POSITION DESCRIPTION Public Health Nurse This role is considered a core children s worker and will be subject to safety checking as part of the Vulnerable Children Act 2014 Position Holder's Name:... Position Holder's Signature:... Manager/Supervisor's Name:... Manager/Supervisor's Signature:... Document ID: Obtain from Objective Version: 1.0 Department: Name of Department Last Updated: dd/mm/yyyy Document Owner: Person s Title Next Review Date: dd/mm/yyyy Approved by: Name of Approval Group/Committee Date First Issued: dd/mm/yyyy Counties Manukau Health
Position description: Counties Manukau Health 2
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION This position is responsible for undertaking health assessments, health education and health promotion activities in schools and in the South Auckland community. PLACE IN THE ORGANISATION General Manager Kidz and Womens Health Director of Nursing Service Manager Kidz First Community Health Clinical Nurse Director Clinical Nurse Manager Clinical Nurse Educator Public Health Nurse Whanau Support Worker Position description: Counties Manukau Health 3
NATURE AND SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES Key Accountabilities Standards / Achievements To provide a public health nursing service that meets the health needs of children, young people and their family/whanau using contemporary nursing practice. To assist schools to use population based services and effective health promotion processes To utilise nursing knowledge and skills to assess, plan, implement and evaluate the health needs of children /young people and family / whanau To deliver Public Health Nursing Service primarily within the schools, community, and home environment. To facilitate access to primary, secondary and specialist health care services as required by children and young people and their families. To facilitate inter-sectoral collaboration between, primary and secondary health care services, education services, social services, community agencies, and Non Government Organisations (NGO s) in relation to achieving outcomes for children and their families. To support the child and family to implement the recommended plan of care in the home and at school. Anticipated outcomes of care/intervention include integration of services, improved access for clients particularly from disadvantaged social groups. The Public Health Nurse will: Work in partnership with multiple stakeholders, eg schools, community groups, children, young people, and family/whanau. Be available as a resource to support the objectives of specific programmes for health promotion activities Work with the HPS Facilitators to support the implementation of the HPS Tipu Ka Rea model in schools in CMDHB. Support the use of a whole school approach when addressing population and public health issues The Public Health Nurse will: Be available for meetings and information requests to support the health needs of the child and family. Advocate on behalf of the child and family. Access the relevant information and/or personnel to support the wellbeing of the child and their family. Contribute to effective discharge planning and/or referral processes to health care providers and support agencies to meet identified health needs. Consider a population health approach to health needs within the family/whanau and relevant Position description: Counties Manukau Health 4
Key Accountabilities Standards / Achievements community to ensure positive health outcomes. To maintain and promote ongoing professional development Accurately undertake and document assessments of child, youth and family health status, health needs/ diagnosis and response to nursing and others interventions and treatments. Apply diagnostic reasoning and professional judgement to nursing practice issues/ decisions The Public Health Nurse will: Comply with the policies of CMDHB. Maintain and develop own clinical expertise and knowledge in area of specialty nursing practice Participate in case review, briefing and debriefing activities as required. Cultural Safety & Diversity Pro-actively participate in own performance development and review including maintenance of professional portfolio and annual practice certificate. Commitment to the principles of Treaty of Waitangi Honouring Diversity Respect, sensitivity, cultural awareness is evident in interpersonal relationships. Our differences are acknowledged by respecting spiritual beliefs, cultural practices and lifestyle choices. Utilise Information Technology Demonstrate an ability to access and use available clinical information systems. Is conversant with applications required for specific discipline/role. For example, i.pm, Concerto, Outlook, etc. Maintains own professional development by attending relevant IT educational programmes. Position description: Counties Manukau Health 5
COMMUNICATION AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS Will be required to interact on a regular basis with a range of Counties Manukau Health staff members including: Internally there will be regular contact: Clinical Nurse Managers Nurse Educator Other PHNs/ RNs Administration staff Whanau Support Workers Hearing and Vision Technicians Health promoting school facilitators Externally there will be in contact with: School Principals and School administrative staff Primary Care Providers Community Organisations NGOs Situations may often call for tact, diplomacy and will require information to be handled in a discreet and sensitive manner. In conflict situations will be required to exercise sound judgement, negotiation and persuasiveness skills, toward facilitating a workable outcome. PROBLEM COMPLEXITY Will be regularly challenged by a wide range of tasks and clinical issues. There will be a requirement to be able to prioritise issues and negotiate time frames, while still providing a quality customer service. The range of problems will be diverse and require solutions customised to meet the circumstances of the client. Therefore opportunities will arise to provide innovative options to the client based on proven outcomes. There will be demands to meet deadlines, maintain accuracy and quality of information. Failure to do so could impact on the organisation in terms of clinical service delivery, relationships with schools and health outcomes for children and their families. Will refer to clinical nurse manager for advice SCOPE FOR ACTION Are empowered to make decisions or recommendations relating to the area of responsibility and are encouraged to use initiative and problem solving skills to develop innovative approaches to issues. Discretion is required to be exercised in releasing confidential information to the appropriate parties in accordance with CMDHB policies DIMENSION OF THE POSITION Position description: Counties Manukau Health 6
Will be responsible to the relevant PHN Clinical Nurse Manager for the achievement of agreed objectives and operates within the confines of Counties Manukau District Health Board. POSITIONS REPORTING IN THIS ROLE (numbers) Directly (numbers) : Nil Indirectly (numbers) : Nil (I.e. who will you give tasks to?) PERSON SPECIFICATIONS (requirements for the role) Minimum Preferred Qualification RGON, RGN, RCpN (with or without BN) Post Graduate qualification in child and family health Current Annual Practising Certificate Current clean drivers licence Public Health qualification Independent vaccinator s certificate. Experience Minimum 1 year post basic experience. Child and family health experience Experience in nursing in a Community setting. Skills/Knowledge/ Behaviour Confident to drive a manual car Communication Skills Appropriate response to challenging situations Ability to set priorities Group facilitation skills Conflict Management/ Resolution Skills Public/ presentation speaking skills Ability to plan accordingly Ability to work autonomously Personal Qualities Team player Commitment to child or family community nursing Take responsibility Self starter High standard of personal presentation Sense of Humour Excellent organisational skills Position description: Counties Manukau Health 7
HEALTH AND SAFETY ACCOUNTABILITIES (non-management roles) Health and Safety (H&S) is a key accountability of all Counties Manukau Health (CM Health) staff. All CM Health Employees are responsible to: Zero Harm Engage in safe workplace practices and take care of the health and safety of themselves, other employees and people in the workplace Risk Management Safety Management System Requirements Work Safely Identify, evaluate and report all hazards and incidents they are aware of in the workplace Adhere to apply risk controls, identified in risk assessments, such as Safe Operating Procedures Follow safety instructions Stop work when there is an immediate risk of serious harm and notify the appropriate manager Ensure nothing they do or don t do will cause harm to themselves or others Understand and follow CM Health s Occupational Health and Safety policies, Health and Safety regulations, and personal responsibilities as outlined by these policies Follow all Occupational Health and Safety policies and procedures Report for duty in a fit state, free from the influence of alcohol or other drugs Participate in consultation activities regarding matters affecting your health, safety and wellbeing Wear the required Personal Protective Equipment when undertaking specific activities, or when in nominated areas Operate clinical or plant equipment safely Participate in relevant safety training, and maintain safety related competencies If relevant to your position, be in possession of required and current Certificates of Competency Position description: Counties Manukau Health 8