Issue 2 09/02/2015 fortnightly
Midwifery & Maternal feature Midwives key to improving mothers’ pelvic floor health More nurses deployed to Sierra Leone Sex and Diabetes – Secret Women’s Business London calling for more Aussie paramedics
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Nursing Careers Allied Health has been the premier nursing and allied health careers publication since it was founded more than 20 years ago, with a national distribution of over 43,000. More recently, the NCAH.com.au website has grown to become the number 1 careers website for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals in Australia receiving over 80,000 visits per month. In February 2015, Nursing Careers Allied Health relaunches as Health Times. www.ncah.com.au
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We hope you enjoy perusing the range of opportunities We hope you enjoy perusing included in Issue 17, 2013. the range of opportunities included in Issue 17, 2, 2014. 2015. 1, 2013. If you are interested in pursuing any of these opportunities, Ifplease you are interested in pursuing any ofvia these contact the advertiser directly the opportunities, contact details please contact the advertiser directly via the details provided. If you have any queries about ourcontact publication or provided. If you any queries about ourplease publication if you would likehave to receive our publication, emailor us ifatyou would like to receive our publication, please email us careers@ncah.com.au at careers@ncah.com.au
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The NCAH Magazine is the most widely distributed national The NCAH is the most widely distributed national nursing andMagazine allied health publication in Australia nursing and allied health publication in Australia For all advertising and production enquiries please contact For all advertising and8700, production us on +61 (0) 3 9271 email enquiries please contact us on +61 (0)306 3 9271 email 1300 5828700, careers@ncah.com.au or visit www.ncah.com.au careers@ncah.com.au or visit www.ncah.com.au If you would like to change your mailing address, Iforyou likeon toour change your mailing address, be would included distribution, please email or be included on our distribution, please email careers@ncah.com.au careers@ncah.com.au Published by Seabreeze Communications Pty Ltd Trading as NCAH. Published by 328 Seabreeze ABN 29 071 053. Communications Pty Ltd Trading as NCAH. ABN 29 071 328 053. © 2013 Seabreeze Communications Pty Ltd. 2014 Seabreeze Communications Pty Ltd. © 2013 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied or All rights reserved. part of this publication may bepermission copied or of reproduced by anyNo means without the prior written reproduced byCompliance any means without prior written permission the publisher. with thethe Trade Practices Act 1974 ofof the publisher. Compliance thepublication Trade Practices Act 1974 of of advertisements containedwith in this is the responsibility advertisements contained in this publication is the responsibility of those who submit the advertisement for publication. those who submit the advertisement for publication.
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Spelling Out IBD Pharmacists nation-wide tipped By Mary Hickson to give flu jab Inflammatory Bowel Disease, or ‘IBD’, refers By Karen Keast to a group of autoimmune inflammatory conditions affecting the gastrointestinal system, parPharmacists right across Australia could ticularly the colon and small intestine. The pribe administering vaccines in the lead up to this mary IBD conditions are Crohn’s Disease and year’s flu season, according to the PharmaceutiUlcerative Colitis (UC) and these are by far the cal Society of Australia (PSA). most common. Worldwide, around five million PSA president Grant Kardachi said he expeople live with Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative pected pharmacists in every state and territory Colitis. will be providing the influenza vaccine within A widespread misconception is that ‘IBD’ months. refers“Most to ‘irritable’ bowel conditions states are now in the process of ac(typically IBS). This misconceptivating the appropriate legislation - some have tion only doneisitprevalent and somenot have stillingot to do it,” he said. the “Igeneral community think certainly most were waiting on the rebut also amongst medi- trial and with that being sults of the Queensland cal, nursing Iand so positive, thinkallied now they are ready to proceed. health professionals. “I would expect all our jurisdictions to be Alison CNS ready toBattisti, go for this coming winter.” for IBD at St George Pharmacists in South Australia, Western AusHospital tralia and in theSydney, Northern Territory have been given reports that some the green light to administer flu vaccinations in general practitioners the wake of the success of last year’s Queenscontinue to refer paland Pharmacist Immunisation Project (QPIP). tientsAwith IBS to the speparliamentary inquiry in Victoria has also cialty IBD clinic atthe St George. recommended state establish a pharmacy Though a few symptoms of IBS immunisation trial. and IBD be similar (such diUntilmay the Queensland trial,ascommunity phararrhoea theimmunisers conditions are macies and havebloating), used nurse in a quite bid to different, potentially devastating introducewith theirIBD ownhaving vaccination programs. and life-limiting outcomes for patients. The QPIP, an initiative of the PSA and the IBD disorders areAustralia, complex in presentation, Pharmacy Guild of delivered about progress, management and treatment. Their 11,000 vaccinations. causes are not fully understood, believed Results showed 96 per centbut of are people vacto be a combination of factors includingwith an aucinated were ‘completely satisfied’ the toimmune reaction to certain bacteria in the gut, pharmacist-delivered vaccination service and 97 changes the gut bacteria themselves, per cent inwould return to a pharmacy forgenetfuture ics and environmental or physical ‘triggers’ that vaccinations. couldFourteen include per bacterial or viral diet, cent had neverillnesses, previously restress, or other unknown ceived smoking a vaccination while 38 per environmental cent had been vaccinated but not every year. and some major factors. Despite much research
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advances, no definitive causes have yet been identified. Professor Michael Grimm, Clinical Associate Dean at UNSW School of Medicine, GasMr Kardachi said one of the positive results troenterologist and Head of St George & Sutherfrom the Queensland trial was the number of land Clinical School, notes that current research ‘walk-ins’. is focusing on how enteral bacteria change, and “It really means what we are doing is not rethat advances in microbiology offer valuable new ally competing with GPs for a lot of it - a lot of it tools for profiling bacteria. is people who wouldn’t normally have had a vacIBD occurs when the body’s immune cells cine,” he said. attack the intestinal lining, causing inflamma“I think that’s a really important thing. Obviin turn ously there tion is a and gap ulcerations, there and if which pharmacy can can lead to various complicafill that gap, that’s really important from a pubtions. It isimmunisation characterisedrates by lic health benefit and getting periods of remission and up.” acute flare-ups. Some Mr Kardachi said pharmacist-delivered vacpeople may in cinations provided benefits, such as remain improving lengthy immunisation rates while remission taking the for pressure off periods, sometimes already over-stretched GPs. years, while others He said the organisation now promotes pharexperience macies as “health destinations”, while frequent pharmaflare-ups. IBD usucists are keen to take on immunisation provision. ally appears for the “It certainly is an area of what we call first probetween the ages fessional service whichtime includes vaccinations, of primary 15 and 25, though cana medication reviews and health careitand start at pharmacists any age, with number of other roles that arecases quite as he young capable of doing,” said.as 2 years old being It affects menready and to women “There reported. are a number that are move equally. thought to bemore a disease of into that Previously area in addition to their traditional developed countries, Professor Grimm notes its role of dispensing. incidence in India China.within “A lotisofrising theserapidly other roles areand certainly most patients with IBD, theiroflives are the For capability, skills and confidence pharmaruled cists.by their symptoms. Faecal frequency and urgency common, must know “We are believe if theyand can sufferers be utilised to the dethe of toilets greelocation that they can be,in itany cansituation. certainly This be acan big be very limiting, patients avoid tounknown advantage for the and health care system take the environments, decline opportunities and pressure off some othersocial areas.” refuse to PSA travelhas forreleased fear of losing control of their The revised immunisation bowels. Flare-ups, hospitalisations treatment guidelines in line with the growingand number of juregimes require time from school, university risdictions moving toout allow pharmacist-delivered vaccinations. or work, which can be poorly understood and
