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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The primary role of the Maternity Support Worker (MSW) is to assist, support and work in collaboration with the midwife and the wider multidisciplinary team; in order to provide a safe and holistic approach to women centred care.

The midwife is ultimately responsible for the care of the mother and her new-born(s), and it is under the direction of the midwife/Registered Nurse (RN) that the MSW assists with and provides care following completion of any relevant or appropriate training. The post is rotational and the employee will be provided with appropriate training for the clinical setting in which they are working. These settings include maternity theatres, inpatient care and community.

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Professional Values

To act in a professional manner and ensure Trust standards are maintained and monitored to improve the quality of care to all who come into contact with the services provided by South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust.

Uphold the Trust values and standards at all times.

Ensure records and documentation are maintained, kept confidential and meets Trust standards in line with the Data Protection Act.

Demonstrates a positive and enthusiastic approach to their work in order to maintain high morale and motivation within the team. Promoting a professional and positive working environment.

To report any accidents or incidents as described by the Trust’s policy and procedures ensuring an open and transparent culture.

To take reasonable care of the health and safety of themselves and of other persons.

To adhere to the Trust’s dress code policy, maintaining a smart appearance at all times.

To assist other wards, departments and teams within the Trust as and when required by service needs.

To adhere to the Trust’s IT policies regarding e-mail and internet usage.

To ensure children and adults are protected from abuse and avoidable harm and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.

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Clinical Practice

To carry out duties as specified within the Trust’s approved core task list for Clinical Support Workers/Healthcare Assistant without direct supervision.

Perform area specific clinical competencies in line with core standards under the direction of a Registered Practitioner understanding the purpose of, and effectively using protocols to support patient assessment, treatment and evaluation within specified limitations.

Following completion of a competency framework, conduct clinical skills below independently under the indirect supervision of a registered practitioner.

Assess women and babies using clinical skills and being aware of and escalating deviations from normal in relation to maternal and neonatal health, including maternal mental health in a variety of settings – inpatient or community.

Undertake specific clinical skills/competencies in maternity care i.e. venepuncture, taking blood from babies for newborn screening, serum bilirubin levels, blood glucose levels, weighing babies and calculating weight loss, assessment of jaundice using a bilirubinometer and calculating abnormal results.

Complete all relevant documentation for screening tests in maternity records.

Undertake tube feeding as necessary independently following completion of competence.

Provide support to women in confidently and safely feeding their baby using their chosen method using appropriate knowledge and skills of the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative.

Recognise urgent or emergency situations within the community or hospital environment and is able to summon appropriate help in those situations along with an ability to support the multi-disciplinary team during maternal and neonatal emergencies and a knowledge of their role at these times.

Arrange, administer and conduct independently, clinics for various purposes ie first pregnancy contact, feeding support, newborn screening and parent education.

Confidently be able to make every contact count and reinforce professional advice regarding healthy lifestyle messages and give advice in line with national and local guidance to mothers and families e.g. smoking cessation to include carbon monoxide screening, healthy weight and advice regarding healthy eating, safe sleeping, infant feeding, baby care and maternal and family health.

Assist Registered Practitioner with births in whatever setting including preparing for a homebirth and following a homebirth.

Assist Registered Practitioner at birth including immediate maternal and neonatal care.

Assist Midwifery Practice Teams with administrative duties and communication with women with regard to appointments and changes to their care.

Use IT systems for data input and collection, patient health records, treatment requests and results.

Ensure that all clinical documentation is accurately collected, updated, stored and filed in accordance with local information governance and record keeping policy and guidance.

Good organisational skills with the ability to manage own workload and adapt to different priorities during a working day.

Good communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to adapt these to differing or challenging circumstances.

Awareness of the importance of good customer care for women and their families including role initially handling concerns, complaints and compliments.

Adhere to Trust infection control procedures, demonstrating an understanding of cross infection.

Work under the guidance for a lone worker in the community.

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Communications and Interpersonal Relationships

Welcome patients, relatives and visitors to the clinical area, providing assistance, support and information where required. Being aware of barriers to effective communication and the means to overcome them.

Always introduce yourself in line with the Trusts privacy and dignity promises and the principles of good customer service.

To answer the telephone, when necessary, in a polite, courteous manner and pass on enquiries to the registered professional.

Communicate effectively within the multi-disciplinary team and other departments to ensure that patient care is well planned and coordinated.

Contribute to the reporting, handover and documentation of patient care as delegated by a registered professional maintaining confidentiality at all times.

Report incidents, accidents and complaints as per Trust Policy and to the senior professional on duty, ensuring an open and transparent culture.

Use the Trust information support system and other computer systems as required by the clinical area.

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Team Working

Take all reasonable steps to ensure the safe keeping of patient’s property in accordance with Trust policy.

Promote a professional, welcoming and uncluttered environment; keep all storage areas safe, clean and tidy.

To share responsibility in the care and maintenance of all equipment in the clinical area including all equipment cleaning.

Ensure all waste and soiled linen is disposed of in line with Trust policy.

Participate in audit under the direction of the registered professional.

Clean and check of beds, bed spaces and lockers in the patient area following discharge and in preparation for admission (inpatient areas only).

Ensure deliveries are stored correctly and stock maintained to the required level.

Support the housekeeper with general housekeeping duties, reporting as necessary essential cleaning needs (inpatient areas only).

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Education, Training and Personal Development

To ensure attendance at mandatory training sessions, i.e. infection control, resuscitation and manual handling training.

To complete the Trust’s Clinical Support Worker Induction programme.

To successfully complete the Care Certificate within 12 weeks of commencing employment.

Completion of SWFT or external Maternity Support Worker Programme or a willingness to undertake within 6 months of employment.

To participate in appraisals and personal reviews and work to achieve agreed set objectives.

Support induction training and provide support to new and existing Maternity Support Workers.

To undertake training as necessary for the development of the post and the relevance of the department including IT and clinical skills.

To continue personal development in relation to identified objectives.

Maintain up to date knowledge of changes in policies and procedures relevant to the post.