Issue 4 25/02/13 fortnightly
Theatre & Critical Care Feature The lure of the OR’s bright lights Nurses demand support for persecuted Bahraini colleagues More bush, community, NICU nurses needed New Zealand nurses champion a living wage
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www.ncah.com.au )SSUE p &EBRUARY We hope you enjoy perusing the range of opportunities included in Issue 04, 2013. If you are interested in pursuing any of these opportunities, please contact the advertiser directly via the contact details provided. If you have any queries about our publication or if you would like to receive our publication, please email us at careers@ncah.com.au
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Page 4 | www.ncah.com.au
2013 Nursing Opportunities in Saudi Arabia Interviews taking place in Australia & New Zealand
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Free Phone AUS: 1800 818 844 Free Phone NZ: 0800 700 839 Email: raquel@ccmrecruitment.com.au or dawn@ccmrecruitment.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 4 | Page 5
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New Zealand nurses champion a living wage by Karen Keast New Zealand nurses and allied health workers are adding their voice to calls demanding the government and employers support a living wage of at least $18.40 an hour for two-income families. The push to pay workers a living wage comes as the country’s aged care workers are paid slightly above the minimum wage of $13.50 an hour. A recent report found New Zealanders need to earn almost $5 more than the minimum wage to meet the basic necessities of life. The Living Wage report reinforces a growing campaign arguing that people who work should not be living in poverty. The New Zealand Nurses Organisation believes a portion of its 46,000 members are struggling at or well below the living wage, while the Public Service Association estimates about 16 per cent
of its 58,000 members, mostly women, fall short of earning a living wage. “Aged care workers in particular are paid at, or only slightly above, the minimum wage of $13.50 an hour,” NZNO industrial services manager Cee Payne said. “We expect these workers to provide excellent care for our elders, while at the same time ignoring the fact that they are living in poverty.” PSA national secretary Richard Wagstaff said thousands of public sector workers are earning less than $18.40 an hour. “They are on a low wage treadmill – battling higher housing, food and living costs while at the same time being offered minimal or zero per cent pay increases,” he said. For the full article visit NCAH.com.au
Page 6 | www.ncah.com.au
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Interview & Info Sessions Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 4 | Page 7
Nurses demand support for persecuted Bahraini colleagues by Karen Keast Nurses and health professionals have been jailed for the past two years after treating injured prodemocracy protestors in Bahrain. The Australian Nursing Federation recently launched a solidarity campaign, with the support of the ACTU and Union Aid Abroad APHEDA, outside Parliament House to highlight and condemn ongoing human rights violations against their international colleagues. The union’s stand marks two years since the violent crackdown on the small island country’s mass democracy protests that resulted in at least 87 deaths and the arrest of more than 1800 anti-government protestors. The Bahrain Centre for Human Rights reports health services have been militarised and more than 90 medical staff, including nurses, have been targeted, with some being arrested and tortured for treating injured protestors.
Page 8 | www.ncah.com.au
ANF federal secretary Lee Thomas said the union was appalled nurses and other healthcare professionals in Bahrain remain locked up for “simply doing their job – caring for the sick and injured”. “Two years after the uprisings, we’re told there are still seven medics being held in Bahraini prisons, including Ibrahim al Demistani, general secretary of the Bahrain Nursing Society,” she said. “As Australia’s largest health union, the ANF condemns these human rights violations against nurses and other health workers and we are hopeful that this show of solidarity from across Australia’s trade union movement and politics will highlight their plight and put pressure on the Federal Government to take action.” For the full article visit NCAH.com.au
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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 4 | Page 11
Nurse of 2012 calls for Australia’s top nurses to be recognised by Karen Keast Jenny Anderson couldn’t believe it when she was nominated for Nurse of the Year in the 2012 HESTA Australian Nursing Awards. “It was a shock more than anything,” the nurse of 36 years recalled. “I never thought that anybody would have taken the time to do that really. I was very, very surprised.” Months later, the nurse unit manager at Queensland’s Rockhampton Hospital Renal Service was left reeling when she was announced the winner of the accolade at a gala dinner held at Melbourne’s Crown Entertainment Complex. “It blew me away. When they called my name out…it was an absolutely amazing experience,” she said. “I felt really proud of myself and proud of the team; my work colleagues, and my hospital. “Rockhampton Hospital is a reasonable size but it’s a rural hospital; you provide the best service that you can.