502-008 1PG FULL COLOUR CMYK PDF Surgery can essentially cure ulcerative colimisinterpreted as ‘unreliability’. Further, their protis if the large intestine and rectum are removed, ductivity may be affected by fatigue from anaemia, though the resulting ileostomy or J-Pouch are not pain and/or treatments. As IBD typically presents without their own challenges. in teenage years or early adulthood when friendships and relationships are being formed, IBD Symptoms sufferers may feel embarrassed, misunderstood Symptoms for both Crohn’s and UC are and isolated. The physical, social, employment grouped here together, but will vary according to and educational challenges that must be faced by the type, location, extent and severity of the dispeople with IBD are complex and profound. ease. They include: Let’s briefly review the distinguishing features - Feeling generally unwell, with or without of Crohn’s Disease and UC. fever Crohn’s Disease can affect any part of the gut - Abdominal pain and fromHamilton the mouthistostrategically the anus, impacting absorplocated 3.5 hours from Melbourne andcramping 5 hours from - heart Diarrhoea (sometimesrenowned mixed with blood, tion, digestion and elimination. Areas of inflammaAdelaide. Southern Grampians spans the of Victoria’s mucous and pus) tion are often patchy and may range in size from ŧ9GUVGTP &KUVTKEVŨ CPF DQCUVU OCIPKĆ’EGPV UEGPGT[ CV GXGT[ VWTP - Faecal urgency and frequency small lesions to extensive segments of disease. 9&*5 JCU VJG HQNNQYKPI RQUKVKQP CXCKNCDNG - Loss of appetite While Crohn’s is most likely to develop in the il- Weight loss eum (49%), it may occur in the small bowel, co- Mouth ulcers lon, oesophagus, stomach, duodenum, the periFatigue (from the illness itself, anaemia anal area or the mouth, or a combination of these. An exceptional opportunity has arisen for a- dynamic, engaging and and/or lack of sleep caused by pain or Symptoms will vary according to the extent and proactive Executive Director of Nursing at Western District Health Service. diarrhoea) severity of the inflammation, but a crucial feature - Iron deficiency anaemia and/or vitamin of :RUNLQJ DORQJVLGH RXU QHZ &KLHI ([HFXWLYH 2ÍŚFHU DQG D KLJK SHUIRUPLQJ Crohn’s is that it causes full thickness inflamexecutive team, position willtogive opportunity to drive anaemias (from malabsorption mation (compared with this UC, which is limited the you thedeficiency or surgery) first two mucosal layers). WZHQW\ ͤUVW FHQWXU\ KHDOWK H[FHOOHQFH ZLWKLQ RXU FRPPXQLW\ - Abscesses and fistulas (in Crohn’s) Crohn’s is a chronic condition that is not curable, even with surgery. Treatment options are outWe are looking for someone who has exceptional clinical governance and Crohn’s Disease and UC can also cause lined below, but when surgery is used to remove leadership experience combined with sound business acumen. You willsystem. problems outside of the gastrointestinal diseased portions of the bowel, Crohn’s usually be again a successful change-manager, be politically savvy have These often occur and during activehighly disease, but may flares at the site of the anastomosis or stodevelop beforedemonstrated any signs of bowel disease or madeveloped and/or in other parts of theskills. digestive system. you analytical Naturally, will have excellent during times of remission, and include: Depending on the location/s and severity of people management in your previous roles. - Bone thinning (from inflammatory processes, the disease, Crohn’s may cause various complimedications and poor absorption of calcium) cations, including fissures, strictures, haemorTo be considered forobstructions, this exciting role, you -will havedisorders previous senior Liver including Primary rhoids, abscesses, fistulas, perforaSclerosing Cholangitis which causes tions and rupture of the bowel. experience and be a registered nursing management Division(PSC), 1 Nurse. inflammation of the bile ducts and liver Ulcerative Colitis causes inflammation and If you would want to transform your career please visit our web-site damage. PSC affects up to one in 13 people ulceration of the inner lining of the rectum and cowww.wdhs.net. for this position, please contact theCrohn’s with UC and one in 25 people with lon. These ulcers can bleed Applications and/or produce pus &KLHI ([HFXWLYH 2ÍŚFHU 5RKDQ )LW]*HUDOG RQ WR GLVFXVV - Blood circulation problems including and cause a range of complications as listed bepredisposition to DVT. low. Ulcerative Colitis is generally categorised according to how much of the colon is affected, with three main types described: proctitis, left-sided or distal colitis, and extensive or total colitis. For more articles visit NCAH.com.au
Hamilton, the Heart of the Western District
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Sex and Diabetes – Secret Women’s Business By Ellie Rosenfeld I am enormously impressed by the breadth of knowledge of diabetes nurse educators (DNE) who navigate their patients’ complex array of complications with skill and compassion. Diabetes is a prevalent chronic condition causing ill health and distress to an ever-increasing proportion of Australians . Diabetes nurse educators, in conjunction with wonderful diabetes podiatrists working in a hospital outpatient department, taught me about the myriad physiological effects of diabetes mellitus. Their instruction was to prepare me to coordinate a randomized controlled trial (RCT) studying the way in which general practitioners (GPs) managed diabetes complications in the community. Participants were recruited from a representative population survey, enabling us to speak to people from both metropolitan and regional areas of the state. The study method was multi-faceted, including a thorough cross-sectional assessment of patients’ complications; an interview with their GPs; and another interview with participants themselves about how having type 2 diabetes had an impact on their quality of life. A broad brief indeed: amassing these data was described by one of the chief investigators of the project as “a herculean task.” Later when I taught public health at university, I used the methodological framework as an example of how not to design a research project. Academics and health bureau-
crats designing such studies have not often been “on the ground” researchers themselves, and may not appreciate the person-power and time it takes to, colloquially-speaking, “bring this baby home.” Nevertheless the project gleaned a wealth of useful information about the management of diabetes complications. Being a “people person” I particularly enjoyed interviews with participants. They vividly described the constraints of their dietary regimen, their battles with weight, and the bewildering array of medical appointments to specialists that seemed neverending! I met inspirational people including a man in his 70s who had lost a section of his sternum to osteomyelitis after cardiac surgery. With a lovely ironic smile he dismissed his health issues as “just life.” He was dignified, gracious and had beautiful old-world manners. I also met a woman, whose diabetes coexisted with a debilitating systemic arthropathy, restricting her ability to walk; she spoke animatedly about her passion for swimming, the one form of exercise she could pursue daily to control her levels of blood glucose (BGL). When we arrived at the section of the interview dealing with sexual health, most participants were surprisingly frank with me, relieved to have an opportunity to discuss this important aspect of their lives. I had been aware of the sexual dysfunction that could affect men with diabetes
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due to neuropathic and vascular changes: the inability to have or maintain an erection , problems with ejaculation, and the psychological sequelae. One of the trial participants, for example, a handsome man in his 40s, tearfully described his ongoing fear that his wife would leave him. He was no longer easily able to maintain an erection. He struggled to afford treatment for monthly penile injections to enable him to have intercourse with his wife. The anguish and depression this caused him was painfully clear. I was, however, entirely ignorant of the impact of diabetes on the sex lives of women. I was stunned by the outpouring of angst from participants, a number of whom had never discussed the issue with a health sector person before. In some cases their GPs had not asked them about their intimate lives, and they were reluctant to raise the subject themselves. Some women felt that their sexuality “got lost” in the constant round of checks of blood glucose, kidneys, eyes, feet, and heart. Women who had previously had joyful sex lives were distressed by their incremental anorgasmia, and/or lack of libido. They were sometimes unaware that diabetes could have a bearing on their sexuality. Some simply perceived the loss of interest in sex as part of the natural process of aging; the prevailing wisdom, after all, was that diminished libido was a normal facet of being middle aged. Though we know a great deal more about the sexual dysfunction of men with diabetes than women, there is increasing research evidence for the association between diabetes and sexual dysfunction in women. Journal articles ubiquitously cite the need for more research to redress the gender imbalance. There are ways women with diabetes can maximise their chances of maintaining an active and fulfilling sex life. Roszler, Rice and Elders (2007) describe a range of symptoms including vaginal dryness, which may be associated with low blood flow to the vagina, and/or neuropathy.
