Job overview

Do you want to be a part of an exciting and dynamic Neonatal Team? A vacancy has arisen for an enthusiastic and experienced Neonatal Infant Feeding Lead.   

Walnut is a busy SCU with twenty-two cots, three of which are currently designated as high dependency and four as transitional care. Our birth rate is rising with around 5000 deliveries per year and we are business planning to become a LNU. 

We are seeking an Infant Feeding Lead who will provide professional leadership, expert knowledge, and advice on infant feeding. You will work closely with the maternity infant feeding team. Additionally, you will conduct audits and action planning to monitor and measure the implementation of best practice standards. The successful candidate will lead the planning, implementation, maintenance, and accreditation of UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) standards across the neonatal service.

 You will be well supported in your role by a Neonatal Matron,  Neonatal PDNs and a senior nursing team of six clinically based Band 7 Senior Sisters. The Band 7 Senior Sisters lead a team of qualified Neonatal Nurses, Registered Children’s Nurses, Registered Nurses, Nursery Nurses, Neonatal Support Workers and Neonatal Ward Administrators in caring for neonates.

Main duties of the job

The ideal candidate will be an experienced QIS neonatal nurse with training on implementing BFI standards. They will need to be an excellent communicator both written and verbally.  They will have practical experience of teaching small groups and multi professional teams.

 The post holder will lead the Neonatal team to achieve and maintain UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) accreditation standards for neonatal units. They will provide training and education to all staff on best practices regarding infant feeding, fostering a motivated and strong team of key workers.

They will support and assess neonatal nurses in essential infant feeding skills across all clinical areas. Develop systems for assessing, planning, delivering, and evaluating breastfeeding advice and support for mothers and families of premature and sick newborns, Write and update policies, guidelines, procedures, and leaflets, and disseminate changes to staff as needed. Maintain up-to-date records of breastfeeding training for all neonatal staff. Conduct audits on the skills and knowledge of all staff and parents' experiences using the Baby Friendly audit tool, and submit results to UNICEF UK. To organise and lead all visits to the Unit by UNICEF UK Baby Friendly.

You will work closely with the nursing, medical and midwifery team to ensure a high standard of nursing care, patient safety and experience.

Working for our organisation

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.

 If you are considering applying for a role, please be aware that as an NHS Employee you may have contact with vulnerable service users. Due to the government regulations for mandatory vaccinations for COVID-19 for NHS employees, it has been necessary to take significant steps to protect the health and safety of our staff and our patients. In order to comply with our duty of care, we require all of our staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Your vaccination status will be a condition of your employment and evidence of vaccination will be obtained during the recruitment process, unless you are medically exempt.

 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.