Job summary The Neonatal Transitional Care unit (NTCU) is situated within Northampton General Hospital and is part of a large integrated maternity and Child Health Directorate as well as a part of the East Midlands Neonatal Operational Delivery Network. The NTCU is a 6 bedded unit which is separate from the Local neonatal unit area and is led by a Neonatal transitional care Lead Nurse. The Transitional Care team consists of midwives, Neonatal nurses, maternity care assistants and maternity support workers. Work as an effective member of the team, providing quality care for woman and babies under the direct supervision of a qualified midwife and neonatal nurse. Promote good communication that supports the dignity and care of women and their families. Assist and maintain a safe working environment and the provision of compassionate care. At all times adhere to statutory, mandatory and the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers and Adult Social Care Workers in England. Main duties of the job We are looking for individuals who are self -motivated, enthusiastic and have a distinct passion for caring for woman, babies and their families; to support our mission for continuous improvement in maternity safety and experience. As part of this role you will be instrumental in supporting the Multi-Disciplinary Team - neonatal nurses, clinical midwives and medics. Our Practice Development team will support you in obtaining the skills required to undertake this role, with further development in line with Health Education England: Maternity Support Worker Competency, Education and Career Development Framework. Applicants will be required to work on a full-time or part-time basis covering days, nights and weekends. About us Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire. Our Excellence Values Compassion Accountability Respect Integrity Courage We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities. The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals. We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative. We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds.This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals. Date posted 17 January 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 3 Salary £24,071 to £25,674 a year Per annum/ pro rata Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Part-time Reference number 265-6901641 Job locations Northampton General Hospital Billing Road Northampton NN1 5BD Job description Job responsibilities Main duties and Responsibilities Demonstrate understanding of the importance of working in partnership with women and their families. Develops and maintains positive relationships, supports informed decision makers, and respects the womans and her families wishes, with particular attention to when the family unit is separated, or mum/baby is critically ill. Understand the MSWs scope of practice and the importance of the role within national framework to enable working within limits of own competence and authority, escalating to the MDT to inform care planning in line with national and local guidance to avoid harm. Administrative Duties Ensure that all clinical documentation written or electronic is accurately and confidentially collected, updated, stored, and filed in accordance with local information governance and record keeping policy and guidance. Provide administrative support to the team. Participate in tracking, obtaining, and filing clinical records as required in line with local policy and guidance. Professional Attitudes and responsibilities Convey an approachable and professional manner to all mothers and their families and demonstrates an awareness of discriminatory attitudes and challenges this behaviour to promote equality. This will appreciate protected characteristics and recognise how to support these people within these groups. This includes age, disability, gender reassignment, Marriage and civil partnership, race, religion or belief, Sex and Sexual orientation (Equality Act 2010). Ensure that knowledge of local safeguarding policy and procedure is maintained. To be vigilant of Child Protection issues and refer issues of concern in a timely manner to registered midwife complying with legal requirements. Training Responsibilities Attend all mandatory and role specific training as and when required. Identify own training and development needs and undertake appropriate training/education as required to ensure a contemporaneous knowledge base and skill set is maintained. Participate in annual appraisal process, whereby objectives will be agreed, performance monitored, and personal development needs discussed. To act as a role model and participate in training for their colleagues and peers, recognising the impact of personal behaviour on the culture and performance of the department, and the experience of service users. Safe Environment Be conversant with the local infection control policy and hazardous substances policies, whilst ensuring mandates are always adhered to. Act responsibly in respect of colleagues health, safety and welfare following safety at work practices including lone working, whilst working in compliance with local health and safety policy and guidance. Ensure the cleanliness of equipment in all clinical and non-clinical areas. 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. 