“With that change in nursing skill mix we feel we have now got a really strong nursing workforce and a really positive workforce culture – everybody helps each other out and promotes everyone’s professional growth.” The service has now moved into new purposebuilt premises, established a satellite unit at Gladstone Hospital and significantly expanded home therapy services, enabling many patients to avoid the three-hour drive for treatment. Thirty per cent of the unit’s patients have an Indigenous background, so Jenny consulted with Indigenous patients and elders to create culturally appropriate services. And when the area was hit with the devastating floods two years ago, Jenny ensured more than 100 renal dialysis clients in outlying areas continued their treatment, she also organised the evacuation of some patients and helicopter drops of equipment to others. “This time when the recent flooding happened we were very experienced,” Jenny said.
“To have that recognition of that work that had been done in the national arena; it has been lovely.”
Now Jenny is encouraging more people to nominate Australia’s top nurses and midwives for this year’s HESTA Australian Nursing Awards.
Four years ago, Jenny decided to step up to the challenge of rebuilding the hospital’s renal service which was struggling under the weight of a rapidly expanding workload and a severe nursing shortage.
“I think it’s enormously important because nurses, for the most part, we don’t sell ourselves as a profession very well,” she said.
“We set about to grow our own nursing staff which we have done very successfully,” she said.
“I am no different to any other nurse in Australia – you go to work and try to do your job well and look after your patients in your care.
“We have taken on our eighth graduate nurse since 2009 and we now have workforce capacity within our service.
“It’s recognition that I think is important for the nursing profession and it’s important for the public to be aware of the work that’s going on.”
“The majority of our staff came from staff that were graduates or staff that had very little renal experience and they have been mentored by our experienced staff.
Jenny grew up in Charleville, a town in southwestern Queensland, and has lived in outback Queensland her entire life.
Page 12 | www.ncah.com.au
“We are raised in a culture where you just do the work and get on with it.
For the full article visit NCAH.com.au
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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 4 | Page 13
Critical care symposium a mine of expertise “Increasingly what we’re understanding is that it’s not enough to measure critical care outcomes in terms of patient survival or discharge rates. What’s more significant is the level of care patients receive in the first year following their treatment and the long term effect of this in terms of their recovery.” With over 180 attendees signed up and more expected as the event date near drew, the 10th ACCCN symposium was also a celebration of the work of critical care nurses, as well as an ideal opportunity to share information and experiences, Dr Pollock said. With a significant proportion of the presentations being given by nurses who had also reached The sharing of knowledge and a celebration of the role of critical care nurses will be key features of the upcoming Australian College of Critical Care Nurses (ACCCN) 10th Annual Victorian Symposium on Critical Care Nursing. Taking place on Friday 15 March 2013 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, the symposium will include insights from key note speaker Professor Leanne Aitken. Professor Aitken (pictured) is the Chair in Critical Care Nursing at Griffith University and Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane, and the Convenor of Higher Degree Research students within the School of Nursing and Midwifery. These roles incorporate the conduct and implementation of a range of clinical research and practice improvement projects, as well as postgraduate teaching and supervision. Professor Aitken’s keynote speeches would provide important insights on current thinking about critical care nursing, said ACCCN Victorian President Dr Wendy Pollock. Page 14 | www.ncah.com.au
What’s more significant is the level of care patients receive in the first year following their treatment... – Professor Aitken is the Chair in Critical Care Nursing at Griffith University and Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane
PhD level in the field of critical care, the calibre of information being delivered was expected to be outstanding, she added. “On the program there are also a number of ‘free papers’ being presented including case studies and findings by specialists in critical care nursing. There is no funding for the kind of work being presented here, which is testament to these presenters’ commitment to their field.” For more articles visit NCAH.com.au
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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 4 | Page 15
