Job overview
The Specialist Community Public Health Nurse – Health Visiting course is a full-time for 1 Academic Year and has been developed to support registered nurses develop advanced skills and knowledge in specialist community practice. As a graduate you will become leaders in your area of specialism with skills and knowledge in quality improvement, caseload management, team leadership, and working as part of a complex health and social care system.
The theory element of the course will be run by Salford University.
You will:
Gain a NMC registration as SCPHN Health Visitor/School Nurse
Gain specialist and advanced level leadership knowledge and skills, preparing you to lead in the contemporary health and social care system.
Learn in a supportive interdisciplinary environment with a range of other community nurses.
Theoretical Learning will be in line with Level 7 study with a mix of in person, online and directed study.
Assessment will include: Oral assessment, Written assignments, Literature reviews, Case studies and Presentations.
Practical learning and assessment: you will work with direct supervision from an experienced mentor in the field of nursing you are applying for, based in a Family hub within Blackburn with Darwen.
Main duties of the job
The health visiting service is a crucial workforce comprising specialist community public health nurses and a diverse skill mix team. Their primary role is to deliver The Healthy Child Programme and wide range of information, support, and access to interventions aimed at promoting the health and well-being of families, babies, children, and young people. This service covers individuals from the antenatal period through to the fifth birthday of the youngest child in the family.
Health visitors play a significant role in empowering parents and families to make informed decisions that positively impact their health and well-being. They work closely with families to offer guidance on various aspects of parenting, child development, and early health issues. Their interventions may include health assessments, advice on nutrition, immunisations, mental health support, and referrals to other services as needed.
Working for our organisation
At East Lancashire Hospitals Trust, our vision is to be widely recognised for providing safe, personal and effective care. We currently provide high quality services and treat over 600,000 people across East Lancashire and the surrounding area. We employ over 7,000 staff, many of whom are internationally renowned and have won awards for their work.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
MAIN DUTIES:
Role/Duties
Measurable Outcomes
Communication and Relationships
Presents a positive image of the service when meeting service users and partners
Demonstrates advanced communication skills in order to:
Deal with and diffuse complex and volatile situations.
Participate in the decision making process of complex issues which may be emotive with differing professional opinions in a multi-agency arena
Presents complex issues in a professional manner either verbally or in a written format.
Actively develops and supports robust partnership/collaborative working with a wide range of partners and stakeholders in order to deliver Health Child Programme.
Presents information confidently to groups.
Ensures participation with children and families who use services at a community and individual level acting as an advocate to facilitate the views and choices expressed by children, young people, families, groups and communities where appropriate
Seeks feedback using friends and family test as per service pathway
Is inclusive to service users by using appropriate tools/resources to ensure understanding has been achieved.
Maintain local communication systems for lone workers
Facilitates multiagency meetings as required.
To act as a positive role model for peers, colleagues and the wider service
Role/Duties
Measurable Outcomes
Analytical and Judgement skills
Utilises all available data and resources, to identify and meet the health needs of the defined population in line with local and national targets, policy drivers and guidance.
To implement and lead PH initiatives and consider supporting and delegating work to other staff members
Identifies and critically appraises relevant evidence-based research within area of practice to ensure services are delivered in line with best practice.
Demonstrates in-depth knowledge of and adheres to all NMC standards/Trust guidelines
Ensures that a high level of analysis of complex cases and situations is demonstrated through supervision and record keeping and statutory report requests.
Role/Duties
Measurable Outcomes
Client Care
Works as the named Health Visitor for a defined caseload, ensuring full responsibility for their case management.
Plans, delivers and evaluates an innovative service using evidence-based knowledge.
Provides a holistic assessment of the needs of families considering physical, psychological, social and environmental factors
Delivers targeted intensive interventions to the most vulnerable families building therapeutic relationships and addressing difficult issues within families
Works with local communities to reduce health inequalities by undertaking local health needs assessment and identifying gaps in provision for the local community to plan service developments and targeting families most in need
Participates fully in statutory safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults by providing leadership, managing risk, making difficult decisions, undertaking reviews, writing reports, attending case conferences and core group meetings and delivering care as part of a child protection plan
Ensures that Children in Care (CIC) reviews are undertaken on a timely basis and that a Health Care Plan is in place for all CIC living or educated within the geographical area
Provides information, advice and guidance on the management of health issues in a range of appropriate settings including homes, health clinics and community venues.
Uses a range of evidence-based approaches in practice i.e. motivational interviewing and Solihull Programme
Works collaboratively with key partners to deliver services that provide the full 0-19 service in convenient local settings/family hubs, to ensure that the services are accessible and available.
Has a unique role in the promotion of the mother/child relationship through promotion of bonding and attachment.
Has a good underpinning knowledge of attachment theory, utilising evidence-based approaches and resources to empower parents and promote loving responsive parent/infant relationships.
Actively promotes health education and healthy lifestyles within the community including use of negotiation skills where appropriate.
