Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust

Maternity support worker Infant feeding support

The closing date is 30 July 2025

Job summary

  • 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.

About us

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 workingopportunities,alongside your NHS benefits ofgenerous annual leave entitlement, pension andaccess toNHS 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 withinourBHT familyimprovespositive 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.

Details

Date posted

16 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

Depending on experience pro rata per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

434-SCS7250505

Job locations

Rothschild Ward, Stoke Mandeville Hospital

Aylesbury

HP21 8AL


Job description

Job 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 bht.recruitment@nhs.net quoting the vacancy reference number.

Job description

Job 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 bht.recruitment@nhs.net quoting the vacancy reference number.

Person Specification

Education, qualifications, and training

Essential

  • 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

  • Care Certificate/working towards

Value

Essential

  • 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

  • Experience of working with people, ideally in a front-line customer service role
  • Previous experience of supporting mothers with infant feeding is beneficial

Desirable

  • Experience of providing person centred care.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & COMPETENCE

Essential

  • 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

  • Good understanding of care needs relevant to patient's in a hospital setting

BEHAVIOURS & VALUES

Essential

  • 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
Person Specification

Education, qualifications, and training

Essential

  • 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

  • Care Certificate/working towards

Value

Essential

  • 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

  • Experience of working with people, ideally in a front-line customer service role
  • Previous experience of supporting mothers with infant feeding is beneficial

Desirable

  • Experience of providing person centred care.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & COMPETENCE

Essential

  • 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

  • Good understanding of care needs relevant to patient's in a hospital setting

BEHAVIOURS & VALUES

Essential

  • 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

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

Rothschild Ward, Stoke Mandeville Hospital

Aylesbury

HP21 8AL


Employer's website

https://careers.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

Rothschild Ward, Stoke Mandeville Hospital

Aylesbury

HP21 8AL


Employer's website

https://careers.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Infant Feeding Team Lead Midwife

Charlotte Barnard

charlotte.coker2@nhs.net

01296315162

Details

Date posted

16 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

Depending on experience pro rata per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

434-SCS7250505

Job locations

Rothschild Ward, Stoke Mandeville Hospital

Aylesbury

HP21 8AL


Supporting documents

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