Job summary
To assist midwives in the delivery of care to women and babies in the antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal period, working in all the areas of Maternity.
The post holder will be part of the midwifery team and will be involved in maintaining and promoting health during pregnancy and early infancy, and to support parents in the transition to parenthood or life with a new baby.
Assessment Centre: Tuesday 24th October 2023
Main duties of the job
Communication
- Communicate clearly, effectively and appropriately with the multidisciplinary team, patients and their family/visitors/carers
- Respond appropriately to queries, take phone messages and pass on written and verbal information to patients
- Provide basic information to patients, family/visitors/carers and colleagues
- Aware of the importance of accurate documentation and contribute to reports of patients' activity and progress
- Accept constructive feedback.
- Give constructive feedback to colleagues.
- Participate in discussions about patient care and ward/departmental development, including handover and team meetings
- Maintain patient confidentiality
- Maintain professional boundaries and working relationships with patients and colleagues
About us
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.
We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:
- University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
- National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
- Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals
- University College Hospital Grafton Way Building
- Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
- University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
- The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
- University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street
We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.
At UCLH, we have a real 'One Team' ethos, and our values - safety, kindness, teamwork and improving, are central to the way we work. This is supported by our staff, who voted us as the #1 NHS Acute Trust to work for in the whole of England.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Personal and People Development
- Understand own level of responsibility and accountability in relation to trained staff
- Identify own learning needs and produce a personal development plan in conjunction with the ward sister/charge nurse
- Participate in annual staff appraisal, staff development and in-service training activities in line with the Competency, Education and Career Development Framework
- Attend Trust/local orientation programmes, mandatory training sessions and annual updates
- Take part in reflection and appropriate learning from practice, in order to maintain and develop competence and performance.
Health, Safety and Security
- Assist in maintaining a clean environment that is conducive to safe practice
- Report any issues at work that may put health, safety and security at risk
- Summon immediate help for any emergency and take appropriate action to contain it
- Understand the principles and practice of Infection Control
- Work within own personal/professional limitations and seek help of others to maintain safe practice.
- Identify potential risks for all staff, patients and visitors and assist with relevant incident reporting procedures
- Clean patient equipment as required
- Handle and dispose of all body fluids in accordance with universal precautions.
Service Improvement
- Undertake administrative and clerical tasks associated with patient care to facilitate the smooth running of the ward/department
- Maintain adequate levels of stock, equipment and materials and facilitate the efficient, effective use of resources; report when availability falls below an acceptable standard or level
- Pass on constructive views and ideas for improving services to ward sister/charge midwife.
Quality
- Ensure a welcoming, caring and safe environment is provided for the patient and their family/visitors/carers
- Aware of and maintains required standard of care
- Ensure that patient areas are kept clean and tidy
- Comply with Trust/local policies and procedures
Equality and Diversity
- Carry out duties and responsibilities with regard to the Trusts Equal Opportunity policy
- Recognise the importance of peoples rights and act in accordance with legislation, policies and procedures
- Act in ways that acknowledge and recognise peoples expressed beliefs, preferences and choices; respecting diversity and valuing people as individuals
- Take account of own behaviour and its effect on others
Enablement to address health and wellbeing needs
- Maintain and improve the patients mobility using appropriate equipment and handling techniques
- Assist the patient to be as comfortable as possible, i.e. help with moving and positioning the patient using appropriate equipment
- Assist with checking pain levels and requesting pain relieving medication on patients behalf
- Involve the patient in shared decision-making and obtain their consent before undertaking nursing procedures
- Prepare appropriately for the activity to be undertaken
- Support and encourage the patient to meet their own health and wellbeing needs.
Provision of care to meet health and wellbeing needs
- Provide assistance to midwives in the care of women, their babies and families during the antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal period in all the areas of Maternity.
- Undertake clinical tasks as directed by the midwife. This may include carrying out phlebotomy; assessing the general wellbeing of the mother or newborn baby and referring to the midwife or medical practitioner if mother or baby seems unwell.
- Assist, facilitate and teach women/parents in the care of the newborn e.g. bathing baby, nappy changing and general care of the newborn.
- Assist, support and teach women in their chosen method of feeding, proactively encouraging and supporting breast feeding; teaching appropriate methods of sterilising feeding equipment and, where required, the preparation of formula feeds.
