Community Health Worker

at  DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL

The Community Health Worker works as part of the public health nursing team in providingpreventative and supportive health care to children young people and their families. Thepost holder works under the supervision of a Specialist Public Health Nurse or Team Leaderwith a defined population. As part of the public health nursing team the post holdercollaborates with a wider multi-disciplinary team in offering public health services to thecommunity. The work takes place in a variety of settings, including home, clinic, schools andcommunity venues.
This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence andfluency in English. Main duties and responsibilities: The principle responsibility of the post holder it to support the delivery of universal servicesand targeted interventions to address health inequalities. The service will be offered withinthe framework of national and local targets including the Healthy Child Programme. Working in partnership to provide appropriate advice and support to families in accordancewith evidence based practice under the supervision of Specialist Community Public HealthNurse (SCPHN).
Signposting families to supportive services e.g. Childrens Centres and services provided bythe local authority or the voluntary sector. Maintain clear and accurate records as per standards and guidelines, ensuring clearanalysis and outcomes for the child. Support and promote breast-feeding, good infant feeding practices, good nutrition, dentalcare, and smoking cessation .
Communicates effectively with people who may themselves have communication difficulties,including willingness to seek out and use resources to help those whose first language is notEnglish or those with sensory or learning difficulties Able to communicate effectively and helpfully with people who may be distressed or angry,for example, may be asked to support families where there is a child with special needs. Communicates in such a way as to empower, motivate and/or support individuals, familiesand other members of staff, judging which approach is most likely to be effective inaddressing the current health need or situation. Able to recognise situations where service users require advice and help from the SpecialistCommunity Public Health Nurse, for example, need for family reassessment, complexevolving family health needs, or child protection, thus ensuring safe practice. Able to use relevant equipment eg: electronic scales and measures of length and height, andinterpret result.
Refers measurements that are outside normal parameters Where appropriate, manages and maintains equipment, eg: ensuring servicing of scales atthe required intervals. Has due regard to efficient and effective managements of resources,eg: accurate prediction and maintenance of supplies, informing line manager of anydifficulties encountered. Organises delegated workload to meet priorities of client care, making efficient use of timeand travel. Organises and supports service delivery within health and community settings.
e.g. childhealth clinics, National Childhood Measurement Programme in schools, Healthy ChildProgramme. Keeps a daily electronic diary containing accurate record of work content and travel. Initiate and participate in data collection, research, audit, surveys and service user feedback Participating in supervision and annual appraisals which will help you to reflect on your work,understand your objectives and monitor your progress towards achieving themUsing continuing professional development to consolidate, update or improve clinical skills

Please refer the Job description for details