MECSH (Maternal Early Childhood Sustained Home-Visiting) Nurse

Established in 1998, Katherine West Health Board (KWHB) is an Aboriginal Community Controlled organisation that provides a range of clinical, preventative and public health services to clients in the Katherine West Region of the Northern Territory. With four major health care centres and a range of satellite centres, KWHB services an area over two times the size of Tasmania (162,000km²), helping to improve the health and wellbeing of some of the most remote communities in Australia.

KWHB's vision acknowledges the distinct and diverse identity of their people and communities, ensuring member communities are involved in the planning, development and implementation of their health programs. Our holistic services are designed to promote the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well being of the person and their community.

Position Description

Applications close 20 March 2024

Katherine West Health Board (KWHB) is currently looking for a MECSH (Maternal Early Childhood Sustained Home-Visiting) Nurse to join their team for an opportunity in the Katherine West region in the NT.

This role is ideal for someone with the knowledge and understanding of social determinants of health, the principles of primary health care, relevant legislation, and the issues affecting the health of Aboriginal people living in remote communities.

The Maternal Early Childhood Sustained Home-visiting (MECSH) program is a structured program of sustained nurse and social worker home-visiting for families at risk of poorer maternal and child health and development outcomes. The MECSH nurse will work in conjunction with the wider Primary Health Care (PHC) workforce to achieve optimal maternal and child health outcomes in the Katherine West communities.

Your responsibilities will include (but are not limited to):

• Provide quality primary health care to clients and their families in the MECSH program.
• Participate in the implementation and review of the MECSH program and KWHB input within the program.
• Provide functional support and appropriate education to mothers and families throughout the prenatal period to facilitate a positive transition to parenting.
• Work closely with Health Centre Coordinators and PHC team to support regular monitoring of clients and family progress within the program.
• High level and effective communication skills.

About the Benefits

This is an amazing opportunity to utilise your skills and passion to make a genuine difference to some of the most remote communities in Australia.

In return for your hard work and dedication, the successful candidates will enjoy an attractive remuneration $116,614 - $128,413 (negotiable based on your skills and experience) PLUS super and a range of benefits, including:

• Salary sacrificing.
• 6 weeks annual leave.
• Daily travel allowance when away from Katherine.
• Fantastic professional development & ongoing training.
• Flexible work and leave options.
• Relocation assistance.

Progress at your own pace with our online learning system and encouraged professional development opportunities.

Katherine West Health Board is a child-safe organisation, committed to child safety and wellbeing in accordance with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. KWHB is striving to ensure a supportive working environment which places child safety and wellbeing at the forefront of our service delivery. We are committed to embedding child safety practices throughout our organisation and undertaking continuous improvement to prioritise the safety of all children who come into contact with our organisation, staff, and services.

Living in Katherine

This role is based in Katherine, located 300kms south of Darwin on the Stuart Highway. The population of Katherine is approximately 11,000.

The township has a central shopping centre, cinema, restaurants, hotels, modern hospital facilities, a large high school and primary school options, sporting grounds and a community swimming pool. Katherine is a central base for major government providers and surrounding pastoral properties, as well as the Royal Australian Air Force Tindal defence base.

Katherine enjoys a sub-tropical climate with a distinct wet season (October – March) and dry season (April – September).

The Katherine lifestyle is well suited to those who enjoy nature-based recreation activities such as fishing, bushwalking, camping, canoeing and swimming. A short drive out of Katherine will land you in the iconic Elsey and Kakadu National Parks and their geographic and anthropological wonders. Closer to town, locals regularly enjoy the Katherine Hot Springs, Edith Falls, Katherine Gorge and Nitmiluk National Park and Cutta Cutta Caves.

Find out more about living in Katherine

This is an excellent opportunity to develop your skills, advance your career and enhance your cultural knowledge whilst making a positive difference.