Higher rates of yeast and bladder infections occur in women with diabetes, and bacteria are attracted to higher blood glucose levels. This highlights the fundamental tenet for the mitigation of all diabetes complications: establishing and maintaining healthy blood glucose through sound diet, exercise and adequate sleep. The authors also advocate the use of lubricants to ameliorate vaginal dryness. Though it sounds less than erotic, women are urged to take their BGL prior to making love to avoid a sudden plummeting of blood sugar during the process, and the sweating, irritability and distress hypoglycaemia can cause. They also suggest keeping fruit drinks at the bedside in case it occurs. They point out that having sex can be the equivalent of an exercise workout, orgasm being a full-body response using muscles, nerves, energy and blood sugar (Roszler, Rice and Elders, 2007). The analogy echoes advice diabetes nurse educators offer patients before they go to the gym or pursue other forms of exercise. Why not before the life-affirming exercise of having sex? Most importantly, women with diabetes are urged not to accept the demise of their intimate lives as an inevitable consequence of having diabetes, and to seek help by speaking candidly to their health care providers about it. We all need intimacy and love. What better way to expend energy and stay well?
Sex and Diabetes Secret Women’s Business Leave a comment on this and other articles by visiting the ‘news’ section of our website http://www.ncah.com.au To go to this article directly, visit http://tinyurl.com/n6hupd4 Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 2 | Page 13
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Midwives key to improving Aeromedical Flight Nurses Flight Nurses – Gove mothers’ pelvic floor health
CareFlight is an an Australian not-for-profit is Australian not-for-profit tCareFlight Competitive remuneration + salary packaging t Permanent full-timepositions By Karen Keast organisation dedicated to to providing providing the organisation dedicated the allowance t Accommodation provided t Relocation community with rapid response critical community with rapid response training program for the pelvic floor muscles, have new online course for Australian midwives CareFlight iscare. an the Australian charitable organisacare. Over pastthe 25 past years25 we have t have effective time management and critical Over better continence outcomes after the birth. aims to reinforce the importance of womorganisational skills tioncared with for over and 25 years’ experience in 20,000 aerotransported years we have cared for over and en’s pelvic floor health during pregnancy. t thrive on the challenges working in medicine. With bases in NSW and the NT’s Top patients. transported over 20,000 patients. ‘pre-hospital’ environments bring; and With statistics showing one in three women “Having an understanding of what we End, our crews are dedicated to providing the hold a current drivers licence. who havestandard a baby wet themselves, the course do in preventative health care and how CareFlight isiswill government contracted highest of rapid response critical care CareFlight government contracted and can t minimum 5 years experience as a nurse raises the prevention and betwe can help women to maximise their outtoand theawareness ill provides and injured. Our specially trained docthe Top of the provides theabout Top End ofEnd the Northern with and minimum years in continence emergency/ s minimum 5 years2the experience a nurse ter management of incontinence among mothers. reduce risk of as tors and nurses usea helicopters, aeroplanes, Northern Territory with local fixed wing Territory with locala fixed wing and comes critical care and post graduate certification with minimum 4 years in emergency/ medi-jets and road ambulances to bring a hosThe helicopter Continence Foundation of Australia problems after the birth starts right from and aeromedical service. helicopter aeromedical service. in a critical care specialty carecare, and post pitaljoined level forces of carewith andthe transport to over 5,000 has Australian College of the critical antenatal with graduate first-time mums”. certification in a critical specialty patients each year. Midwives (ACM) to develop an eight-hour CPD t current certification in care ALS/ACLS and/or course for midwives, Continence promotion: The “This is such a critical period and and/or so many s current certification in ALS/ACLS TNP/TNCC Our diverseofworkforce is comprised of commitimportance the midwife. women do have problems. TNP/TNCC t “There physical capability to meet the challenges tedLaunched professionals with a drive to help save lives, last year, the course, which is free are also other lifestyle issues that cons physical capability to meet the challenges speed recovery and serve the community. of aeromedical practice to ACM members and available to non-members tribute, and things that we can change and things of aeromedical practice, including for a fee, we can’ttochange. The following will also be regarded: The rolecovers the anatomy, physiology and that t helicopter ability operate in anhighly ‘out of hospital’ retrieval work function of the bladder along with the bowel, pel“There are qualifications things like theand ageing process; the t midwifery registration; environment We currently have an excellent opportunity for st ability to the operate an ‘out of hospital’ vic floor and perineum. older we get morein likely we are to develop a paediatric experience; two permanent, full-time Flight Nurses to join our For more information visit www.careflight. environment t prior experience working the area ofa male or It also details the impact of pregnancy and continence problem whether we are highly regarded and close knit team at our Gove org indigenous health; and childbirth on the bladder, the bowel and on pelvic a female, and obesity; if you are carrying extra For more information visit www.careflight. Base. t HUET training. floor health, alongside postnatal care and longweight you have twice the risk of someone with org Forward your EOI addressing all criteria, About you Applications are sought sought from nurses normal Applications are term issues. weight of developing urinary leakage. How to apply plus CV and to recruitment@ Forward yourtwo EOIreferees addressing all criteria, Tointerested be Flight will: nursing interested inas aworking asyouaeromedical In successful her dual as as a Nurse physiotherapist and “Other risk Applicants factors would be things like a in roles working aeromedical To download the referees full position description careflight.org should also indicate plus CV and two to recruitment@ nursing crew members. midwife, New South Wales practitioner Heather chronic cough, heavy lifting; so having members. threpeated t crew be a Registered Nurse eligible for registration or learn more about us, visit our website at availability to start. Closing date also 27 January careflight.org Applicants should indicate Pierce wrote the course that aims to equip midstrain on the pelvic structures, andlike all ofbe these in the Northern Territory