- Participate in the discharge process.
- Be aware of and take appropriate action in relation to child protection issues.
- When necessary, act as the womens and/or childs advocate or assist in articulating the needs of the woman/child/family. This may include acting as an interpreter if appropriate or organising relevant interpreting service.
- Work co-operatively as part of the multi-disciplinary team, helping nursing, midwifery and other clinical staff in routine work associated with patient care
- Support qualified midwives in the implementation of programmes of care within the limits of the MSWs knowledge and competence
- Provide comfort, reassurance and support to patients and/or their carers if anxious or distressed
- Assist with essential patient care, e.g. making beds, sorting clean linen, distributing menu cards etc.
- Assist patients to become as independent as possible by giving the appropriate level of support as delegated and under supervision
- Maintain patients personal and oral hygiene, e.g. help with dressing / undressing, giving bed baths, mouth and skin care, assisting with pressure area care / SSKIN bundle
- Escort patients to other departments
- Have a basic understanding of special dietary needs and implications for the patients condition
- Ensure adequate hydration and nutritional intake including feeding patients
- Record intake and output and understand the need for accuracy
- Assist patients to access and use appropriate toilet facilities, ensuring privacy and dignity are maintained
- Carry out clinical procedures as required and under supervision, e.g. venepuncture, removal of intravenous cannula, bladder scan, simple wound dressings
- Record routine observations as designated by the midwife in charge (following training and having been assessed as competent, e.g. TPR & BP, AVPU, oxygen saturation, NEWS and urine tests, ECG)
- Alert trained staff promptly of changes in the patients condition or any possible risks
General
- Adhere to the UCLH Service Commitment "Putting Patients First" and adopt a professional approach to customer care at all times
- Comply with the Trusts Equal Opportunities Policy and treat staff, patients, colleagues and potential employees with dignity and respect at all times
- Take personal responsibility for promoting a safe environment and safe patient care by identifying areas of risk and following the Incident, Serious Incidents and Near Misses reporting policy and procedure
- Take personal responsibility for ensuring that UCLH resources are used efficiently and with minimum wastage, and to comply with the Trust's Standing Financial Instructions (SFIs)
- Comply with Trust policies for personal and patient safety and for prevention of healthcare-associated infection (HCAI); this includes a requirement for rigorous and consistent compliance with Trust policies for hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment and safe disposal of sharps
- In accordance with the Trust's responsibilities under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 to undertake work and alternative duties as reasonably directed at variable locations in the event of and for the duration of a significant internal incident, major incident or pandemic
- Be aware of and adhere to all Trust policies and procedures, the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Data Protection Act
- Maintain confidentiality at all times
- Maintain a polite, courteous and helpful manner to women, their families and colleagues at all times. Act in a manner which is sensitive to the needs to others.
- Be aware of and respect the cultural, social and religious needs/beliefs of the women and their families.
Be accountable for care given and work within the remit of job description.
Ensure compliance and implementation of UCLH Trust Guidelines, Policies and Procedures, Nursing and Midwifery strategy, Clinical Governance, Making a Difference and The NHS Plan and Maternity Matters.
Maintain own levels of clinical competence and knowledge. If unable to demonstrate required clinical experience, then will be supported to undertake Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeship.
Support students, midwifery, nursing and obstetric staff in their roles and in the delivery of women-centred care.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Personal and People Development
- Understand own level of responsibility and accountability in relation to trained staff
- Identify own learning needs and produce a personal development plan in conjunction with the ward sister/charge nurse
- Participate in annual staff appraisal, staff development and in-service training activities in line with the Competency, Education and Career Development Framework
- Attend Trust/local orientation programmes, mandatory training sessions and annual updates
- Take part in reflection and appropriate learning from practice, in order to maintain and develop competence and performance.
Health, Safety and Security
- Assist in maintaining a clean environment that is conducive to safe practice
- Report any issues at work that may put health, safety and security at risk
- Summon immediate help for any emergency and take appropriate action to contain it
- Understand the principles and practice of Infection Control
- Work within own personal/professional limitations and seek help of others to maintain safe practice.