More bush, community, NICU nurses needed by Karen Keast “It’s frustrating when we don’t have enough staff to deliver the care that we want to deliver,” says Orange Base Hospital clinical nurse specialist Katrina Lee. “I don’t think that we should forget any patient wherever you live – we deserve the same treatment.” Ms Lee is one of the faces of the New South Wales Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) ratios campaign, speaking out in a television commercial about the lack of funding and staff in country and regional communities, impacting on nursing workloads and patient care. The ad is one of three recently launched to highlight the need for more bush nurses, community nurses and NICU nurses in the state. More than 33,000 public sector nurses and midwives throughout the state’s 267 NSWNMA branches have begun voting on the ratios and wages claim, which, if approved, could then be put to the state government. The claim aims to introduce compulsory minimum ratios to children’s hospitals, wards, neo-natal intensive care units and paediatric critical care units, along with compulsory minimum ratios in all hospitals, including smaller rural hospitals and multipurpose services. It would also establish ratios in emergency departments, medical assessment units, emergency medical units and adult critical care units, create mandated face-to-face patient time in community nursing and extend and improve ratios to more mental health units and mental health hospitals. Nurses are also lobbying for a 2.5 per cent annual pay rise, equating to a $70 a week or $3800 per year pay rise for experienced fulltime nurses and midwives. NSWNMA general secretary Brett Holmes said the next stage of the ratios campaign comes after the success of the 2010 nurse-to-patient Page 16 | www.ncah.com.au
ratios campaign, which delivered an extra 1580 full-time nurses and midwives for most wards in the state’s public acute hospitals. “Many people would be surprised and shocked to know that minimum staffing levels are currently not guaranteed in NSW hospitals for seriously ill infants and children,” he said in a statement. “Nurses and midwives working under the first round of compulsory, minimum ratios are clear they have provided a safer clinical and less stressed working environment. “The challenge for the O’Farrell Government is to build on this and ensure every public patient in NSW has access to the same level of safer care.”
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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 4 | Page 17
The lure of the OR’s bright lights by Karen Keast Jason Simpson always wanted to be a perioperative nurse. Now the father-of-five has a satisfying career – combining his love of OR work with paediatrics as the senior nurse manager of perioperative services at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, in Sydney. Better still, Jason now heads up three new integrated operating rooms, with another two of the ‘smart’ operating rooms set to be unveiled in late April. Thanks to a $1.3 million donation from Sargent’s Pies Charitable Fund, the digitalised suites enable surgeons and theatre staff to talk and stream images between rooms. The technology puts the public paediatric hospital on the world stage. “It brings us up to world class. It brings us up to what hospitals internationally are doing and have been doing for a while,” Jason said. The three upgraded rooms, which form part of the hospital’s 10 theatre suites, became operational on January 29 and cater to mostly endoscopy and laparoscopic work. Jason said the technology enables doctors to discuss surgeries between rooms, and during conferences; allowing a doctor to visually answer students’ questions by drawing an arrow or circling parts of images – all in the sterile field. He said those advancements are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the technology’s potential. Eventually the hospital hopes to be able to store digital imagery as part of a patient’s electronic medical records. Page 18 | www.ncah.com.au
Jason said the technology also makes the work of nursing staff easier; there’s a touch screen at the nursing station in the room and also an intraoperative sterile touch screen. “It’s absolutely fantastic,” he said. “I get the general feeling from the staff that they are excited to be using the technology. It’s not only a great benefit to the patients.” Jason’s mum was an operating theatre nurse and he remembers visiting the OR as a child, taking in the sight of the scrubs, the equipment and the bright lights. “Back in the earlier days there wasn’t that many limitations about who should go in,” he said. “I used to go in there and I just liked that whole environment. “Once I decided that I was going to do nursing, I knew OR was what I wanted to do. I was lucky enough to get offered a graduate position in operating suites.” Jason spent four years working at the Westmead Hospital for adults before moving to take up a position in Saudi Arabia, and then he began work in a clinical role at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead 12 years ago before moving into his current managerial role eight years ago. Jason said perioperative nursing is a rewarding career. “In this day and age a lot of the new nurses don’t necessarily get exposure to this type of environment,” he said. “It’s very team orientated and you get to work very closely with your other nurses and surgeons and anaesthetists and the other allied health people.