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. Participate in the audit of standards within the unit if appropriate. Care of the Woman Manage own time and caseload effectively whilst prioritising care needs for women and their babies under care under the direction and supervision of the midwife / neonatal nurse. to ensure if appropriate the principles of continuity of carer are applied. Escort women and their families between clinical areas as required. Assist with the admission, orientation and discharge of women and their babies in accordance with local policy and guidance. Communicate effectively and clarifies understanding with women and their families in all settings and can select appropriate methods to communicate when a disability or complexity may exist. Understand and gains valid consent prior to action or providing care. Undertake baseline/routine observations and measurements (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 and act as chaperone when requested to do so by the woman, midwifery, or obstetric team. Perform capillary blood sampling in line with national standards and local policy and guidance following completion of the appropriate competencies. Assist in the maintenance and understand the principles of good bladder care, removal of catheter and disposal of equipment following infection control policy and to document accurately the fluid balance. Assist in the nutrition and hydration needs of women. Assist women with mobilisation following surgical procedures and remove of dressings or cannula under direction of the midwife. Assist with the transportation of blood products if asked to do so and have an awareness of the storage requirements. Obstetric and Neonatal Emergencies Recognises and acts upon within own parameters of competence any abnormal events or emergencies, escalating to the multidisciplinary team through the appropriate means, in a timely manner. Assist the Midwife / neonatal nurse with neonatal resuscitation where required, this may include collecting and/or passing equipment and scribing. Health Promotion and Screening Maintains a contemporary knowledge base about local and national antenatal and newborn screening services and signposts women and their families to appropriately qualified practitioners if they are undecided or have concerns. Has an understanding and can advise families about newborn blood spot screening, immunisations and can produce GROW Charts following successful completion of the appropriate competencies. Recognises and promotes the principles of behaviour changes required in health promotion activities including diet, food hygiene, exercise, personal hygiene, and smoking cessation. (For example, assess CO levels and signposting to local service appropriately as per policy guidance). To complete the relevant documentation for screening test performed in the maternity / neonatal records. To recognise any deterioration in mental and emotional wellbeing and respond appropriately, escalating to midwife / neonatal nurse to enable an appropriate care pathway. To be aware of and understand the current policy and service frameworks for mental health (e.g., Capacity Act, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and Mental Health Act). To be aware of perinatal mental health issues and the appropriate referral pathway and to escalate to multi-disciplinary team and concerns noted within home or hospital setting. Infant Feeding Be aware of the main constituents of human milk and their function, including Colostrum and Mature breastmilk. Appreciate the importance and the role of human milk and breastfeeding to improve the health and wellbeing outcomes for infants, their mothers, and the wider family and in promoting and protecting public health. Understand the functional anatomy and physiology of lactation and hormonal influences on milk production and mothering. As well as the role of the Feedback Inhibitor of Lactation (FIL). Be able to describe the key practices that facilitate the initiation and have the knowledge and skills to support maintenance of breastfeeding. Understand and have an overview of circumstances which can affect lactation and breastfeeding and be able to support mothers to overcome common challenges and make appropriate referrals when necessary (e.g., midwife/health visitor/infant feeding lead). Be able to support parents who formula feed to do so responsively and as safely as possible including minimising the risks, to make up feeds as safely as possible, how to sterilise equipment, how to hold a baby and pace the feeds. Importance of skin-to-skin contact to support infant feeding and how to facilitate this within practice promoting responsive feeding to feeding cues. Understanding principles and mechanisms of attachment and positioning for effective feeding in line with BFI standards. Understands how to protect breastfeeding should supplementation be required. Expression and storage of breastmilk to include hand and pump expression technique and the use of cup feeding. Develop an understanding of the importance of secure mother-infant attachment and the impact this has on health and emotional wellbeing, irrespective of feeding method. Understand the importance of the WHO International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and subsequent WHA Resolutions (the Code) and how it impacts on practice Care of the Newborn Undertake neonatal observations under direct and indirect supervision and escalate any deviations from the normal range appropriately and in a timely manner, following the completion of competency practical and theoretical training. Documentation of observations. Observe the overall wellbeing of the newborn and escalate any concerns to named midwife, neonatal nurse, or multi-professional team in a timely manner. Provide practical support and transition to parenthood for new parents when caring for their newborn, whilst promoting safety, bonding, and teaching parenting skills in the hospital setting. To assist or perform neonatal blood sampling including tests such as newborn blood spot and Serum bilirubin ratio (SBR) test, following successful completion of appropriate competency as