- Identify potential risks for all staff, patients and visitors and assist with relevant incident reporting procedures
- Clean patient equipment as required
- Handle and dispose of all body fluids in accordance with universal precautions.
Service Improvement
- Undertake administrative and clerical tasks associated with patient care to facilitate the smooth running of the ward/department
- Maintain adequate levels of stock, equipment and materials and facilitate the efficient, effective use of resources; report when availability falls below an acceptable standard or level
- Pass on constructive views and ideas for improving services to ward sister/charge midwife.
Quality
- Ensure a welcoming, caring and safe environment is provided for the patient and their family/visitors/carers
- Aware of and maintains required standard of care
- Ensure that patient areas are kept clean and tidy
- Comply with Trust/local policies and procedures
Equality and Diversity
- Carry out duties and responsibilities with regard to the Trusts Equal Opportunity policy
- Recognise the importance of peoples rights and act in accordance with legislation, policies and procedures
- Act in ways that acknowledge and recognise peoples expressed beliefs, preferences and choices; respecting diversity and valuing people as individuals
- Take account of own behaviour and its effect on others
Enablement to address health and wellbeing needs
- Maintain and improve the patients mobility using appropriate equipment and handling techniques
- Assist the patient to be as comfortable as possible, i.e. help with moving and positioning the patient using appropriate equipment
- Assist with checking pain levels and requesting pain relieving medication on patients behalf
- Involve the patient in shared decision-making and obtain their consent before undertaking nursing procedures
- Prepare appropriately for the activity to be undertaken
- Support and encourage the patient to meet their own health and wellbeing needs.
Provision of care to meet health and wellbeing needs
- Provide assistance to midwives in the care of women, their babies and families during the antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal period in all the areas of Maternity.
- Undertake clinical tasks as directed by the midwife. This may include carrying out phlebotomy; assessing the general wellbeing of the mother or newborn baby and referring to the midwife or medical practitioner if mother or baby seems unwell.
- Assist, facilitate and teach women/parents in the care of the newborn e.g. bathing baby, nappy changing and general care of the newborn.
- Assist, support and teach women in their chosen method of feeding, proactively encouraging and supporting breast feeding; teaching appropriate methods of sterilising feeding equipment and, where required, the preparation of formula feeds.
- Participate in the discharge process.
- Be aware of and take appropriate action in relation to child protection issues.
- When necessary, act as the womens and/or childs advocate or assist in articulating the needs of the woman/child/family. This may include acting as an interpreter if appropriate or organising relevant interpreting service.
- Work co-operatively as part of the multi-disciplinary team, helping nursing, midwifery and other clinical staff in routine work associated with patient care
- Support qualified midwives in the implementation of programmes of care within the limits of the MSWs knowledge and competence
- Provide comfort, reassurance and support to patients and/or their carers if anxious or distressed
- Assist with essential patient care, e.g. making beds, sorting clean linen, distributing menu cards etc.
- Assist patients to become as independent as possible by giving the appropriate level of support as delegated and under supervision
- Maintain patients personal and oral hygiene, e.g. help with dressing / undressing, giving bed baths, mouth and skin care, assisting with pressure area care / SSKIN bundle
- Escort patients to other departments
- Have a basic understanding of special dietary needs and implications for the patients condition
- Ensure adequate hydration and nutritional intake including feeding patients
- Record intake and output and understand the need for accuracy
- Assist patients to access and use appropriate toilet facilities, ensuring privacy and dignity are maintained
- Carry out clinical procedures as required and under supervision, e.g. venepuncture, removal of intravenous cannula, bladder scan, simple wound dressings
- Record routine observations as designated by the midwife in charge (following training and having been assessed as competent, e.g. TPR & BP, AVPU, oxygen saturation, NEWS and urine tests, ECG)
- Alert trained staff promptly of changes in the patients condition or any possible risks
General
- Adhere to the UCLH Service Commitment "Putting Patients First" and adopt a professional approach to customer care at all times
- Comply with the Trusts Equal Opportunities Policy and treat staff, patients, colleagues and potential employees with dignity and respect at all times
- Take personal responsibility for promoting a safe environment and safe patient care by identifying areas of risk and following the Incident, Serious Incidents and Near Misses reporting policy and procedure
- Take personal responsibility for ensuring that UCLH resources are used efficiently and with minimum wastage, and to comply with the Trust's Standing Financial Instructions (SFIs)
- Comply with Trust policies for personal and patient safety and for prevention of healthcare-associated infection (HCAI); this includes a requirement for rigorous and consistent compliance with Trust policies for hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment and safe disposal of sharps
- In accordance with the Trust's responsibilities under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 to undertake work and alternative duties as reasonably directed at variable locations in the event of and for the duration of a significant internal incident, major incident or pandemic
- Be aware of and adhere to all Trust policies and procedures, the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Data Protection Act
- Maintain confidentiality at all times
- Maintain a polite, courteous and helpful manner to women, their families and colleagues at all times. Act in a manner which is sensitive to the needs to others.
