Ncah issue 14 2013

Issue 14 15/07/13 fortnightly

Nurse Leaders Feature Nurses working night shifts at greater breast cancer risk A nurse leader in the making Dishing the dirt on non-sterile gloves Parliament delivers on aged care pay rises

www.ncah.com.au

8.33AM

5.13PM KNOWING THAT I’VE GOT THE POOL TO MYSELF

KNOWING THERE’S REAL VALUE TO THE CONTRIBUTIONS I MAKE

DIVISION HEADS SENIOR SUPERVISOR IN-PATIENTS SUPERVISORS IN COMPLEX CARE, MONITORED AREA (ICU), PEDIATRICS, GENERAL MEDICAL/SURGICAL UNIT, OPERATING ROOM (OR), PATIENT ANAESTHESIA RECOVERY UNIT (PACU), OUT PATIENT PROCEDURAL AREA (OPPA), DAY SURGERY (DS) CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALISTS IN ONCOLOGY, PAIN, CARDIOLOGY/ICU AND GENERAL MEDICAL COMPLEX CARE LEAD NURSES IN OR, PACU, DS, OPPA, MONITORED AREA (ICU), GENERAL MEDICAL/SURGICAL, ONCOLOGY, GENERAL PEDIATRICS, MEDICAL, SURGICAL, CARDIOLOGY SENIOR STAFF NURSES IN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, PEDIATRICS, ORTHOPEDICS, TELEMETRY (CARDIOLOGY UNIT), SURGICAL (ICU), MEDICAL (ICU), CORONARY CARE UNIT, STEP-DOWN (SICU/MICU) NURSING SHIFT COORDINATORS With a Nursing career at Saudi Aramco, a global leader in the energy industry, you’ll work with state-of-the-art facilities doing what you do best – caring for people. What’s more, you’ll be able to balance your professional career with a lifestyle that offers a wealth of interesting and exciting experiences.

So, whether you want to develop your talent in an environment where your contributions are recognized and valued, or explore a wealth of leisure activities – on your own, with colleagues or friends – you can be sure a career with Saudi Aramco will allow you to do both.

For further details and/or resume submission please contact Kate Heath at Austra Health – kheath@austrahealthint.com or call 03 9864 6090.

DREAM BIG Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 14 | Page 3

www.ncah.com.au Issue 14 – 15 July 2013 We hope you enjoy perusing the range of opportunities included in Issue 14, 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 “FACT, NOT FICTION” The NCAH Magazine distribution is independently audited by the Circulations Audit Board.

Advertiser List ACT Health AHN Recruitment Ausmed Austra Health Careflight CCM Recruitment International CQ Nurse

Total Audited Print and Digital Distribution: 28,090

DHHS Tasmania

The NCAH Magazine is the most widely distributed national nursing and allied health publication in Australia

Health Staff Recruitment

For all advertising and production enquiries please contact us on +61 (0) 3 9271 8700, email careers@ncah.com.au or visit www.ncah.com.au

Mater Education Centre

If you would like to change your mailing address, or be included on our distribution, please email careers@ncah.com.au

NSW Health - Western Local Health

eNurse Koala Nursing Agency No Roads to Health District Oceania University of Medicine

Published by Seabreeze Communications Pty Ltd Trading as NCAH. ABN 29 071 328 053.

Oxford Aunts Care Queensland Health

© 2013 Seabreeze Communications Pty Ltd.

Quick and Easy Finance

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher. Compliance with the Trade Practices Act 1974 of advertisements contained in this publication is the responsibility of those who submit the advertisement for publication.

TR7 Health UK Pension Transfers Unified Healthcare Group University of New England University of Technology Sydney

Next Publication: Regional & Remote Health Publication Date: Monday 29th July 2013 Colour Artwork Deadline: Monday 22nd July 2013 Mono Artwork Deadline: Wednesday 24th July 2013

Page 4 | www.ncah.com.au

Health Screening Consultants

National opportunities - including metropolitan, regional and remote areas of Australia • Flexible - you set the pace, it’s your business!

• Discover new challenges • Competitive Remuneration • National Opportunities UHG specialises in providing support services to the insurance and legal sectors, and currently have FANTASTIC opportunities to recruit Health Screening Consultants to register with our national mobile network.

Exciting opportunities for Nurses, Paramedics, Nurse Vaccinators & Pathology Collectors looking for new challenges within a growing sector that allows freedom of choice are now available.