www.careflight.org. If you would to part th This 2014. Contact Clinical This isis aa fantastic fantastic opportunity for registered availability to start.Darren ClosingChilton date 15– February t have a minimum of 5evidence years’ nursing exerince wives with the latest pelvic floor things toforward weakening the structures, perof ourlead team, your of resume with a covering nurses to work as part of an on integrated Manager NT Operations on 0488131431 for nurses to work as part crew 2013. Contact Darren Chilton – Clinical withinevidence no less women’s than 4 years’ health a bid to ofimprove health outhaps organs, so they are not letterdysfunctions addressing in thethe role’s essential criteria to model in local fixed wing and helicopter further information. model in local fixed wing retrievals. The Manager NT Operations on 0488131431 for having been gained in Emergency/Criticalare recruitment@careflight.org. use the comes. doing their job and people Alternatively, develop problems role willKatherine involve aand variety of further role beThe based at involve information. t retrievals. havewill critical care qualifications ‘apply’ button must below.comply Applications close on All employees with CareFlight’s Clinical studies show pelvic floor muscle exwith control…sometimes there’s back passage tasks across operational baseseffectively located at All employees a variety of tasks across operational bases t a demonstrated ability to function 13Management February 2015. must comply with CareFlight’s ercises can prevent and effectively treat incontiproblems asFriday, well.” Drug and Alcohol Plan (DAMP) Darwin, Katherine and Nhulunbuy/Gove. as aamong team a critical environment located at member Darwin, Katherine and Nhulunbuy/ Drug and Alcohol Management Plan (DAMP) nence pre- andin postnatal women - and Pierce says it’s vital rolebe ofCareFlight’s midwives asMs required bymust CASA andthe may subject to All employees comply with t hold critical care qualifications and current Gove. as required by CASA and may be subject to Candidates should have a level of fitness should be part of a daily routine. inDrug raising and education andawareness Alcohol Management Planaround (DAMP)preas random workplace testing. certification in ALS/ACLS or TNP/TNCCa physical random workplace testing. and will be required to undertake required bytreatment CASA andfor may be subject to random Ms Pierce, chair of the Australian Physiand urinary incontinence is havewith a the level of fitness vention t Candidates be physically should comfortable challenges Criminal Record and Working with workplace testing. and Criminal Record andChildren Working fitness Association’s assessment. Candidates must beand able not Criminal Record Working with Children otherapy (APA) Continence underestimated. and will be required toincluding undertake a physical Checks apply. of aeromedical practice, With Children Checks also apply. Checks apply. tohelicopter demonstrate: Women’s Health group, says while there’s often “Midwives are frontline primary care practirescue and retrieval work must be fitness assessment. Candidates atfocus on the risks to the pelvic floor from childtioners,” she says. sable eligibility for developed Registeredinterpersonal, Nurse and possess highly to demonstrate: birth,written the antenatal period iswith critical. “They are with women, they are walking andregistration verbal communication skills Midwife APHRA. says research shows women who are with them through their pregnancy, labour and for Registered Nurse with APHRA. t tShe beeligibility able to demonstrate effective consultation,
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after the birth, and so life theyNurses have CareFlight: ‘The next save that couldmaximised be yours’ Aeromedical Flightwe
CareFlight is an Australian not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing the community with rapid response critical care. Over the past 25 years we have cared for and transported over 20,000 patients.
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CareFlight is government contracted and provides the Top End of the Northern Territory with a local fixed wing and helicopter aeromedical service. Applications are sought from nurses interested in working as aeromedical nursing crew members This is a fantastic opportunity for registered nurses to work as part of an integrated crew model in local fixed wing and helicopter retrievals. The role will involve a variety of tasks across operational bases located at Darwin, Katherine and Nhulunbuy/Gove. Candidates should have a level of fitness and will be required to undertake a physical
“A lot of women will probably not record that opportunity of contact with women to be able to or just see that as a normal part of pregnancy that start implementing care and to also be able to regoes away after they’ve had the baby. fer. “Talking about it and making it less embar“If we can grab that opportunity to promote rassing and helping to direct them to the evia Grade A recommendation of evidence, then we dence which is what it’s all about really - helping can hopefully stem the tide of people who go on women to know that you don’t put up with that to develop these problems.” leakage, there is something that can be done Midwifery-led awareness will also help pregYour services aretourgently required Immediate needs in aboutAustralia. it.” nant women and mothers discuss what’s of- across all metro an and regional locations! A physiotherapist of 30 years who also ten considered embarrassing problem, Ms moved into midwifery more than 10 years ago, Pierce says. Reed Healthcare areofa Australia team of experienced recruiters, Ms Pierce is a casualworking academic with at the University Continence Foundation staNurses and Midwives. of Technology Sydney, who recently had an artistics,specialist from a study of 1000 Australian mums, ticle accepted for publication in the Journal of show 72 per cent of women have experienced t %VBMMZ SFHJTUFSFE 3/ 3.T BOE EJSFDU FOUSZ .JEXJWFT Advanced Nursing on ‘Pelvic floor health - a conincontinence - with 81 per cent of those women t .BUFSOBM )FBMUI /VSTF cept analysis’. failing to seek help from health professionals. t $PNQFUJUJWF TBMBSZ “We know that 50 per cent of pregnant wom t 5SBWFM BOE BDDPNNPEBUJPO BTTJTUBODF 5 $T BQQMZ
en, at some time during the pregnancy, leak urine and that’s two - that’s huge statistic,” Whatone doinnurses say aabout our consultants? she says.
Calling all Midwives
“Kate has been amazing from day dot. She is efficient, competent, highly professional and friendly at the same time. Kate was able to land me a position in a matter of 3 days from the day I submitted my CV. She was able to communicate effectively between the employer and myself, score me an interview and a start date a few days later!” “Naomi’s support in following up with the client, giving me regular updates, setting up the initial interview, relevant updated industry information and interview tips made the process run smoothly and resulted in me securing a fantastic job. I'd highly recommend Reed Healthcare to anyone who is looking for a job in the health field.”
