DEPARTMENT/UNIT Department: Unit: Team: Maternal and Child Health Nurse POSITION DESCRIPTION Community Services Human Services Child and Family Services _ Position Number: 611901 REMUNERATION Classification: Salary range: Hours per week: Appointment: Prepared by: Approved by: Date: M&CH Nurses - Golden Plains Shire Council Enterprise Bargaining Agreement No: 6 2010 $51.48 - $52.84 per hour + 9% superannuation (if applicable) (25% Casual Loading Included) Based on Operational Requirements Casual Fayth Andrews, Manager Human Services Rod Nicholls, Chief Executive Officer May 2006 (minor updates in June 2011 to advertise the position) POSITION OBJECTIVES To monitor childhood development through the provision of home and centre based consultations at recommended intervals. To offer support, counselling, education and advice to parents of children 0-6 years of age. ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS Reports to: Child and Family Services Team Leader Directly Supervises: Coordinates: Internal Liaisons: n/a n/a Community Services Staff and other Council Staff Page 1 of 5
External Liaisons: Children, Parents/Guardians, Medical Professionals / Hospitals, Government Departments, Play Groups/Community Groups and Staff at other Councils KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES Duties of the Position Functional Responsibilities: Organise home consultations upon a parent s discharge from hospital. Set and adhere to appropriate consultation appointments with parents/guardians based on a predetermined service program. Carry out consultations in accordance with recommended service standards, durations and clinical objectives. Offer support and advice to parents. With prior consent, refer parents and children to appropriate general or specialist services where necessary. Provide education on issues such as Immunisation, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, feeding, developmental issues, child safety and other relevant matters. Facilitate group activities among parents such as information sessions, etc. Maintain accurate records and statistics in a secure and confidential manner. Provide the Unit Manager with accurate and detailed reports as requested. Other duties within the scope of the employee s skills, competence and training as directed. Corporate Responsibilities Liaise with the Unit Manager as to ways in which safety, effectiveness and efficiency of the service can be improved. Complete time sheets accurately and submit them on time. Notify the Unit Manager of inability to attend clinics / appointments as soon as practicable and arrange appropriate relief staff. Promote excellence in customer service and in conjunction with the Unit Managers, identify, review and implement strategies to improve service quality and efficiency. Maintain strong team relationships among colleagues and community groups, on a formal and informal basis, across all Council functions. Ensure the security of Council s property and assets and maintain a commitment to the care of all Council s property and assets. Comply with Council policies and procedures. 611901 (0605) Maternal and Child health Nurse Page 2 of 5
General Responsibilities Attend relevant in-service and external training programs approved by the Manager, Human Services. ACCOUNTABILITY AND EXTENT OF AUTHORITY The position is authorised to/responsible for the following: Performing accurate developmental assessments of children. Making recommendations to parents for referral to other agencies. Accurate reporting and record keeping. JUDGEMENT AND DECISION MAKING Make recommendations to the Unit Manager regarding service improvement. Make judgements as to whether children are developing in accordance with the Maternal & Child Health Developmental Guidelines. Make judgements and decisions relating to timetable adjustments, appointment schedules, etc. SPECIALIST SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE Good working knowledge of current Maternal & Child Health practices, policies and procedures. An appreciation of the issues concerning parents and children in rural communities MANAGEMENT SKILLS Ability to manage ones own time based on a pre-determined work schedule. Ability to prepare accurate and timely reports. INTERPERSONAL SKILLS Well developed verbal communication skills on a one-to-one basis and within groups. A strong customer service approach to service position. An ability to comfort and communicate effectively with young children and parents. A high degree of confidence. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE Registered Nurse with the Victorian Nursing Board. Qualifications in Midwifery. Qualifications and previous experience working as a Maternal & Child Health Nurse. Knowledge and experience in computer software packages is desirable. Prior experience in services provision to rural communities is desirable. A current Victorian Driver s Licence is essential. 611901 (0605) Maternal and Child health Nurse Page 3 of 5