- Be aware of and respect the cultural, social and religious needs/beliefs of the women and their families.
Be accountable for care given and work within the remit of job description.
Ensure compliance and implementation of UCLH Trust Guidelines, Policies and Procedures, Nursing and Midwifery strategy, Clinical Governance, Making a Difference and The NHS Plan and Maternity Matters.
Maintain own levels of clinical competence and knowledge. If unable to demonstrate required clinical experience, then will be supported to undertake Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeship.
Support students, midwifery, nursing and obstetric staff in their roles and in the delivery of women-centred care.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Qualifications
Essential
- English Level two or equivalent
- Maths Level two or equivalent
- Minimum of five GCSE's
- Three A-Levels, NVQ Level three in Health Care or equivalent
- Advanced Apprenticeship, or willingness to work towards competencies outlined in National Framework
Desirable
- Foundation Degree Maternity Pathway
- Care Certificate or willingness to work towards
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of working with members of the public
- Working in team
- Previous experience working in a maternity department
Desirable
- Clinical experience within an acute hospital setting
- Previously worked in NHS
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Able to follow instructions and complete assigned tasks
- Understanding of the role and own professional boundaries
- Understanding and awareness of difference cultural needs and practices
- IT/computer skills
- Ability to prioritise workload
- Ability to work without direct supervision
- Able to identify when to escalate issues/concerns
- Ability to work as part of team and to liaise with colleagues in other disciplines
- Demonstrates awareness of audit and quality issues.
- Demonstrates understanding of community-based working (ie: Children's Centre)
- Awareness of Health and Safety issues
Desirable
- Understanding of Safeguarding issues
Communication
Essential
- Approachable manner with good interpersonal skills
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- Numerate
Personal and People Development
Essential
- Good understanding of client confidentiality
- Knowledge and understanding of data protection
- Ability to demonstrate empathy
- Adaptable and flexible approach to work
Specific Requirements
Essential
- Ability to work 24 hour shift pattern, including weekends and bank holidays
Person Specification
Knowledge and Qualifications
Essential
- English Level two or equivalent
- Maths Level two or equivalent
- Minimum of five GCSE's
- Three A-Levels, NVQ Level three in Health Care or equivalent
- Advanced Apprenticeship, or willingness to work towards competencies outlined in National Framework
Desirable
- Foundation Degree Maternity Pathway
- Care Certificate or willingness to work towards
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of working with members of the public
- Working in team
- Previous experience working in a maternity department
Desirable
- Clinical experience within an acute hospital setting
- Previously worked in NHS
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Able to follow instructions and complete assigned tasks
- Understanding of the role and own professional boundaries
- Understanding and awareness of difference cultural needs and practices
- IT/computer skills
- Ability to prioritise workload
- Ability to work without direct supervision
- Able to identify when to escalate issues/concerns
- Ability to work as part of team and to liaise with colleagues in other disciplines
- Demonstrates awareness of audit and quality issues.
- Demonstrates understanding of community-based working (ie: Children's Centre)
- Awareness of Health and Safety issues
Desirable
- Understanding of Safeguarding issues
Communication
Essential
- Approachable manner with good interpersonal skills
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- Numerate
Personal and People Development
Essential
- Good understanding of client confidentiality
- Knowledge and understanding of data protection
- Ability to demonstrate empathy
- Adaptable and flexible approach to work
Specific Requirements
Essential
- Ability to work 24 hour shift pattern, including weekends and bank holidays
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).
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).
