Health Visitor

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Job Purpose: 

The post-holder will be responsible for assessing, planning and implementing health visiting care within a defined caseload in accordance with EEC, Bedfordshire Community Health Services and /or Luton Children & Adults Community Health Services guidelines. 

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. The post-holder will work within a clinical governance framework which is embedded in day-to-day practice. EEC, Bedfordshire Community Health Services and Luton Children & Adults Community Health Services are accountable for continuously improving the quality of their services, and safeguarding standards of care.
2. Take every opportunity to promote and participate in health promotion initiatives.
3. Act as a signpost for families to other relevant services thereby empowering them as users.
4. Maintain contemporaneous electronic records in accordance with NMC code and EEC – Bedfordshire / Luton policies and procedures.
5. Maintain a safe environment for patients, carers and staff where possible, ensure in the implementation of evidence-based practice.
6. Actively develop a more specialised service or activity which is based on clear evidence of need, in partnership with commissioners.
7. Provide the core health visiting programme to the family and community.
8. Work in partnership with clients and families to agreed contracts to promote and maximize physical, emotional, psychological and social well-being.
9. Undertake and provide a holistic assessment of client’s health needs and to produce, implement and review the care plan.
10. Review and evaluate outcomes for children and families.
11. Refer clients to other agencies as appropriate e.g. onward referral of identified vulnerable children and adults.
12. Develop with other professionals an overall specialist protection plan where indicated e.g. Child Protection plan.
13. Undertake clinical tasks e.g. immunisation of adults and children as required.
14. Plan, organise and attend child health clinics and health promotion programmes.
15. Carry clinical and other equipment short distances using light to moderate effort, e.g. infant weighing scales when necessary.
16. Drive to venues, sometimes in rush hour traffic e.g. clients’ homes, GP practices, Children’s Centres, Traveller Sites/unauthorised encampments.
17. Be aware that all staff may be exposed to verbal aggression & threatening behaviour.
18. Understand the importance of national and local health initiatives and contribute towards achieving specified targets.
19. Plan and organise the workload for themselves.  Support staff and be responsive to fluctuations in workload and resources.
20. Manage packages of care to meet identified, individual need which may be complex involving other professionals and agencies.
21. Assist in the delivery of local implementation plans for the designated caseload/ population etc.  In undertaking this role, work in collaboration with other Senior Manager, Team Leaders and stakeholders.
22. Undertake the role of Lead Professional where appropriate (as defined in Every Child Matters documentation).

Communication

1. To anticipate barriers to communication and use interpreters or tools as required.
2. To liaise and make appropriate referrals within Bedfordshire / Luton Community Health Services and with other agencies/ partners e.g. midwives, G.P practices, Local Authority and Children’s Centres to improve the outcome for the child and family.
3. To support and teach clients and/or students as required in meeting their learning needs.  
4. To produce accurate and complete records of communication consistent with NMC legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
5. To represent the health visiting service in interdisciplinary and multi-agency settings and take the lead when appropriate providing clinical and professional input.
6. To facilitate clear communication channels to work within partnership with clients and carers.
7. To listen appropriately and take into account any sensitive issues and communicate these to relevant persons/agencies ensuring that the child is protected and that disclosures are acted upon according to EEC, Bedfordshire Community Health Services and / or Luton Children & Adults Community Health Services safeguarding children policies.
8. To utilise a range of communication skills e.g. negotiation to gain commitment from others, formal presentations and problem solving to facilitate positive outcomes for the child and the family.
9. To utilise a range of communication methods with colleagues and Manager to include electronic communication.
10. Attend relevant EEC, Bedfordshire Community Health Services and/or Luton Children & Adults Community Health Services and team/locality meetings.
11. Ensure that all organisational-wide communication is accessed and adhered to accordingly via the @EEC.nhs.uk and/or nhsmail.net account given upon start of employment. This also applies to communication sent via internal or external mail, fax or memo and our Intranet. 

Budgetary Responsibility 

The Health Visitor post does not carry any financial responsibility in relation to budget control. 

People Management

1. Responsible for day-to-day supervision and line management of skill mix staff members within the team
2. Development of skill mix staff
3. Plan and co-ordinate team cover during sickness, annual leave and absence to meet the needs of the service.
4. Assist in the recruitment and induction of new staff members.
5. Provide mentorship for pre-registration students.
6. Provide clinical supervision, mentorship and community experience to pre- and post-registration nursing/ midwifery and health visiting students.
7. Maintaining own professional development and requirement to take part in appraisal and KSF process

Research & Development Activity

1. Undertake appropriate surveys and audit to influence local and national policies ensuring researched-based practice.
2. Gather research evidence required to ensure advances in nursing and high-quality team performance.
3. Assist in the delivery of an agreed audit and development programme that links into the health care governance framework.

Clinical and Practice Governance

1. Observe and maintain strict confidentiality with regards to any patient/family/staff/records and information in line with the requirements of the Data Protection Act.
2. Any data that is taken/shared as part of a phone call or transported, faxed, or transferred electronically must be undertaken with regard to the Trust Information Governance and Information Security policies.  
3. The post holder must adhere to the Trust risk assessment and risk management processes.
4. The post holder must adhere to infection control policies and procedures.
5. It is a condition of your employment that you are currently registered with the NMC and it is your responsibility to maintain your professional registration.
6. Undertake mandatory training and any other training relevant to the role as required by East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust.
7. The post holder must participate in Clinical & Safeguarding audits as required.
8. Provide patients and their families /carers with information on standards they should expect from the team.
9. Participate in management / restorative / safeguarding supervision on a regular basis.
10. The post holder is required to participate in relevant emergency preparedness process for their team.