Maternity support workers

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare institution in the City of Westminster is seeking Maternity Support Workers to assist midwives and provide support to new parents. Responsibilities include collaborating with the care team, conducting observations, and offering guidance to families. No prior experience is required as training will be given. Join a dedicated team committed to high-quality patient care in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• No formal experience required, training will be provided.
• Understanding of women-centered care.
• Ability to work under the supervision of a midwife.

Responsibilities

• Assist midwives in providing care to women and newborns.
• Conduct routine observations and report any concerns.
• Support and guide new parents in infant care.

Skills

Collaboration

Communication

Empathy

Education

Care Certificate

Job description

We are looking for Maternity support workers to join our team to support our midwifery staff and new parents. Experience is not required but will be an advantage. Training in the role will be given within work time. This role includes working in maternity theatres and all aspects of maternity care within a private maternity setting. The Kensington Wing at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital prides itself on high quality patient care and a 5‑patient experience.

We have a welcoming atmosphere, are progressive in our clinical care and thinking, and are known for our focus on Midwifery Led Care. We work closely with our consultant colleagues to provide this alongside Consultant Led Care.

Key Responsibilities

• The primary role of the Maternity Support Worker (MSW) is to assist, support and work in collaboration with the midwife and the wider multidisciplinary team to provide a safe and holistic approach to women‑centred care.
• The midwife is ultimately responsible for the care of the mother and her newborn(s), and the MSW assists under direct or indirect supervision to provide care following completion of any relevant training.
• The employee will be provided with appropriate training for the clinical setting in which they are working, which will include antenatal inpatient or outpatient care, intrapartum inpatient care, postnatal inpatient care and supporting in maternity theatres.
• The post holder is expected to undertake a set of defined competencies, including the ‘care certificate’. This certificate ensures the minimum standards for the role are met and can be incorporated into a skills passport.
• Support will be given to employees to further develop their skills.
• Assist with the admission, orientation and discharge of women and their babies 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 the 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 maternity team.
• Manage own time effectively while prioritising care needs for women and their babies under the direction of the midwife.
• Act reliably, relaying messages to the appropriate person in an effective and timely manner while maintaining women’s confidentiality.
• Convey an approachable and professional attitude to all mothers and their families.
• Communicate effectively with women and their families in all settings, with particular attention to providing updates on any delays or changes to their care.
• Ensure 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 escalating such concerns or incidents appropriately and in a timely manner.
• Successfully complete the ‘care certificate’ competency booklet within the first six months of employment.
• 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 the 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, while 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 audit of standards within the unit if appropriate.

Clinical Responsibilities

• Responsibly receive details of daily duties from the midwife, prioritising care under direction and supervision.
• Undertake routine observations and, if needed, escalation of any deviation from the normal range to the named midwife or appropriate member of the multi‑professional team.
• Support women during clinical procedures, including attending to any personal hygiene needs as necessary.
• Assist/act as a runner in obstetric theatres.
• Provide support to labouring women if asked to do so, under the supervision of the midwife.
• Support women in their choice of infant feeding and have awareness of the options available.
• Provide evidence‑based support, assistance and advice to women who are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed.
• Support and assist women with artificial feeding in line with local and national policy and guidance.
• Recognise and report any abnormal events or emergencies to the multidisciplinary team in a timely manner.
• Perform venepuncture in line with local policy and guidance following completion of the appropriate competency.
• Assist with the transportation of blood products if asked to do so, with an awareness of the storage requirements.
• Assist in the maintenance of good bladder care, removal of catheter and disposal of equipment, documenting accurately the fluid balance in accordance with infection‑control policy.
• Undertake neonatal observations under direct and indirect supervision and, if needed, escalating deviations from the normal range timely.
• Observe the overall wellbeing of the newborn and, if required, report concerns to the named midwife or multi‑professional team.
• Provide practical support to new parents when caring for their newborn, whilst promoting safety in both the hospital and home setting.
• Act as chaperone when requested to do so by the midwifery or obstetric team.
• Escort women and their families between clinical areas as required.
• Undertake newborn blood spot screening, following successful completion of the appropriate competency, as directed by the midwife.
• Ensure consent for newborn blood spot screening is obtained from the mother prior to the procedure and document the screening test appropriately.
• Assist or perform serum bilirubin ratio (SBR) test following successful completion of the appropriate competency as directed by the midwife.
• Assist women with mobilisation following surgical procedures and removal of dressings or cannula under midwife direction.
• Assist in the nutrition and hydration needs of women.
• Assist the midwife in the delivery of women’s care, including the promotion of public health information and signposting to local and national services.
• Ensure cleanliness of equipment in all clinical and non‑clinical areas and assist the midwife in appropriately preparing the birthing environment.
• Ensure adequate stock levels are maintained in all clinical settings, escalating any depletion of stock or resources in a timely manner.

This job description may be subject to change according to the varying needs of the service. Such changes will be made after discussion between the post holder and his/her manager. All duties must be carried out under supervision or within Trust policy and procedure. You must never undertake any duties that are outside your area of skill or knowledge level. If you are unsure you must seek clarification from a more senior member of staff.

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of England’s top‑performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites – Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital – along with award‑winning clinics across North West London. Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5 million, providing full clinical services, including maternity, A&E and children’s services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health clinics. The Care Quality Commission rates us ‘Good’ in safety, effectiveness, care and responsiveness, and ‘Outstanding’ in leadership and resource use. We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30 million expansion of critical care at Chelsea and Westminster and an £80 million Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex.