Job summary
Do you aspire to deliver the Best Possible Maternity Care every time? That is the approach to Maternity Services at Northampton General Hospital. We have been a fully accredited Baby Friendly Hospital since 2016.
Our Community Midwifery Services are Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Award Winners 2021 for Excellence in Care During a Global Pandemic
We also won the Race Matters RCM Award 2021
We are a Pathway to Excellence Hospital, and we have active shared decision-making councils within Maternity. Projects include:
Wellbeing initiatives for staff
Recognising our colleagues through the Maternity Stars and Daisy award schemes
With a current delivery rate of 4,300 births and ambitious plans across the Local Maternity System for transforming maternity services to be aligned with the Better Births recommendations, now is an exciting time to join the team and play your part in its current period of transformation.
Working in conjunction with the Infant Feeding Co-ordinator, the post- holder will play a major role in delivering the infant feeding agenda within the maternity services.
Main duties of the job
A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen for a skilled, self-motivated individual to work as a member of the maternity team as an Infant Feeding Advisor.
We are looking for someone with drive and a passion for infant feeding to work within the small, friendly team. As the Infant Feeding Advisor, you will promote Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) care standards by teaching, supporting and mentoring staff to give the best possible care to babies and their parents. You will support the work of the Infant Feeding Co-ordinator to ensure that the BFI standards continue to be implemented across the service, preparing for any future accreditation visits and for our ambitions of achieving BFI Gold accreditation.
We need someone who is motivated, flexible, positive about breastfeeding and who is keen to further develop their knowledge and skills in infant feeding and the BFI process. Encouragement will be given for you to undertake further advanced study in lactation as required. In time you will be able to work both independently and as part of the team using your excellent clinical, interpersonal and organisational skills to work with the infant feeding lead to:
Support new staff and midwifery students to develop their clinical skills in infant feeding using an evidence-based approach in line with BFI care standards
Run training sessions for a range of maternity staff and to the multi-disciplinary team
Carry out practical skills reviews in infant feeding
About us
Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.
Our Excellence Values
Compassion
Accountability
Respect
Integrity
Courage
We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.
The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.
We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.
We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds.This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Work with staff individually and in groups to build their skills to provide a high level of care in infant feeding
Participate in the provision of breastfeeding workshops for expectant parents
Support staff to develop care plans with complex clinical cases
Carry out regular audits to monitor our compliance with BFI standards of care and report the findings
Use these audit results and current evidence to help shape training for staff and resources for parents
Assist in the writing and implementation of guidelines and initiatives relevant to infant feeding
Support parents in the infant feeding clinic with more complex situations
Deputise in meetings at local and regional level as required
Professional Responsibilities
Promote collaborative working partnerships and effective communication between all members of the multi-disciplinary team
Ensure professional and clinical standards are maintained and developed in response to new evidence
Abide by the code of professional conduct as appropriate for nominated membership
Organisational and Management Responsibilities
Effectively manage own time to ensure a balance between audit, clinical and administrative duties
Promote and maintain a departmental culture which promotes an open and honest approach to professional decision making and problem solving
Promote and maintain organisational and professional standards
Actively participate in infant feeding meetings within the maternity services
Demonstrate and promote excellent interpersonal skills, written, verbal and nonverbal communication styles
Influence and nurture positive attitudes and behaviours within the teams and wider multidisciplinary team
Clinical Role
Undertake relevant clinical practices in accordance with the Scope of Professional Practice
Act as a source of expert clinical and professional advice on infant feeding
Undertake Clinical Audit within area of speciality
Working with the Infant Feeding Co-ordinator, implement initiatives to improve the breastfeeding initiation and maintenance rates by supporting midwives, assistant practitioners and maternity support workers in the clinical area
Provide support and act as a resource to staff who are assisting new mothers on the postnatal wards with infant feeding ensuring compliance with the DoH and Baby Friendly Initiative
Participate in the development of relevant care pathways and guidelines within the maternity service
Take all possible action to minimise clinical risk to women and their babies, utilising all available resources
Service development
Work with the Infant Feeding Co-ordinator to deliver mandatory training package, practical skills reviews and updates
Actively contribute to change management in partnership with the Midwifery Sisters and Senior Midwifery Management Team.
