Infant Feeding Midwife

Band 6 Rotational Midwife

We are seeking to recruit a highly motivated experienced Band 6 Midwife who have the passion to provide kind, safe and personalised midwifery care, acting as an advocate for woman and their families.

We are currently working towards Better Births and developing new models of care including 1-1 continuity of care, this is an exciting opportunity to join our Midwifery workforce.  Our midwives work across a 7 day week to meet the demands of our 24/7 service. We will consider requests for full and part time. Even though this vacancy is advertised on a part time basis, we will consider full time hours for the right candidate. Successful candidates will be innovative and committed to Midwife Led Care and be highly motivated to meet the challenge of increasing our home birth rate. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential. You must be able to travel between sites and within the community setting.

NMC registration is a mandatory requirement for this role.

This vacancy may close earlier than the specified closing date if a suitable level of applications are received.

We are seeking a midwife to join our maternity team with a special interest and passion for Infant Feeding services.

The post holder will be a registered midwife who will be a role model for promoting, protecting and supporting infant feeding services. We hold a Gold revalidated UNICEF UK BFI accreditation in maternity services, and they will work to ensure that these nationally recognised standards are sustained. The post holder will also work closely with our Neonatal Unit and Paediatric Services in their journey to achieving Gold BFI accreditation.

They will advise and support staff in all areas in relation to infant feeding and be expected to broaden their remit to demonstrate a high level of competence in this speciality.

Support will involve making accountable decisions on care plans in conjunction with the family unit and the wider multi-disciplinary team.The post-holder will also promote and participate in the provision of the midwifery led tongue-tie service and will undertake the relevant training and continuing professional development as required.

Duties and Responsibilities

· To provide individualised specialist advice for mothers and babies with breastfeeding difficulties.

· Support the Infant Feeding BFI project lead with duties and responsibilities as directed.

· Prepare and complete audits as directed by the BFI framework, including implementing any action plans. Conduct BFI audit with mothers and families.

· Provide expert teaching for the mandatory study days for maternity unit staff. Support training needs for neonatal and paediatric staff.

· Provide an expert resource for staff caring for mothers and babies with complex feeding issues. Making accountable decisions based on knowledge and experience in respect of patient care.

· Promote and participate in the delivery of midwifery led tongue-tie service to ensure we are facilitating safe, timely and effective treatment for babies experiencing feeding difficulties.

· To participate in the development of guidelines, information and practices that will both promote and support breastfeeding locally.

· Act as a role model, sharing effective practice and learning from others, promoting a high standard of safe and effective care which is based upon the best evidence.

· Contribute to service delivery and innovation, ensuring that the service is delivered in line with local, national and trust standards.

· To participate in audit, risk management, quality, practice and education initiatives to drive and support the implementation of change as necessary

· Act in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct at all times.

Key results from the job holder

· To be an experienced and approachable practitioner, flexible and available to support the MDT in providing effective infant feeding care plans.

· To sustain our Gold UNICEF UK accreditation.

· Increased breastfeeding initiation and continuation rates in all infants born or residing within the Trust’s catchment area.

Planning and Organisational Duties

·        Act as an autonomous practitioner within the Infant Feeding team and wider midwifery team.

·        Recognise and respond appropriately to issues which require urgent or immediate attention, reporting to other members of the multidisciplinary management team as necessary.

·        Keep up to date with developments in midwifery practice, incorporating national and local recommendations in all elements of care.

Communications and Key Working Relationships

·        To be a point of contact for the wider team, in relation any infant feeding concerns and support needs.

·        Establish and maintain effective communication within the multidisciplinary team, demonstrating leadership and good working relationships.

·        Attending departmental meetings where appropriate, supporting evaluation of changes within midwifery practice