Band 4 Nursery Nurse

Job overview

To work as a member of the Nursery Nurse team in supporting the provision of high standard holistic care to mothers and babies. The responsibility to participate in the assessment of care needs and the implementation of programmed care of the neonate.

Main duties of the job

• 1.     Welcome and provide support to babies, their parents and families. 2.     Provide a suitable environment for the welfare of the baby and family, taking into consideration cultural and religious needs. 3.     Participate in the organisation and delivery of patient care services in such a manner as to contribute to maintain the highest standards of care.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• 1.     After instruction and assessment, carry out extended skills, such as discharge education for new parents. 2.     Promote breast feeding – supporting and encouraging breast feeding as appropriate, within both the inpatient and outpatient settings. 3.     Advise parents on the physical, emotional and developmental needs of the baby during their stay on the unit and promote the relationship of the baby within the family. 4.     Act as a health educator to teach and supervise parents and help them to gain skill and confidence in caring for their baby:- 5.     Guidance on encouraging relationship building between parents and baby: a)    Instruction in maintaining a safe environment for baby b)    Instruction in the hygiene needs of the baby c)     Information giving in relation to breast feeding benefits, techniques and responsive breast feeding d)    Instruction in safe and responsive bottle feeding where appropriate e)    Instruction and support in feeding methods for babies with feeding problems 6.     Maintain and extend professional knowledge to keep updated with current best practice and comply with on-line training. 7.     Accept the responsibility not to undertake any task that has not been explained or ultimately thoroughly understood, or does not feel competent to carry out. 8.     Promote good effective working relationships. 9.     Be aware of cross infection and the need for prevention. Help to maintain a clean, safe, pleasant and therapeutic environment for patients and staff, taking remedial action when necessary. 10.  Report any change or deviation from normal to the Midwife in Charge and assist in the following: a)    Undertake observation of temperature, respirations, heart rate, colour and tone and record results accurately b)    Obtain heel prick blood samples for blood glucose measurements and Serum Bilirubin, record or plot results accordingly c)     Collect samples for Neonatal Blood Spot Screening Test d)    Care for babies including those who are born to diabetic mothers, have low birth weight or growth restricted, require phototherapy, or have other specific care needs including setting up and maintaining relevant equipment e)    Removal of intravenous, subcutaneous cannulae under supervision from the midwife