Job summary
Maternity Support Workers assist with caring for women, babies and their families throughout their maternity journey, working under supervision and within agreed guidelines and protocols when providing care to women and their families (definition of a Maternity Support Worker - HEE, Maternity Support Worker Competency, Education and Career Development Framework). Maternity Support Worker is expected to hold a Care Certificate and be able to demonstrate full compliance of the competencies of Band 2 MSW. Maternity Support Workers use additional skills within focused aspects of service delivery to enhance the service offered to women and their families; working alongside, but under the guidance of practitioners at all levels from across the multidisciplinary team including, but not limited to obstetricians, midwives' ultra-sonographers, physiotherapists and advanced nurse practitioners. You require knowledge of facts, principles, processes and general concepts in a field of work. Carry out a wider range of duties and will have more responsibility, with guidance and supervision available when

Main duties of the job

• Create effective and supportive relationships with women and their families to enhance the provision of personalised and safe woman-centred care
• Proactively engages with patients and others in order to build and maintain positive relationships. Ensures all women and babies requirements are met with respect, privacy, dignity, sensitivity, empathy and recognising diversity at all times.
• Provide good quality personalised care in accordance with agreed local and national standards.
• Support the adaptation to parenthood.
• Understands and gains valid consent prior to action or providing care. Has the knowledge to document this promptly and clearly.
• Understands the MSW's scope of practice and works within limits of own competence and authority
• Recognises changes in either mother or baby's condition and understands to report any concerns including those expressed by the women (or their families) to the midwife. Ensures own clinical practice is always safe and appropriate.
• Assists in the implementation of direct clinical care performing a range of relevant clinical skills.
• Act within the limits of your competence and authority and adhere to local protocols and procedures.
• Develop your own knowledge and practice, which includes reflecting on your practice, and taking opportunities to improve your practice and apply learning in the workplace.
• Make use of supervision. Participate in regular supervision in line with local guidelines

About us
We operate from three main hospitals - Furness General Hospital (FGH) in Barrow, the Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI), and Westmorland General Hospital (WGH) in Kendal, as well as a number of community healthcare premises including Millom Hospital and GP Practice, Queen Victoria Hospital in Morecambe, and Ulverston Community Health Centre.

FGH and the RLI have a range of General Hospital services, with full Emergency Departments, Critical/Coronary Care units and various Consultant-led services.

WGH provides a range of General Hospital services, together with an Urgent Treatment Centre, that can help with a range of non-life threatening conditions such as broken bones and minor illnesses.

All three main hospitals provide a range of planned care including outpatients, diagnostics, therapies, daycase and inpatient surgery. In addition, a range of local outreach services and diagnostics are provided from community facilities across Morecambe Bay.

Job responsibilities
For further details on the advertised position and the principal job duties/responsibilities, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification found under the supporting documents section. Additional information about the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay can be accessed on our website.

Person Specification
previous experience working with families
Essential

• 2 years experience
• experience working in the NHS

Knowledge, Experience and Training required for the Post
Essential

• 5 GCSE's Grade C/5 including English and Maths or equivalent qualification
• Care Certificate
• Evidence of completion of MSW Level 2 and level 3 competencies or willingness to work towards level 3

Desirable

• Level 3 NVQ/BTEC/A-Levels

Experience
Essential

• Previous experience as a Maternity Support Worker, Health Care Assistant or Support Worker in a similar role
• Competent in venepuncture
• Carry out clinical interventions as delegated by the multi professional team and as agreed by local protocols

Desirable

• Experience of working with newborn infants
• Knowledge of NHS/ hospital systems

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.