Essential Requirements: • Solid nursing background (min 2yrs post grad) • Venepuncture (min 2yrs exp) • Excellent general medical knowledge and terminology • Professional presentation and communication, along with impressive time management skills • Passion for delivering high standards of service, to coincide with the company’s friendly and personable approach to Health Screening • Current CPR Certification • National Police Check Interested to learn more?

Visit our website at www.uhg.com.au To apply online visit www.healthscreening.com.au For general enquiries, please contact Ashlyn Smith (03) 9692 7049 or Liz Dickson (03) 9692 7716

Delivering tailored healthcare solutions

Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 14 | Page 5

Page 6 | www.ncah.com.au

Visit our website

www.qef.com.au

Need money QUICKLY?

Funds on demand, the ‘Quick & Easy’ way™

Quick and Easy Finance specialises in nonconforming, short term personal loans for repayment over 3–24 months.* A short-term loan means your debt is paid off sooner, and with loans that range from $500–$10,000,* you can afford to pay for the things you’ve always wanted. PLUS, by repaying your loan with Payroll Deduction and by using your unencumbered1 vehicle as security, you can enjoy a discounted installment on your loan.

wrightcreative.com.au

0613NCAH

HOW SOON CAN I RECEIVE THE FUNDS?

Within 2– 4 days from the moment we receive your completed application form and supporting documents.* How’s that for service! Our turnaround time is second to none and we pride ourselves on our quick and easy approval process, with funds deposited directly into your bank account.

WHAT CAN I USE THE LOAN FOR?

Anything you want! Guilt-free shopping; gift purchases; a holiday of a lifetime; home renovations; car repairs or new tyres; new furniture; upgrade to a new plasma TV or home cinema… in fact, it’s your loan – so use the funds however you choose!

FEES & EARLY SETTLEMENT?

Unlike other companies, Quick and Easy Finance DOES NOT CHARGE ANY FEES OR PENALTIES if you choose to settle your loan early. So you are free to pay out your loan whenever you want.

There is simply no better way to solve all your cash flow needs than a short-term personal loan from Quick and Easy Finance – it’s your cash on demand, the Quick & Easy way.™

Call now and be pre-approved in minutes1300 654 230 *Terms and Conditions Apply. ABN 76 104 030 793. A National Credit Act compliant company. A member of the National Financial Services Federation Inc. A member of Credit Ombudsman Service Limited (www.cosl.com.au). 1: A motor vehicle which is paid off, registered in your name and not encumbered (i.e. not currently used as security on any loan with another financial institution). Australian Credit Licence 388145

Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 14 | Page 7

No Roads to Health in Papua New Guinea A week-long trip that could change your life and save another.

Have you always wanted to volunteer your time and skills to a good cause? This is a unique opportunity to get involved with a program that is saving lives in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Since gaining independence from Australia in 1975 PNGs health status has drastically declined. Today PNG has some of the world’s worst maternal mortality rates with the number of women dying in childbirth doubling since 1998.

One in 12 children die before the age of five and infants are twice as likely to die before one year of age in rural areas. Currently there is only one community health care worker per 233 people.

Health services in PNG are less accessible now than at any other time in the past 35 years.

The No Roads to Health initiative has partnered with the Kokoda Development Program (KDP) delivered by AusAid in consultation with the PNG government and local communities. This initiative takes medical teams along the Kokoda Track to help improve the lives of local communities.

Health professionals such as nurses, doctors and midwives are all urgently needed to help run the program in PNG. Eight days of your time is all it takes and you’ll get to experience a beautiful landscape steeped in history and a unique culture along the way. You will be part of an ongoing, fully administered program, so you are assured that the work you are doing is coordinated and for the long term benefit of PNGs locals.

“The depth of engagement with the local people along with the support and mentoring we were able to provide the community health care workers are two of the most memorable things I brought home with me after the first expedition last November,” says Jo Bergman, No Roads to Health Clinical Coordinator. “I always wanted to do some philanthropic work but couldn’t dedicate the 3-6 months most projects require so this program appealed to me as eight days is very manageable”.

“Although the expedition is focussed on Page 8 | www.ncah.com.au

educating the community health care workers along the Kokoda Track and setting up clinics in remote villages, this doesn’t mean the medical teams spend all their time working,” says Stewart Kreltszheim, No Roads to Health Project Manager. “We get to trek through an iconic region in Australia’s history; our mornings are usually spent on the track while the afternoons and evenings are in the villages running clinics and seeing patients”.

