Job Description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for passionate, enthusiastic and motivated maternity support workers.



Come and join Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust Maternity inpatient team.



The post holder will also be required to work day and night shifts (from 07.45h-20.15h and 19.45-08.15h respectively) including weekends and bank holidays, in all areas of the maternity department as required.



The post holder will be a member of the multidisciplinary team and will be expected to contribute to the organisation and delivery of clients' individual care under the direction and supervision of a registered midwife or Doctor. Also, as part of the multidisciplinary team they will be expected to provide a sensitive and caring service to women and their families.



In this post you will be required to perform a full range of manual and clerical duties and support the registered midwives in the provision of a safe and caring environment in the Maternity Ward.



The post will require you to also practice in accordance with trust values and statutory requirements and operate within the boundaries of the role and assessed competencies.



The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's biggest and most innovative trusts. Across three main hospitals, our dedicated army of staff care for over 1.6million patients, treat more than 200,000 in A&E, deliver over 8,000 babies and carry out more than 17million tests.



Our size, scale and influence offer you unrivalled career opportunities and a forward-thinking approach to working that works around your lifestyle. From flexible hours and generous benefits, to next level training, we make it easier to take your career to the top



Our Maternity strategy, has been developed in partnership with women, birthing people and families who use our service and the staffing team who provide care.



Actively listening to the voices of everyone involved in our maternity services has been key to produce a living working document that sets out how services can be developed and transformed.

The strategy sets out six strategic priorities:

Personalised care and user involvement



Continuity of carer and equality of care



Empowered and engaged workforce



Building our teams capability and providing career opportunities



Leading research, innovation, and practice development



Working together with other local organisations to implement the Start Well programme



For more information about working for our organisation please follow link https://www.royalfreelondonjobs.co.uk/

Duties and Responsibilities:

General



Always maintain a professional behaviour



Respond to patient calls and direct appropriately.



Assist in maintaining client confidentiality and privacy.



To understand and adhere to all relevant trust policies and procedures.



Recognise the importance of working within the team and supporting colleagues.



To be always courteous and professional when answering the telephone and when dealing with women, relatives, and colleagues.



Assist in orientating clients and visitors to the clinical environment.



Deliver and collect items from other departments as necessary.



Help to keep all areas of the clinic environment clean and tidy including liaising with domestic staff, stock ordering and estates and facilities.



Ensure compliance with all aspects of Infection Control, Isolation and Food Hygiene policies.



To work in accordance with the changing needs of the maternity service and trust policies and procedures.



Clinical responsibilities



To maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene within all clinical areas, i.e. cleaning consulting rooms, equipment's, Temperature audit, and keeping a good stock supply of all necessary stationery and consumables to run efficient services.



To assist the midwives and doctors in the care of women antenatally and postnatally to ensure that planned programmes of care are provided, including:



Providing support to mothers and birth partners with the care of the baby or caring for the baby if the mother or partner is not able to.



Assisting the midwife by maintaining a tidy environment.



Providing and maintaining hygiene and cleanliness of clinical areas and ensuring that dignity and respect are always maintained.



Any other duties as required by the midwife/obstetric team at the time.



Provide support with phlebotomy services.



To participate in the provision of 24-hour cover for the unit, including flexibility to move within team areas as the service requires.



Assist with all aspects of clients' hygiene and personal needs as required when supporting other areas of the department.



To assist in the provision of food and drink to women if appropriate.



To provide appropriate advice, within their level of knowledge, to parents on aspects of parenting in relation to the baby's well-being and safety.



Supporting women with all methods of infant feeding.



Be proactive in supporting women with breastfeeding and give them the advice and assistance they require according to the national and Trust guidelines.



Assisting women with their babies' hygiene needs.



To maintain accurate records of all care provision in the Electronic Patient Records (EPR records).



To escort patients to different clinical areas within the unit. This may involve the use of wheelchairs or beds and trolleys.



Be aware of emergency calling procedures to be able to call for assistance for the midwife or doctor when asked to do so according to agreed protocols.



To participate in emergency situations to act as a scribe or 'runner'.



To act as a chaperone.



To demonstrate initiative and the ability to recognise/identify changes in a woman condition/treatment and report promptly to the midwife/nurse or medical staff as appropriate.



Perform the following clinical duties informing the midwife of the results and recording these appropriately:



Taking maternal temperature, pulse, blood pressure respiration rate and oxygen saturations and record findings accurately on the electronic MEOWS chart, including the use of the scoring system on each occasion.



Escalate appropriately on any occasion when the MEOWS score is out of normal range.



Maintaining fluid balance charts.



Report lochia/blood loss, monitor for signs of infection.



Support and care for a woman with an indwelling urinary catheter, including removal of catheter (TWOC), once trained and signed as competent.



Venepuncture if trained or undertaking training and assessment to acquire these skills.



Cannulation if trained (midwife to flush -if not included in the Cannulation Pack- and/ or attach IV).



Obtaining and testing mid-stream urine samples and performing urinalysis.



Obtain a capillary sample of maternal blood glucose assessment, aware when to escalate.



Obtain infant capillary sample blood via heel prick for blood glucose. Refer result to midwife.



Accurate weighing of baby, calculation of weight loss if applicable, documentation and aware of when to escalate.



Obtaining urine samples from babies when required.



Removal of an IV cannula.



Care of cannula; including changing of dressing.



Contribute to effective and timely discharge planning.



Complete discharge paperwork and discharge talk for low risk women, following the clinical decision to discharge by the midwife.



Participate in safeguarding protocols before discharge.



Assist woman with postnatal exercises including pelvic floor exercises.



Collection of blood products from blood bank when requested.



Reporting faculty equipment to the midwife / Manager and completing requisitions as required or requested.



Assisting the midwife/doctor with aseptic procedures.



Act in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers in England.



To understand and support safeguarding principles for clients and escalate any concerns to the midwife in charge.



At all times to respect clients' privacy and dignity.



To always communicate in an appropriate manner with women and relatives.



To demonstrate a sound of understanding of local and the trust's Adult and Child protection policies and procedures as relevant to your role



Administrative



Provide administrative support to midwives.



Answering the telephone and relaying messages to the appropriate member of staff.



Monitoring incoming and outgoing visitors, opening the door when appropriate



Ensuring the safekeeping of client's property in accordance with the trust policy.



To participate in audit as appropriate keeping up to date with changing practises.



To understand the principles of the Friends and Family Test and client feedback and how it is used to improve and maintain an excellent client experience



Education and Development



Through the appraisal system, ensure own training needs are identified.



All mandatory training is kept up to date as required.



Attend staff meetings, including team briefings and read information as required.



Engage with learning opportunities within the department and Trust