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NHS GRAMPIAN
JOB DESCRIPTION – RP11144
JOB IDENTIFICATION
Job Title:
Health Visitor
Department:
Aberdeenshire CHP - Upper Marr
Location:
Based at Huntly Health Centre
Hours:
30 hours per week
Grade:
Band 6
Salary:
£26,302 - £35,225 per annum pro rata
Contract:
Permanent
Job Reference:
RP11144
Closing Date:
Wednesday 10th June 2015
2. JOB PURPOSE
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To provide a skilled health visiting service based on population health needs assessment to clients
of the Huntly Health Centre either in their own home, the health centre or in the community setting.
You will be a member of the Upper Marr Health Visiting team and as and when required will be
expected to cover health visiting within Upper Marr.
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Assessing the health needs of the practice population, working with local people to identify local
needs and using a community development approach to deliver integrated service packages of
health improvement through multi agency working.
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To lead in the delivery of evidence based care as a qualified health visitor in the multi-disciplinary,
multi-agency team within the practice area demonstrating evidence of leadership skills.
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Ensuring consistent standards are employed, plan and implement programmes of health promotion
such as immunisation, core screening programmes, parenting skills, mental health and accident and
illness prevention.
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Accountable for own professional actions working according to NMC Code of Professional Conduct
and to local and national policies, procedures and health and safety legislation.
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To develop own clinical practice and be responsible for the teaching, supervision and assessment of
pre and specialist post registration nursing students, junior & untrained members of nursing staff.
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To support, supervise and participate in the appraisal of other members of the health visiting team.
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With the Team Leader assist in the development of the Team Plan, linked to the practice, LCHP,
CHP and NHS Grampian action plans.
3. ORGANISATIONAL POSITION
Area
Manager
H V Team
Leader
Health Visitors
Community Nurse (Health
Visiting)
Nursery Nurse
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4. SCOPE AND RANGE
As an autonomous practitioner with a generic caseload assesses and develops programmes of care and
provides specialist advice and guidance to individuals and families of the Upper Marr Area,
Although practice based this role will be mainly focused on Huntly Caseloads but can be expected to
work as required across the Upper Marr Area practice populations:
Alford
Rhynie
Strathdon
5. MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
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CLINICAL
Has direct responsibility for the management of own health visiting case load within a defined
geographical area.
Plan, organises and participate in the delivery of a broad range of complex activities and groups
according to community needs, some of which are ongoing others such as public health campaigns
which may require formulation and adjustment of plans or strategies. .
Deliver a high standard of evidence/ research based practice ensuring adherence to the NMC Code
of Professional Conduct, national, NHS Grampian and local policies and procedures.
Lead & direct the assessment, planning and evaluation of health visiting care to individual clients,
groups and the community through effective communication and documentation according to
professional procedures and policies.
Perform specific clinical skills required within own speciality and develops, as necessary, specialist
care packages for clients with complex needs.
Communicate to an optimum level with clients, their families and carers ensuring they are involved in
decision making regarding their care and with the multi-disciplinary and multi-agency teams.
Promote positive, healthy lifestyles and self care to clients, their families and carers
Practice safe and effective prescribing ensuring safe storage and administration of medicines
and treatments according to local and National policies.
Work in partnership with the Practice Education Facilitator in the delivery of education and to the
clinical learning environment for pre and post-registration students.
Participate in research and audit and the development of clinical protocols and ensures adherence
to these.
ORGANISATIONAL
Responsible for the management of own health visiting case load effectively analysing, prioritising
and organising own and junior staff members workload. This will include allocation and re-allocation
of work to members of the team dependant on workload, timescales, clinical priority, staff absence,
etc
Participate in multi-disciplinary, multi-agency planning and coordination of programmes of care for
clients with complex needs in partnership with other agencies such as the Local Authority.
Use staff resources responsibly and effectively and contribute to workforce modelling information
such as Telford to ensure workforce redesign is developed where desirable and appropriate.
Demonstrate understanding of, implement and adhere to local and national Health and Safety
policies and procedures.
Demonstrates awareness of the regulations of the European Working Time Directive.
MANAGERIAL
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Demonstrate effective leadership skills by being responsible for and managing own health visiting
caseload, delegating work appropriately to achieve optimal use of time and resources and
supporting others within in the team
Contribute to the monitoring and management of the service area budget to ensure it stays within
the agreed budget in order that financial targets are met by participating in resource management,
stock control and the ordering, care and maintenance of supplies and equipment.
Participate with Team Leader in staff appraisals, recruitment and selection, monitoring staff absences,
grievance and disciplinary procedures, workforce and workload planning
Act as the link between the Team Leader, practice and the nurse management/CHP structure ensuring
effective communication and dissemination of information
Employ negotiation and change management skills to influence and contribute to the
advancement of health visiting practice within the team, GP Practice and Locality and to the
development and implementation of Practice and Locality plans.
Practices enhanced negotiation and conflict management skills and demonstrate ability to address
issues arising in a professional manner while recognising personal limitations.
Support staff development and succession planning by delegation of specific tasks where appropriate.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
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Maintain responsibility for own personal development & demonstrate commitment to developing own
and team’s clinical skills, knowledge and expertise. Contribute to the education and development of
staff within the service to ensure knowledge and skills is maintained to a high standard.
Assist Team Leader in the appraisal of team members, identifying training needs and
developing a local training plan.
Demonstrate an ability to undertake and implement research and audit activity, initiating and
developing audits of service delivery and implement the findings to improve patient care
Ensure good communication and liaison with Practice Educators and Robert Gordon University
to foster an environment that is conducive to learning, enquiry and research.
Demonstrate willingness to further develop management skills.
Participate in orientation of new staff to the team, practice, Locality and CHP as required.
