POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position Title:
Child and Family Health Nurse (Transition from RN)
Facility/Location:
Hawkesbury District Health Service
Department:
Community Health
Responsible To:
Director of Clinical Services via Nursing Unit Manager
Date of original Position Description:
October 2007
Date of last review/update:
July 2015
Position Purpose/Job Summary
The Child and Family Health Nurse (CFHN) provides child and family health nursing services for
parents/carers and children (0 - 8 years) within the frameworks of the Families NSW Initiative,
primary health care and continuous quality improvement. Child and Family Health services are
provided in a range of settings including homes, clinics, Community Health Centres and other
community settings. C&FH nurses are supported in their clinical role by Secondary Specialist
C&FH nurses and C&FH Clinical Nurse Consultants.
Child and Family Health Nursing services focus on:
 Universal Health Home Visiting to families with a new baby
 child health surveillance and screening (0 – 5 years) as per Personal Health Record (Blue
Book)
 parenting support strategies e.g. parenting groups, feeding clinic, immunization clinics &
hearing clinic
 progression towards sustained home visiting to the high risk population of births
 health promotion, early detection and intervention for health problems and risks
Knowledge, Competencies & Skills






Demonstrated effective interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written)
Understanding of and the ability to apply the principles and practices of primary health
care
Demonstrated Computer skills (word, excel,powerpoint)
Current NSW Drivers Licence Class C
Ability to work as a member of a multi - disciplinary team
Knowledge of O.H&S guidelines.
Education, Qualifications & Special Training


Current Registered Nurse Division 1 with AHPRA
Post-registration qualifications relevant to performing the role of Child and Family Health in
Community Health Services e.g. Child and Family Health certificate or equivalent or willing
to obtain within 2 years
Work Experience
12 months experience working as a Registered Nurse Division 1 with AHPRA
Desirable Skills & Qualifications


Group work qualifications/experience
Community health, counseling, lactation, or immunisation certificate/experience or
willingness to acquire
Experience working with vulnerable families
Indicative Roles & Responsibilities
Key Performance Indicators
CONTRIBUTE TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ORGANISATIONS
VALUES & MISSIN STATEMENTS

Contribute to the achievement of the CHCS Mission, Vision
and Values. Implement the achievement of outcomes in
accordance with relevant management plans and
relevant legislation including OHS and Equal Opportunity.
CLINICAL PRACTICE
Working within primary health care and Families NSW
frameworks and utilising current best practice:

provide primary health care, health assessment and
health education within a multidisciplinary environment

provide a child and family health nursing service, which
encompasses screening, assessment, intervention, support
and information sharing, to children and their
parents/carers

work in partnership with families to optimise their physical,
social, emotional and intellectual well-being

facilitate relevant self-help and support groups relating to
parenting issues e.g. breastfeeding

provide information to families and individuals about
relevant resources and agencies and refer as appropriate

assist families to establish and maintain supportive
relationships within their community

promote and support breastfeeding in accordance with
the WHO code and NSW Health/HDHS guidelines/policies

participate in the development of strong and
collaborative links with local agencies and service
providers to ensure appropriate integration of Families
NSW and partnership approaches to improving the health
status of families and the community
 adapt and develop identified innovative clinical practice
models with other clinicians and field staff
 be aware of and practice within risk management and
EEO responsibilities

participate in regular case discussion and presentations
within the team
 participate in the performance management process,
including creation and implementation of a personal
development plan
 participate in clinical supervision as per HDHS Supervision
 Injury free and accident
free work environment
 Relate to people in a
pleasant and professional
manner
 Positive
feedback
is
received from staff and
clients
 Contacts
relevant
department/service when
necessary.
 Nil complaints from client’s
re: care.
 Evidenced
of
nursing
documentation completed
in medical records.
 Clear
inter-departmental
communication
and
coordination made with
other
departments
for
service delivery evident in
case reviews and minutes.
 Observed as a working
team member by peers
and management.
 Client notes reflect a
detailed
progressive
assessment.
 Client notes reflect a
detailed
progressive
assessment.
 Client
discharged
with
appropriate
support
evident in clinical notes.
 Client’s satisfied in their
level of involvement in
procedure
PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

incorporate the principles of primary health care into
clinical practice and team initiatives/activities

ensure clinical practice is culturally appropriate to the
needs of the client

participate in the development and implementation of an
effective referral and allocation system responsive to
client need
QUALITY HEALTH CARE
Continuous quality improvement

participate in the development, implementation and
evaluation of quality improvement initiatives and activities

comply with all HDHS and Community Health policies and
procedures

participate in the monitoring of performance indicators to
ensure services are efficient, timely, comprehensive and
appropriate to the needs of the community of interest

participate in the identification and progression of
opportunities for child and family health community
nursing services to enhance and develop continuity of
care between community health services, hospitals,
government departments, community based services,
general and specialist medical practitioners to ensure
optimal health outcomes for families and the community

comply with all legislative requirements
Service planning and development

contribute to the development, implementation and
evaluation of the team and service plans

provide accurate statistics/data to the appropriate
individual or department within the expected timeframes
Accreditation

actively participate in accreditation processes and the
implementation of review recommendations
Policies and procedures

actively participates in the development, implementation
and review of policy and procedures as required
Information technology

undertake relevant IT training as required

utilise available IT resources to support nursing practice

undertake data collection and data entry as required in a
timely manner

report to management IT requirements, issues and training
needs
HEALTH PROMOTION, EARLY IDENTIFICATION & INTERVENTION
AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
health
care
choices
evidentby client feedback.
 Readily accesses multidisciplinary team members
noted in clinical notes and
meeting records.