Get in touch on 1800 007 985 or Nursing.Australia@reedglobal.com www.reedglobal.com.au/healthcare Facebook - Reed Healthcare Australia Twitter - @reed_health_oz Reed Personnel Services Pty Ltd is an employment agency and employment business.
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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 2 | Page 15
NUM Post Natal Unit
Midwives, join the preeminent maternity services team at Mater Hospital Sydney Registered midwives with management and clinical experience, this is a great opportunity to take the next step in your career and lead the post natal team at Mater Hospital Sydney, and deliver excellent person centred care in collaboration with the leaders of the delivery suite and special care nursery. For a full position description , please email careers@vrconsulting.com.au quoting reference number VRC811 or visit our website at www.vrconsulting.com.au and register your interest and CV against the job number. To register your interest by phone please contact Joanna on (02) 8019 7073.
Where experience matters. Virginia Rigoni Consulting includes divisions of Recruit Health, Going Places, Global Connections and Healthcare by Design (www.vrconsulting.com.au)
Q&A - Virginia Rigoni Consulting spoke with Katy Farley who manages Maternity Services at the Mater Hospital Sydney who shares some insights with us below: V. Mater maternity provides the No 1 maternity experience in NSW (based on the Medibank private survey of 2000 mums). How has training & development of Maternity Staff & care givers contributed to this success? K. Clinical expertise combined with a focus on our core values of compassion, justice, integrity and excellence are the cornerstones of our success. V. What are your expectations of staff that work in the Mater Maternity unit? K. We expect all of our staff to strive to achieve: t High patient satisfaction and individualised care experience t Teamwork and collaboration. All areas within the Maternity Unit work together and assist each other. t We expect passion and a desire to strive and excel, and are enthusiastic about lifelong learning and development.
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V. How do nurse unit managers typically describe the experience of their first week of work? K. They describe the experience as welcoming and warm. V. As a leader in one of Australia’s most recognised and admired maternity units, what are you most proud of in your 21 year tenure with Mater?
V. What is it about the Mater Hospital Sydney that has enabled your own continued development, and ensured your ongoing commitment and loyalty? K. It is the values that sit very comfortably with me. It is also the wonderful supportive environment. V. How does Mater Maternity take advantage of technology and digital health developments? K. We are always working to improve our utilisation of technology. We are currently upgrading our electronic medical records, the delivery suite has a central fetal monitoring system, and the K2 E-learning packages are a fantastic resource for staff. V. How would you recommend experienced NUMS considering applying for the post of NUM post natal ward prepare their application? K. I would be excited about being a part of the maternity unit that was innovative, progressive and supportive. I would be thinking about what contribution I could make to take a great unit to being an exceptional one with a team of people that are truly aspirational. V. The current opening for NUM Whelan post natal unit is an exciting opportunity for an experienced NUM with local and perhaps international experience, a strong obstetric background and with broad experience. What 6 words will best describe the successful candidate and how will these words ensure the high standards achieved by your long standing and newly retiring NUM are continued? K. Innovative, outcome focused, resilient, understanding and support of the values of the Mater Hospital Sydney.
Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 2 | Page 17
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K. We are always looking forward, and striving to find new ways to continually improve our services to families.
Midwives key to improving mothers’ pelvic floor health By Karen Keast
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new online course for Australian midwives aims to reinforce the importance of women’s pelvic floor health during pregnancy. With statistics showing one in three women who have a baby will wet themselves, the course raises awareness about the prevention and better management of incontinence among mothers. The Continence Foundation of Australia has joined forces with the Australian College of Midwives (ACM) to develop an eight-hour CPD course for midwives, Continence promotion: The importance of the midwife. Launched last year, the course, which is free to ACM members and available to non-members for a fee, covers the anatomy, physiology and function of the bladder along with the bowel, pelvic floor and perineum. It also details the impact of pregnancy and childbirth on the bladder, the bowel and on pelvic floor health, alongside postnatal care and longterm issues. In her dual roles as a physiotherapist and midwife, New South Wales practitioner Heather Pierce wrote the course that aims to equip midwives with the latest evidence on pelvic floor health in a bid to improve women’s health outcomes. Clinical studies show pelvic floor muscle exercises can prevent and effectively treat incontinence among pre- and postnatal women - and should be part of a daily routine. Ms Pierce, chair of the Australian Physiotherapy Association’s (APA) Continence and Women’s Health group, says while there’s often a focus on the risks to the pelvic floor from childbirth, the antenatal period is critical. She says research shows women who are pregnant for the first time, who complete a
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training program for the pelvic floor muscles, have better continence outcomes after the birth.
“Having an understanding of what we can do in preventative health care and how we can help women to maximise their outcomes and reduce the risk of continence problems after the birth starts right from the antenatal care, with first-time mums”. “This is such a critical period and so many women do have problems. “There are also other lifestyle issues that contribute, and things that we can change and things that we can’t change. “There are things like the ageing process; the older we get the more likely we are to develop a continence problem whether we are a male or a female, and obesity; if you are carrying extra weight you have twice the risk of someone with normal weight of developing urinary leakage. “Other risk factors would be things like a chronic cough, heavy lifting; so having repeated strain on the pelvic structures, and all of these things lead to weakening of the structures, perhaps dysfunctions in the organs, so they are not doing their job and people develop problems with control…sometimes there’s back passage problems as well.” Ms Pierce says it’s vital the role of midwives in raising awareness and education around prevention and treatment for urinary incontinence is not underestimated. “Midwives are frontline primary care practitioners,” she says. “They are with women, they are walking with them through their pregnancy, labour and after the birth, and so they have that maximised
) opportunity of contact with women to be able to start implementing care and to also be able to refer. “If we can grab that opportunity to promote a Grade A recommendation of evidence, then we can hopefully stem the tide of people who go on to develop these problems.” Midwifery-led awareness will also help pregnant women and mothers to discuss what’s often considered an embarrassing problem, Ms Pierce says. Continence Foundation of Australia statistics, from a study of 1000 Australian mums, show 72 per cent of women have experienced incontinence - with 81 per cent of those women failing to seek help from health professionals. “We know that 50 per cent of pregnant women, at some time during the pregnancy, leak urine and that’s one in two - that’s a huge statistic,” she says.
“A lot of women will probably not record that or just see that as a normal part of pregnancy that goes away after they’ve had the baby. “Talking about it and making it less embarrassing and helping to direct them to the evidence which is what it’s all about really - helping women to know that you don’t put up with that leakage, there is something that can be done about it.” A physiotherapist of 30 years who also moved into midwifery more than 10 years ago, Ms Pierce is a casual academic at the University of Technology Sydney, who recently had an article accepted for publication in the Journal of Advanced Nursing on ‘Pelvic floor health - a concept analysis’.