Jo and Stewart recently learned about an incredible story of survival from the village of Kagi after their first expedition last year. “The wife of one of our porters went into an obstructed labour and they went to see their local community health care worker which just wouldn’t have happened before. The community health care worker was able to keep mother and baby alive overnight with radio support from his supervisors until a plane could be organised by No Roads Expeditions to pick her up and take her to hospital in Port Moresby for a C section. Mother and baby are now doing well,” explains Jo. “It’s stories like these we hope we’ll hear much more of next time we visit in November”.

The No Roads to Health initiative aims to send at least two medical teams per year into remote villages. These teams will educate village women in particular and administer general medical care to the locals. The training will include maternal health, infant health and well-being, breast feeding, wound and infection management, and nutrition.

This is where you can help.

If you have experience in any of the above mentioned fields we’d love to hear from you.

Midwives are in particular need for the November 2013 trip.

For more information including travel dates, costs and itinerary details visit www.noroads.com. au and follow the medical expedition to PNG link the homepage. To chat to the No Roads to Health Team email health@noroads.com.au or call Stewart on 0418 369 113.

No Roads to Health - Ad - A4.indd 1

26/06/2013 12:44:03 PM

Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 14 | Page 9

NUM - Mental Health ICU - North Sydney • Great location in North Sydney • $100,000+ package • On-site child care This is a Nurse Unit Manager level 3 position that will see you manage and lead a dynamic multi-disciplinary team in the 12 bed Mental Health Intensive Care Unit.

The MHICU is a tertiary referral service. You will drive best practice patient care and be responsible for service provision, delivery and coordination with your new team.

You will be a dynamic nurse leader responsible for a medium-sized nursing and allied health workforce. You will be involved in planning and evaluation of the service with the Clinical Director.

The Local Health District is one of Sydney’s largest public health services, which is home to reputable and respected hospitals such as Royal North Shore, Ryde, Manly, Mona Vale and Hornsby.

The hospital is located in northern Sydney and offers you a tranquil work environment well away from the hustle and bustle of Sydney’s chaotic inner suburbs.

The MHICU provides a best practice service for patient exhibiting challenging and complex behaviours and mental illnesses.

The MHICU admits patients from East Wing, Manly, Cummins Unit RHSH, Hornsby Adult Mental Health Unit and for mental health units in the Central Coast LHD. This facility has on-site child care and many more centres located close by, as well being located close to major transport hubs.

Please contact Jonelle Mais on 1800 33 05 33 for a confidential discussion or email your CV to info@hsr.com.au

www.healthstaffrecruitment.com.au Page 10 | www.ncah.com.au

Deputy Director of Nursing/Clinical Care Coordinator – Sydney Start your next career with this reputed Aged Care NFP provider • Clinical Background – Div 1 RN • $90k base + super; benefit includes salary packaging • Waterloo, Sydney This stimulating opening is for an experienced Duty/Clinical Manager to work with an employer of choice within this NFP Aged Care Facility.

Our client is a Catholic Non for Profit organisation that has almost 20,000 members and volunteers carrying out good works on behalf of the Society in NSW alone. They are one of the largest charitable providers in Australia today, helping people in every area of human need.

This facility houses as a permanent home to male residents only. The facility is part of our clients Support Services. It offers permanent and respite accommodation to men with histories of homelessness, mental illness and substance misuse, with significant and complex life-style related co-morbidities.

We are currently seeking an enthusiastic and experienced DDON to join this resident. This role is offered on a permanent full-time basis and is a great opportunity for a dynamic DDON or Clinical Manager to develop their career further.

The Deputy Director of Nursing Delivery will be responsible for the delivery of quality resident-focused clinical care in accordance with relevant government regulations and in line with our client’s values and Code of Conduct. You will oversee comprehensive care in accordance with the individual needs of residents, implement and evaluate the care plans and maximise ACFI. You will liaise with residents, families, medical professionals and manage a small team of care staff.

To be successful, you will have • Current Nurse registration Division 1 with AHPRA • 5 Years post-registration experience • Strong generalist nursing experience including understanding and practice of medication management, wound management, physical examination, chronic disease management (eg diabetes) • Experience and understanding of Mental Health issues and therapeutic management • Experience in education, mentoring and support of staff, including trainee and unqualified staff • Commitment to providing care in accordance with overarching resident-focused philosophy • Willingness to work within and understanding of a harm minimisation model of Alcohol and Other Drugs care.

