Infant Feeding Support Worker

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a part time support worker to join the infant feeding team at University Hospital Lewisham.

We are looking for a friendly, dedicated and motivated specialist infant feeding support worker who, under the supervision of the Infant Feeding Lead Midwife and Infant Feeding advisor, will provide daily practical support for mums/birthing people on the postnatal ward, and throughout the department/hospital as required. You will also be expected to support the Infant Feeding Lead to provide care, support and advice for women/birthing people on the maternity ward antenatally, and provide feeding support for parents with babies admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

You will support running breastfeeding classes for expectant and new mums, taking part in audit, and assisting the Infant Feeding Midwife to implement the Baby Friendly Initiative Standards. With training, you will provide specialist support to mums with ongoing feeding issues, such as tongue tie, and will also assist with implementing Baby Friendly Training to all members of the multi-disciplinary team., Applicants need not apply if you do not have at least 1 years' experience as a band 2/3 Health Care Assistant (not a volunteer) on either a maternity ward or paediatric ward as you will NOT be shortlisted.

You will support women / birthing people with their choice on how they feed their baby ensuring informed consent is received and record all clinical care given as appropriate.

You will provide, support and care for the woman / birthing person/baby with regards to how they have chosen to feed their baby respecting their need for privacy and dignity.

You will help to facilitate breast feeding support and workshops on the postnatal ward in addition to Antenatal Infant feeding classes

You will give breast feeding support in other clinical areas when asked i.e. Children's' Wards, Neonatal Unit, Children's A&E

You will show how women / birthing people how to prepare and give formula milk if asked

You will be able to diagnosis, support, referral, and follow up of babies with tongue tie as well as supporting women / birthing people in the care of their baby providing knowledge and up to date information on infant feeding practices and to refer on to Infant Feeding Lead Midwife when confronted with breast feeding issues outside of own competence

You will be able to support and advise women / birthing people and other staff members who are using the breast pumps., 1. Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
2. Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
3. Improving the experience of staff with disability
4. Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
5. Making equalities mainstream

You must be organised, flexible with working hours, and able to take responsibility and prioritise your own workload. Good communication and some experience of working with breastfeeding mums is essential. A recognised qualification is desirable.

Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations

£24,071 to £25,674 a year per annum pro rata plus HCAS