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Respect - Professionalism – Care – Commitment - Collaboration
Position Vacant – Swan Hill Breast Care Nurse An opportunity has become available for a suitably qualified and experienced Registered Nurse to take up the Swan Hill Breast Care Nurse position. The successful applicant will support care for people with breast cancer across several health service organisations in acute and community settings, utilising an interdisciplinary approach. This role involves significant liaison both within the hospitals and with external agencies. The position includes an attractive salary with salary packaging benefits available. Limited relocation assistance is also available. Swan Hill District Health is also strongly committed to professional development. Further information and position description is available from www.shdh.org.au or contact Mrs. Judi Maple, Breast Care Nurse on (03) 50339202 or by email to jmaple@shdh.org.au Applications addressing the selection criteria and including the names of three referees should be forwarded to the Human Resources department, Swan Hill District Health, PO Box 483, Swan Hill 3585, Victoria or email: hrmanager@shdh.org.au. by COB Friday 27 February 2015. Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 2 | Page 19
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Sex and Diabetes – Secret Women’s Business
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502-009 1PG FULL COLOUR CMYK PDF Higher rates of yeast and bladder infections ocdue to neuropathic and vascular changes: the incur in women with diabetes, and bacteria are atability to have or maintain an erection , problems tracted to higher blood glucose levels. This highwith ejaculation, and the psychological sequelae. lights the fundamental tenet for the mitigation One of the trial participants, for example, a handof all diabetes complications: establishing and some man in his 40s, tearfully described his onmaintaining healthy blood glucose through sound going fear that his wife would leave him. He was diet, exercise and adequate sleep. The authors no longer easily able to maintain an erection. He also advocate the use of lubricants to ameliorate struggled to afford treatment for monthly penile vaginal dryness. injections to enable him to have intercourse with Though it sounds less than erotic, women his wife. The anguish and depression this caused are urged to take their BGL prior to making love him was painfully clear. to avoid a sudden plummeting of blood sugar I was, however, entirely ignorant of the imduring the process, and the sweating, irritabilpact of diabetes on the sex lives of women. I ity and distress hypoglycaemia can cause. They was stunned by the outpouring of angst from also suggest keeping fruit drinks at the bedside participants, a number of whom had never in case it occurs. They point out that having sex discussed the issue with a health sector percan be the equivalent of an exercise workout, orson before. In some cases their GPs had not gasm beingfor a full-body response using muscles, asked themNew about their intimate andDistrict they Hunter England Locallives, Health is looking experienced Registered nerves, energy and blood sugar (Roszler, Rice were reluctant to raise the subject themselves. Midwives to be considered for opportunities to work in diverse and challenge and Elders, 2007). The analogy echoes advice Some women felt that their sexuality “got lost” health environments. diabetes nurse educators offer patients before in the constant round of checks of blood gluthey go to the or pursue forms of excose, kidneys, eyes, feet, and heart. Women There are a variety of opportunities available across thegym entire district.other Currently ercise. Why not before the life-affirming exercise who had previously had joyful sex lives were many rural facilities are looking for experienced midwives to fill current vacancies. of having sex? distressed by their incremental anorgasmia, Get on board and let your career take you on an “unforgettable journey”. Most importantly, women with diabetes are and/or lack of libido. They were sometimes urged not to accept the demise of their intimate unaware that diabetes could have a bearing on Maternity Services across the health district offer opportunities to: lives as an inevitable consequence of having diatheir sexuality. Some simply perceived the loss betes, and to seek help by speaking candidly to of interest in sex as part of the natural process t .BJOUBJO B CSPBE SBOHF PG NJEXJGFSZ TLJMMT BDSPTT UIF QSFHOBODZ their health care providers about it. We all need of aging; the prevailing wisdom, after all, was continuum-antenatal, intrapartum, postnatal and community midwifery care intimacy and love. What better way to expend that diminished libido was a normal facet of t 8PSL XJUI FYQFSJFODFE BOE TVQQPSUJWF TUBGG energy and stay well? being middle aged. t .BJOUBJO QSPGFTTJPOBM EFWFMPQNFOU Though we know a great deal more about t %FWFMPQ FYUFOTJWF QSPGFTTJPOBM OFUXPSLT XIJMF CBMBODJOH DBSFFS BOE MJGFTUZMF the sexual dysfunction of men with diabetes than women, there is increasing research eviFor for more contact Doreen Holm on 0434 603 089 Or send CVs and an dence the information association between diabetes and expressions of interest to: ExpressionOfInterest@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au sexual dysfunction in women. Journal articles ubiquitously cite the need for more research to Leave a comment on this and other redress the gender imbalance. articles by visiting the ‘news’ There are ways women with diabetes can section of our website maximise their chances of maintaining an active http://www.ncah.com.au and fulfilling sex life. Roszler, Rice and Elders (2007) describe a range of symptoms including To go to this article directly, visit http://tinyurl.com/n6hupd4 vaginal dryness, which may be associated with low blood flow to the vagina, and/or neuropathy.
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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 2 | Page 21
Aged care facilities tap into emergency watch Two Sydney brothers have developed a world-first emergency watch for older patients, disabled people and people with disorders. The all-in-one waterproof smart phone, location tracker and emergency alarm uses GPS and WiFi, and is being used at several Australian aged care facilities. Paul Apostolis and Peter Apostolopoulos developed the unique SOS Mobile Watch after they realised the limitations of a traditional emergency neck pendant, which they had given to their father post-stroke. Mr Apostolis said the traditional pendant only worked within a 50 metre radius of the home phone line, restricting their father’s social routine. “My father is quite independent - he loves to go on his daily walks,” he said. “We realised we needed to develop something that would work outside of homes so that’s where the personal emergency alarm came into it. “Peter worked with a lot of retirement villages and independent living facilities and there was a real big need for something like our product. “We decided you could actually launch a business from this and the response we have had has been overwhelming. “It’s not just people purchasing the watch for their elderly parents but also from the health sector - nurses, occupational therapists and doctors have been recommending our product as well. “We realised there’s a real big demand for something like our product.” Mr Apostolis said aged care facilities including Anglican Retirement Villages, Bankstown City Aged Care and Opal Aged Care have been using the watches, while carers are also purchasing the watches for people with disabilities and disorders.
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He said the watch, which will be rolled out into south east Asian markets in coming years, is ideal for health providers in community care. The waterproof watch has a location finder using GPS, GSM (mobile towers) and Wi-Fi, and features a red SOS button that dials three pre-set contact numbers. The watch also provides medicine and appointment reminders, has a pedometer to track movement activity. and enables the wearer to make two way hands-free calls. A perimeter safe-area can also be activated on the watch, sending notifications to the carer when the watch exits the area. Mr Apostolis said the watch connects with iPhone and Android apps and a carer’s web dashboard, enabling carers to monitor, report and locate the watch. “For the nurses, they can monitor where their patients are at any given time,” he said. “It’s also easy for the patient to use - they are finding that they are not restricted to a room or within a particular facility. “If ever anything was to happen to the wearer, all they would need to do would be to press the SOS red button and it will automatically call a monitoring service or it could be a family member or a carer. “Unlike the traditional pendant…our product works just like a mobile phone and works anywhere, anytime. “It’s an ageing population and what we want to do is offer that peace of mind for the carer and also the wearer.” The brothers, through their health care technology business mCareWatch, released the first edition of the watch two years ago and are now planning to release their third edition of the watch within months, which will feature Bluetooth and will also be able to measure the wearer’s blood pressure and blood sugar.
