Health Visitor
Job Description:Health visitors work with families to give children a healthy start in life.
Job Category:What you will do:
Health visitors are nurses or midwives who have chosen to gain additional training and qualifications. Their additional training enables them to assess the health needs of individuals, families and the wider community to promote good health and prevent illness.
In addition to families with children, you may also work with at-risk or deprived groups such as the homeless, addicts or travellers.
Your day-to-day duties may include:
- giving advice to new parents on how to care for a baby or young child, including feeding, hygiene, safety and sleeping
- supporting parents with their children’s development needs, such as language development
- coordinating child immunisation programmes
- organising special clinics or drop-in centres
- supporting children with special needs
- advising on behavioural management techniques
- providing information on local services
- advising on how to reduce the risk of accident and injury
- working closely with social services and other organisations to safeguard and protect children
- making sure families receive the best possible support during safeguarding arrangements
You may also spend time:
- advising older people on health-related issues
- working with the travelling community (in the UK)
- supporting vulnerable adults who are homeless or have an addiction
Skills:
You will need:
- knowledge of nursing or midwifery
- knowledge of psychology
- often the ability to drive
You’ll need:
- excellent communication and listening skills
- sensitivity and understanding and active listening skills
- tact, patience and persuasiveness
- the ability to interpret body language and other non-verbal communication
- the ability to cope emotionally with distressing issues
- organisational skills and administration skills
- the ability to work on your own initiative
- the ability to work well with others
- adaptable – to be flexible and open to change
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Entry Requirements:
You’ll need:
- A Degree in nursing or midwifery (in the UK the degree needs to be approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) )
- current registration with the NMC
- to have completed a course in Specialist Community Public Health Nursing or Health Visiting (SCPHN or HV)
You are likely to need criminal or security clearance from the local authorities in the county you intend to work in.
Working Hours and Environment:
You’ll usually work 37.5 hours a week, Monday to Friday. Some evening work may be necessary to run clinics and drop-in centres.
You’ll spend most of your time visiting clients in their own homes. You may also run group support sessions in surgeries and health centres.
You’ll usually need a driving licence.
Career Path & Progression:
With experience, you could progress to team manager, community matron or a management role.
You could also go into nurse education and training.