• Genuine willingness to work as part of a team and to play an active leadership role • Capacity to represent our client as a service committed to excellence, resident-focused, compassionate care provision and continuous improvement.

• Willingness to be on-call and willingness to act up as Director of Nursing for whilst they are on leave.

• Sound computer skills with Microsoft Office Your experience in aged care nursing, understanding of Aged Care Accreditation Standards & ACFI funding instrument, and a current NSW driver’s licence will be highly regarded.

In return you will be offered competitive pay rates and salary packaging. The organisation offers ongoing training opportunities and a well-defined career developmental path. You will also enjoy various benefits programs for your dedication and hard work.

Please contact Jonelle or Marieka for a confidential discussion on 1800 33 05 33 or email your CV to info@hsr.com.au

www.healthstaffrecruitment.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 14 | Page 11

Aeromedical Flight Nurses – Part-Time or Full-Time Applicants Considered NT Operations Gove/Nhulunbuy Base 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.

CareFlight is government contracted and provides the Top End of the Northern Territory with a local fixed wing and helicopter aeromedical service.

Candidates must be able to demonstrate: • eligibility for Registered Nurse registration with APHRA. • minimum 5 years’ experience as a registered nurse with minimum 4 years in emergency/critical care.

• current certification in ALS/ACLS and/or TNP/TNCC • ability to operate independently in an ‘out of hospital’ environment.

For more information on how to apply visit: http://careflight.org/careers1/ The Contact person for this vacancy is: Applications are sought from nurses interested in working as aeromedical nursing crew members at the Nhulunbuy/Gove base.

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 that may involve a variety of tasks across operational bases located at Darwin, Katherine and Nhulunbuy/Gove.

Page 12 | www.ncah.com.au

Jodie Martin A/Clinical Nurse Manager Ph 0428 259 273 All employees must comply with CareFlight’s Drug and Alcohol Management Plan (DAMP) as required by CASA and may be subject to random workplace testing.

Successful candidates will be subject to a Criminal Record and Working with Children Checks.

Expand your career opportunities UTS Master of Nursing and Master of Health Services Management have flexible and adaptive pathways to help you achieve your career goals.

Find out more about our immersive master classes, supported online learning and globally connected academics at health.uts.edu.au/leadership Phone: 1300 ASK UTS Email: health@uts.edu.au

UTS CRICOS PROvIdeR COde 00099F

18011 / IMAGe BY ANNA ZHU

: TH S UT EAL H

Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 14 | Page 13

Dishing the dirt on non-sterile gloves

by Karen Keast

Just how sterile are non-sterile disposable gloves? The results may surprise you.

New Zealand researchers have found gloves commonly used in general hospital wards throughout the country are frequently contaminated with the bacteria often found responsible for potentially fatal hospital-acquired infections.

Their study, published in the Australasian Medical Journal, blames the poor hand hygiene of hospital staff coupled with the flawed design of the boxes used to store the gloves for bacteria contamination, including faecal bacteria.

University of Otago researchers tested 10 boxes of gloves and 38 glove samples, with each sample containing three gloves, from boxes at a large general ward at Dunedin Hospital.

Their results showed pathogens, including a small number of faecal organisms, on the unused gloves, which nurses and medical staff use every day for procedures such as removing drains, catheters and removing dressings from wounds.

“It seems there is a lot of emphasis on protecting health care staff from the patient but perhaps not enough effort going into protecting the patient from the health care staff and potential cross-transmission of bugs,” researcher Dr Jon Cornwall said.

Page 14 | www.ncah.com.au

Department of Microbiology and Immunology researcher Dr Heather Brooks said she believed inadequate hand washing was leading to gloves becoming contaminated despite World Health Organisation guidelines requiring proper hand hygiene to be carried out before gloves are retrieved from boxes.

Dr Brooks said when hospital staff search in boxes for new gloves they are spreading bacteria to other gloves.

Researchers believe improving staff’s hand hygiene alongside a design change to the box, reducing the size of the hole through which the gloves are retrieved while enabling the easy removal of the gloves, would reduce the incidence of contamination.

“The findings highlight adherence to hand washing guidelines, common glove retrieval practice, and glove-box design as targets for decreasing bacteria transmission via gloves on hospital wards,” the study states.