Role/Duties
Measurable Outcomes
Responsibility for Policy and Service Development
Provides leadership, supervision and line management to other members of the skill mix team
Establishes models of practice and systems to monitor and maintain quality and practice standards within the team e.g. Risk sensible approach
Monitors and promotes the concept of teamwork: respects and supports colleagues and manages any differences professionally and confidentially
Strives to deliver efficient services using lean and productive community techniques
Identifies, supports and facilitates change within the team
Embeds a culture of positive professional practice and high challenge/high support across the 0-19 Universal Service
Identifies personal and professional learning needs and actively promotes a culture of lifelong learning and professional development
Takes responsibility for own professional development
To be an innovative leader for the delivery of public health services for the 0-19 Universal Health service
To promote professional resilience within the service at times of change
To support the team leader as duty Health Visitor to manage sickness and staffing within the team
Records incidents utilising the datix reporting system and complete actions identified
Assumes responsibility for the monitoring of quality and practice standards highlighting concerns regarding conduct and performance in line with ELHT policy
Adheres to Child Protection procedures/recommendations and Trust Safeguarding Procedures applying current theoretical knowledge regarding child protection and adult safeguarding.
Contributes to the quality agenda in line with local and national frameworks.
Demonstrates competence and make best use of IT systems in order to facilitate and improve service delivery
Reports and manages complaints, errors, concerns in line with policies and procedures
Role/Duties
Measurable Outcomes
Planning and Organisational Skills
Manages complex caseloads with frequent reprioritisation of tasks
Effectively delegates work and allocates to staff according to their skills and competencies to meet caseload/ service user/ community needs, evaluates programmes of care and ensure all delegated work is completed on time
Assesses and manages risk within the caseload, skill mix team and working environment and implements management plans
Ensures that work is well organised and completed on time to ensure that contractual key performance indicators are met
Utilises electronic records as per requirements for the job
Maintain an accurate electronic appointment diary
Plans visits effectively
Role/Duties
Measurable Outcomes
Responsibilities for HR
Undertakes mandatory and service essential training and other learning opportunities identified in PDR review in line with ELHT policy.
Accesses and participates in regular management, clinical and safeguarding supervision in line with Trust policy and Safeguarding intercollegiate documents/ NMC guidance
Participates in the Trust Appraisal process, ensuring objectives are met and a personal development plan is regularly evaluated and maintained
Maintains clinical and professional competence and keeps updated with health care developments by attendance at study days, professional forums, reading professional journals, engaging in research activity, keeping up to date with outcomes from strategic groups and attending mandatory training as required
Acts as a mentor within the team to support and facilitate learning needs for peers and other less experienced team members/students
Ensures completion of the service competency framework in line with the role.
Role/Duties
Measurable Outcomes
Responsibility for Information Resources
Aware of the confidential nature of the work and adhere to the policy, ensuring strict security of documentation and vulnerable items of equipment at all times
Adheres to all Information Governance requirements as required by the Trust
Maintains contemporaneous and accurate records and ensures timely collection of activity data as requested by ELHT.
Completes timely returns on an individual level relating to activity and performance and as required by the team, using both electronic and paper mechanisms as required.
Maintaining the standards required for safe use and storage of equipment when working agile.
Role/Duties
Measurable Outcomes
Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility
Plans visits effectively.
The Trust attaches great importance to Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility. It is the responsibility of all members of staff to ensure that the Trust’s resources are used efficiently with minimum wastage throughout their daily activities
Role/Duties
Measurable Outcomes
Research and Development
Identifies and critically appraises relevant evidence based research within area of practice to ensure services are delivered in line with best practice
Role/Duties
Measurable Outcomes
Freedom to Act
Works as an autonomous practitioner assuming professional and legal accountability for all aspects of own and delegated work in line with job description and NMC guidance.
Person specification
Qualifications, Skills and Education
Essential criteria
* Current registration on the NMC register.
* Professional qualification to Degree level or Diploma level.
* To be willing to work towards the Level 7 University study and practical placement days, allowing individuals to gain valuable professional experience while advancing their academic qualifications
* Evidence of recent study at a level to prepare for the demands of the course.
Desirable criteria
* Completion of assessor module or Mentorship Module.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
* Some understanding of relevant policy, legislation and guidance relevant to clinical area, e.g. Children, Young People and their families
* Some understanding of relevant clinical practice/standards within identified clinical area
* Ability to analyse and implement evidence base and best practice.
* Evidence of analysing and implementing evidence based and best practice.
Desirable criteria
* Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD).
* Experience of multi-agency working.
* Experience of caseload management within 0-19 Universal Health Service.
* Leadership knowledge and skills.
Skills, Competencies and Personal Qualities
Essential criteria
* Effective inter-personal skills and experience in supervising and mentoring.
* Good IT Skills
* Able to demonstrate effective communication skills and work flexibly within the team/service.
* Effective inter-personal skills and experience in supervising and mentoring.
* Critical thinking skills
* Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service and maintain work /life balance.
* Good time management and organisational skills.
* Able to demonstrate effective communication skills and work flexibly within the team/service
* Ability to demonstrate ethical values and attitudes within a culture of equality and diversity
* Ability to commute whilst on placement between various locations.
* Ability to lead and motivate staff to embrace change .
Desirable criteria
* Working knowledge of Trust policies and procedures to effectively lead and manage others