Continuity of Carer Advocate

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical responsibilities

Work with a range of service users to provide enhanced support either alongside a midwife or independently whilst performing skills appropriate to the scope of the role. This will include but is not exhaustive to urine dipstick, CO monitoring, BP monitoring, pulse, temperature check, venepuncture, newborn screening tests, newborn observations, TCB monitoring and weight.

Signpost women and their families to other areas of care that promote health and wellbeing, for example advocate services, tobacco dependency services

Provide compassionate, inclusive, non-judgemental care to service users and their families. Ensure families are treated with dignity, confidentiality and always respecting individual needs. The post holder will fully understand the principles of informed consent in all aspects of care.

Understand and provide individualised care for service users in the antenatal and postnatal period and identify those that may require enhanced support.

Support service users with their choice of infant feeding and have awareness of the options available.

Become a champion in maternal mental health and have an understanding of services available to signpost and support service users with. Recognise any deterioration in mental and emotional wellbeing and escalate and respond appropriately.

The post holder will identify concerns outside of normal for both maternal and neonatal wellbeing and be able to escalate effectively and promptly to ensure safety and prioritise high standards of care.

Ensure that local safeguarding policies and procedures are known and upheld.

Lead and support with parent education sessions either in a group or 1:1 environment.

Communicate effectively with service users and colleagues, always conveying an approachable and professional attitude.

Be aware of own professional limitations and ensure working within role remit, identifying any learning opportunities or further training needs.

Administrative responsibilities

Be competent in the Trust IT system to deal with updating patient information, arranging appointments, accessing blood requests, responding to calls/emails and completing clinical documentation in line with the Trust's information governance record keeping policy and guideline.

Be able to access and use Language Line interpreting services

Support with audits as required for their team

Report any concerns or faulty equipment to team leader in a timely manner and organise replacement/ maintenance with EBME.

Report any incidents or concerns using the local InPhase risk management support system and escalate concerns in a timely manner.

Education and training

Attend all statutory and mandatory training as and when required

Adhere to the local infection control policy

Act responsibly and adhere to the health and safety policy and guideline

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.

SafeguardingThe Trust takes the issues of Safeguarding Children, Adults and addressing Domestic Abuse very seriously. All employees have a responsibility to 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.

From 1st April 2022, there is a legal requirement for staff who have contact with patients and other service users in England to be fully vaccinated (received both doses of an MHRA approved vaccine) against COVID-19. If your role is covered by the regulations, you will be required to provide proof of your full vaccination status as part of your pre-employment checks prior to your start date.

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 always complied with.

Person Specification

Essential and Desirable

Essential

• Educated to GCSE A* - C Level (or equivalent) in English, Maths and IT
• Has an NVQ (or equivalent) in a health and social care related subject at Level 4 or above
• Completion of the Care Certificate
• Clinical skills competencies including maternal and neonatal observations, neonatal screening and venepuncture
• Strong written and verbal communication skills: including IT, written and oral

Desirable

• Significant experience of working in a healthcare setting with vulnerable people
• Good understanding and experience of the safeguarding process and child protection procedures
• Good understanding of the benefits of a CoC model
• Experience of continuing personal and professional development
• Understanding of the role and own professional boundaries and limitations

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

Princess Royal University Hospital

Farnborough Common

Orpington, Kent

BR6 8ND

Employer's website

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