Principles of primary
health noted through
clinical notes
Participates in triage and
referral system, evident on
roster for department and
through client records
 Participation in quality
improvement noted in
meeting minutes and
quality plan
 Effective participation in
the development of the
service
noted
through
meeting
minutes
and
completion of Plan do Act
Study forms
 Participates
in
KPI
monitoring
monthly
by
completing
appropriate
statistical collection

Participate in Quality
improvement projects as
directed by Manager





incorporate the principles and strategies of health
promotion and education into clinical practice and
service initiatives
actively participate in appropriate health promotion
campaigns/activities
utilise a range of approaches that conform with current
best practice to identify potential or early stage health
problems
utilise available resources for identification of and
intervention in potential health problems of families and
children `
provide prompt and appropriate interventions to
individuals and the community who have identified health
problems to maintain or improve their health
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

participate in HDHS, community health and community
nursing orientation programs

attend identified core and mandatory training within
expected timeframes

access professional development opportunities as per
HDHS service guidelines

participate in student placement program with tertiary
institutions

maintain own level of clinical skills and knowledge of
current trends and best practice by participation in
appropriate educational and professional development
activities
OTHER

Undertake additional duties as determined by
management
 Actively participates in
health promotion by
attendance at activities,
and by being part of the
planning and evaluation of
activities
Evidence of attendance at
professional development
programs through
attendance sheet or
certificate obtained.
Reads current research
articles and journals and
recommends changes to
current practice based on
based research
Undertakes regular
supervision and debriefing
Participates in staff orientation
and student placement
In addition to these indicative roles and responsibilities the employee must adhere to Catholic
Healthcare values and mission and policy/procedures – please refer to the Appendix.
Decision Making Authority/Accountability
Financial: NIL
Assets: NIL
Contracts: NIL
HR Management: NIL
Key Relationships - Internal
Communicating With:
Nature of Communication:
Nurse Unit Manager – Child & Family Health
General operational issues, case reviews,
service planning matters, performance
management, professional development, HR
matters
Clinical coordinator/CNS2/CNC Child & Family Day to day workload matters, leave, case
Health
reviews, professional development, resource
person
All Community Health and Hospital staff
exchange of information, liaison, shared client
care
Key Relationships – External
Communicating With:
Nature of Communication:
Community services/agencies and other
Exchange of information related to shared
health professionals
care management of clients or obtaining
information re resources available in the
community
Values

Compassion
Mission

Respect

Honesty

To promote life that brings
Hope to those we serve; Peace to those we care for and
Dignity to the sick, frail, elderly and marginalised.
Signature of
Incumbent:
Date:
Signature of Manager:
Date:
Hospitality

Excellence
APPENDIX
CATHOLIC HEALTHCARE POLICY
It is a condition of employment with Catholic Healthcare that all staff are aware of,
and abide by all organisational policies – you can obtain copies of policies from
your Manager or on the Catholic Healthcare Intranet site. Any breach of Catholic
Healthcare policies may result in termination of employment.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY RESPONSIBILITIES
Catholic Healthcare is committed to the policy that discrimination, bullying
harassment in the workplace will not be tolerated. All staff have a responsibility
ensure that they do not act in anyway that constitutes harassment, bullying
discrimination against other staff, and to help maintain a work environment free
harassment, bullying and discrimination.
or
to
or
of
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY RESPONSIBILITY & ACCOUNTABILITY
Catholic Healthcare is committed to providing safe places of work for all
employees. Catholic Healthcare strives to achieve this through the Catholic
Healthcare Occupational Health, Safety and Injury Management system. This
system is designed to ensure people at all levels within the organisation recognise
and commit to their safety responsibilities by signing their OHS Responsibility &
Accountability Statement on commencement.
Maintaining a safe workplace is a key responsibility of your role with Catholic
Healthcare. Your manager will discuss these things with you. Catholic Healthcare
requires you to report all identified OHS risks immediately to your manager.
CHILD PROTECTION RESPONSIBILITIES
Catholic Healthcare is committed to the well-being and safety of children and
young people. The organisation recognises the important responsibility all staff
have in the care and protection of children who may be at risk of harm.
Staff involved in the provision of health care to children are required to:

Be familiar with and adhere to Legislation in relation to Child Protection and
comply with NSW Health Policies and Procedures (including Frontline
Procedures for the Protection of Children and Young People and current
circulars) and organisational policies in relation to Child Protection;

Attend training in Child Protection as required.