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Job summary

Main area
Maternity
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 3
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
  • Flexible working
37.5 hours per week (11.5 hours per shift)
Job ref
434-SCS7250505
Employer
Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Rothschild Ward, Stoke Mandeville Hospital
Town
Aylesbury
Salary
pro rata per annum
Closing
30/07/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust logo

Maternity support worker Infant feeding support

NHS AfC: Band 3

Be part of our BHT family

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust (BHT) is an integrated provider of acute hospital and community services for people living in Buckinghamshire and the surrounding area.

We care for over half a million patients every year:

  • Provide specialist spinal services at our world renowned National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, the birthplace of the Paralympics
  • Nationally recognised for urology and skin cancer services
  • Regional specialist centre for burns, plastic surgery, dermatology, stroke and cardiac services
  • Deliver community services in health centres, schools, patients’ own homes, community hospitals and community hubs.

More than 6,500 people from different nations, cultures and backgrounds work for us.

We would be happy to discuss possible flexible working options. We strive to be a family friendly, inclusive employer. 

If you require any assistance in making this application, please contact [email protected] or phone 01494 734868.

We pride ourselves in being a great place to work and invite you to join our BHT family.

 

Job overview

  • To provide women and families with infant feeding support within a dynamic postnatal ward.
  • Support the tongue tie division clinic.
  • Deliver bitesize parent education sessions on the ward around infant feeding.
  • To assist the registered midwife or nurse in the delivery of high quality and person-cantered care.
  • To carry out limited clinical observations and undertake a range of activities under direct or indirect supervision by a registered midwife or nurse, having been assessed as deemed competent in the activities required.
  • To maintain high clinical standards
  • To help maintain a clean and safe ward environment.
  • To contributes towards the department and organisation in the provision of a safe and caring environment.
  • The post holder may be required to work anywhere within the Trust.

Main duties of the job

Infant feeding training will be undertaken as per Maternity Services Training Plan and Needs Analysis for MCA role together with Infant Feeding MCA training programme.  Competencies will be assessed by the Infant Feeding Coordinator or Specialist Infant Feeding Midwife.

·   The following description is the primary role for the Infant Feeding Support MCA.  S/he may be required to perform other tasks when needed if training has been undertaken - see ADDITIONAL CLINICAL CARE, CLERICAL AND GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES as for Band 2 Maternity Care Assistant.

·   Share infant feeding information with antenatal mothers including the value of breastfeeding for protection, comfort and food and the increased health risks of not breastfeeding.

·   Assist mothers in the care of babies, building a relationship with her baby and adjustment to motherhood.

·   Give practical support to mothers in how to position and attach their babies at the breast to ensure effective breastfeeding.

 

Working for our organisation

Listen to why colleagues think we are a great place to work! - BHT - A great place to work (buckshealthcare.nhs.uk)

 What does Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust offer you?

  • As part of our BHT family, you’ll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression.
  • We offer flexible and agile working opportunities, alongside your NHS benefits of generous annual leave entitlement, pension and access to NHS discount schemes.  
  • We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce.

 

 Why work for us?

  • We’re committed to promoting inclusion and making sure all colleagues feel they belong. We encourage new colleagues from a diverse range of backgrounds to apply.
  • As an employer, we aim to create a workplace where differences are valued and colleagues treat one another with dignity and respect.
  • Greater diversity within our BHT family improves positive outcomes for the people and communities we serve.
  • A keen supporter of the Armed Forces Community who know the value of employing a service leaver/veteran and their families.

 What do we stand for?

  • Our vision is to provide outstanding care, support healthy communities and be a great place to work.
  • Our mission is to provide personal and compassionate care every time.
  • Our care values are collaborate, aspire, respect and enable.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For a comprehensive list of responsibilities and duties, please kindly refer to the Job Description and Person Specification by downloading the JD and PS attachment in the advert.

If you are an internal applicant there is the option for secondment, all applicants must have the endorsement/support of their line manager prior to application.

If you have a disability that makes submitting this online application difficult and would like assistance, please contact us on [email protected] quoting the vacancy reference number.

Person specification

Education, qualifications, and training

Essential criteria
  • Level 2 or Level 3 (NVQ) in health and Social Care or equivalent relevant experience
  • Willing to work towards Level 2 functional skills (Math & English)
Desirable criteria
  • Care Certificate/working towards

Value

Essential criteria
  • Communicates openly, honestly and professionally, and actively promotes team working and building strong working relationships.
  • Patients are always first. Drives service improvements. Strong self-awareness with a desire to grow.
  • Treats all with compassion and kindness. Ensures everyone feels valued.
  • Consults others and listens to their views/opinions. Enables others to take the initiative

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of working with people, ideally in a front-line customer service role
  • Previous experience of supporting mothers with infant feeding is beneficial
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of providing person centred care.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & COMPETENCE

Essential criteria
  • An understanding of the importance of patient confidentially and privacy.
  • Demonstrates a caring, compassionate and empathetic approach to patient’s and colleagues, whilst having a professional approach.
  • Recognises how patients and colleagues need to be treated with dignity and respect and can demonstrate these behaviours in their daily work.
  • Good verbal and written English communication skills.
  • The ability to respond with kindness and humanity to patients.
  • A flexible and adaptable approach with the aptitude to work in a busy hospital healthcare setting.
  • Willingness to undertake the mentorship of new Nursing Assistants after 12 months in post.
  • Basic knowledge of health and safety with an awareness of the importance of following Trust policies and procedures.
  • An appreciation of equality, diversity and inclusion and how this influences how care is provided to patients.
  • A willingness to provide the highest standards of patient care including personal care.
  • Ability to work as part of a team
  • Understands the limit and scope of their job role and the need to only do tasks they are trained to do.
  • Knows when to escalate to a registered midwife or nurse when the situation is beyond their scope of practice.
Desirable criteria
  • Good understanding of care needs relevant to patient’s in a hospital setting

BEHAVIOURS & VALUES

Essential criteria
  • Flexibility in shift/working patterns to meet the needs of the service.
  • Works effectively as a team.
  • Is of good health and good character
  • Willing to accept additional responsibilities as delegated by senior staff.
  • Always acts with honesty and integrity.
  • Professional approach.
  • Displays BHT Values

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareApprenticeships logoPositive about disabled peopleArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardWe offer Wagestream - A financial wellbeing benefit which lets you access your pay as you earn it.Disability confident employerStep into healthNational Preceptorship for Nursing Quality Mark

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Charlotte Barnard
Job title
Infant Feeding Team Lead Midwife
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01296315162
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