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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 2 | Page 23
Spelling Out IBD By Mary Hickson Inflammatory Bowel Disease, or ‘IBD’, refers to a group of autoimmune inflammatory conditions affecting the gastrointestinal system, particularly the colon and small intestine. The primary IBD conditions are Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and these are by far the most common. Worldwide, around five million people live with Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. A widespread misconception is that ‘IBD’ refers to ‘irritable’ bowel conditions (typically IBS). This misconception is prevalent not only in the general community but also amongst medical, nursing and allied health professionals. Alison Battisti, CNS for IBD at St George Hospital in Sydney, reports that some general practitioners continue to refer patients with IBS to the specialty IBD clinic at St George. Though a few symptoms of IBS and IBD may be similar (such as diarrhoea and bloating), the conditions are quite different, with IBD having potentially devastating and life-limiting outcomes for patients. IBD disorders are complex in presentation, progress, management and treatment. Their causes are not fully understood, but are believed to be a combination of factors including an autoimmune reaction to certain bacteria in the gut, changes in the gut bacteria themselves, genetics and environmental or physical ‘triggers’ that could include bacterial or viral illnesses, diet, stress, smoking or other unknown environmental factors. Despite much research and some major
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advances, no definitive causes have yet been identified. Professor Michael Grimm, Clinical Associate Dean at UNSW School of Medicine, Gastroenterologist and Head of St George & Sutherland Clinical School, notes that current research is focusing on how enteral bacteria change, and that advances in microbiology offer valuable new tools for profiling bacteria. IBD occurs when the body’s immune cells attack the intestinal lining, causing inflammation and ulcerations, which in turn can lead to various complications. It is characterised by periods of remission and acute flare-ups. Some people may remain in remission for lengthy periods, sometimes years, while others experience frequent flare-ups. IBD usually appears for the first time between the ages of 15 and 25, though it can start at any age, with cases as young as 2 years old being reported. It affects men and women equally. Previously thought to be a disease of developed countries, Professor Grimm notes its incidence is rising rapidly in India and China. For most patients with IBD, their lives are ruled by their symptoms. Faecal frequency and urgency are common, and sufferers must know the location of toilets in any situation. This can be very limiting, and patients avoid unknown environments, decline social opportunities and refuse to travel for fear of losing control of their bowels. Flare-ups, hospitalisations and treatment regimes require time out from school, university or work, which can be poorly understood and
misinterpreted as ‘unreliability’. Further, their productivity may be affected by fatigue from anaemia, pain and/or treatments. As IBD typically presents in teenage years or early adulthood when friendships and relationships are being formed, IBD sufferers may feel embarrassed, misunderstood and isolated. The physical, social, employment and educational challenges that must be faced by people with IBD are complex and profound. Let’s briefly review the distinguishing features of Crohn’s Disease and UC. Crohn’s Disease can affect any part of the gut from the mouth to the anus, impacting absorption, digestion and elimination. Areas of inflammation are often patchy and may range in size from small lesions to extensive segments of disease. While Crohn’s is most likely to develop in the ileum (49%), it may occur in the small bowel, colon, oesophagus, stomach, duodenum, the perianal area or the mouth, or a combination of these. Symptoms will vary according to the extent and severity of the inflammation, but a crucial feature of Crohn’s is that it causes full thickness inflammation (compared with UC, which is limited to the first two mucosal layers). Crohn’s is a chronic condition that is not curable, even with surgery. Treatment options are outlined below, but when surgery is used to remove diseased portions of the bowel, Crohn’s usually flares again at the site of the anastomosis or stoma and/or in other parts of the digestive system. Depending on the location/s and severity of the disease, Crohn’s may cause various complications, including fissures, strictures, haemorrhoids, abscesses, fistulas, obstructions, perforations and rupture of the bowel. Ulcerative Colitis causes inflammation and ulceration of the inner lining of the rectum and colon. These ulcers can bleed and/or produce pus and cause a range of complications as listed below. Ulcerative Colitis is generally categorised according to how much of the colon is affected, with three main types described: proctitis, left-sided or distal colitis, and extensive or total colitis.
Surgery can essentially cure ulcerative colitis if the large intestine and rectum are removed, though the resulting ileostomy or J-Pouch are not without their own challenges. Symptoms Symptoms for both Crohn’s and UC are grouped here together, but will vary according to the type, location, extent and severity of the disease. They include: - Feeling generally unwell, with or without fever - Abdominal pain and cramping - Diarrhoea (sometimes mixed with blood, mucous and pus) - Faecal urgency and frequency - Loss of appetite - Weight loss - Mouth ulcers - Fatigue (from the illness itself, anaemia and/or lack of sleep caused by pain or diarrhoea) - Iron deficiency anaemia and/or vitamin deficiency anaemias (from malabsorption or surgery) - Abscesses and fistulas (in Crohn’s) Crohn’s Disease and UC can also cause problems outside of the gastrointestinal system. These often occur during active disease, but may develop before any signs of bowel disease or during times of remission, and include: - Bone thinning (from inflammatory processes, medications and poor absorption of calcium) - Liver disorders including Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), which causes inflammation of the bile ducts and liver damage. PSC affects up to one in 13 people with UC and one in 25 people with Crohn’s - Blood circulation problems including predisposition to DVT.
For more articles visit NCAH.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 2 | Page 25
502-018 1/2PG FULL COLOUR CMYK PDF Director of Clinical Services/Nursing The Director of Clinical Services/Nursing is a key leadership position at Tweddle Child & Family Health Service and reports directly to the CEO. Come and be part of the team helping Tweddle to provide parenting support, education and skill development programs in order to assist in developing the best outcomes for infants, families and communities. This role is pivotal in the provision of strategic leadership to the multidisciplinary team working at Tweddle and in the delivery of clinical advice to management. Indicative salary grade is DON-Grade 7. For a copy of the position description please contact Milinda Steve Executive Assistant via email: milinda.steve@tweddle.org.au and mention NCAH.com.au. All applications must address the key selection criteria. Closing date for applications is Friday 27th February 2015. For more detailed information regarding this role, please contact: Ms Jacquie O'Brien Chief Executive Officer Tel: 03 8387 0607 or email jacquie.obrien@tweddle.org.au
NZ First backs paramedic registration New Zealand paramedics have received support in their push for national registration. New Zealand First has joined calls for the title of ‘paramedic’ to be protected through national registration under the Health Practitioners’ Competence Assurance Act. The party’s health spokesperson Barbara Stewart said current regulations that enable anyone to establish an ambulance service and call themselves a paramedic is putting patients at risk. “It seems illogical that a nurse who meets a patient at the emergency department has to be registered, but there is no such national registration for the emergency personnel caring for the patient on the way to hospital,” she said. “Fortunately, our existing ambulance services train their paramedics to a high standard and answer 450,000 patient call-outs each year with a high level of competency. “Only through national registration can we ensure that anyone using the title ‘paramedic’ is qualified to deliver the same standard of care as our current ambulance services.” Ms Stewart said a recent Paramedics Australasia (NZ) survey found 81 per cent of paramedics favoured registration. “The introduction of paramedic registration will go a long way to fulfilling the government’s own initiative to integrate the ambulance service within the wider health sector outlined in the Ambulance Service Strategy 2009,” she said. “The National government has been stalling on national registration since 2009. Their attitude leaves me speechless.
