Milk Kitchen Assistant

We are looking for enthusiastic candidates to join the Neonatal Unit at Princess Anne Hospital in Southampton as Milk Kitchen Health Care Assistants. We currently have a permanent vacancy.

This role requires you to cover shifts across a 7 day service including bank holidays. You will be required to work flexibly to fit with service needs and provide cover for leave will be expected. Our Milk Kitchen Health Care Assistants are central to the effective functioning of the service, and are located at the heart of the unit. The role involves leading in the preparation and provision of complex infant feeds for the Neonatal Milk Kitchen ensuring high standards are maintained in a safe and hygienic environment.

The Neonatal Unit provides intensive, high and special care to babies and families from across the south coast and Channel Islands in the hospital, as a transport service and at home.

Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting.

For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the ‘Job Description and Main Responsibilities’ section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached.

What we can offer you

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.

All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working, Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

Your Responsibilities

What you’ll do

To lead the multidisciplinary team in the maintenance of hygiene standards within the milk kitchens and throughout the Neonatal Services. To undertake a Supervisory role in the milk kitchen with regard to the preparation of feeds strictly adhering to national policies of hygiene and the prevention of cross infection.

What we’re looking for

You will need to be able to show that you have completed an education with at least a pass in GCSE grades or equivalent in Maths and English.

Numeracy skills are essential when calculating volumes of milk feeds

A certificate in food handling and experience of breast feeding support would be advantageous

Previous experience working with parents and families is essential