Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the University Hospitals Plymouth Maternity Service as a Band 3 Maternity Support Worker (MSW). This rewarding role offers the chance to become part of a dedicated and compassionate multidisciplinary team, delivering high-quality, safe, and personalised care to women, birthing people, babies, and their families within our inpatient maternity services.

As a MSW you will work alongside registered midwives and the wider maternity team, supporting women and families throughout pregnancy, birth, and the postnatal period. Working under the indirect supervision of a registered midwife, you will play a valued role in providing holistic care and contributing to positive experiences and outcomes for those using our services.

The successful candidate will be enthusiastic, caring, and motivated, with excellent communication and organisational skills and the ability to work effectively within a busy and continually evolving maternity environment. Applicants should hold an NHS Care Certificate or be willing to work towards achieving this qualification with support from the Trust.

In return, we offer a comprehensive induction programme, ongoing training, and development opportunities to enhance your knowledge and skills within maternity care. This is an excellent opportunity for an individual who is passionate about supporting families and wishes to develop a fulfilling career within maternity services.

Main duties of the job
As a Maternity Support Worker, you will undertake a diverse range of duties that contribute to the delivery of safe, high-quality, and compassionate maternity care. Responsibilities will include supporting the personal care needs of women and babies, providing information and guidance on self-care and infant care, and offering initial support with infant feeding. You will also contribute to health promotion activities, undertake clerical and administrative tasks, support educational initiatives, and assist with housekeeping duties to ensure the smooth and efficient running of the maternity service.

This role requires flexibility and a commitment to providing a seven-day service. Successful candidates will be expected to work a variety of shift patterns, including long days, short days, long nights, weekends, and Bank Holidays within the inpatient maternity setting.

The ability to use electronic patient record systems and digital technologies confidently is essential, as accurate and timely documentation of care forms a key part of the role. Applicants should possess good IT skills and be comfortable working within a digitally enabled healthcare environment.

Please note that applications from temporary workers who have been engaged with the Trust for a minimum of 3 months are welcome.

About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Job responsibilities
Key Dimensions:

• To be aware of the patients physical, emotional and social needs and to report accurately to the midwife.
• To establish good relationships with the patients, relatives and colleagues ensuring accurate and effective communication at all times.
• To be able to self-manage and organize own day to day tasks and activities against care delivery plans. Under the direction of the midwife, be able to adjust plans in response to service needs.
• To demonstrate independent inquiry, through knowledge and experience within remit of role.
• To undertake clinical skills as directed by the midwife and report findings accordingly.
• To maintain accurate and legible records as appropriate under the direction of the midwife.
• To contribute to the maintenance of a safe working environment.

Qualifications
Essential

• GCSE Maths(A-C/ 4-9) or equivalent level of qualification
• GCSE English (A-C/4-9) or equivalent level of qualification
• NVQ/QCF Level 3 Health and Social care and a care certificate
• Proven evidence of working in a customer care setting

Desirable

• Phlebotomy skills
• Proven evidence of breastfeeding support Training

Aptitude and Abilities
Essential

• Good communication skills (written and oral)
• Good telephone manner
• Organisational skills

Knowledge and Experience
Essential

• Proven knowledge of basic parenting skills
• Ability to investigate information, plan what to do and how to do it
• Able to generate and explore ideas and problem solve
• Able to reflect and learn from different situations
• To priorities workload, recognizing own limitations and when to seek assistance

Desirable

• Proven evidence of breastfeeding support Training
• Phlebotomy skills

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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).