in perioperative nursing, crediting nurses for
“It brings us up to world class. It brings us up to what hospitals internationally are doing and have been doing for a while,� “A lot of people see the operating suite as a closed environment. We need to come up with different ways to encourage people to come and see what perioperative nursing is about.� Three years ago the hospital embarked on an initiative to do just that. It introduced a
their work in the OR. So far, about 12 staff have participated in the program. For Jason, perioperative nursing is his dream job. “We do liver transplants and major cardiac work – it’s all about giving these children a better outcome for their lives and giving them an opportunity to have a long life,� he said. “A lot of nurses on the wards don’t ever see the anatomy side of things as to what happens in the OR.
12-month transition program to give nurses
“We get to see the full anatomy and see how
without operating theatre experience a chance
the surgeon repairs or corrects some of the
to move into the field.
disorders, I suppose, that the patients have.
The program is accredited by the University
“Being involved in some of these procedures
of Technology for a post-graduate certificate
is amazing.�
Get back to the basics of nursing in a country where happiness is the greatest currency. Red Cross is seeking three nurses to volunteer at the National Referral Hospital in Bhutan. Airfares, allowances, insurance and other expenses are covered. Visit the Australian Volunteers website and search for the Bhutan assignments or call Red Cross on (03)Â 9345Â 1834 Australian Volunteers is an Australian Government, AusAID initiative.
Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 4 | Page 19
ANF cautious on nurses taking on doctors’ tasks by Karen Keast The Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) is ‘watching with interest’ a suite of pilot initiatives that will see nurses taking on doctors’ tasks in public hospitals, in a bid to cut costs and deal with predicted skills shortages.
to be recognised Australia wide, so if a nurse has trained at the Austin, she can take that and use it at the Royal Prince Alfred in NSW. That doesn’t seem to be the case at the moment. It’s currently an ad hoc approach, which goes against generations of work done to make skills nationally recognised.”
Public hospital nurses are now doing cystoscopies and colonoscopies (endoscopies of the bladder and bowel) in certain cases, instead of doctors. There are also plans to train nurses to sedate patients for the procedures.
The ANF’s other concern was a potential erosion of the status of nurses’ duties.
About 12 nurses have been trained or are being trained to do endoscopies at several hospitals in Victoria, including Monash Medical Centre and the Royal Melbourne, Austin, Alfred and Western hospitals. It is understood Austin Hospital has been given government grants to train nurses to carry out cystoscopies on former cancer patients to ensure the cancer has not returned. The hospital’s view is that the nurses, who have received training and work with doctors nearby in case they need help, cost the hospital less, and free doctors for more demanding tasks. Predictions forecast that in 2025 the health sector will be short of between 60,000 to 120,000 and about 2700 doctors. However assistant secretary of the Victorian branch of the ANF Paul Gilbert said he questioned whether training nurses to do doctors’ tasks would solve the skills shortage problem, as both doctors and nurses were in demand. Gilbert also said if nurses were expected to undergo education in order to perform new tasks, this should be reflected in their pay and status, possibly entailing a promotion to the level of nurse consultant. “I’d also suggest that whatever training is undertaken, this should be ‘portable’ and able Page 20 | www.ncah.com.au
“If they’re taking nurses out of bedside roles to do doctors’ tasks, that would naturally mean that AINs (assistants in nursing) are taking on nurses’ traditional roles. That is what is happening in the NHS in the UK, where patients think they’re being cared for by a nurse, when they’re not. It is certainly not something we’d want to happen here.”
Join the Revolution Waitemata District Health Board has a new state-of-the-art Elective Surgery facility opening in mid 2013, and invites Expressions of Interest from Nurses with surgical ward or operating theatre experience.
We are revolutionising our approach to elective surgery; to process and rehabilitate patients faster, and to build consistent teams with stronger bonds. If you would like to be a part of the future of surgical nursing at Waitemata DHB, find out more under the ‘Hot Jobs’ tab on our website.
