POSITION DESCRIPTION Public Health Nurse Date Produced/Reviewed: Position Holder's Name : Position Holder's Signature :... Manager / Supervisor's Name : Manager / Supervisor's Signature :... Date :... Document ID: Obtain from Objective Version: 1.0 Department: Kidz First Last Updated: dd/mm/yyyy Document Owner: Person s Title Next Review Date: 27/07/2014 Approved by: Name of Approval Group/Committee Date First Issued: 20/07/2012 Counties Manukau District Health Board
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 1
NATURE AND SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES Key Accountability 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 Standards / Achievements 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 Counties Manukau District Health Board ( CM Health ). 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 2
Key Accountability Standards / Achievements and their family. Contribute to effective discharge planning and/or referral processes to health care providers and support agencies to meet identified health needs. To maintain and promote ongoing professional development HEALTH & SAFETY Recognises individual responsibility for workplace Health & Safety under the Health and Safety Act 1992 CULTURAL SAFETY Commitment to the principles of Treaty of Waitangi Honouring Cultural Diversity Consider a population health approach to health needs within the family/whanau and relevant community to ensure positive health outcomes. 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 CM Health. Maintain and develop own clinical expertise and knowledge in area of specialty nursing practice Participate in case review, briefing and debriefing activities as required. Pro-actively participate in own performance development and review including maintenance of professional portfolio and annual practice certificate. The Public Health Nurse will: Ensure a safe working environment and safe working practices Ensure that all accidents/incidents in the workplace are reported and that hazards are recognised and adequate controls put in place Respect, sensitivity, cultural awareness is evident in interpersonal relationships. Acknowledge our cultural differences by respecting spiritual beliefs, cultural practices and lifestyle choices of women and their 3
Key Accountability Standards / Achievements families. Utilise Information Technology Demonstrate ability to access and use available clinical information systems. Be conversant with applications required for your specific role. For example, PIMS, Concerto, Outlook, PHN database, Community Forms on Line Maintain own professional development by attending relevant IT educational programmes. 4
COMMUNICATION AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS 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 CM Health policies DIMENSION OF THE POSITION 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 Directly Indirectly NIL NIL
PERSON SPECIFICATIONS Essential Qualification RGON, RGN, RCpN (with or without BN) Current Annual Practising Certificate Current clean drivers licence Preferred Post Graduate qualification in child and family health Public Health qualification Independent vaccinator s certificate. Experience Minimum 1 year post basic experience. Skills/Knowledge/ Behaviour Confident to drive a manual car Communication Skills Appropriate response to challenging situations Ability to set priorities 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 Child and family health experience Experience in nursing in a Community setting. Group facilitation skills Conflict Management/ Resolution Skills Public/ presentation speaking skills