Smokefree Pregnancy Practitioner inWhiston inWhiston PUBLISHED TUE 17 DEC 2024

Fixed Term/ Secondment

Full Time/Part Time

The post holder will work with the Lead Midwife for Treating Tobacco Dependence, and other key members of the maternity team, to deliver evidence-based behavioural support and treatment to a caseload of pregnant women who are tobacco dependent, in a variety of clinical settings, using the support of interventions such as Carbon Monoxide (CO) monitoring and Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT).

This role is intended to tackle the health inequalities that arise from addiction and the post holder will be an integral member of the maternity team, working alongside Midwives, Obstetricians, and other Healthcare Professionals (HCPs), to deliver safe and individualised care in a flexible and innovative manner.

The Trust provides maternity services for the women of St Helens, Knowsley and Halton. The Smokefree Pregnancy Practitioner accepts the role as stated above.

About us

KEY DUTIES

• Educate individuals about the risks of smoking in pregnancy.
• Promote smoke free homes and cars whilst advising women and their families about the harms of secondhand smoke.
• Inform individuals about the benefits of stopping smoking in pregnancy.
• Conduct a pre-booking telephone call with all individuals who have self-reported themselves as smokers upon referral to maternity services.
• Respond effectively to internal and external referrals into the Maternity Treating Tobacco Dependence Service within agreed timescales.
• Develop personalised treatment plans for pregnant women who are tobacco dependent, in line with the National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training (NCSCT) Standard Treatment Programme for Pregnant Women, to support complex behaviour change.
• Work flexibly in a range of settings, as required, for the delivery of tobacco dependency treatment (e.g., hospital, community hubs, home visits). This may involve individual, telephonic, on-line and group work sessions.
• Conduct a daily ward round to identify maternity inpatients who may require tobacco dependency treatment and access to Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT).
• Conduct and interpret Carbon Monoxide (CO) monitoring to a high standard.
• Dispense NRT according to the Trust protocol.
• Use the Maternity Information System (MIS) to provide real time feedback to the referring professional regarding womens treatment plans and progress with their quit attempt

The post holder will:

• Work with minimal indirect supervision operating within the assessed level of competence and be accountable for all aspects of own work.
• Prioritise own workload according to the needs of the service and their individual caseload.
• Ensure a high degree of confidentiality, always complying with Information Governance policies.
• Accurately record and report activities and results.
• Support the delivery of the service key performance and reporting indicators for tobacco dependency.
• Liaise with others in the health and social care community to promote the Maternity Treating Tobacco Dependence Service and encourage appropriate referrals.
• Utilise persuasive, motivational and empathic skills as required because there may be barriers to understanding, alongside limited or fluctuating motivation to change.
• Support individuals to make informed choices about their own health and wellbeing and support them in initiating and sustaining appropriate behavioural changes to improve their health.
• Seek out opportunities to develop the tobacco dependency service and contribute to service development discussions. This may include the monitoring and evaluation of service user feedback.
• Maintain good working relationships with a range of staff across a variety of disciplines, grades, and organisations.
• Provide specialist support to individuals with complex needs and/or who may be vulnerable and tailor information accordingly.
• Engage in, recommend, promote and lead audits or surveys to support service improvement.
• Apply and promote the principles of woman and family centred care in all aspects of their practice.

• Work to identify and help the management of at-risk families within the safeguarding arena.

• Identify any risks, incidents, concerns, or complaints and escalate appropriately to the Lead Midwife for Tobacco dependence/ Maternity Matron.
• Support the development and dissemination of publicity and support materials for the service, in collaboration with the communications team and the service including contributing to National campaigns such as Stoptober and No Smoking Day.