Maternal and Child Health Clinical Placements

**Maternal and Child Health Clinical Placements**:
**Job no**: 499593
**Work type**: Casual
**Classification**: City Career Pathways
**Categories**: Child & Family Services

We support aspiring Maternal and Child Health Nurses with clinical placements to support full time and part time university enrolments.

We have 21 Maternal and Child Health centres across the Geelong region and The Bellarine, with preceptors available to support students.

**PLACEMENT OBJECTIVES**:
This placement is provided to students undertaking studies towards a qualification in Maternal and Child Health Nursing. The objective of placement is to consolidate knowledge gained from theoretical studies, observe, and then practice skills required to practice as a Maternal and Child Health Nurse upon graduation.

**PLACEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES**:

- Students must be well prepared for placements to ensure that all objectives are met, taking advantage of the opportunity to learn with the support of a preceptor.
- Objectives will need to be developed prior to placement and discussed upon commencement with the allocated preceptor.
- At commencement of placement, request to book a time with your allocated preceptor to complete documentation and the appropriate times during and at the end of placement.
- Advise preceptor if unable to attend on any booked placement day and ensure preceptor has student’s details to enable contact, if there are last minute changes to availability of preceptor, or work location.
- Student must ensure that they are contactable.
- Advise preceptor of any concerning information re Child Safe or Child Protection, if the preceptor did not observe the same.
- Maintenance of client privacy is vital. Any discussion of clients outside a consultation must be de-identified.
- Students must respect parent’s rights not to have a student if that is their preference and find another activity to do while the consultation takes place.
- Clarify with the preceptor what their preferred time is to be asked questions and when they may need time to write notes, make calls and write referrals.

**WORKING TOGETHER FOR A THRIVING COMMUNITY**
**KEY TASKS**:

- Check all course requirements of placement and write objectives to discuss with their preceptor on their first day.
- Students are expected to check the location and time of placement and make travel arrangements to ensure punctuality.
- Observe maternal and child health consultations initially and undertake clinical assessments under supervision as soon as possible.
- Listen and respond to feedback from preceptor and ask questions if unsure.
- Identify if objectives are not being achieved and seek early assistance from preceptor, member of Community Child Health leadership team or University.
- Adhere to all Council’s policies and procedures relevant to this position.
- Carry out other duties as deemed reasonable and appropriate to the role as directed from time to time

**PLACEMENT BENEFITS**:
Key Benefits:

- Access to infants, children, and their families to practice assessments.
- Increased confidence and understanding of theoretical understandings.
- Gain feedback to continue to improve skills and practice.
- Experience nursing practice in a community setting.

**KEY SELECTION CRITERIA**:
Qualifications:

- Registration with AHPRA as a Registered Nurse and Registered Midwife
- Current working with children check.

Essential:

- Minimum 3 years combined experience in Nursing and Midwifery.
- Understanding of responsibilities for own learning and completion of objectives of clinical placement
- Ability to travel to various locations within municipality and arrive punctually.

Desirable:

- Interest in working in municipal area of City of Greater Geelong post-graduation.

**VALUES**:
Our values represent who we are and who we aspire to be. They are the tools to create the workplace culture we want.

**We are all accountable for this**:

- Respect and encourage each other.
- Create a healthy and safe environment for all.
- Embrace new ideas and better ways to work.
- Make people the centre of our business.

**Risk Management and Occupational Health & Safety Responsibilities**:

- Understand and comply with Council OHS policies, procedures, and legislative requirements relevant to the position.
- Perform work in a safe and appropriate manner.
- Ensure behaviour does not discriminate, bully, or harass others.
- Take responsibility for own safety and that of others.
- Proactively report any incidents, injuries, hazards, or unsafe work practices.

Specific physical requirements will be attached if applicable:

- Manual handling tasks.
- Prolonged periods of inactivity e.g., sitting at the computer.
- Regular keyboarding associated activities.
- Long / short distance travel between sites.
- Dealing with difficult clients and situations.
- Demanding deadlines.

**Child Safety Responsibilities**
We are committed to being a child-safe organisation and have zero-tolerance for child abuse. We