Position Title:
Classification:
Incumbent: / Maternal and Child Health Nurse
As per Banyule City Council Enterprise Agreement
Vacant
Directorate:
Department:
Section: / Community Programs
Youth and Family Services
Maternal and Child Health
Date:
Prepared by: / November 2014
Coordinator, Maternal and Child Health
Banyule City Council: / Banyule City Council is an award winning organisation that prides itself on a customer-focused culture of innovation, best practice and continuous improvement. We uphold an enviable reputation for customer serviceand work diligently to maintain high quality services to provide the best possible opportunities and outcomes for the community we represent.
Departmental Overview: / The Youth and Family Services department at Banyule City Council sits within the Community Programs directorate. It provides a range of services to children, families, young people and community groups within the municipality. These services promote and support health, wellbeing and education and strive to build a connected and safe community.
The Youth and Family Services department is committed to working ethically in partnership with the community within a Citizenship Framework. In essence this means that the department works to include and encourage community participation and respects the rights of individuals to have a say in decisions which affect them.
Position Objectives: / To apply advanced nursing skills to deliver the universal Maternal and Child Health Service within the guidelines of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development MCH Program Standards, Practice Guidelines, Key Ages and Stages Framework 2009 and Banyule City Council’s Best Value program and corporate values.
Our Values: / All Banyule staff are to adopt the key values of Working Together Working Better and strive to meet these behaviours in carrying out their duties. Our core values are:
RESPECT is characterised by supporting each individual’s dignity and worth.
INTEGRITY is the quality of staying true to our moral, ethical, and spiritual principles.
RESPONSIBILITY is acknowledging and accepting the choices we make, the actions we take, and the results they lead to.
INITIATIVE is characterised by having a proactive, resourceful and persistent approach to work.
INCLUSION is characterised by embracing and valuing the perspectives and contributions of all.
Key Responsibility Areas: / 1.Promote child health and wellbeing from birth to six years through the delivery of the 10 Key Ages and Stages visits using evidence based tools PEDS and Brigance.
2.Promote maternal health and wellbeing by identifying vulnerable mothers and referring as appropriate.
3.Support and strengthen the health and wellbeing of families with children aged from birth to six years by practicing a family centred strengths based approach.
4.Use health promotion and health education strategies with children, families and communities to maximise optimal health specifically pertaining to SIDS, QUIT, family violence, PND, injury prevention, oral health, sleep and settling and breast feeding).
5. Utilise research to evaluate and improve maternal and child health nursing practice.
Flexibility: / Our Enterprise Agreement encourages workforce flexibility and acknowledges:
  • That change in the workplace is ongoing and a degree of flexibility needs to be inherent in order to operate efficiently and respond to customer needs.
  • Commitment to improving the skills and competencies of staff by offering opportunities wherever practicable to transfer or rotate throughout Council and providing training as necessary to fulfil the position.

Organisational Relationships: / Position Reports to: Coordinator Maternal and Child Health and Community Support/ Maternal and Child Health Team Leader
Supervises: MCH, students, nursing and midwifery students
Internal Liaisons: Youth and Family Services team, Immunisation Department, Customer Service, Records Department, Building Maintenance Department, IT, and others as appropriate
External Liaisons: Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Department of Human Services, Protective Services, Child FIRST, Maternity Hospitals, Professionals and other agencies which provide services to families and children, residents, parents and community groups
Accountability and Extent of Authority: /
  • Ensure that the MCH Program Standards 2009 and Banyule City Council’s Best Value programs and values are implemented and maintained.
  • Provide a monthly, half yearly and end of financial year report to Coordinator as required
  • Provide accessible, inclusive, equitable and evidence base practices
  • Provide preceptorship to students on placement, as required.
  • Maintain a professional code of ethics
  • Work collaboratively with Maternal & Child Health Team members and the Early Years team in making decisions about the service and its practices.
  • Promote the importance of immunisation within the community
  • Promote breast feeding as per World Health Organisation code

Judgment and Decision Making: /
  • In conjunction with the parent/carer and the PEDS tool, apply professional expertise and clinical knowledge in determining the appropriate pathway.
  • Use professional judgement to determine if additional referrals or activities are warranted, this may include Brigance, additional consultation, further assessment, flexible approach, follow up, secondary referral.
  • Identify families with children considered to be at risk and to provide preventative and support services and assistance. Follow mandatory reporting procedures.
  • Identify concerns related to maternal wellbeing and to make referrals to other agencies where appropriate.
  • Make referrals when assessed as appropriate.

