Breast Feeding Advisor / special Feeds Unit (SFU) Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Summary

Post holder will actively promote breast feeding and participate in the training of both the parents and professionals on the neonatal unit and also provide a reliable special feed preparation service to the Paediatric wards under the supervision.

This will entail being a specialist in breast feeding, acting as a resource for the multidisciplinary team

The post holder will support, supervise, and facilitate the training of multidisciplinary team staff including, student nurses, student midwives, and health care support workers.

The post holder will actively support women with establishing and maintaining milk supply and breastfeeding.

To act as a role model in breast feeding in the clinical area.

The post holder will participate in clerical duties and general administrative duties related to infant feeding.

The post-holder will be responsible for the preparation of special feeds, ordering and maintaining adequate supplies to all childrens wards and cleaning of the Special Feed Unit.

Clinical Responsibilities

Breast Feeding Advisor

The post holder will actively support women with establishing and maintaining milk supply and breastfeeding.

To recruit donors through parent education, local groups and charities.

To ensure freezer storage of all breast milk meets national standards.

Ensure the legibility and accuracy of documentation in such a manner that enables the information to be effectively handed over to other staff.

To establish and maintain effective communication with nursing, medical and ancillary colleagues in order to provide optimum baby/family care.

To liaise with staff in other departments, in particular staff on the post-natal wards, delivery suite and paediatric wards, to ensure that the specific needs and care of the baby and his/her family are identified and met.

To have regard for each infant and family customs, religious beliefs and doctrines.

Special feeds Assistant

To work in the special feed unit (SFU).

Following the direction of the Paediatric Dietitians:

o To prepare milk feeds for infants (in line with the SFU Policy).

o To prepare special feeds for older children.

To label all feeds correctly (in line with the SFU policy).

To deliver prepared feeds to ward kitchens and ensure they are stored safely and to dispose of any unused feeds in an appropriate manner.

To clean the milk room:

o All equipment used must be cleaned and stored appropriately.

o All storage shelves/walls cleaned once a week. - In line with the SFU cleaning guide.

To order adequate supplies of all products and equipment used.

To monitor fridge temperatures and help the Lead Childrens Dietitian send samples of milks for microbial analysis when necessary

To keep documentation/records in accordance with the SFU policy.

To liaise with other departments concerned with the smooth running of the milk kitchen eg. nursing staff, catering supplies and porters.

To run the training program for nursing staff required to make feeds.

To assist in change in policy or procedures in the SFU where necessary.

Management

Using evidence based practice promote guidelines in feeding, milk storage and use of donor milk to staff and participate in their update.

To ensure that all Trust and local policies, protocols and procedures are adhered to by colleagues as appropriate

To work within and support the multi-disciplinary team and maintain effective communication and professional relationships with all areas within the Care Group and with associated clinical areas within the Trust To participate with the monitoring of standards of hygiene and cleanliness within the milk kitchen

To share knowledge and skills developed with other members of the multi- disciplinary team

To complete audits as required both locally and nationally related to the role

General

The post holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety and wellbeing and that of work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with this post.

• To observe the rules, policies, procedures and standards of King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations.
• We want to be an organisation where everyone shares a commitment to delivering the very best care and feels like their contribution is valuable and valued.
• At Kings we are a kind, respectful team:

Kind. We show compassion and understanding and bring a positive attitude to our work

Respectful. We promote equality, are inclusive and honest, speaking up when needed

Team. We support each other, communicate openly, and are reassuringly professional

• To observe and maintain strict confidentiality of personal information relating to patients and staff.
• To be responsible, with management support, for their own personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues.
• This job description is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not intended to be definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some of the duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review in consultation with the post holder.
• All employees must hold an 'nhs.net' email account which will be the Trust's formal route for email communication.
• Everyone is responsible for promoting inclusion no matter their role or team. At Kings, we want to create an environment where everyone feels valued, respected and welcomed

Safeguarding

The Trust takes the issues of Safeguarding Children, Adults and addressing Domestic Abuse very seriously. All employees have a responsibilityto support the organisation in our duties by;

• attending mandatory training on safeguarding children and adults
• familiarising themselves with the Trust's processes for reporting concerns
• reportingany safeguarding child or adult concerns appropriately

Infection Control Statement

The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene procedures and requirements when in clinical areas.

The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to make to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene requirements of this role.

These requirements are set out in the National Code of Practice on Infection Control and in local policies and procedures which will be made clear during your induction and subsequent refresher training. These standards must be strictly complied with at all times.

Essential

Desirable

Education and Qualifications

NVQ Level 3 in Health Care or Equivalent

X

NCT breastfeeding counselling skill course or equivalent

x

Unicef breastfeeding management course or equivalent (willingness to complete)

X

Food Hygiene Certificate (willingness to complete)

X

Knowledge and Experience

Experience in Neonatal care and breast feeding support

X

Evidence of recent studies in breastfeeding

X

Previous experience in breast feeding and use of donor breastmilk

X

Respect and maintain confidentiality

X

Skills

Able to manage and prioritise own workload and others

X

Good verbal and written communication skills

X

Good teaching and assessing skills

X

Leadership skills

X

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ Level 3 in Health Care or equilivalent

Desirable

• NCT breastfeeding counselling skill course or equivalent

Skills

Essential

• experience in neonatal care and breastfeeding support
• Evidence of recent studies in breastfeeding

Experience

Essential

• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Able to manage and prioritise own workload and others
• good teaching and assessing skills

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

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

King's College Hospital

Denmark Hill

London

SE59RS

Employer's website

https://www.kch.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)