Researchers believe the results could be replicated in other general wards in other hospitals across New Zealand and have urged tests to be carried out.

Hospital acquired infections are known to cost New Zealand health budgets around $136 million a year.

NATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND LEARNING CONFERENCE

People and Teams • Innovation • Developing Practice

NEW FRONTIERS AND BIG IDEAS

5-6 September 2013 I Rydges South Bank I Brisbane I Australia

Mater Health Services offers an exceptional professional development event, each year we deliver innovative education and leadership strategy relevant for all health professionals. A range of our engaging presenters include: Robert de Castella

Prof Patrick McGorry

Amanda Proposch

Bernard Salt

Christine Nixon

Prof Des Gorman

Dr Victoria Brazil

Prof Ben White

Ruth Jebb

Early Bird Registration Closes 2 August 2013 - REGISTER NOW at

www.matereducation.qld.edu.au/conference

Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 14 | Page 15

SPECIALIST NURSING Remote, Theatre Critical Care, Indigenous

CQ Nurse, Australia’s premier nursing agency, has contracts available NOW. • • • • •

Earn extra $$$$ Meet new people Visit new destinations Be where you are needed Exciting locations throughout Australia

Various positions available throughout regional, rural and remote Australia

www.cqnurse.com.au Office location 239 Nebo Road, Mackay p 07 4998 5550 f 07 4998 5545 e nurses@cqnurse.com.au Page 16 | www.ncah.com.au

yours to

discover

Together, we can do this.

Whether you are just starting out or looking for a career change, the University of New England’s Clinical Leadership courses can help you achieve your goals.

Our suite of Clinical Leadership courses include: • Graduate Certificate in Clinical Education and Teaching • Graduate Certificate in Health Management • Master of Clinical Leadership; specialisations include Health Management and Leadership or Clinical Education and Teaching • Master of Clinical Leadership (Advanced) These courses will provide students with the opportunity to develop and enhance their knowledge and skills to become the health leaders of tomorrow.

For over 60 years UNE has been a leader in helping busy adults study from home. With our online course delivery, tertiary education is more achievable than ever, no matter where you are in Australia.

Apply now to study in 2014.

1800 818 865 une.edu.au/ncah Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 14 | Page 17

A nurse leader in the making

by Karen Keast leaders to retain knowledge crucial to the profession and to develop leaders equipped with the skills and opportunity to participate in forming the nation’s health care policy.

Already, the ENL program has opened up an entire new world of the nursing profession to Ely. “It gives you the opportunity to meet such inspiring nurses, with nurses who are involved in policy and research and education,” she said.

“It gives you a really broad perspective on the profession as a whole and how it’s driving forward and evolving.”

Ely Taylor At 25, Ely Taylor may be a late starter as a graduate nurse learning the ropes at Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

But the young Canberra born and bred nurse is already fast compiling an impressive list of achievements and even career highlights.

Earlier this year, Ely made two presentations to thousands of nurses from across the globe at the International Council of Nurses’ (ICN) 25th Quadrennial Congress and last year she was also involved in the merging of the Royal College of Nursing, Australia and The College of Nursing into the Australian College of Nursing.

As one of the five undergraduate nurses selected in the inaugural intake for the ACN’s five-year Emerging Nurse Leader program, Ely is being supported through the innovative personal and professional development program designed to create Australia’s future generations of nurse leaders.

The program also aims to bridge the gap between past, present and future nurse Page 18 | www.ncah.com.au

After realising she wanted to become a nurse while volunteering in Indonesia, Ely studied her Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Canberra and has received awards for academic and personal achievement.

Ely was also co-chair and president of the Canberra Rural Allied Health and Nursing Collective and involved in the National Rural Health Student Network before being selected to participate in the ENL program.

As a graduate nurse now working in liver and kidney transplants and about to start her new rotation in neurology, Ely is participating in the ENL while also applying to begin her Clinical Honours through the University of Tasmania.

Ely plans to continue to grasp every career opportunity that comes her way and hopes she will one day be able to contribute to advancing the nursing profession for other nurses.

“Nursing is so rewarding. Every day you learn something new which is a bit of a cliché but it’s so true,” she said.

“I have been really lucky to receive the opportunities I have had and, at the end of the day, I just want to be a good nurse.”

Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 14 | Page 19

Physiotherapy leader welcomes DisabilityCare roll out

by Karen Keast Marcus Dripps is in a unique position to view the roll out of the much anticipated national disability insurance scheme, DisabilityCare Australia (DCA).

The president of the Australian Physiotherapy Association is a physiotherapist working with people with varying degrees of disability across two practices in the Geelong area in Victoria which is also one of the four launch sites across the country.

Mr Dripps said while it was still in its infancy, the scheme could be life-changing for people with disabilities.

“At the moment there are still many unknowns, resulting in some uncertainty about the impact the scheme will have on people with disability and their family and carers,” Mr Dripps said.

“However, in general there is excitement that the scheme, which has been talked about for so long, is finally about to become a reality.”

From July 1, the scheme is being rolled out to launch sites in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania, with the ACT and the Northern Territory schemes set to begin in 2014 and Queensland in July 2016, while Western Australia is yet to sign up.

The scheme is expected to cover almost half a million Australians when it is fully operational in 2019.

Mr Dripps, a physiotherapist of 20 years, said DisabilityCare Australia could create an increased demand for physiotherapists in Australia.

“It will be business as usual in most cases (with the roll out), however better funding for participants of DCA may mean that some physios will see an increased number of clients with a disability, or an increase in inquiries on treating conditions associated with a disability,” he said.

“Service providers and professionals are not affected by the launch site boundaries, so it is possible that practices near launch sites will also Page 20 | www.ncah.com.au

see an increase in clients.

“The workforce is influenced by more than just demand; there will be other variables such as education funding, funding for clinical placements and general interest in the profession.

“Only time will tell just how much influence the NDIS will have on the physiotherapy workforce.”

Mr Dripps said the scheme will create opportunities for physiotherapists to help patients with disabilities, ranging from their ongoing assessment and therapy to managing pain, prescribing aids and equipment, and also coordinating and planning transition care.

He said physiotherapists acting as an intermediary for a person with a disability could also play a significant role in assisting them to develop their initial personal plan early in the self-assessment process.

“For cases where an individual’s mobility is limited by a disability, physiotherapists are ideally placed and possess the appropriate training and knowledge to engage with the specific care needs, including the likely progression of an individual’s condition, of people with disability,” he said.

“Physiotherapists have the knowledge and training to anticipate when and what interventions, aids and equipment are needed through the lifespan of a person with disability.

“Acting as an intermediary, the physiotherapist can also assist a person with a disability by liaising with trained assessors and the case manager through the assessment, and advocating for the individual with disability which can expedite the process.

“This is a significant role that can not only help people with disability with long-term planning, but ensure that the NDIS is sustainable by ensuring resources are used for the most appropriate supports and services.”

For the full article visit NCAH.com.au

stocketndas akuge ust 31 sale prices inc

$7.95

eNurse online shop!

Postage

100%

Satisfaction

gst

24hr

Processing

Check out the full product range online.

*NEW* Embroidery Options

enurse.com.au

| 1300 886 814 Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 14 | Page 21

Nurses working night shifts at greater breast cancer risk

by Karen Keast Nurses who work night shifts for more than 30 years could double their risk of developing breast cancer.

Canadian researchers examined 1134 women with breast cancer and 1179 women without the disease, across a variety of occupations including nurses, and of the same age for the study, recently published in Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

Charles Sturt University lecturer Annabel Matheson, from the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health, said the study supports previous research linking shift-working nurses to an increased risk of breast cancer.

Ms Matheson, who has researched shift work for more than 10 years after working as a clinical nurse for eight years, said previous research has shown suppression of the hormone melatonin is linked to developing breast cancer.

“Probably the strongest research-driven cause or mechanism is that hormonal interaction,” she said.

“When we go into the dark we have a release of a particular hormone called melatonin.

“Firstly, this is about that disruption of that hormone melatonin. It can affect estrogen production and estrogen has a key role in developing breast cancer.”

Ms Matheson said she expected only a small percentage of nurses would work uninterrupted shift work for 30 years, with the majority of the female dominated workforce taking time out to focus on having families.

“Yes, it’s an issue but what we are also talking about is a dose of 30 years of shift work,” she said.

“They are not talking about someone who is 30 but has worked eight years of shift work. We are talking about 30 years of fairly consistent shift work.”

Page 22 | www.ncah.com.au

Ms Matheson said shift-working nurses can better care for themselves by rostering their shifts, where possible, beginning with morning and progressing to afternoon and night shifts, and to then have their days off.

