Neonatal Health Care Support Worke inNuneaton inNuneaton PUBLISHED 26 APR 2024

George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust opened in 1948 and provides a range of elective, non-elective, surgical, medical, women's, children's, diagnostic and therapeutic services to a population of more than 350,000 people.

The hub of the Trust is located on the outskirts of Nuneaton and its services cover a large footprint, including north Warwickshire, south west Leicestershire, and north Coventry. We also provide primary and community services across Coventry, Warwickshire and Leicestershire.

Our vision is "to EXCEL at patient care". If you think you've got what it takes, help us realise this and join
#TeamEliot.


Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour aren't as likely to apply unless they meet every qualification of non specialist roles.

We're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive workplace, so if you're excited about this role and meet our values, but your experience doesn't align perfectly with everything in the Job Description or Person Specification- apply anyway or email the Recruiting Manager to discuss the role further

We are proud to support the Armed Forces community. We are a Veteran Aware and Reservist Friendly organisation and welcome applications from Veterans, Reservists, Cadet Instructors, and family members of serving personnel.


Job overview



Job Title: Neonatal Health Care Support Worker



Salary: £22,816.00 - £24,336.00 Per annum pro rata



Hours per week: Full time & part time position available


Closing Date: 12th May 2024


Interview Date: 20th May 2024


The Neonatal Health Care Support Worker will be an integral member of the SCBU team responsible for the delivery of fundamental care to patients in a safe, caring and compassionate manner under the supervision and guidance of a registered nurse.


This post may close early due to high numbers of applications

so you are advised to apply promptly.


All correspondence for this vacancy will be sent by email; please check your account regularly including your Junk and SPAM areas.


Careers at George Eliot - 'Where you make a difference'



Main duties of the job


The primary role of the Neonatal Health Care Support Worker (HCSW) is to assist, support and work in collaboration with the Neonatal Nurse and the wider multidisciplinary team; in order to provide a safe and holistic approach to babies and their families.

The HCSW is ultimately responsible for the care of the baby and their family, and it is under the direct or indirect supervision of the nurse that the HCSW assists with and provides care following completion of any relevant or appropriate training. The post based on the Special Care Baby Unit and the employee will be provided with appropriate training for the clinical setting in which they are working.

The post holder is expected to undertake a set of defined competencies; to ensure compliance with the Neonatal Support Worker Competency, Education, and Career Development Framework to ensure standards for the role are met, which is in line with the Maternity Support Worker Framework. Support will be given to employees to further develop their skills and explore pathways for progression where appropriate.


Working for our organisation


Here at George Eliot our vision to '
excel at patient care'
takes centre stage. An ever evolving clinically-led acute service provider we are on a journey to continually provide high quality, safe and responsive services delivered by inspiring, friendly and compassionate staff who share our corporate values which underpin everything we do. Our values are not just words on a piece of paper, they bond us together, reflect our ambition and shape who we are:


E
ffective Open Communication

e
x
cellence and safety in everything we do


C
hallenge but support


E
xpect respect and dignity


L
ocal health that inspires confidence


Benefits:
On-site nursery, 27 days minimum annual leave plus bank holidays, cycle to work scheme, flexible working, extensive in-house course learning directory, buying and selling of annual leave, subsidised restaurant, tranquillity garden and generous subsidised on-site parking.


Detailed job description and main responsibilities



Non-clinical responsibilities

• Assist with the admission, orientation and discharge of babies and their families in accordance with local policy and guidance.
• Ensure that all clinical documentation is accurately, collected, updated, stored and filed in accordance with local information governance and record keeping policy and guidance.
• Work closely with administrative staff to provide additional support to this service as required.
• Participate in tracking, obtaining and filing clinical records as required, under instruction and in line with local policy and guidance.
• Provide administrative support to the neonatal team.
• Manage own time effectively whilst prioritising care needs for babies and their families under the direction of the nurse.
• Act reliably; relaying messages to the appropriate person in an effective and timely manner, whilst maintaining patient confidentiality.
• Convey an approachable and professional attitude to all babies and their families.
• Communicate effectively with families in all settings, with particular attention to providing updates on any delays or changes to their babies care.
• Ensure that knowledge of local safeguarding policy and procedure is maintained.
• Ensure the working order of equipment, reporting any concerns, faults or breakages to the appropriate person in a timely manner.
• Report any incidents or concerns using the local risk management reporting system and escalate such concerns or incidents appropriately and in a timely manner.
• Identify own training and development needs and undertake appropriate training/education as required.
• Be aware of own professional limitations and develop practice through reflection, mentorship and appraisal.
• Attend all statutory and mandatory training as and when required.
• Participate in annual individual performance review process, whereby objectives will be agreed, performance monitored and personal development needs discussed.
• Be conversant with the local infection control policy, whilst ensuring mandates are adhered to at all times.
• Act responsibly in respect of colleague's health, safety and welfare following safety at work practices, whilst working in compliance with local health and safety policy and guidance.
• Participate in the audit of standards within the unit if appropriate.

