Nicolette Paranavitana (Joseph)

Facilitate and promote the Maternal and Child Health Nursing service by engaging families with young children under school age within the community/ Council by:

• Responding to birth notifications as per statutory responsibilities.
• Ongoing personal development of skills and knowledge in cultural sensitivity.
• Proficiency at using Interpreters as Dandenong is one of the most culturally diverse communities in Australia.
• Creating a nurturing environment fostering trust, open communication, using an empathetic, strength-based approach and respect when dealing with families, there by promoting collaboration between these families and MCH service.
• Conducting accurate health assessments and surveillance, identifying, growth and developmental risks and ensuring timely interventions.
• Maintaining accurate health records.
• Utilising highly attuned skills to identify children or families at risk or experiencing vulnerability and providing appropriate support via referral to internal and/or external health professionals, or services with the aim of optimising outcomes.
• Monitoring for Mental health conditions and / or Family violence that can adversely affect the outcomes for the child/ family.
• Employing active listening skills to understand the underlying issues and concerns that may be prevalent for these families.
• Providing personalised evidence-based care, education and practices to enhance overall child and family outcomes and increase their satisfaction rates with the service.
• Use of evidence based anticipatory guidance and health promotion to empower parents and families.
• Facilitated support groups, fostering community and emotional well-being.
• Practicing within the scope of the Key Ages and Stages (KAS) and Maternal and Child Health Service frameworks; and Maternal and Child Health Practice Guidelines, and the legal requirements of Maternal and Child Health Nursing.
• Maintaining up to date professional development.
• Trained and mentored Student MCH nurses
• Attending community playgroups and kindergartens to provided information and reengage families post Covid 19.

• Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
• Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
• Expertly guided families with children of various ages going through sleep challenges for their improved well-being via outreach and telephone consultation.
• Created a nurturing environment fostering trust and open communication with the families.
• Developed personalised sleep plans tailored to individual family and child's needs.
• Utilized evidence-based strategies to educate and enhance children's sleep quality.
• Empowered parents with tools and skills to maintain sustainable sleep habits.
• Provided ongoing support and follow-up to ensure lasting results.
• Achieved a high success rate in resolving sleep issues.
• Facilitated group sessions to educate parents on effective settling techniques as well facilitated First Time Parent's Group.
• Managed my diary with flexibility and in collaboration with the families.

• Worked autonomously to provide family centred telephone support and professional advice to families experiencing crisis and difficulties with children up to six years of age on a state wide basis. Received approx 15-20 calls per shift.
• Utilize appropriate nursing knowledge and skills to address contemporary and social issues facing families.
• Proficient use of Interpreter service VITS to engage with non English speaking clients.
• Promote and actively link families to local Maternal and Child Health services and other locally based support services.
• Provide a secondary consultancy role to other service providers including Maternal and Child Health Line staff on matters relating to Maternal and Child Health.
• Contribute suggestions and ideas for the improvement of service delivery and the enhancement of the service.
• Contribute to research and support of news staff and students.

Worked as reliever Maternal Child Health Nurse over many centres for up to 4 days a week.

• Expertly supported maternal and child health for diverse families.

Graduate Nurse Program.

Casual relief position for the Maternal and Child Health Nurse role, worked for up to four days a week in various Maternal and Child Health Centres within Kingston, Glen Eira, and Bayside City Councils.

Short term contract of 4 days per week for 8 weeks covering long service leave.

Member of core staff on the birthing suite.

Responsibilities included:

• Providing antenatal, intrapartum, and immediate post-delivery care to mothers, babies, and their support network.
• Managed fetal distress and delivery complications calmly to provide safety to mothers and babies.
• Conducted well-baby checkups and immunizations for optimum infant health.
• Mentoring midwifery students, junior midwives, and doctors regularly.

Prior to March 2005, I acquired extensive experience in antenatal and postnatal care, with a focus on high-risk pregnancies. My duties encompassed the management and support of mothers and families with special needs, including women with mental illnesses, substance abuse issues, and young or teenage pregnancies.

Over the course of my two-year program as a Maternal and Child Health Nurse student, I accumulated more than 300 hours of valuable clinical experience across various settings.

Providing birth suite, antenatal, and postnatal care at a private hospital, in collaboration with obstetricians and consultants.

I have gained experience working in diverse hospital environments and settings, including medical and surgical units, oncology, paediatrics, cardiology, and HIV wards.