 Participate in the implementation and provision of clinical supervision.
Participate in the provision of case supervision.
SERVICE DELIVERY
Ensure the provision of continuity of care for all the clients in the service
Facilitate changes in the service through the introduction of evidence based practice so that care is
delivered to a high standard according to evidence based policies and protocols and where possible
improvements are implemented. Aberdeenshire is looking to standardise practice to ensure
equity and equality of service throughout the area, as per Scottish Government Guidelines.
Support senior colleagues in contributing towards the future development of the service, lead /
contribute to local groups and service redesign in order that services within the area are continually
updated in accordance with local and national priorities.
With the Team Leader take a responsibility for ensuring staff adherence to the NHSG Risk
Management Strategy thus ensuring the health and safety of staff, clients and families and carers.
6.
SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT
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Information management both written and electronic, e.g. using the practice IT systems to record
clinical decisions ensuring adherence to NMC/NHS Grampian standards of record keeping,
confidentiality and data protection.
Report locally identified incidents following reporting system to Team Leader and input data re.
occurrences into the Datix risk management system.
Ensure regularly update in the use of equipment and the management of risk.
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Regular use of IT software, e.g. Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel spreadsheets etc.
Completion of statistical returns
Will use the full range of equipment relating to Health Visiting practice.
7. DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS
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The post holder will:
always work within the NMC Code of Professional Conduct
manage own and the team’s workload, regularly reviewing and organising the workload allocating,
re-allocating work as necessary and delegating duties appropriately within the team.
use own initiative and advanced skills to exercise judgements involving complex facts or situations,
which require the analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options and have the ability to
make sound and rational decisions whilst remaining objective and supportive of others at all times.
use rapid judgement in the assessment and treatment of patients/clients in all clinical situations and
report any change in prescriptive care to relevant disciplines
8. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
The main focus of communication for the post holder is with all members of the multidisciplinary, multiagency teams, to ensure that optimum care is delivered to the client. The post holder must therefore
possess excellent interpersonal skills and participate in cross boundary working, particularly with local
authority, voluntary agencies, community group’s acute sector colleagues.
Internal
Post holder is required to communicate verbally and in writing with members of the multi-disciplinary,
multi-agency team, peers, Team Leader and Area Manager on a daily basis.
External
Post holder required to communicate verbally and in writing with clients, their family and carers, medical
and GP practice staff, hospital and liaison staff within NHS Grampian, other NHS Boards, external
organisations and bodies, e.g. Higher Education Institutions; Aberdeenshire Council (care managers,
social workers etc.), voluntary sector and with members of the public.
The post holder will play a lead role in dealing with distressed, upset, angry or anxious clients, relatives,
carers or staff. The role of the Health Visitor is to employ communication skills to de-escalate as many
situations as possible while ensuring the safety of the post holder and any other patients/clients,
relatives/carers or staff. This can be very demanding both emotionally and physically.
The post holder will be required to communicate therapeutically with clients, relatives and carers – this
may involve highly complex information and having to overcome potential barriers to understanding, is
required to motivate clients to change attitudes or behaviours, negotiate input and onward referral,
provide counselling and work with bereaved clients. The post holder is also at times required to confront
clients about unsafe childcare practices or abuse situations.
9. MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB
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Dealing with competing demands - making judgements on the most pressing priorities and clinical
demands regularly during the day as well as dealing with frequent interruptions. .
Developing and sustaining productive relationships with other members of the multidisciplinary and
multi-agency teams to influence and improve service delivery.
Intense concentration required for effective client interaction/assessment.
Preparation for, attending and participation in interagency meetings in particular child protection.
Exposure to distressing situations such as verbal aggression, domestic violence, difficult family
circumstances, infant death or severe illness/disability or child abuse and providing support to
colleagues who may experience such situations.
11. KNOWLEDGE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB
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1st Level Registered Nurse
Post-graduate qualification in Health Visiting or Public Health Nursing.
Demonstrable leadership skills with proven decision making skills within a multi-disciplinary and
multi-agency environment.
Knowledge and understanding of the future agenda for nursing health visiting and service redesign.
Good IT skills.
Car Driver/owner
Team player
NHS GRAMPIAN
PERSON SPECIFICATION
The Person Specification should meet the demands of the job and comply with current legislation. Setting
unnecessary standards may, for example, unfairly discriminate against one sex, the disabled or minority racial
groups. Applicants should be assessed in relation to their ability to meet the real requirements of the job as laid
down in the job description. Shortlisted candidates MUST possess all the essential components as detailed below.
POST/GRADE:
Health Visitor Band 6
LOCATION/HOSPITALS: Aberdeenshire CHP Upper Marr Area
WARD/DEPARTMENT
Huntly HV Team – Huntly Health Centre
ATTRIBUTES
Qualifications
ESSENTIAL
1 level registered Nurse
Diploma / Degree in Health Visiting
or undergoing SCPHN currently due
to complete 2015
NMC register current
Up to date clinical knowledge and
skills.
Multi agency working
Independent practitioner
Skilled practitioner in immunisation.
Immunisation e portfolio
UNICEF Breastfeeding
Experience
Special Aptitude and
Abilities
Disposition
Physical Requirements
Particular Requirements
of the Post
Excellent communication and
interpersonal skills must be a team
player.
Committed to Public Health
improvement.
IT literate
Enthusiastic, friendly, approachable,
honest and flexible. Team Player
Willingness to drive in rural area in
winter.
Good physical health
Car owner/driver
Current driving licence
Ability to work with challenging
/distressing situations and clients
MAJOR RISKS IN DOING THIS JOB
 Lone working
DESIRABLE
st
Child protection experience
REA
Pre-reg. student teaching/mentor
Keen interest in providing full
range of health visiting duties,
including health
promotion/education to individuals
and groups.