Families First Home Visitor

POSITION SUMMARY

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The Families First Home Visitor works with families using a strength-based and solution-focused approach to promote positive parent-child relationships, support healthy childhood growth and development, enhance parenting skills, promote safety and well-being, and connect families with their community. The Families First Home Visitor reports to the Public Health/Team manager and in conjunction with the Public Health Nurse who provides reflective supervision and coordination for guidance in regional day-to-day operations.

Families First is a community-based resource designed to promote healthy growth and development of children by supporting families, in their homes, during pregnancy and the first five years of a child’s life, for a period of up to three years. A Families First Home Visitor works as a member of an inter-disciplinary team and is responsible to initiate and maintain regular connection through family-centered home visiting. The incumbent will utilize an evidence-informed curriculum and share activities that support positive parent-child interactions. In consultation and with guidance from Public Health Nurses, the Home Visitor has a responsibility to support families to explore goals related to their family’s culture and values. The Home Visitor implements home visiting practices according to established guidelines of the provincial Families First Program. The position functions in a manner that is consistent with the mission, vision, values, and policies of the Regional Health Authority.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Overview:

Home Visitation

• Deliver a Provincially approved, strength-based curriculum with families and their children to foster family well-being and positive parent-child interactions to enhance a secure attachment and promote healthy childhood growth and development.
• Establish and maintain trusting, purposeful, and professional supportive relationships with assigned families, within the Families First Home Visitor’s scope of practice.
• Use a non-judgmental, strength-based, family-centered and solution-focused approach to support critical thinking and problem-solving skills with assigned families.
• Identify and address complex family situations using standardized curriculum and seek support when necessary.
• Connect families to community resources that foster a sense of belonging.
• Collaboratively plan, implement, and evaluate home visiting practices that align with Families First program goals during reflective supervision.
• Work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, based on families’ needs.

Communication and Collaboration

• Communicate and collaborate regularly with Public Health Nurse Case Managers to support families’ goals, optimal child development, and family functioning.
• Collaborate with members of the interdisciplinary team to deliver culturally safe and appropriate care.
• Collaborate with team members and prioritize components of practice, including planning and implementation.
• Respect, promote, and interact effectively with diverse individuals, groups, and communities

Professional Responsibility and Accountability

• Demonstrate professionalism within the scope of the position, including reliability, responsibility, and punctuality.
• Effectively plan, manage, and prioritize work.
• Follow organizational guidelines, policies, and procedures, including provincial program fidelity and quality assurance standards.
• Follow regional safe work practices, including working alone policies, and immediately communicate any activity or action which may constitute a risk to client or staff safety.
• Attain and maintain proficiency in Home Visitor competencies.
• Seek professional development opportunities aligned with current practices and population needs.
• Actively participate in reflective supervision utilizing a strength-based approach to promote skill development and to maintain fidelity in home visiting practices.
• Participate in scheduled shadow home visits with Reflective Supervisors utilizing a strength-based philosophy.
• Attend required meetings or events.
• Engage in community activities, parenting groups as appropriate and within regional practice guidelines when home visiting caseloads allow.
• Serve as a resource to staff and other health care professionals and maintain professional networks.
• Support the orientation of new staff and provide job shadowing as required.
• Participate in program evaluation and research processes.
• Maintain confidentiality per applicable legislation: Personal Health Information Act (PHIA), Freedom of Information Protection and Privacy Act (FIPPA), Mental Health Act, Child and Family Services Act.
• Complete documentation as per regional and provincial program requirements, including monthly statistical reports.

Administrative Responsibility and Accountability

• Pursuant to the Regional Health Authority Act, if you are working in a position that is in a designated bilingual community (English/French) employees accept responsibility to support clients in their official language of choice.
• Other duties as assigned.