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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 4 | Page 21
Counselling psychologist wants health professionals to break the silence by Karen Keast An American counselling psychology expert wants end-of-life conversations to become a routine, structured intervention between patients and providers in health care delivery.
addressing practical care issues, asking questions and actively listening, involving the family as early as possible, and understanding the meaning of the illness for the patient.
Santa Clara University Professor of Counselling Psychology Dale Larson recently delivered a presentation on end-of-life conversations at the Australian Psychological Society’s inaugural Counselling Psychology Conference in Melbourne.
Professor Larson said nurses, the frontline caregivers, already hold many of these conversations.
Professor Larson, who specialises in end-oflife issues but also conducts research on selfconcealment, said he hoped his presentation would inspire and empower psychologists to be involved in the area. Professor Larson said there was a strong case for the fit between counselling psychology and work with serious and advanced illness and grief and loss. “I want to say to my colleagues that we are needed; they are needed, and there are many exciting roles for them in end-of-life care,” he said. Professor Larson said breaking the silence on end-of-life conversations was “critically important” and could improve patients’ quality of life, providing patients with a much-needed sense of control. “The quality and quantity of these conversations determine the quality of care and the quality of life at the end of life for patients and families,” he said. The California-based Fulbright Scholar and award-winning author said patients, family members and health professionals often avoid the conversations for a range of reasons, which could jeopardise the patients’ quality of life. He recommended a raft of measures to improve the conversations, including teaching communication skills to health professionals, allowing patients to express their despair, Page 22 | www.ncah.com.au
“Although confronting loss and grief are always challenging, there are also tremendous rewards because these conversations are one of the healing encounters that often were part of the inspiration for nurses to get into the field,” he said. “They wanted to make a difference in life’s most difficult moments. “There is tremendous meaning in this work and we are all meaning-makers, and it is so wonderful that nursing provides us an opportunity to do such meaningful work.” Professor Larson said while the US, the UK and Australia are leading the way when it comes to end-of-life conversations, he said Australia’s move towards a national framework for advance care directives could break new ground on a global scale. “I think the AU Health Ministers’ national framework for advance care directives is going to be one of the models for nations throughout the world,” he said. Professor Larson has also developed a new professional role focused on end-of-life conversations in the US. “It is basically a six-visit model with a nurse, social worker or other specialist offering support, education, and communication with the rest of the health care team,” he said. “Think of it as a pre-palliative intervention in which patients and family members (there is a family meeting) can process things and understand the options that are available to them.”
Latrobe Regional Hospital Mental Health Service The Latrobe Regional Hospital Mental Health Service is the regional provider of mental health services in Gippsland. LRHMHS operates an integrated mental health program across ten sites and provides inpatient and community mental heath care for child and youth, adult and aged care service streams. LRHMHS also operates a Community Residential Care Unit and a Prevention and Recovery Care Unit. The Latrobe Regional Hospital Mental Health Service is located in Gippsland – home to sandy beaches, snowfields, mountains and national parks. Gippsland provides a fantastic rural lifestyle with easy access to Melbourne. Under the new 10 year “Because Mental Health Matters” Strategy, Mental Health services are moving into an exciting period of reform. This reform will focus on early intervention, prevention, social inclusion and recovery. LRHMHS is implementing an exciting new specialist model of care in 2013 and we are seeking dynamic staff to join our team. We have positions in the following areas: Community Clinicians – Child and Youth Mental Health Services (CYMHS) Community Clinician – Bairnsdale Community team Psychologist - Inpatient Services Senior Clinicians – Triage and Emergency Department Team Clinicians – Acute Care Team Clinician -CASEA – CYMHS and Schools Early Action program Full time, part time, casual, temporary and permanent positions are available. LRHMHS offers a supportive environment with clinical educators, preceptors, clinical supervision, a nurse practitioner candidate program and professional development opportunities. Please visit www.lrh.com.au and go to our employment section. For enquiries please contact Cayte Hoppner, Director of Mental Health on 03 51738549 or choppner@lrh.com.au
Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 4 | Page 23
WA nurses cancel surgeries, close beds as wage fight intensifies by Karen Keast Western Australian nurses have begun cancelling one in five elective surgeries as their wage war escalates with the state government.
