Community Staff Nurse - Health Visitor

The Methodist Church in Britain; Highbridge; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave

NHS Pension Scheme

Flexible and hybrid working

Health and wellbeing support

Volunteer opportunities

Job summary

Somerset County Council is seeking a Public Health Nurse/Health Visitor to support the Healthy Child Programme for children aged 0–5. You will travel to homes, clinics and community settings to deliver checks, provide guidance to families and work with schools and local services for vulnerable children.

The role requires registration as an RN or Midwife (NMC) and experience in community settings. Hybrid working and a supportive NHS framework are offered.

Qualifications

• Must be a registered nurse or midwife with current registration with the NMC.
• Experience in community health settings and direct work with families.
• Ability to work across organisational boundaries and with partners.

Responsibilities

• Deliver core elements of the Healthy Child Programme for ages 0–5; conduct developmental checks and baby clinics.
• Carry out family health needs assessments and provide tailored advice and interventions.
• Advise parents on infant feeding, child development, healthy lifestyles and safety.
• Identify concerns and coordinate with colleagues to secure appropriate support.
• Deliver individual, group and community health programmes in various settings.
• Supervise and guide Health Visitor team support staff and administration.

Skills

Communication

Safeguarding

Group facilitation

Record keeping

Time management

Driving licence

Education

NMC Registered Nurse (Part 1)

Registered Midwife

Tools

RIO records system

Job description

This 10-month post sits in Somerset County Council's Public Health Nursing Service, working under the guidance of Health Visitors. The core work is supporting children's health and development from the antenatal period to age five through the Healthy Child Programme. Regular travel to homes, clinics, family hubs and community settings is central to the role. Applicants must be a registered nurse or midwife and meet the travel requirements, including a driving licence.

What the job involves

• Deliver key elements of the Healthy Child Programme for children aged 0 to 5 and their families, including developmental checks and baby clinics
• Carry out family health needs assessments and provide tailored advice, support and interventions
• Advise parents and carers on infant feeding, child development, healthy lifestyles, emotional wellbeing and keeping children safe
• Identify concerns about a child's development, wellbeing or safety and work with colleagues to secure the right support
• Facilitate and deliver individual, group and community programmes in a variety of settings
• Supervise and guide Health Visitor team assistant practitioners and the administrator
• Work in partnership with the local authority, children's social care, early years settings, schools and health services
• Contribute to care programmes for vulnerable children and deliver young people's clinics and health learning with schools and community organisations
• Support children with additional needs through transition from pre-school to school, liaising with Health Visiting teams
• Build positive relationships with children and families, giving compassionate and inclusive care
• Maintain accurate electronic records, client records and reports in line with NMC code and organisational policy
• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion in all work with staff, families and communities

What’s required

Registration & licences

• Registered Nurse on Part 1 of the NMC register
• Registered Midwife

Experience

• Community experience and/or working with children and families
• Delivering programmes in a community setting across a range of diverse services
• Working across organisational boundaries in a health care setting

Skills & knowledge

• Working knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures
• Recording and retrieving information on paper and electronic patient records
• Group facilitation skills
• Organisational skills and time management

Checks & eligibility

• Criminal background check (DBS)
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work, or alternative means of meeting travel requirements
• Ability to speak fluent English as set out in Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016

Other

• Excellent written and verbal communication, influencing and negotiating skills
• Compassionate, empathetic communication with patients, carers and relatives
• Calm, professional handling of challenging situations, taking direction and working in a team
• Ability to undertake PMVA training to the level required for the role

Nice to have

• Experience of working with children and families with additional special needs
• Experience and knowledge of child protection procedures
• Experience of child and maternal health issues, such as perinatal emotional health, smoking cessation, substance misuse and parenting
• Understanding of quality standards and audit
• Knowledge of national and local public health priorities
• Working knowledge of the RIO records system
• Able to work as part of a multi-professional team

What’s offered

• 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave
• NHS Pension Scheme membership, subject to criteria, or auto-enrolment into the council pension scheme
• Optional pension enhancement through an Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working where service needs allow
• Health and wellbeing support, including confidential employee assistance
• Paid volunteering opportunities