JD Star Buddy Job Code: BHSB Blackpool- July 2014
Job Description for Blackpool Hospital Star Buddy
Job Title: Star Buddy (Breastfeeding Peer Supporter)
Salary: £17,316 per annum (pro rata for part time), £8.88 per hour
Number of posts: 1 part time
Type of contract: Fixed term until 31st March 2015
Hours of work: 12 hours per week to cover Thursday & Friday 09.30- 12:00, Friday 18:30-21:30 & Sunday 09:00-13:00
Work location: Blackpool Victoria Hospital
Responsible to: Hospital Star Buddy Coordinator in Blackpool
Background and Purpose of the Post: Blackpool Hospital Star Buddies work for the Breastfeeding Network (BfN) to deliver an integrated peer support programme that offers breastfeeding support to all breastfeeding women living in Blackpool.
BfN has been commissioned by NHS Blackpool to offer mother-to-mother breastfeeding support in order to increase breastfeeding initiation and continuation rates at 6-8 weeks in line with NICE guidance. BfN are working in partnership with NHS Blackpool, Blackpool Children Centres, Blackpool Council, Blackpool Victoria Hospital and the Department of Health.
The main aims of the project are to: support Blackpool mums who have chosen to breastfeed, to initiate breastfeeding and support them to continue breastfeeding provide home visits and phone and text support to offer encouragement, information and support help run support groups provide information to pregnant women create a breastfeeding friendly environment throughout the Blackpool CCs and wider community provide support to and work in conjunction with the existing BfN voluntary peer supporters work within the Baby Friendly Initiative remit 1 JD Star Buddy Job Code: BHSB Blackpool- July 2014
Main duties and responsibilities: listen to mums’ concerns and answer questions about breastfeeding offer help with positioning and attachment provide key information about breastfeeding provide information to the mums about the Peer Support programme encourage mums to go to their local breastfeeding groups and give out the groups leaflet identify other mums who may not be registered with a Children’s Centre who would benefit from a home visit on discharge and arrange to offer the service if possible. This may mean liaising with the Community coordinators in Blackpool and Fleetwood. set up and run a regular breastfeeding group on the postnatal ward ensure the postnatal resource store is maintained with up-to-date resources of breastfeeding leaflets, books and Star Buddy forms ensure all Star Buddy data sheets and attendance records are maintained accurately for quarterly reporting purposes provide breastfeeding support to mums on the Special Care Baby Unit through 1:1 support and helping to run the SCBU breastfeeding support group provide breastfeeding support, encouragement and practical assistance to antenatal women, at the antenatal clinics or postnatal ward, who are choosing to breastfeed refer mums with complex or medical breastfeeding problems to the Hospital and/or Community Peer Support Co-ordinator, MWs or other Health Professionals on the ward assist with the organisation of special events to promote breastfeeding awareness e.g. National Breastfeeding Awareness week attend Hospital meetings pertaining to the Star Buddy role as and when required attend Blackpool Star Buddy meetings as required provide support to voluntary Star Buddies on the ward by way of mentoring assist the Community and Hospital Peer Supporter coordinators in organising voluntary Star Buddies to offer support in community 1:1 buddying, postnatal ward work or antenatal sessions work within the Baby Friendly Initiative remit
2 JD Star Buddy Job Code: BHSB Blackpool- July 2014 Star Buddy 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
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 home visiting to support mothers √
Experience of working with diverse ethnic and social groups √
Knowledge of importance and application of the BfN Code √ of Conduct
3 JD Star Buddy Job Code: BHSB Blackpool- July 2014 Requirements Essential Desirable 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 √
Ability to run small group antenatal sessions √
Ability to run breastfeeding groups √
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