Job summary
We are looking for registered Health Visitors who are innovative; motivated; and enthusiastic, seeking to make a real difference improving outcomes for children and families in Devon!
Main duties of the job
You will work within corporate teams and be rostered to work in our duty hub covering a defined geographical area. You'll be supported by Team Leaders and various dedicated health professionals including Health Visitors, School Nurses and Community Health Workers.
You'll lead and manage changing and challenging work load priorities. Working in close partnership with community, voluntary and statutory agencies; multi-agency working and safeguarding children will be an integral part of your role. We are working together with our local midwifery services to support the Better Births agenda.
About us
Here in Devon, we strive to deliver an excellent service to the children, young people and families living in our Community. Health visiting in Devon affords amazing variation allowing you opportunity to make a difference to the lives of families and communities across both rural and urban locations. Devon is varied with health inequalities and affluency which cross paths across the varied landscape.
1. DCC embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and safe. We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to stop discrimination, challenge inequality and promote diversity across Devon. More information can be found on ourEquality and Diversity webpages.
2. Happy to Talk Flexible Working-The Council offers flexible working arrangements in terms of when and where people work hybrid working, part-time, condensed hours etc.
3. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
4. This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
5. Personal data we collect from you will be processed in accordance with theApplicant privacy notice.
6. For more information about Working for Devon please visitour Working for Devon page.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To effectively lead and deliver the Healthy Child Programme (HCP) 0-19 (DH 2010) thereby improving outcomes for children and families.
To contribute to the Public Health Agenda, meet Public Health targets and reduce health inequalities in partnership with key agencies meeting National agendas
To promote the protection of children, adhering to the Local Safeguarding Childrens Board policies and procedures.
To actively lead teams both within Health Visiting and School Nurses and partner agencies where appropriate, Advisory Boards of Childrens Centres.
A requirement to be rostered regularly in the hub within a defined geographical area to provide a Single point of access to families and stakeholders providing information, advice and triaging referrals within the service.
To work as part of a team to ensure that Key Performance Indicator targets that are set/negotiated by Local Area Teams/Commissioners for the service, eg: antenatal visits are met.
To support service development, standard setting, clinical audit and bench marking, deliver a high quality needs led, safe and effective service to all client groups.
This list is intended to summarise the key responsibilities and is not intended to cover every task that may be required of the role:
To provide effective clinical leadership to the Public Health nursing team, enabling the team to deliver to the current Health Visiting and School Nursing standards, ensuring that evidence based practice is used.
To take responsibility for the line management of support staff (skill mix) within the team, providing supervision and annual appraisal as per Devon County Council policy. Support the manager and professional lead/team leader in the development of the skills and knowledge of the team in order to maintain the competency level of the whole team. Participate in the recruitment, selection and retention of staff to enhance skill mix within the team.
Facilitate inductions for public health nursing staff new to Devon County Council.
To mentor pre-registration students on a regular basis. To mentor SCPHN students as needed with the support of a Practice Teacher. To act as Preceptor for newly qualified practitioners in their first year of practice.
To actively take responsibility for appropriately identifying, accessing and participating in supervision, according to individual need Child Protection, Restorative, and Clinical.
Work closely with Childrens Centres actively participating in joint care planning meetings and attending Advisory Board meetings as the named Health Visitor as per Partnership Agreement.
School nurses to work closely with learning communities, teachers and Boards of Governors as appropriate.
Has an awareness of national policy and how this affects local policy and service development and provision.
Initiate and participate in research, audit, surveys and service user feedback.
To lead meetings in local area bases and delegate work appropriately to the skill mix team and promote positive team working.
Develop and maintain effective communication networks, with service users, health care professionals and other statutory and voluntary organisations
Patient Care Responsibilities
To undertake clinical activities within the scope of professional practice. NHSP competencies.
Plan, implement and evaluate health enhancing activities to meet health needs of the local population through home visiting, community development, clinics, workshops, support groups and parenting programmes, focusing on key national and local targets.
To develop a workload profile, identifying needs as Universal, Universal Plus, Universal Partnership Plus.
To identify children and families in need of early help through the Common Assessment Framework, known locally as the Early Help Assessment. To act as Lead Professional as required.
Support and manage projects around health enhancing activities postnatal support services, Baby Friendly Initiative, promoting the emotional health of young people.
Act as a named Health Visitor/School nurse within context of caseload management.
Act in accordance with current local and Trust guidelines/policies to protect children at risk. Takes professional responsibility and accountability in the joint decision making process within the Child Protection arena.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
7. Qualification-Specialist Community Public Health Nursing Degree- Health Visitor /School Nurse.
Desirable
8. Qualification at Masters level.
Experience
Essential
9. Strong evidence of continuous professional development.
10. Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding procedures.
11. Proficient in health needs assessment, evaluation and action planning.
Desirable
12. Up to date health visiting/school nursing experience.
13. Previous experience participating in research projects.
14. Proven ability to meet targets and deadlines.