Infant Feeding Coordinator

Dartford & Gravesham NHS Trust; Dartford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in the UK is seeking a dedicated practitioner to provide clinical leadership and project management in infant feeding and bonding. This role involves leading the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative, ensuring compliance and delivering training across services. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with neonatal colleagues and support families with infant feeding challenges. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK independently, with no visa sponsorship available.

Qualifications

• Applicants must hold the right to work in the UK independently, with a visa or immigration status that allows them to fulfil the contract.
• Experience in maternal and infant nutrition is essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist knowledge and clinical guidance related to maternal and infant nutrition to ensure positive outcomes and safety.
• Lead strategically and operationally on the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative aligning with maternity improvement plans.
• Support staff and develop Baby Friendly UNICEF standards across services.
• Conduct line management responsibilities including appraisals and absence management.
• Provide infant feeding training for all relevant staff and students.

Job description

Overview

Working as an expert autonomous practitioner, the post holder will provide project management and clinical leadership in infant feeding and bonding. The post holder will lead the service to UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) Level 3 accreditation.

Working as an expert autonomous practitioner, the post holder will provide clinical leadership of the infant feeding team and all colleagues to provide excellent care across the service including inpatient and community. The role holder will provide direct clinical care where necessary to families who have significant infant feeding challenges or requirements, and support the wider service as a midwifery leader.

They will work collaboratively with neonatal colleagues, and across organisations within the local system to increase the reach of breastfeeding support services available. Through direct specialist care and influencing/leadership skills with other practitioners, the post holder will empower women to make informed decisions about their care and that of their baby.

Note

Applicants must already hold the right to work in the UK independently, with a visa or immigration status that allows them to fulfil the full duration and type of contract offered. The Trust is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist knowledge and clinical guidance related to maternal and infant nutrition to ensure positive outcomes and safety.
• Lead strategically and operationally on the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) initiative aligning plans for BFI compliance with wider maternity improvement plans.
• Support staff and embed the development of Baby Friendly UNICEF standards across Maternity and Neonatal Unit.
• Line management responsibility including 1:1, annual appraisals, sickness absence etc.
• Provide infant feeding training throughout the service for all staff and students (relevant to their role) that come into contact with new parents to empower meaningful conversations and care plans.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer. We strive to employ people who reflect the communities we serve, and aim to create an inclusive culture where everyone can reach their full potential. Whatever your race, ethnicity, belief, generation, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability or experience, you’ll appreciate the opportunities we give you to work in an inclusive atmosphere. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to build on the progress we’ve achieved to make our Trust diverse and the best place to work. We celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that help us overcome challenges and embrace new possibilities. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant Pledge and have a commitment to the Armed Forces Community.

Continuous Quality Improvement

We are dedicated to using our Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) approach as our shared organisation model of change to enhance our services and ensure excellence in patient care.

Health & Safety & Vaccination Requirements

As an NHS employee you may have contact with vulnerable service users. All staff are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and annually against flu, in order to protect the health and safety of staff and patients. Your commitment will help us to put the safety and care of our patients first, as well as helping us to protect you and your colleagues.

Contact

For further details / informal visits contact:
Name: Valerie Elderkin
Job title: Deputy Head of Midwifery
Email address: [e-mail]
Telephone number: 01322 428100

Please note contact will be on annual leave from 25.12.25 to 04.01.26.