directed by the midwife / neonatal nurse. To assist in the care of the nasogastric tube and giving of feeds following successful completion of appropriate competency as directed by the neonatal nurse. Job description Job responsibilities Main duties and Responsibilities Demonstrate understanding of the importance of working in partnership with women and their families. Develops and maintains positive relationships, supports informed decision makers, and respects the womans and her families wishes, with particular attention to when the family unit is separated, or mum/baby is critically ill. Understand the MSWs scope of practice and the importance of the role within national framework to enable working within limits of own competence and authority, escalating to the MDT to inform care planning in line with national and local guidance to avoid harm. Administrative Duties Ensure that all clinical documentation written or electronic is accurately and confidentially collected, updated, stored, and filed in accordance with local information governance and record keeping policy and guidance. Provide administrative support to the team. Participate in tracking, obtaining, and filing clinical records as required in line with local policy and guidance. Professional Attitudes and responsibilities Convey an approachable and professional manner to all mothers and their families and demonstrates an awareness of discriminatory attitudes and challenges this behaviour to promote equality. This will appreciate protected characteristics and recognise how to support these people within these groups. This includes age, disability, gender reassignment, Marriage and civil partnership, race, religion or belief, Sex and Sexual orientation (Equality Act 2010). Ensure that knowledge of local safeguarding policy and procedure is maintained. To be vigilant of Child Protection issues and refer issues of concern in a timely manner to registered midwife complying with legal requirements. Training Responsibilities Attend all mandatory and role specific training as and when required. Identify own training and development needs and undertake appropriate training/education as required to ensure a contemporaneous knowledge base and skill set is maintained. Participate in annual appraisal process, whereby objectives will be agreed, performance monitored, and personal development needs discussed. To act as a role model and participate in training for their colleagues and peers, recognising the impact of personal behaviour on the culture and performance of the department, and the experience of service users. Safe Environment Be conversant with the local infection control policy and hazardous substances policies, whilst ensuring mandates are always adhered to. Act responsibly in respect of colleagues health, safety and welfare following safety at work practices including lone working, whilst working in compliance with local health and safety policy and guidance. Ensure the cleanliness of equipment in all clinical and non-clinical areas. 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. 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. Participate in the audit of standards within the unit if appropriate. Care of the Woman Manage own time and caseload effectively whilst prioritising care needs for women and their babies under care under the direction and supervision of the midwife / neonatal nurse. to ensure if appropriate the principles of continuity of carer are applied. Escort women and their families between clinical areas as required. Assist with the admission, orientation and discharge of women and their babies in accordance with local policy and guidance. Communicate effectively and clarifies understanding with women and their families in all settings and can select appropriate methods to communicate when a disability or complexity may exist. Understand and gains valid consent prior to action or providing care. Undertake baseline/routine observations and measurements (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 and act as chaperone when requested to do so by the woman, midwifery, or obstetric team. Perform capillary blood sampling in line with national standards and local policy and guidance following completion of the appropriate competencies. Assist in the maintenance and understand the principles of good bladder care, removal of catheter and disposal of equipment following infection control policy and to document accurately the fluid balance. Assist in the nutrition and hydration needs of women. Assist women with mobilisation following surgical procedures and remove of dressings or cannula under direction of the midwife. Assist with the transportation of blood products if asked to do so and have an awareness of the storage requirements. Obstetric and Neonatal Emergencies Recognises and acts upon within own parameters of competence any abnormal events or emergencies, escalating to the multidisciplinary team through the appropriate means, in a timely manner. Assist the Midwife / neonatal nurse with neonatal resuscitation where required, this may include collecting and/or passing equipment and scribing. Health Promotion and Screening Maintains a contemporary knowledge base about local and national antenatal and newborn screening services and signposts women and their families to appropriately qualified practitioners if they are undecided or have concerns. Has an understanding and can advise families about newborn blood spot screening, immunisations and can produce GROW Charts following successful completion of the appropriate competencies. Recognises and promotes the principles of behaviour changes required in health promotion activities including diet, food hygiene, exercise, personal hygiene, and smoking cessation. (For