Health Visitor
What is the work like?
Health visitors are experienced and qualified registered nurses or midwives who work to promote good health and prevent illness in the community. They spend most of their day visiting people in their homes, especially new mothers and children aged under five.
As a health visitor you would provide information, practical care and support to help your clients cope with the difficulties they are experiencing. You would work with a broad section of people in the community and your duties would often include:
- advising older people on health related questions
- giving advice to new mothers on issues such as hygiene, safety, feeding and sleeping
- counselling people on issues such as post-natal depression, bereavement, or being diagnosed HIV positive
- co-ordinating child immunisation programmes
- organising special clinics or drop-in centres.
You would work closely with other agencies, such as social services and local housing departments.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You will usually need around two years' experience as a qualified midwife or nurse (any branch) before you can begin an approved health visitor training programme and work as a health visitor.
To qualify as a registered nurse or midwife you need to complete a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) approved degree or Diploma of Higher Education. To get on to an NMC approved course, you need to:
- provide evidence of your literacy and numeracy skills, good health, good character and recent successful study experience
- meet the minimum age requirement for nurse training – 17.5 years old in England
- have a CRB check.
Course providers can set their own academic entry requirements, which can include:
- nursing diploma – five GCSEs (A-C) preferably in English, maths and/or a science-based subject
- midwifery or nursing degree – the same GCSE grades as the diploma, plus two or three A levels, possibly including a biological science.
Check with universities for exact entry details because alternative qualifications, such as an Access to Higher Education course, may also be accepted. You apply for nursing courses (diploma or degree) through UCAS.
For more information on routes into nursing or midwifery, please check the relevant job profiles.
You will usually need a driving licence to work as a health visitor.
What further training and development can I do?
Training as a health visitor involves taking a (shortened) degree or postgraduate course in specialist community public health nursing (health visiting). Courses are run on a one-year full-time or two years part-time basis. NHS Careers and the NMC have details of course providers.
As a qualified nurse or midwife in the NHS, your employer may financially support you through your health visitor training. You can get more information about funding from the Community Practitioners and Health Visitors Association (CPHVA), your employer or the Health Learning And Skills Advice Line.
During training you would study areas such as:
- community practice
- public health
- health promotion
- counselling
- social policy.
You would also spend time on placements in the community, working under the supervision of an experienced health visitor.
As a qualified health visitor you would need to keep your skills up to date, and continue to develop your level of expertise.
Return to practice – if you are a former registered nurse or midwife wishing to return to the profession, you could take a return-to-practice course. Courses are available throughout the UK; contact your local NHS Trust for details.
Where can I go for more information?
School of NursingShore Road
Newtownabbey
Co Antrim
BT37 0QB
Tel: 08700 400 700
Bristol
BS99 3EY
Tel: 0845 606 0655
Medical Biology Centre
97 Lisburn Road
Belfast
BT9 7BL
Tel: 028 9097 2233
Bridgend Road
Llanharan
CF72 9RP
Tel: 01443 233 333
London
W1B 1PZ
Tel: 020 7637 7181
Registration contacts
Overseas: 020 7333 6600
General: 020 7333 9333
London
EC1V 8HA
Tel: 020 7505 3000
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
Related profiles...
What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Health visitors can earn between £24,000 and £32,600 a year.
- Team managers can earn up to £38,300.
Extra allowances may be awarded for additional responsibilities, location and length of service.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would typically work 37.5 hours a week, Monday to Friday. However, some evening work may be necessary to run clinics and drop-in centres. Part-time and flexible working hours are often available.
You would usually cover the geographical area of a GP practice and spend most of your time visiting clients in their own home. As part of your role, you may also run group support sessions in surgeries and health centres.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- the ability to relate to people of all ages and backgrounds
- a keen interest in health and social issues
- excellent communication and listening skills
- tact, patience and persuasiveness
- the ability to interpret body language and other non-verbal communication
- a good understanding of child protection issues
- a responsible attitude to your work
- good time management skills
- the ability to work on your own initiative
- emotional resilience to deal with distressing issues.
What opportunities are there?
With experience, you could progress to team manager, community matron or take on a management role within another department of the NHS. You could also go into nurse education and training.
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