“We are doing it in a way that’s responsible but in the next few days it will be at all of the major sites.”
The move to cancel booked operations, excluding wards treating intensive care, maternity and cancer patients, comes as nurses closed between 200 to 300 beds at Perth’s metropolitan hospitals and at Bunbury.
The state’s 13,000 nurses are demanding a pay rise of at least 15 per cent amid claims they sit sixth on the list of the nation’s highest paid public sector nurses – behind New South Wales nurses, in top position, followed by Queensland, South Australia, Northern Territory and ACT nurses – despite WA’s soaring cost of living.
More than 1300 nurses voted recently at a mass union meeting to step up their industrial action, after several weeks of bans on non-patient care, including mopping floors, moving and stripping beds, escorting visitors, ordering supplies, filing notes, collecting discharge medication, cleaning theatres and processing theatre instruments. Australian Nursing Federation WA Branch state secretary Mark Olson said nurses were pushing ahead with industrial action after months of failed negotiations. “We want to see where the action takes us,” he said. “At this stage, one in five beds is more than enough to place pressure to bear without bringing the system to a grinding halt.” Mr Olson said nurses had started cancelling some surgeries at several hospitals with more sites expected to also begin shelving surgeries.
Page 24 | www.ncah.com.au
Mr Olson said there had been no communication from the health department despite several weeks of industrial bans. He said comments in the media from the department’s director-general, who labelled the industrial action “irresponsible”, were “extraordinary”. “He presides over a system where the allied health professionals are the highest paid in the country…but nurses and midwives are sixth on the ladder,” Mr Olson said. “He’s not sat down with the federation once, not once.” The government has offered a three per cent per year pay rise, with a further 1.25 per cent if nurses give up certain conditions.
1303-009 1PG FULL COLOUR CMYK (typeset)
Nurse Unit Manager (Acute) Portland, Victoria The Nurse Unit Manager provides direction for the delivery of a high standard of patient care in order to achieve the desired patient outcomes. He/she is both directly and indirectly responsible for the provision of focused, holistic nursing care. She/he takes responsibility for the day to day management, undertaking special responsibilities in the areas of Administration, Education and Continuous Quality Improvement. Portland District Health services the Glenelg Shire with major population centres being the city of Portland and the townships of Heywood, Narrawong, Tyrendarra and Nelson. The population which we service is approximately 16,739. PDH provides an integrated delivery of health services which comprises acute, primary and aged residential care services including: • 24-Hour Accident and Emergency Department • 29 Acute inpatient beds • 23 Sub-acute inpatient beds • 6 chair dialysis unit • 8 bed day procedure unit • 2 operating theatres (with provision for three) • 30 high care aged care residential beds – Harbourside Lodge • Primary and Community Care services If you think you have the skills and experience to undertake this role then you are encouraged to review the material about the role and the salary package on the additional pages and to lodge an application online. Applicants must hold current AHPRA registration with an eligible work permit for Australia.
If you are looking to make a fresh start to your career or would like to register your interest in future job opportunities go to
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W: www.ahnr.com.au E: ahnr@ahnr.com.au T: 1300 981 509 Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 4 | Page 25
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Want to be the pick of the bunch?
Murrumbidgee Local Health District Want a country career in Mental Health? We are currently recruiting for Medical, Nursing & Allied Place text here that introduces describes specific Health professionals to your stafforganization our newand Acute andyour Sub Acute products or services. This text should be brief and should entice the reader to want to know more aboutopening the goods or you offer. Units inservices October 2013. For more information, contact Craig Martin on 0467 766 055 and visit our website on www.wwmhrecruitment.com Come and join us and enjoy a rewarding career along with the Wagga Wagga lifestyle!
