Maternity Support Worker - Infant Feeding Team

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Professional Values

To act in a professional manner and ensure Trust standards are maintained and monitored to improve the quality of care to all who come into contact with the services provided by South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust 

Uphold the Trust values and standards at all times.  

Ensure records and documentation are maintained, kept confidential and meet Trust standards in line with the Data Protection Act 

Demonstrates a positive and enthusiastic approach to their work in order to maintain high morale and motivation within the team. Promoting a professional and positive working environment

To report any accidents or incidents as described by the Trust’s policy and procedures ensuring an open and transparent culture

To take reasonable care of the health and safety of themselves and of other persons

To adhere to the Trust’s dress code policy, maintaining a smart appearance at all times

To assist other wards, departments and teams within the Trust as and when required by Service needs

To adhere to the Trust’s IT policies regarding e-mail and internet usage

To ensure children and adults are protected from abuse and avoidable harm and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.

Non-Clinical Responsibilities

Assist with the admission, orientation and discharge of women and their babies in accordance with local policy and guidance. 

Ensure that all clinical documentation is accurately collected, updated, stored and filed in accordance with local information governance and record keeping policy and guidance. 

Work closely with administrative staff to provide additional support to this service as required. 

Participate in tracking, obtaining and filing clinical records as required, under instruction and in line with local policy and guidance. 

Provide administrative support to the maternity team, both in the hospital and community settings. 

Manage own time effectively whilst prioritising care needs for women and their babies under care under the direction of the midwife.  

Act reliably; relaying messages to the appropriate person in an effective and timely manner, whilst maintaining women’s confidentiality.  

Convey an approachable and professional attitude to all mothers and their families. 

Communicate effectively with women and their families in all settings, with particular attention to providing updates on any delays or changes to their care. 

Ensure that knowledge of local safeguarding policy and procedure is maintained. 

Ensure the working order of equipment, reporting any concerns, faults or breakages to the appropriate person in a timely manner. 

Report any incidents or concerns using the local risk management reporting system and escalate such concerns or incidents appropriately and in a timely manner.

Successfully complete the band 3 regional framework competency document within 6 months of employment 

Successfully complete the ‘care certificate’ competency booklet within the first six months of employment. 

Identify own training and development needs and undertake appropriate training/education as required. 

Be aware of own professional limitations and develop practice through reflection, mentorship and appraisal. 

Attend all statutory and mandatory training as and when required. 

Participate in annual individual performance review process, whereby objectives will be agreed, performance monitored, and personal development needs discussed. 

Be conversant with the local infection control policy, whilst ensuring mandates are adhered to at all times. 

Act responsibly in respect of colleague’s health, safety and welfare following safety at work practices, whilst working in compliance with local health and safety policy and guidance. 

Participate in the audit of standards within the unit if appropriate.

Clinical Practice

To accurately and promptly carry out the instructions of the registered professional who is professionally accountable for the delivery of care. 

To support relatives demonstrating compassion and empathy under the guidance of a registered professional. 

To assist with the discharge process for patients as directed by the registered professional.  

Responsibly receive details of daily duties from the midwife/RN, and use own discretion when prioritising care, under direction. 

Undertake routine observations and escalate any deviation from the normal range to the named midwife or appropriate member of the multi-professional team. 

Support women during clinical procedures, including attending to any personal hygiene needs as necessary.

Working within maternity theatres, assisting the multi-disciplinary team with elective and emergency procedures.  This role includes; identifying instruments, calculating blood loss, assisting with the scrubbing process and anticipating the needs of the team.

Provide support to labouring women if asked to do so, and under the supervision of the midwife.  

Supporting women in their choice of infant feeding and have awareness of the options available. 

Provide evidence-based support, assistance and advice to women who are breastfeeding, or are planning to breastfeed 

Support and assist women with artificial feeding in line with local and national policy and guidance. 

Recognise and report any abnormal events or emergencies to the multidisciplinary team through the appropriate means, in a timely manner 

Perform venepuncture in line with local policy and guidance following completion of the appropriate competency. 

Assist with the transportation of blood products if asked to do so, and have an awareness of the storage requirements

Assist in the maintenance of good bladder care, removal of catheter and disposal of equipment following infection control policy and to document accurately the fluid balance.

Undertake neonatal observations under direction and escalate any deviations from the normal range appropriately, and in a timely manner, following the completion of competency practical and theoretical training.

Observe the overall wellbeing of the newborn and escalate any concerns to named midwife/RN or multi-professional team in a timely manner.

Provide practical support to new parents when caring for their newborn, whilst promoting safety in both the hospital and home setting.

Act as chaperone when requested to do so by the midwifery or obstetric team.

Escort women and their families between clinical areas as required.

Undertake newborn blood spot screening, following successful completion of the appropriate competency, as directed by the midwife/RN.  Ensure consent for the newborn blood spot screening is gained prior to undertaking the procedure.

To complete the relevant documentation for screening test performed in the maternity records. 

To assist or perform serum bilirubin ratio (SBR) test, following successful completion of appropriate competency as directed by the midwife/RN. 

When deemed competent, fit nasal prongs, understand and monitor oxygen flow and saturation levels on oxygen dependant babies, taking action as appropriate 

Pass feeding tubes on babies, undertaking tube feeding as laid out in the procedure manual when deemed competent 

Assist women with mobilisation following surgical procedures and remove dressings or cannula under direction of the midwife. 

Assist in the nutrition and hydration needs of women. 

Assist the midwife in the delivery of the women’s care, including the promotion of public health information. Sign posting to women the local and national services available. 

Assist the midwife in appropriately preparing the birthing environment. 

Ensure adequate stock levels are maintained in all clinical settings, and equipment is available; escalate any depletion of stock or resources in a timely manner. 

Assist in stocking up and cleaning all home birth team equipment if required

Community

Work under the guidance for a lone worker in the community in line with local policy. 

Manage own caseload under direction of the midwife in the community setting. 

Report or escalate any concerns you may have with women under your caseload in line with local policy and guidance.  

Support women and their families with the transition to parenthood, including teaching parenting skills and promoting bonding. 

Once training and assessment of competence is obtained MSW to be involved in carrying out tasks and planned care as designated by a registered midwife. 

To give regular handover of care to the named midwife all areas of care completed in practice. 

To attend homes in the community to complete postnatal care of both mother and baby as appropriate.  (adhering to the lone worker policy within trust) 

To recognise any deterioration in mental and emotional wellbeing and respond appropriately, escalating to named midwife.  

Participate in health promotion activities including diet, smoking cessation and breast feeding. (For example, signposting to local service appropriately as per policy guidance). 

To be aware of Child Protection issues and refer issues of concern to registered midwife. 

To assist in the teaching of parent and health education within designated classes and on an individual basis 

To liaise with the registered midwife with any areas of concern and inform of the timing of the next planned visit. 

To be aware of the current policy and service frameworks for mental health (e.g. Capacity Act, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and Mental Health Act); the impact they have on interventions including rights of people using services or giving formal or informal support and the role of advocacy. 

To be aware of peri-mental health issues and the appropriate referral pathway and to escalate to multi-disciplinary team and concerns noted within home or hospital setting.