She said nurses could also decrease the light used at their nurses’ station, where possible, and work in dim light to enable melatonin secretion.

She also advised nurses to eat healthy, choosing light meals high in carbohydrates, which makes them easier to digest, over heavy high-kilojoule, fatty meals, to have caffeine early in their shift rather than later, and she warned nurses against consuming alcohol to wind down after they have finished their shift work.

Ms Matheson said it was also important for nurses who smoke to quit smoking, and for shiftworkers to exercise where possible.

She said taking healthy actions could help nurses to delay or prevent cancer.

Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 14 | Page 23

Nursing through disasters The area of disaster health has come a long way since Australia’s first major international response to the tsunami that wiped out the western coastal areas of Aceh in 2004. While still in its infancy, there is a growing number of health professionals dedicated to the field and researching how nurses can assist when a disaster strikes, writes Karen Keast.

Jamie Ranse always felt quite at home working in emergency nursing.

Most of his nursing experience has been spent in the emergency department environment and also volunteering for St John Ambulance Australia, where he has volunteered for 25 years and has served as a company director for St John Ambulance ACT and held the high-level national strategic position of Chief Nurse.

During the Canberra bushfires in 2003, Jamie found himself setting up an evacuation centre where people could seek health advice and medical assistance.

“It was my first experience of assisting in a bushfire and in a disaster,” he says.

“The hospitals were quite overwhelmed and we were essentially cut off by the bushfires.

“It made me question how we do things - how well prepared is the community, what is the role of health professionals in those environments and what training should you need?”

It was an experience that sparked Jamie’s interest in disaster health, and where he has since assisted St John Ambulance in organising nurses and emergency health care for the 2009 Victorian bushfires and the Queensland floods.

Jamie is now an Assistant Professor at the University of Canberra, where he teaches in the undergraduate nursing program and conducts research into his specialty areas, in mass gathering health and disaster health, while maintaining his clinical skills as a casual nurse in the emergency department at Calvary Health Care.

Page 24 | www.ncah.com.au

Jamie Ranse The area of disaster health, while still in its infancy, is a field Jamie relishes.

“I really enjoy it because disaster health is an area that is quite evolving,” he says.

“It’s a step up from the emergency department.

It’s like the emergency department of the emergency department - it’s the next step up with the excitement.”

Jamie is now undertaking a PhD through Flinders University, exploring the experience of Australian civilian nurses who participate in disasters, including the transferability of nurses’ experience between the in-hospital and out-of-hospital disaster environment.

He has also been involved in conducting research into the roles of nurses who assisted in the Black Saturday bushfires.

That research, involving interviews with volunteer nursing members of St John Ambulance Australia, found nurses were educationally prepared and had adequate clinical experience but nurses found themselves administering little clinical care and instead providing psychosocial support, coordinating care and resources while also acting as problem solvers.

“The research that we did from the bushfires from 2009 in Victoria found that the nurses didn’t really undertake much of a clinical role in the days following the bushfires but one of the largest activities they did was the psychosocial support of the community,” he says.

For the full article visit NCAH.com.au

1312-003 1PG FULL COLOUR CMYK (repeat)

Infection Prevention and Control Coordinator • Grade 5 • Part-time (20 hours per week) • Located in Benalla, Victoria The Infection Prevention and Control Coordinator is responsible for ensuring all services provided by Benalla Health meet best practice standards to prevent the spread of infection thereby ensuring that the risk of patients, residents’, clients and staff acquiring infection is minimised.

Prospective candidates will need to: • Hold current nursing registration with AHPRA, preferably with substantial post basic experience in nursing • Have previous management experience • Hold relevant post-graduate qualifications in infection control or prepared to work towards and obtain same • Demonstrated well-developed communication and interpersonal skills • Knowledge and commitment to Quality Management and Accreditation processes Interested applicants can contact Peter McGregor on 0407 139 257 for more details.

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

www.ahnr.com.au

W: www.ahnr.com.au E: ahnr@ahnr.com.au T: 1300 981 509 Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 14 | Page 25

Parliament delivers on aged care pay rises

by Karen Keast ANF federal secretary Lee Thomas said the legislation was a “once in a generation” reform of the aged care sector.

“Currently, 20,000 nurses are urgently required to work in aged care to meet the challenges of Australia’s ageing population, which is of great concern to the ANF,” she said.

