To lead and have continuing responsibility for the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care and standard setting in relation to infant feeding. To provide leadership and direction to all professional groups. Practice will be evidence based in relation to issues for the promotion, protection and support in the feeding of neonates to ensure the implementation, maintenance and sustainability of the UNICEF/WHO/BFI best practice standards. Applying all aspects of clinical governance to ensure targets and best practice are achieved.
To lead and advise on development of breastfeeding support programmes. To represent the Trust in the LMNS in the relevant forums relating to infant feeding. To be responsible for ensuring that current best practice is implemented across Maternity to help initiate and maintain breastfeeding up to six months of age. To train staff on best breastfeeding practices.
To be responsible for developing infant feeding support resources. To work autonomously within the NMC, Trust and Directorate Guidelines To deliver high quality midwifery care by ensuring appropriate systems and processes are in place to provide the continuity of safe and effective care at all times. To promote the uptake and continuation of breastfeeding and be responsible for the training and education of all health professionals, provide specialist care and advice to women/colleagues with feeding issues and share specialist knowledge with other groups and agencies. To act as a champion for professional accountability and standards, ensuring that professional practices are in line with the requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), and Trust Policy.
To support and contribute to the development of patient care and midwifery practice within the Directorate. Supervising junior staff. Contribute to Trust wide projects as required. To ensure effective line management of staff and ensure they are supported in performing to their full potential.
Ensure junior staff have appropriate support and supervision and are appropriately assessed. There are 10 specific recommendations to achieve through a national BFHI programme which the post holder will be responsible for: Critical management procedures: Comply fully with theInternational Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutesand relevant World Health Assembly resolutions. Have a written infant feeding policy that is routinely communicated to staff and parents. Establish ongoing monitoring and data-management systems.
Ensure that staff have sufficient knowledge, competence and skills to support breastfeeding. Key clinical practices: Discuss the importance and management of breastfeeding with pregnant women and their families. Facilitate immediate and uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact and support mothers to initiate breastfeeding as soon as possible after birth. Support mothers to initiate and maintain breastfeeding and manage common difficulties.
Do not provide breastfed new-borns any food or fluids other than breast milk, unless medically indicated. Enable mothers and their infants to remain together and to practise rooming-in 24 hours a day. Support mothers to recognise and respond to their infants cues for feeding. Counsel mothers on the use and risks of feeding bottles, teats and pacifiers.
Coordinate discharge so that parents and their infants have timely access to ongoing support and care

Please refer the Job description for details