Clinical responsibilities

• Responsibly receive details of daily duties from the nurse, and use own discretion when prioritising care, under direction and supervision.
• Support babies during clinical procedures, including attending to any personal hygiene needs as necessary.
• Supporting families in their choice of infant feeding and have awareness of the options available.
• Provide evidence-based support, assistance and advice to mothers who are breastfeeding or are planning to breastfeed.
• Support and assist families with artificial feeding in line with local and national policy and guidance.
• Recognise and report any abnormal events or emergencies to the multidisciplinary team through the appropriate means, in a timely manner
• Assist with the transportation of blood products if asked to do so following completion of the appropriate training and competencies and have an awareness of the storage requirements.
• Assist in neonatal hygiene needswith disposal of equipment following infection control policy and to document accurately the fluid balance.
• Undertake routine neonatal observations under direct and indirect supervision and escalate any deviations from the normal range appropriately, and in a timely manner, following the completion of competency practical and theoretical training.
• Observe the overall wellbeing of the newborn and escalate any concerns to named nurse or multi-professional team in a timely manner.
• Provide practical support to new parents when caring for their newborn, whilst promoting safety in both the hospital and home setting.
• Escort babies and their families between clinical areas as required.
• Undertake newborn blood spot screening, following successful completion of the appropriate competency, as directed by the nurse. Ensure the nurse has gained consent for the newborn blood spot screening to be taken, and that consent is also gained from the mother by yourself prior to undertaking the procedure.
• To complete the relevant documentation for screening test performed in the neonatal records.
• To assist or perform capillary blood sampling tests, including blood glucose sampling, following successful completion of appropriate competency as directed by the nurse.
• Assist with the removal of dressings or cannula under direction of the nurse.
• Assist in the nutrition and hydration needs of babies including oral feeding and Nasogastric tube feeding.
• Assist the nurse in the delivery of the babies care, including the promotion of public health information. Sign posting to families to the local and national services available.
• Provide discharge preparation support to families including teaching of practical skills relating to newborn care and health education.
• Ensure the cleanliness of equipment in all clinical and non-clinical areas and assist the nurse in appropriately preparing for an neonatal admissions..
• Ensure adequate stock levels are maintained in all clinical settings, and equipment is available; escalate any depletion of stock or resources in a timely manner.
• To give regular handover of care to the named midwife all areas of care completed in practice.
• To recognise any deterioration in mental and emotional wellbeing of families and respond appropriately, escalating to named nurse.
• To be aware of Child Protection issues and refer issues of concern to registered nurse.
• To be aware of the current policy and service frameworks for mental health (e.g. Capacity Act, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and Mental Health Act); the impact they have on interventions including rights of people using services or giving formal or informal support and the role of advocacy.
• To be aware of perinatal mental health issues and the appropriate referral pathway and to escalate to multi-disciplinary team and concerns noted within home or hospital setting.

Person specification



Experience and Knowledge



Essential criteria

• Previous experience of working with members of the public
• 6 months neonatal care experience in a hospital
• Knowledge and understanding of data protection confidentiality
• Awareness of Health and Safety issues
• Understanding of Safeguarding issues

Desirable criteria

• Experience of using hospital patient record system
• Experience of working in an acute hospital setting
• Experience of providing high quality care
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Qualifications and Professional Training



Essential criteria

• GCSE Maths A-C, Levels 4-9, Function skills level 2 or equivalent
• GCSW English Grades A-C, Levels 4-9, functional skills level 2 or equivilant
• care certificate
• Diploma (NVQ) Level 3 in Health Care or equivalent level 2 Healthcare qualification

Desirable criteria

• Commit to undertaking in house training

Skills and Abilities



Essential criteria

• Approachable manner with good interpersonal skills
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to prioritise workload
• Ability to work without direct supervision
• Understanding of the role and own professional boundries
• Able to identify when to escalate issues/concerns
• Ability to work as part of a team and to liaise with colleagues in other disciplines
• Demonstrate attention to detail
• IT/computer skills

Personal Qualities



Desirable criteria

• Ability to travel

Essential criteria



Essential criteria

• Adaptable and flexible approach to work
• Positive attitude to training and development
• Understanding of shift work, 24/7 service and bank holidays

Please note:


George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust utilises a third party recruitment system (TRAC). When applying via NHS Jobs, your submitted application will be imported into TRAC where all subsequent information regarding your application will be generated. You will not be able to track the progress of your application or receive messages via the NHS Jobs website. Furthermore, as an employer, we will not be able to respond to any emails/messages sent to us via the NHS Jobs website.

By applying for this post you are consenting to George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system, TRAC.

The Job application data you provide will be used to assess your application for employment at GEH, to verify your information and conduct reference checks, and to communicate with you. If you accept employment with GEH, the information collected will become part of your employment record and will be used for employment purposes.

All information provided will be used for recruitment purposes only and processed in a lawful, fair and transparent manner.


Other:


The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of individuals and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of our safe recruitment practice, if appropriate for the role, it is a mandatory requirement for all newly appointed staff to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service application.

In response to NICE guidance and to support the reduction of health harm from tobacco, the Trust has a smoke-free site policy which applies to anyone on Trust sites. Staff who smoke will be supported to quit or not smoke whilst on Trust sites.

George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust is committed to creating and sustaining a positive and inclusive working environment for all our employees as they are at the heart of our patients journey. Our aim is to ensure that employees are equally valued, respected, empowered and included within an organisation that is representative of all members of the community. We define diversity as valuing everyone as an individual - taking pride in that we value employees, job applicants, students, volunteers, patients and visitors as people. This is reflected within our excel behaviours with a vision to create a workplace that represents a culture of kindness, joy and inclusion.


Employer certification / accreditation badges



Applicant requirements


This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.


Documents to download

• Neonatal Health care Support Worker JD (PDF, 680.3KB)
• Neonatal Health care Support Worker PS (PDF, 448.6KB)
• Neonatal Health care Support Worker PS (PDF, 664.5KB)
• Functional Requirements (PDF, 620.1KB)