Job responsibilities
Job Purpose:
Specialist
Community Public Health Nursing aims to reduce health inequalities by working
with individuals, families and communities promoting health, preventing ill
health and in the protection of health.
The Specialist
Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN) programme prepares registered Nurses and
Midwives to apply for registration on part 3 of the professional register and
to work in the community as a Health Visitor. Health Visitors lead on the
delivery of the Department Health Healthy Child Programme; the Health Visitor
works autonomously within a team to promote health through early intervention
with families and identifies those in need of greater support who may be
vulnerable for health, medical and or social reasons.
As a student
Health Visitor the post-holder undertakes both a taught course and a period of
taught practice with a qualified practice teacher.
During the
practice component of the course, the student Health Visitor works initially
with a practice teacher to work with clients in their own homes and community settings and across the full
social spectrum. Over the duration of
the course the individual will gradually take more responsibility for care
delivery, moving from observation of practice to directly supervised practice.
Towards the end of the programme to practice without direct supervision
(consolidated practice)
This programme
is designed to prepare the individual to deliver the four Principles of Health
Visiting. These are:
1.
The
search for health needs
2.
The
stimulation of an awareness of health needs
3.
The
facilitation of health enhancing activities
4. The influencing of policies affecting health
at both local and national level.
Relationships:Accountable
to: Practice
Teacher
Accountable
for: N/A
General
Contacts: Children and
their families, early years agencies, social care agencies, University and
education colleagues, Health Visitor and School Nurse team colleagues.
Key duties and responsibilities:During the
practice component of the course, the student health visitor works initially
with a practice teacher to work with clients in their own homes, clinics and
community settings and across the full social spectrum. Over the duration of the course the
individual will gradually take more responsibility for care delivery, moving
from observation of practice to directly supervised practice. Towards the end
of the programme to practice without direct supervision (consolidated practice)
Clinical Responsibilities
In conjunction
with practice teacher the student health visitor will:
1.
Develop
the knowledge and skills to deliver all aspects of the Health Visitor role and
responsibilities, delivering the Department Health Healthy Child Programme
2.
Undertake
comprehensive Health needs assessment
and analysis to safeguard children working with children and families who have
complex needs
3.
Manage
complex health needs
4.
Address
issues involving public health.
5.
Work
in partnership with all agencies to provide comprehensive packages of care to
meet identified health needs
6.
Empower
individuals, their carers, families and groups to influence and use available
resources to the full.
7.
Exercise
accountability, as set out in the NMC Code (2015) and within the policies and
procedures of the employing Council, for the legal requirements and statutory
rules relating to practice.
8.
Understand
and abide by the council policies and guidelines.
9.
Practice
either with direct or indirect supervision from practice teacher as directed by
the Practise Teacher
10.
Exercise
accountability for own practise while working without direct supervision.
11.
Develop
skills related to brokering agreement between families and multi-agency service
providers.
12.
Be
a reflective practitioner who is able to analyse current practice and determine
personal and professional training requirements
13.
Make
referrals for services to other disciplines or agencies.
14.
Complete
the V100 Nurse Prescribing Qualification as part of the programme and to
develop skills related to the diagnosis of defined conditions, the prescribing
of medications from the nurses formulary where appropriate, and the evaluation
of the outcomes of such interventions.
15.
Under
the direct/indirect supervision of a practice teacher the assessment, planning,
implementation and evaluation of care packages for clients of all ages.
16.
Analyses
highly complex clinical, social and family situations requiring within the
multi-disciplinary team the selection of appropriate resource/service
provision. An example of this would be
child protection issues.
17.
In
conjunction with the practice teacher the accommodation of the widening role of
the public health practitioner by planning, implementing and evaluating public
health programmes designed to address health inequalities and to promote social
inclusion. This may be either with an
individual, a family, a group or the community.
18.
Plan
, organise and deliver of all elements of the Universal Contacts within the Healthy
Child Programme
19.
Together
with the practice teacher the participation in child protection supervision to
ensure good practice in line with Trust policies.
20.
Learn
about the Local Safeguarding Board guidelines and adhere to them at all times
under strict supervision of the practice teacher and the child protection team
21.
The
staff member will ensure that they follow the Council infection prevention and
control (HIC) policies and
procedures to protect clients and colleagues from healthcare-associated infections.
He or she will ensure that they perform the correct hand hygiene procedures
when carrying out clinical duties. All staff must challenge non-compliance with
infection, prevention and control policies immediately and feedback through the
appropriate line managers if required.
22.
The
development of leadership skills through role modelling when working with
practice teacher and other professionals
23.
Influencing,
initiating and managing change in practice within own area
24.
Take
responsibility for the management of a small caseload of clients during the
period of consolidated practice.
25.
The
prioritisation of the needs of the client group.
26.
The
effective use of time-management skills.
27.
The
care and safe use of equipment and resources.
Educational Responsibilities
1.
To attend
the Council induction and mandatory training.
2.
To
attend all formal teaching sessions at the University and submit the required
assignments as stipulated.
3.
To
be familiar with a reflective model and to fully engage in reflective practice,
keeping a reflective diary throughout the course.
4.
To
take responsibility in organising regular Tripartite Meetings with your
practice teacher and the university tutor.
5.
To
fully participate in the teaching strategies utilised by the practice teacher.
6.
To
take responsibility in identifying the gaps in learning and requesting support
to maximise learning during the practice placement.
7.
To
undertake and participate in professional updating/training.
8.
To
work with different practice teachers, in consultation with your own practice
teacher, during the course if it is deemed appropriate to enhance your
learning.
9.
To
successfully achieve the Specialist Practitioner (Health Visiting Pathway) qualification
at the end of the university course.
Personal Responsibilities
1.
To
practice at all times in accordance with the NMC Code (2015) and revalidation
requirements
2.
To
observe confidentiality in accordance with the NMC Code (2015) and Trust
Policies.
3.
The
post holder will ensure that s(he) follows the Councils policy on records management and complies
with the NHS Code of Practice for
Records Management.
4.
To
promote at all times good working relationships with colleagues from all
disciplines and groups.
5.
To
develop professional knowledge and competence pertaining to Health Visiting and
relevant to safe standards of professional practice.
6.
To
report and record all accidents, untoward incidents and complaints and refer
these immediately to your practice teacher and the Clinical Lead.
7.
To
follow the Council policy on the reporting of sickness absence and to ensure
your practice teacher is aware of any unexpected absence from work.
8.
To
ensure that your practice teacher is aware of your whereabouts during your
clinical placement and to be mindful of your own personal safety during home
visiting.
9.
To inform
the university and the Services Manager of any absences from the university.