SELECTION CRITERIA Selection will be based on the following Key Selection Criteria however, reference will also be made to other listed skills, knowledge and attributes as required in the Position Description. Good knowledge of current Maternal & Child Health practices, procedures and policies. Demonstrated customer service skills and the ability to develop a good rapport with parents and children. Ability to work effectively as part of a team as well as autonomously. Holder of appropriate nursing qualifications and current practicing certificate. Excellent communication, interpersonal and time management skills. Current Driver s Licence is essential. Previous experience in Maternal & Child Health Nursing, preferably in Local Government. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY Council is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment to all employees. Employees are expected to perform their duties in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and all Regulations, Codes of Practice and Council policies and procedures. In addition, employees are expected to: Conduct themselves in a manner that will not endanger themselves or others. Participate in Occupational Health and Safety training. Assist with audits of work procedures, equipment and workplaces. Identify areas of improvement by contributing to the Safety System within the Department. Contribute ideas and suggestions that promote safety awareness. Be aware of emergency procedures and codes. Report unsafe work practices, incidents, hazards and near misses. Report unacceptable workplace behaviours such as harassment and bullying. RISK MANAGEMENT Employees are required to follow all policies and procedures in relation to risk management (asset protection, security, public liability and professional indemnity). Employees are expected to: Participate in risk assessments. Demonstrate an understanding of, and a commitment to, Council s Risk Management Standard Operating Procedure. Report all hazards and incidents of which they become aware. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY Golden Plains Shire Council offers a work environment free of discrimination, sexual or other harassment, victimisation, vilification and bullying. Employees are expected to contribute to the maintenance of such a work environment. 611901 (0605) Maternal and Child health Nurse Page 4 of 5
PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY Employees must respect and protect the privacy and confidentiality of information gained or accessed during the course of their employment. Employees are required to comply with the Information Privacy Act, the Health Records Act and Council s Information Privacy and Health Records policies. Both during and after employment with Council, employees must not: Communicate confidential or private information to third parties. Make use of any information gained through employment at the Shire for any purpose other than the discharge of official duties. OTHER REQUIREMENTS Attendance at evening meetings and occasional weekend workshops is a core component of the position. Meeting attendance will form part of the core working hours per week. Where weekly hours are expected to exceed the core hours, with the prior approval of the Team Leader / Manager, additional hours may be worked and accumulated as time in lieu. Time in lieu will be hour for hour and shall be recorded and taken within one month in accordance with Council's Enterprise Agreement. Employment is subject to a satisfactory six month probationary period. Employees must comply with Golden Plains Shire Council s Employee Code of Conduct. Completion of a pre-employment Disclosure of Pre-existing Injury or Disease form. A current Australian driver licence. A satisfactory National Criminal History Check. FURTHER INFORMATION AND APPLICATION DETAILS Further enquiries can be directed to Matthew Dawson, Child and Family Services Team Leader on (03) 5220 7175. Applications close 9.00am Monday 5 November 2012. Applications must address the key selection criteria and should be addressed to: Mr Rod Nicholls Chief Executive Officer Golden Plains Shire Council PO Box 111 BANNOCKBURN VIC 3331 Applications should be submitted online via the employment page on Council s website at www.goldenplains.vic.gov.au or mailed to the above address. PLEASE NOTE: Personal and Health Information collected by Council is used for recruitment purposes and, if the applicant is successful, will be used for HR purposes. Council may disclose this information to other organisations if required by law. The applicant understands that the personal and health information provided is for the above-mentioned purpose and that he or she may apply to Council for access to and/or amendment of the information. Information relating to unsuccessful applicants may be destroyed by Council 6 months after being received. Requests for access or correction should be made to Council s Privacy Officer. 611901 (0605) Maternal and Child health Nurse Page 5 of 5