Hospital Breastfeeding Peer Support Worker
Job Code:
Job Description for Hospital Breastfeeding Peer Support Worker – Birmingham City Hospital
Job Title: Hospital Breastfeeding Peer Support Worker
(Birmingham City Hospital)
Salary: £8.97 per hour
Number of posts: 2-4 part time posts
Type of contract: Fixed term temporary until 7th September 2018
Start date: 11th September 2017
Hours of work: 2 hours per day Mon-Sun (Covered by 2-4 part-time posts)
Work location: Birmingham City Hospital Postnatal Wards
Responsible to: Project Manager – BfN Sandwell
Background and Purpose of the Post:
The key purpose of the BfN Peer Support Service across Sandwell is to increase the number of new mothers who initiate breastfeeding and to support exclusive and continued breastfeeding up to 6 months across the borough as recommended by the Department of Health. The current service is primarily community-based offering home visits, antenatal classes, drop-in groups and support at Health Visitor clinics, along with ongoing phone and text support. Hospital Peer Support Workers will offer 7 day week breastfeeding support on Birmingham City Hospital postnatal wards
The main aims of the pilot are to:
The pilot scheme will provide breastfeeding peer support on the postnatal wards at Birmingham City Hospital to complement the existing community-based service. This will be 2 hours of ward-based peer support daily (including weekends) split between 2-4 members of staff. The ward-based peer supporters will refer Sandwell mothers directly into the existing service for ongoing community-based support.
The peer support presence on the wards will provide a support network for settling-in and mentoring new volunteer BfN peer supporters.
The service will contribute to improving health outcomes by offering early breastfeeding support and will enable those women who choose to breastfeed to have access to appropriate support projects regardless of age, ethnic origin, beliefs, sexual orientation, social status and employment status.
Main duties and responsibilities:
· provide bedside support for all mothers on the postnatal wards who have initiated breastfeeding or wish to
· listen to mums’ concerns and answer questions about breastfeeding
· offer help with positioning and attachment and provide key information about breastfeeding
· provide information to the mums about the Peer Support programme in Sandwell and the appropriate support programmes if outside of Sandwell
· to gather consent from women so they can receive ongoing community support - referral data to be sent via secure email or via telephone to Sandwell BfN community hotline
· encourage mums to go to their local breastfeeding groups and give out the groups information
· ensure the postnatal resource store is maintained with up-to-date resources of breastfeeding leaflets, stickers and referral forms
· ensure all data sheets and attendance records are maintained accurately and submitted in a timely manner for reporting purposes
· refer mums with complex or medical breastfeeding problems to the Infant Feeding Team, Midwives or other Health Professionals on the ward
· attend Hospital meetings pertaining to the Hospital Peer Support role and attend BN team meetings as appropriate
· provide support to voluntary Hospital Peer Support on the ward by way of mentoring
· build on the existing close relationships with the Hospital; working with management and frontline staff to continually improve the integration of Peer Support Workers, systems and pathways so that our work complements maternity staff and creates seamless care for women.
· work within the Baby Friendly Initiative remit
This is not an exhaustive job description and may be subject to change according to the needs and development of the role. It is expected that the post holder may undertake such other duties as may be reasonably be requested.
Hospital Peer Support Worker Person Specification
Please refer to this document carefully when completing your application form and preparing for your interview. You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria on your application form.
Requirements / Essential / Desirable /Qualifications
Continuous Breastfeeding Helper Registration with The Breastfeeding Network (BfN) since qualification and have had at least minimum supervision required from your named supervisor
Breastfeeding Supporter Registration with the BfN or be currently in training to become a Breastfeeding Supporter, or be prepared to sign up to the next Breastfeeding Supporter training course
Experience of working as a volunteer with BfN offering breastfeeding support to mothers
Show evidence of continued professional development since qualification / √
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Experience and Knowledge
Experience of supporting mothers face to face with breastfeeding
Experience of working in a health or community setting in paid or volunteer capacity
Experience of working with diverse ethnic and social groups
Knowledge of importance and application of the BfN Code of Conduct / √
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Skills and abilities
Ability to speak and write fluently in English
Ability to provide information and support to mothers in a non-judgemental fashion.
Ability to provide an effective ‘hands off’ approach when helping mothers with positioning and attachment
Ability to organise and manage work independently
Ability to work effectively as part of a team
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Ability to work with people from different cultures sensitively
Ability to keep the confidentiality of the mothers and their families
IT skills including Word, Excel, email and internet
Ability to maintain records and write reports
Awareness and commitment to equal opportunities / √
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