Specialist Knowledge and Skills: /
  • Maintain professional knowledge and skills to ensure that an efficient and effective Maternal and Child Health Service is provided.
  • Highly developed skills and competency in child health, development and behavior.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of conditions and issues that may affect maternal health and wellbeing and families in a contemporary society.
  • Knowledge of State policy directions including the Blueprint for Early Childhood and Education2008, Victorian Early Years Learning and Developmental Framework (VEYLDF).
  • Comprehensive understanding of the Competency Standards for the MCHNin Victoria 2010.
  • Comprehensive understanding of laws around child protection, mandatory reporting and Child First, including Child Well Being and Safety Act 2008.
  • Demonstrated ability to deliver the MCH program as per relevant standards, guidelines, frameworks and values.

Management Skills: /
  • Ability to manage time, set priorities, plan and organise workload to enable quality service to be delivered.
  • Ability to conduct self-evaluation and respond to changing community needs.
  • Maintenance of confidentiality and privacy legislation.
  • To maintain accurate, confidential and up to date records as required by Council and Government funding bodies using designated software programs.
  • Participate in the ongoing development and improvement of the service through consultation with the community, Council’s goals and values and DEECD.
  • To be responsible for the overall administration of the designated M&CH centre, including supervision of centre cleaning, occupational health and safety requirements and security of the building.
  • Provide prompt, accurate, courteous and consistent service when dealing with citizens and ensure that all obligations, agreements and deadlines are met whilst always seeking positive outcomes for those dealing with the Banyule City Council.

Interpersonal Skills: /
  • Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills to succeed with parents and young children and the capacity to relate effectively with a diverse range of families, communities and professionals.
  • Ability to work in partnership with other nurses and colleagues in a collaborative manner.
  • Non-judgemental attitude when dealing with families.
  • Well developed reflective practice skills and the ability to make changes when required.
  • Conflict management skills.
  • Ability to operate within Council guidelines in an independent capacity
  • Demonstrates commitment to our values
  • Conducts oneself in a professional manner in accordance with standards of practice.
  • Uses and promotes effective communication by listening carefully, respectful of cultural diversity and practice and empowering clients to be confident to make their own decisions
  • Contributes effectively to the team in planning, developing and redeveloping the service.
  • Demonstrates genuineness and sincerity when interacting with others
  • Demonstrates understanding of others viewpoints
  • Shares relevant information as appropriate
  • Looks for opportunities for improvement
  • Identifies problems and finds solutions

Qualifications and Experience: /
  • Registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as a general nurse and midwife
  • Qualification in Family and Child Health or equivalent
  • Lactation qualifications and Level 2 First Aid desirable
  • Current drivers licence

Key Selection Criteria
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
  • Highly developed skills and competency in child health, development and behavior
  • Knowledge of maternal health and wellbeing and issues affecting families in a contemporary society
  • Knowledge of state and federal government policy and strategic directions including the Blueprint for Early Childhood and Education2008, VEYLDF,
  • Comprehensive understanding oflegislation and common law applicable to MCH nursing practice
  • Demonstrated ability to deliver the MCH program as per relevant standards, guidelines, frameworks and values
  • Registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as a general nurse and midwife
  • Qualification in Family and Child Health or equivalent
  • Lactation qualifications and Level 2 First Aid desirable
  • Current drivers licence
  • Working with Children Check

Environmental and Sustainability Requirements: /
  • Adhere to Council’s Environment Policy and Environment Strategy
  • Adhere to Council’s Sustainability Code of Practice and Environmental Purchasing Guidelines

OH&S and Other Risk Requirements: /
  • Ensure a safe and healthy environment by fulfilling the responsibilities and requirements of Council’s health and safety system and health and wellbeing program.
  • Exercise reasonable care to prevent injury to him/herself and others whom may be affected by his/her duties and actions.
  • Exercise due care for Council property for which this position is responsible or issued.

Banyule Management System: /
  • Conduct all work according to the requirements of the Banyule Management System, incorporating the Banyule Management Manual and Service Unit specific Quality and Cost Standards and procedures.
  • The Banyule Management System incorporates Council’s Quality, Environmental and OH&S Management Systems

RELEVANT PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Standing/walking
  • Sitting
  • Bending
  • Computer operation
  • Scales operation
  • Examining babies with both hands
  • Observing – reasonable eye sight
  • Hearing low frequency sounds
  • Driving – car
  • Carrying light weight portable scales
  • Light cleaning (spills)
  • Carrying centre supplies ( trolley supplied)
  • Loading and Unloading car with centre supplies
  • Moving some furniture eg office chairs & tables

SIGNED:______

DATE:______

Human Resources / Position Description - Maternal and Child Health Nurse.doc / AUSInfo Ref: / Last Amended:19/11/2014 / Page: 1of 6