Job summary An opportunity has become available for an experienced health care assistant to work within our community midwifery team. The maternity support worker will be providing care to women and their families in their own homes in the postnatal period and supporting community midwives providing antenatal care. This is a great development opportunity for band 2 support workers to gain some extra experience.Good communication skills are essential and also a willingness to embrace change and be passionate about offering a good quality service supporting women in their choices.Candidates should have recent/current experience in healthcare at band 2 or above. Completion of Trust's band 2 Care Competencies (Care Certificate) or equivalent level of competence is required for this role. It essential as part of the role to be a car owner and have a full drivers licence. The role includes on call duties, it is essential that candidates are able to commit to on calls. Main duties of the job The post holder will provide support to a maternity team, mothers and their families. He / She will carry out assigned tasks involving direct care including information giving, guidance and reassurance, assistance and support to women and their families to improve the quality of care as planned by the midwife. Candidates will be required to work on calls to support the service and provide care to women/birthing people. The post holder will be expected to supervise and guide less experienced staff. About us The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust is the main provider of hospital services for the population of Reading, Newbury, Wokingham and the towns and villages of West Berkshire. At our heart we are a local hospital that works with NHS and social care partners to provide excellent healthcare services for over 500,000 people who currently live in our catchment area. We also provide specialist hospital services beyond the county's borders. We employ more than 5,500 staff from 39 different nationalities and deliver care from a network of facilities across sites in Bracknell, Henley-on-Thames, Reading, Thatcham and Windsor. Each year we are responsible for efficiently and effectively spending more than £400m of NHS resources on the services we provide. As a founder member of the Berkshire West Integrated Care System, we are one of NHS England's demonstrator sites for integration between primary, community, mental health and acute healthcare services. Date posted 30 January 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 3 Salary £24,071 to £25,674 a year per annum, pro rata for part time candidates Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working Reference number 193-6956659UCGB3-CMSW Job locations Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust London Road Reading RG1 5AN Job description Job responsibilities The Health Care Support Worker should complete the Care Certificate providing that care has been assessed against a specific set of standards and has demonstrated that they have the skills, knowledge and behaviours to ensure they provide compassionate and high quality care and support (HEE, Skills for Health & Skills for Care, 2015). Provide support for women with infant feeding including breast feeding. Provide advice and recognise correct attachment. Teach mothers how to hand express breast milk. Support women experiencing difficulties. Provide support for women/birth people with formula feeding including how to prepare formula feeds. To be able to achieve the competencies in relation to supporting the midwives support women/birth people in the birth process as described in the development passport for band 3 maternity support worker Assists in the monitoring and maintenance of the health, safety and security of self and others in work area. The post holder must ensure that he/ she works within risk management/ occupational health legislation and Trust procedures for safe working practices. Demonstrates a commitment to continued personal development. Works towards completion of Trusts Maternity Care Assistant Competency Framework within an appropriate timescale. Job description Job responsibilities The Health Care Support Worker should complete the Care Certificate providing that care has been assessed against a specific set of standards and has demonstrated that they have the skills, knowledge and behaviours to ensure they provide compassionate and high quality care and support (HEE, Skills for Health & Skills for Care, 2015). Provide support for women with infant feeding including breast feeding. Provide advice and recognise correct attachment. Teach mothers how to hand express breast milk. Support women experiencing difficulties. Provide support for women/birth people with formula feeding including how to prepare formula feeds. To be able to achieve the competencies in relation to supporting the midwives support women/birth people in the birth process as described in the development passport for band 3 maternity support worker Assists in the monitoring and maintenance of the health, safety and security of self and others in work area. The post holder must ensure that he/ she works within risk management/ occupational health legislation and Trust procedures for safe working practices. Demonstrates a commitment to continued personal development. Works towards completion of Trusts Maternity Care Assistant Competency Framework within an appropriate timescale. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Completion of trusts band 2 Care Competencies (Care Certificate) or equivalent level of competence Desirable NVQ level 3 in promoting care or promoting independence Experience Essential Experience as an HCA/MCA in a community or hospital setting Person Specification Qualifications Essential Completion of trusts band 2 Care Competencies (Care Certificate) or equivalent level of competence Desirable NVQ level 3 in promoting care or promoting independence Experience Essential Experience as an HCA/MCA in a community or hospital setting 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. Employer details Employer name Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust Address Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust London Road Reading RG1 5AN Employer's website https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)