Health visitor

Health visitor job description: Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

Most health visitors are employed by the NHS and GP practices. They are responsible for:

• providing health advice and health education programmes
• focusing on key groups of people such as the elderly, the disabled and children aged 0-5
• undertaking developmental screening of babies and children
• helping people come to terms with their illnesses
• establishing and addressing key health needs
• referral and liaison with other relevant organisations.

Working with people suffering from a range of health and social problems such as HIV, bereavement or abuse can make the job emotionally demanding. Consequently, it is important to possess a mature, confident and caring manner.

Vacancies are advertised in newspapers and publications such as Nursing Times, Nursing Standard and Health Visitor Journal. All applications for nursing and related courses, whether at diploma or degree level, should be made through UCAS, or directly to institutions for shortened postgraduate courses and for diploma places in Wales and Northern Ireland. There is strong competition for health visiting course places.

Qualifications and training required

To qualify, it is necessary to take a postgraduate degree/diploma in health visiting. Health visitors must be Registered General Nurses (RGNs) or midwives who have at least two years' nursing experience. Qualification as an RGN is via a 3- or 4-year nursing diploma/degree course. (Graduates with degrees in subjects such as life, health, biological or social sciences can qualify via a shortened 2-year course.)

Key skills for health visitors

Resourcefulness and effective verbal communication and listening skills are essential. Relevant experience gained caring for/working with people can be helpful. All candidates must be of good health and fitness. There are criminal record restrictions.