Be the pick of the bunch... Page 26 | www.ncah.com.au
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES The Mid North Coast Local Health District is currently recruiting for senior positions in our Mental Health Services. We would welcome interest from suitably qualified and experienced candidates who would like to be part of this dynamic service. • Manager Community Mental Health Service (Nursing Unit Manager Level 2) – based at Port Macquarie • Manager Extended Care Mental Health Service (Nursing Unit Manager Level 2) – based at Coffs Harbour • Nursing Unit Manager (Level 3) – Coffs Harbour Inpatient Unit (30 bed inpatient unit) • Clinical Director Coffs Harbour (Staff Specialist/VMO) – Clinical Leadership position based in Coffs Harbour • Clinical Director Hastings Macleay (Staff Specialist/VMO) Clinical Leadership position based at Coffs Harbour We also have a range of other positions available for Nursing, Allied Health and Medical staff. For Coffs Harbour positions, please contact Utopia Edwards on 6656 7965 and for Port Macquarie positions, please contact Barry Hunter 6588 2801.
Quality andQuality Excellent in Regional Healthcare and Excellence in Regional Healthcare MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 4 | Page 27
th Coast Local Health District is currently recruiting for senior positions in our
CENTRAL GIPPSLAND HEALTH SERVICE
Our Vision : Is of a safe and healthy community where everyone feels they are valued, supported and have the opportunity to participate.
Nurse Unit Manager - Peri-Operative Manager Central Gippsland Health Service is seeking applications from experienced, driven, results orientated nurses looking for a challenging and rewarding career managing the operating theatre complex of the major health service provider in the Wellington Shire. As the operating theatre NUM, you will be responsible for providing high quality patient focused care and multi-disciplinary operation management and service delivery coordination. This position will ideally suit a candidate looking for their next career step in Operating Theatre Management. Essential Criteria: • Current AHPRA registration • Extensive experience in the operating theatre • Excellent communication skills • Proven ability to manage staff • Computer literate • Sound knowledge of quality and OHS principles • Ability to work with a multidisciplinary team to optimize theatre scheduling and utilization Desirable Criteria: • Post graduate qualification in operating theatre • Post graduate qualification in health care management For further information please contact Bronwyn Beadle Director of Nursing on (03) 51 438 701. Position Descriptions may be obtained from the Human Resources Department, telephone 51 438 530 or by accessing our website www.cghs.com.au Written applications must include: • Completed Application for Employment Form • Cover letter • Statement addressing all Selection Criteria including qualifications, experience and leadership and technical capability requirements as outlined in the position description • Current resume detailing previous experience and the names and telephone numbers of two (2) relevant referees Applications must be received by 5pm on the closing date, addressed to: HR Support Officer, Central Gippsland Health Service 155 Guthridge Parade, SALE VIC 3850 Email: hradmin@cghs.com.au Closing date for applications: Friday 15th March 2013
Physiotherapist steps into new state advisory role by Karen Keast Kathleen Philip first became a physiotherapist more than 30 years ago and found her calling in musculoskeletal physiotherapy. Today, Kathleen is the voice of allied health in the development of health initiatives for the state of Victoria. Kathleen has stepped into the state’s newly created role of chief allied health advisor, where she will help spearhead plans and policy direction in the Department of Health. Up until recently, Victoria was the only Australian jurisdiction without the position. The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) has been lobbying for the government to create the position for the past two years. “I am very excited to be appointed to this role and am really looking forward to working with allied health practitioners in Victoria to enhance understanding of the very important role of allied health in contemporary health care and optimising wellbeing across the life continuum,” Kathleen said. “A key objective will be to facilitate opportunities for collaboration between public and private allied health service providers.” Kathleen graduated in 1979 and worked at the Ararat District Hospital before moving into private practice in Bendigo and then on to Melbourne’s Austin Hospital. Kathleen gained post-graduate qualifications in manipulative physiotherapy in 1986, achieving specialisation in musculoskeletal physiotherapy to become a Fellow of the College of Physiotherapy in 2007. For the full article visit NCAH.com.au
Page 28 | www.ncah.com.au
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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 4 | Page 29
PUBLICATION & DEADLINE DATES - 2013 For advertising bookings or enquiries call +61 (03) 9271 8700 Issue
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