For the full article visit NCAH.com.au Page 26 | www.ncah.com.au
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More nurses deployed to Sierra Leone Another deployment of Aussie nurses has left to fight Ebola at the Australian Government’s treatment centre in West Africa. The latest team of nurses and doctors departed for the Ebola Treatment Centre, located at Hastings Airfield in Sierra Leone, on Australia Day. The team of health professionals joins 16 Australian registered nurses, four New Zealand registered nurses and seven doctors at the Aspen Medical-coordinated centre. Meanwhile, an Australian nurse remains in observation in the United Kingdom as a precautionary measure after a low-risk clinical incident at the treatment centre. The nurse, who has not been identified, was transferred to the UK for a 21-day observation period but has not been diagnosed with Ebola. Twenty-five people have now been cleared of Ebola and allowed to leave the 38-bed facility, which will soon upgrade to 50 beds. A spokesperson for Aspen Medical said 62 people have now been treated at the Australianflagged centre. The first survivor to be successfully treated was an 11-year-old girl, Aminata Bangura, who lost several family members to the disease. Aminata spent eight days in the centre, where she received life-saving treatment including antibiotics and anti-malarial drugs. Once Aminata tested negative for the virus, she moved through a lightly chlorinated shower known locally as a ‘freedom shower’, before being provided with new clothes and essentials. The team of 30 in-country Australians, including 26 health professionals, have created a ‘wall of hope’ at the centre, where survivors can place their handprints before leaving. More than a 1000 health professionals have applied to join the Australian-funded fight against
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Ebola - half of those are Australians and more than 100 are New Zealanders. New Zealand has committed up to 24 health professionals as part of the mission, with four deployed to date. Aspen Medical is coordinating all clinical and logistics services for the centre, as part of United Kingdom-led international efforts to treat Sierra Leone citizens who have contracted the deadly virus. The health care provider has held four predeployment training courses. Once completed, the teams are deployed for between six to eight weeks.
For the full article visit NCAH.com.au
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Registered Nurse – Forensic Mental Health Malabar Permanent Full Time, Permanent Part Time JH No: 232954 Salary: Public Health System Nurses & Midwives (State) Award, RN 2–8: $30.16–$40.17 ph. Enquiries: Louise Flemming on (02) 9700 3123. Closing Date: 8 February 2015. To apply for this position please visit http://nswhealth.erecruit.com.au NSW Health Service – Justice Health & Forensic Mental Health Network is committed to Work Health & Safety, EEO, Ethical Practices, and the Principles of Cultural Diversity. Personal criminal records checks will be conducted. Prohibited persons as declared under the Child Protection (Prohibited Employment) Act 1998 are not eligible to apply for child-related employment.
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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 2 | Page 29
London calling for more Aussie paramedics The London Ambulance Service will again visit Australia in a bid to recruit an extra 280 paramedics. The organisation aims to assess and interview paramedics in Melbourne and Sydney in March as part of a renewed push to sign up more Australians to its green-uniformed ranks. The announcement comes as the first batch of 175 paramedics from last year’s successful recruiting mission began work with the world’s busiest ambulance service on Australia Day. Among them was 22-year-old graduate paramedic Mitchell Hand. Originally from Bulli in New South Wales, Mitchell studied at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst before deciding to submit an application for a position with the service. “To get the best start for my career I decided to make the move to get as much experience and exposure as possible,” he said. Mitchell attended an interview and assessment day, which included a written exam, a lifting assessment and an interview. “It was all related to the job and appropriate as you needed to know the information in the exam to do the job,” he said. “Once here in London we completed a three-week conversion course to learn the London way of operating…guidelines, relevant treatment pathways, policies, kit layouts, etcetera.” A national shortage of paramedics in the UK has prompted the service to look to Australian and New Zealand shores for paramedics, where skills and training are similar. The organisation’s 2014 recruitment campaign, ‘London - no ordinary challenge’, aimed to fill about 250 vacancies for registered paramedics.
Page 30 | www.ncah.com.au
The service offered last year’s candidates support with their application, visa and relocation costs, and it also covered the Health and Care Professions Council paramedic registration fee. London Ambulance Service operations director Jason Killens said the organisation was thrilled to attract so many Australian paramedics. “It has been such a success that we’re going back to Australia in March to recruit more paramedics,” he said. “We have so much to offer in London, which no other city has, including world famous events such as the London Marathon and Notting Hill Carnival and it’s a great opportunity for Australians, as well as paramedics in the UK.” Mitchell urged paramedics considering the move to book their flight. “You have nothing to lose. The ambulance service is welcoming and takes care of us,” he said. “They are like family - we have specific staff in HR appointed to international recruits, as well as an international liaison who does a great job. “Not only are they welcoming but the opportunities here are incredible - career advancements are available and encouraged because the organisation is so large and continually changing. “They also want the best paramedics possible out on the streets of London. I think if you do not take the opportunity you will regret it later in life.” The London Ambulance Service is home to 4,500 employees, with 3,300 frontline staff working across 70 ambulance stations spanning 620 square miles, and receives around 4,000 calls a day. London paramedics have the opportunity to work on a motorbike, cycle, in a car, or for the hazardous area response team.
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Live your passion. Be part of a proud Australian tradition.>
Flight Nurses Western Australia The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) highly values the contribution and dedication of its people, who enjoy working together to provide high quality health care in a unique environment. RFDS staff enjoy enriching work which broadens their horizons, builds professional experience and delivers the personal rewards of knowing they are making a difference to rural and remote Australia. If you’re a Nurse/Midwife ready for a rewarding new challenge, the RFDS has a position for the right person to join our dynamic Flight Nurse Team. You’ll be working with an amazing and motivated team of professionals dedicated
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% : PNUPÄJHU[ WVZ[NYHK\H[L L_WLYPLUJL HUK VY X\HSPÄJH[PVUZ PU JYP[PJHS JHYL (ED or ICU) The successful candidate will receive a comprehensive two-week orientation, generous salary and salary packaging ILULÄ[Z HUK HZZPZ[HUJL ^P[O YLSVJH[PVU if necessary. Applications close: Ongoing in 2014/15
For futher information: Paul Ingram (08) 9417 6300 nursing@rfdswa.com.au Å`PUNKVJ[VY VYN H\ Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 2
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