example, assess CO levels and signposting to local service appropriately as per policy guidance). To complete the relevant documentation for screening test performed in the maternity / neonatal records. To recognise any deterioration in mental and emotional wellbeing and respond appropriately, escalating to midwife / neonatal nurse to enable an appropriate care pathway. To be aware of and understand the current policy and service frameworks for mental health (e.g., Capacity Act, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and Mental Health Act). To be aware of perinatal mental health issues and the appropriate referral pathway and to escalate to multi-disciplinary team and concerns noted within home or hospital setting. Infant Feeding Be aware of the main constituents of human milk and their function, including Colostrum and Mature breastmilk. Appreciate the importance and the role of human milk and breastfeeding to improve the health and wellbeing outcomes for infants, their mothers, and the wider family and in promoting and protecting public health. Understand the functional anatomy and physiology of lactation and hormonal influences on milk production and mothering. As well as the role of the Feedback Inhibitor of Lactation (FIL). Be able to describe the key practices that facilitate the initiation and have the knowledge and skills to support maintenance of breastfeeding. Understand and have an overview of circumstances which can affect lactation and breastfeeding and be able to support mothers to overcome common challenges and make appropriate referrals when necessary (e.g., midwife/health visitor/infant feeding lead). Be able to support parents who formula feed to do so responsively and as safely as possible including minimising the risks, to make up feeds as safely as possible, how to sterilise equipment, how to hold a baby and pace the feeds. Importance of skin-to-skin contact to support infant feeding and how to facilitate this within practice promoting responsive feeding to feeding cues. Understanding principles and mechanisms of attachment and positioning for effective feeding in line with BFI standards. Understands how to protect breastfeeding should supplementation be required. Expression and storage of breastmilk to include hand and pump expression technique and the use of cup feeding. Develop an understanding of the importance of secure mother-infant attachment and the impact this has on health and emotional wellbeing, irrespective of feeding method. Understand the importance of the WHO International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and subsequent WHA Resolutions (the Code) and how it impacts on practice Care of the Newborn Undertake neonatal observations under direct and indirect supervision and escalate any deviations from the normal range appropriately and in a timely manner, following the completion of competency practical and theoretical training. Documentation of observations. Observe the overall wellbeing of the newborn and escalate any concerns to named midwife, neonatal nurse, or multi-professional team in a timely manner. Provide practical support and transition to parenthood for new parents when caring for their newborn, whilst promoting safety, bonding, and teaching parenting skills in the hospital setting. To assist or perform neonatal blood sampling including tests such as newborn blood spot and Serum bilirubin ratio (SBR) test, following successful completion of appropriate competency as directed by the midwife / neonatal nurse. To assist in the care of the nasogastric tube and giving of feeds following successful completion of appropriate competency as directed by the neonatal nurse. Person Specification Education, Qualifications and Training Essential Evidence of formal education up to the age of 18. Care certificate. Educated to NVQ level 3 or equivalent level of education, training or experience. GCSE Maths A-C, Levels 4-9 or functional skills level 2 or equivalent GCSE English A-C, Levels 4-9 or functional skills level 2 or equivalent Desirable Foundations in neonatal care Foundation degree maternity pathway Experience & Knowledge Essential Understanding the role of a Maternity Support Worker. Basic IT skills. Previous experience of working with members of the public Understanding of safeguarding issues Knowledge of family integrated care Desirable Maternity related work experience or previous experience in a health care setting. Skills Essential Good written and verbal communication skills. Works well within a multi-disciplinary team. Person Specification Education, Qualifications and Training Essential Evidence of formal education up to the age of 18. Care certificate. Educated to NVQ level 3 or equivalent level of education, training or experience. GCSE Maths A-C, Levels 4-9 or functional skills level 2 or equivalent GCSE English A-C, Levels 4-9 or functional skills level 2 or equivalent Desirable Foundations in neonatal care Foundation degree maternity pathway Experience & Knowledge Essential Understanding the role of a Maternity Support Worker. Basic IT skills. Previous experience of working with members of the public Understanding of safeguarding issues Knowledge of family integrated care Desirable Maternity related work experience or previous experience in a health care setting. Skills Essential Good written and verbal communication skills. Works well within a multi-disciplinary team. 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). Additional information 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 Northampton General Hospital Address Northampton General Hospital Billing Road Northampton NN1 5BD Employer's website https://www.northamptongeneral.nhs.uk/Home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)