Families First Home Visitor

Position Overview

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 regional Public Health/Community 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.

The incumbent exercises the appropriate level of initiative and independent judgment in determining work priorities, work methods to be employed and action to be taken on unusual matters. The position functions in a manner that is consistent with the mission, vision and values; and the policies of Southern Health-Santé Sud.

Experience

• Minimum (1) year experience working with families with young children ages 0-5, or prenatal families in areas related to parenting, in the last five years required.

Education (Degree/Diploma/Certificate)

• High School Diploma or equivalent; or GED Manitoba Standards required.
• Certification as a Community Support Worker, Social Services Worker, Family Support Worker, Early Childhood Educator, or other relevant post-secondary education in a related field, is an asset.
• Other combinations of education and experience may be considered.
• Successful candidate required to complete Families First provincial orientation and training as scheduled.

Certification/Licensure/Registration

Not Applicable

Qualifications and Skills

• Strong problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to adapt to a work environment within an organization that embraces change.
• Shows initiative and able to take direction.
• Able to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team using effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to effectively use curriculum-based resources, utilizing adult learning principles.
• Ability to plan, organize and implement strength-based, trauma-informed, and culturally safe practices effectively.
• Knowledge of early childhood growth and development prenatally up to five years of age.
• Understanding of Indigenous culture, traditions, values, and language is an asset.
• Proficiency with Microsoft programs (Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint), as well as Internet applications, other Information Technology, and technical equipment.
• Demonstrated fluency in English including verbal, reading and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in both official languages essential for designated bilingual positions.
• Given the cultural diversity of our region, the ability to respect and promote a culturally diverse population is required.
• Demonstrated ability to respect confidentiality including paper, electronic formats and other mediums.
• Good work and attendance record.
• Requires a valid Class 5 driver's license, an all-purpose insured vehicle and liability insurance of at least $1,000,000.

Physical Requirements

• Demonstrated ability to meet the physical and mental demands of the job.
• Physically capable of providing service in a wide variety of community settings under varying weather and environmental conditions.
• Physically able to lift and carry equipment weighing up to 20 lbs. or 9 kgs.
• Physically able to climb stairs, crouch, and to kneel/sit on the floor when facilitating home visit components and engaging in parent-child activities.
• Expected travel throughout the region/province for training requirements, program needs, or for provision of home visiting services to families.
• Designated Northern positions requires travel to remote communities, and this may necessitate overnight accommodations.
• Evening and weekend work may be required to meet client needs.