The post holder will be a senior midwife with a drive to continuous improvement focusing on supporting the clinical implementation of the maternity services Infant Feeding strategy. The infant feeding specialist will lead on the implementation of Baby Friendly initiatives working towards ascertaining Baby Friendly status across the Trust maternity service.
The post holder will lead in the clinical area, acting as an Infant Feeding resource, providing expert infant feeding knowledge and support to the ongoing development of all staff, demonstrating commitment to best practice and challenging staff if best practice is not being demonstrated.
Main duties of the job
1. Work collaboratively with the Neonatal Unit and Transitional Care Teams, Postnatal ward Managers to be recognised as a specialist professional with an increased knowledge in infant feeding and act as a resource of information and support for colleagues.
2. Have clinical responsibilities to ensure lead and implementation of the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative Standards. Once the Standards are achieved, continue the clinical responsibilities to maintain the standards and aim for the BFI Gold Award Status.
3. To lead and support care planning in the antenatal period for families where there are known or potential challenges to their feeding journey.
4. Be an autonomous practitioner providing clinical leadership and direct clinical care to families and especially for those who have significant infant feeding challenges or requirements, targeting support to mothers with babies at risk: twins, small for gestational age, premature, babies of diabetic mothers, etc.
5. Confident in making assessments of the clinical wellbeing of babies and making effective care plans as part of the multidisciplinary team.
6. Ensure infant feeding management plan of care is in place and is adhered to by maternity staff.
7. To confidently facilitate group sessions for families both in pregnancy and the postnatal period where needed in person or virtually in the community or hospital setting.
About us
Whittington Health serves a richly diverse population and works hard to ensure that all our services are fair and equally accessible to everyone. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the way we look after our staff. We aim to employ a workforce which is as representative as possible of this population, so we are open to the value of differences in age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation, and religion or belief. The Trust believes that as a public sector organisation we have an obligation to have recruitment, training, promotion and other formal employment policies and procedures that are sensitive to these differences. We think that by doing so, we are better able to treat our patients as well as being a better place to work.
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. Participate in risk management/complaint procedures. Investigate clinical incidents, complaints, and user feedback and ensure implementation and recommendations.
2. Contribute to the areas clinical and non-clinical risk management through documenting untoward incidents.
3. Lead and participate in infant feeding audits.
4. Audit own practice, and breastfeeding levels at strategic times in the postnatal period.
5. Be proactive in resolving complaints at local level through discussion with women and their families, documenting information and action outcomes.
6. Practice within the policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines agreed by the Whittington Hospital NHS Trust, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and the maternity service.
7. To observe the Rules and Code of Conduct as set out by the NMC, ensure these are adhered to by members of the team.
8. Ensure adequate records are kept in line with NMC Guidelines for record keeping.
9. Identify own ongoing professional development and meet NMC revalidation requirements, taking personal responsibility for completing all mandatory and statutory training in line with Trust requirements.
10. Provide mentorship and guidance to undergraduate and preceptors.
11. Foster a culture of openness, kindness and approachability within their role.
12. Ensure all communication, which may be complex, contentious or sensitive, is undertaken in a responsive and inclusive manner, focusing on improvement and ways to move forward.
13. Attend mandatory training and statutory training (delivered online and in the classroom) as well as relevant Infant Feeding meetings or events that enhance Infant Feeding knowledge.
14. Identify personal development needs and actively work towards professional development.
15. Maintain professional portfolio.
16. Ensure the safety of patients at all times.
17. Ensure confidentiality at all times, only releasing confidential information obtained during the course of employment to those acting in an official capacity.
18. To foster and develop a working environment within which midwives can work as independent practitioners, accountable for their practice and in accordance with the NMC Rules and Code of Practice.
19. To have due regard for the needs of mothers and their families and recognise the demands placed upon professional colleagues in the pursuance of their duties and to assist them as required.
20. To be aware of responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of women, visitors, staff and others, and to comply with the requirements of the Health and Safety Regulations.
21. To be aware of the Data Protection Act and Access to Medical Records Act.
22. To promote equal opportunity for all staff and patients in accordance with Whittington Health NHS Trust policies.
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential
* NMC Registered Midwife
* Midwifery diploma/degree
* A recognised training / qualification in breastfeeding support
* UNICEF BFI Courses
* Evidence of Continues Professional Development in Education
Skills and abilities
Essential
* Good communication skills
* Understanding of the principles of good leadership
* Act as a positive role model for all staff and student
* Understanding of current issues in infant feeding
* Demonstrates skills in IT systems and use of word, excel and powerpoint
* Understanding and knowledge of key performance indicators
Knowledge and experience
Essential
* Able to facilitate cultural change
* Willingness to undertake training on appointment for any skills in which not already competent
* Experience in teaching members of the professional team support to women and their families
* Able to act as a specialist on matters relating to infant feeding
* Experience of data collection and analysis
Personal Qualities
Essential
* Evidence of recent personal development activity
* Demonstrates an ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team
* Confident to work assertively and proactively within multidisciplinary team
* Caring compassionate attitude
* Reliability and integrity
Employer details
Employer name
Whittington Hospital NHS Trust
Address
Whittington Health
Magdala Avenue, Highgate Wing
London
N19 5NF
Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.
220-WHT-2890 #J-18808-Ljbffr