraging our colleagues to progress within their careers.

We currently have a 9 month fixed term contracts available.  Successful internal applicants will be offered a 9 month secondment. 

The successful applicants will provide high-quality, family centred infant feeding support to parents and babies with minimal supervision, but under the direction of the Registered Midwife.

To work as part of the multi-disciplinary team, working flexibly across Solent NHS trust and maternity to meet the family hub objectives. You will be responsible for undertaking appropriate interventions, working in partnership with clients and other health professionals, statutory and voluntary organisations to enable maximum participation in midwifery services. Ensure high standards are maintained in a safe environment, which promotes equality, diversity, and sensitivity for all individuals.

The family hub maternity support worker role is a diverse role incorporating elements of clinical, clerical, and housekeeping duties. Working collaboratively with the midwives, health Visitors, multi professional teams, service users and their families to provide excellent care. The Maternity Support worker will be accountable to the midwife she is working with, whilst always maintaining the dignity of patients and relatives, respecting their individual needs and wishes. Whilst always maintaining a professional and presentable image.

Key Responsibilities:

• To be a role model for high standards in infant feeding support in line with the UNICEF Baby Friendly Standards, ensuring the infant feeding advice and care is based on current evidence, guidelines and policies
• Competent to support families in their chosen method of feeding giving clear and consistent information on infant feeding and following and revising feeding plans as appropriate.
• Able to recognise feeding difficulties and is capable to provide support and knows when to escalate feeding difficulties to midwifery staff.
• Undertake BFI audits with staff and families in accordance with the implementation of BFI standards and procedures to ensure maintenance of safe working practices for women, their families and colleagues
• Work with the perinatal mental health team to target and support maternal mental health
• Supporting parents to build strong relationships with their babies
• Be able to work in hospital and community settings as required, adhering to the lone working policy where applicable.
• Contribute to the provision of a welcoming environment for staff, women, and their families by promoting the Trust Maternity Services as a centre of excellence both internally and externally.
• Is able to perform Neonatal and/or Maternal observations competently, record and report appropriately, whilst identifying deviations from normal and escalating concerns to Midwife.
• Support the midwives on Transitional care ward caring for babies requiring clinical care and interventions (Main unit setting). Taking a proactive approach to establish feeding.
• Phlebotomy skills for both mother and baby (Blood Sugars, SBRs, Newborn Screening, bloods).
• To preform clinical investigations, such as urinalysis, blood pressure recordings, height, and weight measurements and C0 monitor measurements
• Promote healthy lifestyles by offering support and information on diet, smoke cessation, and substance and alcohol misuse, signposting to the appropriate professional/agency.
• Provide information and evidence-based advice regarding infant feeding, parenting skills and support for all women and their /families. 
• Facilitate workshops to women using the service on Antenatal Breast Feeding and Parent Education. (Community)
• Assist in the emergency resuscitation of women and babies, acting as a scribe when required.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Educated to GCSE/’O’ level standard or equivalent (including English language & Math’s) at grade C or 4 and above
• NVQ/BTEC level 3 Qualification in health-related subject
• Care Certificate
• 2 years experience of the specialty area (maternity, child health / peer support)
• Experience working in an acute or community setting  

Desired but not essential as training will be provided:

• UNICEF BFI training
• Newborn Observation Training
• Solihull Approach
• Mental Health First Aid

Skills and Knowledge:

• Ability to work as part of a team
• Effective patient/client care skills
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to work on own initiative.

Other:

• Motivation to meet the patients' needs for self and others.
• Ability to demonstrate confidentiality and trustworthiness.
• Ability to juggle many priorities at one time, whilst remaining calm
• Desire to deliver compassionate hands-on care in the hospital environment
• Can demonstrate understanding of and share the Trust values of Working Together for Patients, with Compassion, as One Team, Always Improving
• Experience of working with people in a care home or within a hospital setting.

The health and wellbeing of our staff is at the forefront of everything we do. We are proud to be able to offer our staff some fantastic benefits including our on-site Nursery, access to our free Beach Hut for those long summer days, our on-site Wellness Centre including a gym and a swimming pool, access to our fantastic staff networks including LGBTQ, Race Equality and DisAbility, and awards ceremonies to recognise your achievements. We believe we can offer support to all of our staff when they need it the most.   

We welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of your education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, colour, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and beliefs.