Have a proactive approach in effective change management
Information resources
Able to input information and have a working knowledge of the hospital information systems
Adhere to Trust information governance policies
Financial & physical resources
Ensure effective use of resources within allocated budget
Ensure all equipment is in working order and undertake risk assessments as necessary; highlight adverse risks to the Maternity Governance Group for escalation and inclusion as necessary in the Directorate Risk Register
Research & development
Demonstrate an ability to critically appraise research findings
Contribute ideas and undertake monitoring with regards to quality of women-centred care
Job description
Job responsibilities
Work with staff individually and in groups to build their skills to provide a high level of care in infant feeding
Participate in the provision of breastfeeding workshops for expectant parents
Support staff to develop care plans with complex clinical cases
Carry out regular audits to monitor our compliance with BFI standards of care and report the findings
Use these audit results and current evidence to help shape training for staff and resources for parents
Assist in the writing and implementation of guidelines and initiatives relevant to infant feeding
Support parents in the infant feeding clinic with more complex situations
Deputise in meetings at local and regional level as required
Professional Responsibilities
Promote collaborative working partnerships and effective communication between all members of the multi-disciplinary team
Ensure professional and clinical standards are maintained and developed in response to new evidence
Abide by the code of professional conduct as appropriate for nominated membership
Organisational and Management Responsibilities
Effectively manage own time to ensure a balance between audit, clinical and administrative duties
Promote and maintain a departmental culture which promotes an open and honest approach to professional decision making and problem solving
Promote and maintain organisational and professional standards
Actively participate in infant feeding meetings within the maternity services
Demonstrate and promote excellent interpersonal skills, written, verbal and nonverbal communication styles
Influence and nurture positive attitudes and behaviours within the teams and wider multidisciplinary team
Clinical Role
Undertake relevant clinical practices in accordance with the Scope of Professional Practice
Act as a source of expert clinical and professional advice on infant feeding
Undertake Clinical Audit within area of speciality
Working with the Infant Feeding Co-ordinator, implement initiatives to improve the breastfeeding initiation and maintenance rates by supporting midwives, assistant practitioners and maternity support workers in the clinical area
Provide support and act as a resource to staff who are assisting new mothers on the postnatal wards with infant feeding ensuring compliance with the DoH and Baby Friendly Initiative
Participate in the development of relevant care pathways and guidelines within the maternity service
Take all possible action to minimise clinical risk to women and their babies, utilising all available resources
Service development
Work with the Infant Feeding Co-ordinator to deliver mandatory training package, practical skills reviews and updates
Actively contribute to change management in partnership with the Midwifery Sisters and Senior Midwifery Management Team.
Have a proactive approach in effective change management
Information resources
Able to input information and have a working knowledge of the hospital information systems
Adhere to Trust information governance policies
Financial & physical resources
Ensure effective use of resources within allocated budget
Ensure all equipment is in working order and undertake risk assessments as necessary; highlight adverse risks to the Maternity Governance Group for escalation and inclusion as necessary in the Directorate Risk Register
Research & development
Demonstrate an ability to critically appraise research findings
Contribute ideas and undertake monitoring with regards to quality of women-centred care
Person Specification
Education, Training and Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Midwife/Nurse, or Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC registered)
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
- Infant feeding qualification or equivalent experience
- BFI Audit workshop
- Baby Friendly Initiative training
- Teaching and assessing in clinical practice
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Range of midwifery experience or equivalent if IBCLC registered
- Experience of participation in audit activities
- Knowledge of Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) accreditation process
Desirable
- Working towards BFI accreditation
- Undertaking audit interviews
- Teaching groups within clinical areas
- Experience of working collaboratively with Midwifery Education Systems
Skills
Essential
- IT Skills - Microsoft Word
- Effective oral & written communication skills
- Effective interpersonal skills - able to support colleagues and an ability to challenge appropriately
- Planning & organisational skills
- Able to support women with infant feeding problems
Desirable
- Working knowledge of Excel
Key Competencies/Personal Qualities and Attributes
Essential
- Flexible and adaptable
- Kind and caring attitude
- Ability to work well within a multi-disciplinary team
- Ability to achieve deadlines and work under pressure
- Act as a credible role model for colleagues
- Mental effort - concentration in teaching, computer working, fatigue, giving bad news
- Emotional effort - supporting women and staff in difficult circumstances
- Working conditions - working in variety of settings including other hospital areas as required
- Willingness to work flexibly according to service needs
Person Specification
Education, Training and Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Midwife/Nurse, or Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC registered)
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
- Infant feeding qualification or equivalent experience
- BFI Audit workshop
- Baby Friendly Initiative training
- Teaching and assessing in clinical practice
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Range of midwifery experience or equivalent if IBCLC registered
- Experience of participation in audit activities
- Knowledge of Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) accreditation process
Desirable
- Working towards BFI accreditation
- Undertaking audit interviews
- Teaching groups within clinical areas
- Experience of working collaboratively with Midwifery Education Systems
Skills
Essential
- IT Skills - Microsoft Word
- Effective oral & written communication skills
- Effective interpersonal skills - able to support colleagues and an ability to challenge appropriately
- Planning & organisational skills
- Able to support women with infant feeding problems
Desirable
- Working knowledge of Excel
Key Competencies/Personal Qualities and Attributes
Essential
- Flexible and adaptable
- Kind and caring attitude
- Ability to work well within a multi-disciplinary team
- Ability to achieve deadlines and work under pressure
- Act as a credible role model for colleagues
- Mental effort - concentration in teaching, computer working, fatigue, giving bad news
- Emotional effort - supporting women and staff in difficult circumstances
- Working conditions - working in variety of settings including other hospital areas as required
- Willingness to work flexibly according to service needs
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.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
