Job summary We are pleased to share an exciting opportunity for a passionate and dedicated Midwife to join the Infant Feeding Team at West Herts. In this role, you will have the chance to promote and support infant feeding practices within the maternity department, in alignment with the trust's joint infant feeding policy. A key responsibility will be to help implement and maintain the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) standards, with the goal of achieving and preserving Gold Award status. We are looking for a highly knowledgeable professional in the field of infant feeding who can provide valuable information and support to colleagues. Main duties of the job The role involves providing education and clinical supervision to assist staff in implementing evidence-based approaches to infant feeding and relationship building. Collaboration with the Infant Feeding team is essential to align with the government health promotion agenda and the NHS Long Term Plan vision for the Baby Friendly Initiative. Establishing a visible presence in the clinical setting is crucial. The individual in this role will participate in relevant training programmes, as needed, to enhance clinical skills related to ankyloglossia (tongue tie), enabling effective management and operation of the tongue tie clinic. About us With a new hospital planned for Watford and work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital, this is an exciting time to join us. We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working ever more closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are a priority at our Trust, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience.Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others. At West Herts we offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance and the ability to work flexibly. www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking We kindly invite you to consider submitting an application. If you have a disability or long-term health condition and should you require support or guidance please contact westherts.recruitmentnhs.net If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form. If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion. Date posted 29 January 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 6 Salary £39,205 to £47,084 a year pro rata inc HCA Contract Secondment Working pattern Part-time, Flexible working Reference number 360-D-6768 Job locations Watford General Hospital Watford General Hospital Watford WD18 0HB Job description Job responsibilities Ensure that all families receive support and information to allow them to make an informed choice regarding feeding. Engage with colleagues and support them to enhance clinical judgement with infant feeding assessments of service users and babies needs and evaluate clinical care as appropriate. Act as a role model and demonstrate evidence-based care in relation to infant feeding and relationship building Review cases of infant feeding readmissions (maternal/newborn), completing incident reports with feedback to staff with both positive and identified learning development needs. Review trends of readmissions reports to support strategies to reduce likelihood of occurrence and present findings at relevant meeting in the absence of the infant feeding lead. Be familiar with multi-disciplinary guidelines and policies relating to infant feeding and supporting staff to evolve if there are any changes in practice. Undertake audits, using appropriate tools to evaluate and develop infant feeding practices with maternity services both BFI and internal. Participate in group sessions for families both in pregnancy and the postnatal period where needed in person or virtually. Develop resources on infant feeding and relationship building. Foster harmonious relationships, liaising with colleagues and other agencies. Deliver one to one support, guidance and care planning in feeding clinics for complex cases in the antenatal period. Provide a responsive service for feeding clinics postnatally and manage accordingly Delegate to other members of the team to continue ongoing support Be an autonomous practitioner providing clinical leadership and direct clinical care to families who have significant infant feeding challenges or requirements. Confident in making assessments of the clinical wellbeing of babies and making effective care plans as part of the multidisciplinary team. Work collaboratively with the infant feeding team which includes transitional care to support continuity of care of complex cases from the antenatal to the postnatal period Support the discharge planning of women and referral process for providing specialist breastfeeding support for complexities. Actively participate in the management, assessment and diagnosis of suspected restricted frenulum Provide clinic expertise within the in-house tongue tie service. You may be required to support the unit clinically in times of escalation Job description Job responsibilities Ensure that all families receive support and information to allow them to make an informed choice regarding feeding. Engage with colleagues and support them to enhance clinical judgement with infant feeding assessments of service users and babies needs and evaluate clinical care as appropriate. Act as a role model and demonstrate evidence-based care in relation to infant feeding and relationship building Review cases of infant feeding readmissions (maternal/newborn), completing incident reports with feedback to staff with both positive and identified learning development needs. Review trends of readmissions reports to support strategies to reduce likelihood of occurrence and present findings at relevant meeting in the absence of the infant feeding lead. Be familiar with multi-disciplinary guidelines and policies relating to infant feeding and supporting staff to evolve if there are any changes in practice. Undertake audits, using appropriate tools to evaluate and develop infant feeding practices with maternity services both BFI and internal. Participate in group sessions for families both in pregnancy and the postnatal period where needed in person or virtually. Develop resources on infant feeding and relationship building. Foster harmonious relationships, liaising with colleagues and other agencies. Deliver one to one support, guidance and care planning in feeding clinics for complex cases in the antenatal period. Provide a responsive service for feeding clinics postnatally and manage accordingly Delegate to other members of the team to continue ongoing support Be an autonomous practitioner providing clinical leadership and direct clinical care to families who have significant infant feeding challenges or requirements. Confident in making assessments of the clinical wellbeing of babies and making effective care plans as part of the multidisciplinary team. Work collaboratively with the infant feeding team which includes transitional care to support continuity of care of complex cases from the antenatal to the postnatal period Support the discharge planning of women and referral process for providing specialist breastfeeding support for complexities. Actively participate in the management, assessment and diagnosis of suspected restricted frenulum Provide clinic expertise within the in-house tongue tie service. You may be required to support the unit clinically in times of escalation Person Specification Education and Experience Essential Registered Midwife with UK NMC Pin Evidence of ongoing professional development and training Mentorship/ SSSA Willingness to undergo training relevant to the role Desirable Advanced clinical skills in tongue tie (Ankyloglossia) IBCLC - International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Baby friendly advocacy training NIPE qualification Knowledge Essential Knowledge of the baby friendly initiative Significant knowledge and skills relating to infant feeding practices and evidence of supporting service users. Understanding of local, national and international strategies relevant to breastfeeding Eble to demonstrate awareness of research related to midwifery practice Desirable Experience of clinical audit Experience Essential Experience supporting junior staff within the clinical area Evidence of supporting infant feeding within the clinical areas/ community Experience working in all areas of maternity Desirable Experience in an infant feeding role Experience teaching parent education training Evidence of classroom teaching Skills Essential Organisational and time management skills are essential Able to manage and resolve conflict Excellent communication skills Able to work in a team and independently Able to delegate workload Flexible approach to working pattern personal qualities Essential Positive role model Person Specification Education and Experience Essential Registered Midwife with UK NMC Pin Evidence of ongoing professional development and training Mentorship/ SSSA Willingness to undergo training relevant to the role Desirable Advanced clinical skills in tongue tie (Ankyloglossia) IBCLC - International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Baby friendly advocacy training NIPE qualification Knowledge Essential Knowledge of the baby friendly initiative Significant knowledge and skills relating to infant feeding practices and evidence of supporting service users. Understanding of local, national and international strategies relevant to breastfeeding Eble to demonstrate awareness of research related to midwifery practice Desirable Experience of clinical audit Experience Essential Experience supporting junior staff within the clinical area Evidence of supporting infant feeding within the clinical areas/ community Experience working in all areas of maternity Desirable Experience in an infant feeding role Experience teaching parent education training Evidence of classroom teaching Skills Essential Organisational and time management skills are essential Able to manage and resolve conflict Excellent communication skills Able to work in a team and independently Able to delegate workload Flexible approach to working pattern personal qualities Essential Positive role model 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). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). 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). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Address Watford General Hospital Watford General Hospital Watford WD18 0HB Employer's website http://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)