“That’s why we welcome this reform of the sector which will provide improved wages for nurses and care staff and deliver quality care to the most vulnerable people in our society – Australia’s elderly.”

Australia’s nurses are set to benefit from changes to legislation and also new legislation passed in Federal Parliament, heralding pay rises for the nation’s aged care nurses and also greater jobs protection with new laws for 457 visas.

In a major boost to aged care nurses and care workers, the Federal Government’s $3.7 billion Living Longer, Living Better aged care reform package was passed through both houses of parliament on June 26, ushering in historic changes to the sector.

The reforms also deliver consumer directed care packages, which will be rolled out nationwide to provide people with more control of their care, almost $1 billion in new funding for home care which will almost double the number of home support packages from 60,000 to 100,000 over five years, tailored care packages for people with dementia, and increased funding to residential aged care with 30,000 new places over the next five years.

In other developments, changes to the 457 visa system will ensure nurses and midwives are not exempt from labour market testing.

The new legislation will result in $1.2 billion in pay rises to flow through to the pay packets of Australia’s 350,000 aged care nurses and workers from July 1.

“With nurses and midwives not exempt from labour market testing, employers will now have to demonstrate they have advertised and tried to employ local nurses and midwives before recruiting overseas workers on a 457 visa,” Ms Thomas said.

Pay rises of about $46 a week or $2390 a year for registered nurses, $35 a week or $1820 a year for enrolled nurses and $29 a week or $1510 a year for assistants in nursing (AINs) will be delivered by 2016 under the reforms.

“As Australia’s largest health union, the ANF has long been concerned that the use of 457 work visas to bring in workers from overseas could undermine training and job opportunities for local nursing and midwifery professionals.

For the wage increases to flow through to the pockets of aged care nurses and care workers, aged care employers must vary the current enterprise agreement or negotiate a new agreement through the Workforce Compact.

“The legislation will now at least offer greater protection for local nurses and midwives and graduates by tightening requirements for 457 visas.”

Page 26 | www.ncah.com.au

Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 14 | Page 27

A career as a nurse leader

by Karen Keast Anne Gardner believes anything is possible in a nursing career.

And she should know.

Looking back on her varied and fulfilling career, Anne never would have imagined when she first graduated from her Anne Gardner nursing training at a London teaching hospital that one day she would be the Professor of Nursing and Director of Research at the Australian Catholic University.

Not only that, Anne is well regarded as a nurse leader of the profession, and is also a member of the Australian College of Nursing’s censors grants and awards committee which oversees the Emerging Nurse Leader program.

“I think nursing is a fantastic profession,” she said.

“If the job that you are doing as a nurse isn’t quite right, look around. It’s easy to find another job as a nurse when your job doesn’t suit you – don’t stay where you are not happy.”

Anne spent five years working on her clinical career in the UK before she moved to Australia, where she worked as a clinical nurse, mostly in intensive care nursing, for 15 years.

Anne then began teaching undergraduate nurses in critical care nursing before moving into research, where she worked in an innovative role at the Canberra Hospital as the Associate Director of Nursing for Research, working in conjunction with the University of Canberra.

It was in that role that she met one of several influential mentors in her career, Glenn Gardner (who is not related), and today they are now colleagues.

Anne also worked at Deakin University and at James Cook University in Townsville before Page 28 | www.ncah.com.au

joining the Australian Catholic University two years ago, where her research now focuses on the role of nurse practitioners, and she also conducts clinical research around infection control, while also mentoring her younger research academics.

Throughout her career, Anne has been involved in establishing nurse practitioner education and roles, developing the original competencies that now form the national competencies for nurse practitioners.

Anne said she has enjoyed seeing the nurse practitioner role develop nationally, since it was first introduced in 2000 to where there are now more than 700 nurse practitioners working in Australia.

Through her work with colleagues at other universities, Anne is studying the impact of nurse practitioners on the workload of emergency departments nationally, to discover if their provision of care helps to decrease patient waiting times.

Anne said nurses wanting to become nurse leaders should be tolerant and supportive, reflect on their practice, should find a mentor and continue their life-long learning.

“I think as a nurse leader you really need to be aware of everybody else in the team and what strengths and weaknesses they have, and to be really good at motivating people,” she said.

“I think you need to be seen as someone who has integrity and good interpersonal skills and you need to have something to offer.”

Most importantly, Anne said graduate nurses should also begin to think like a leader once they leave behind their university days and are working as registered nurses.

“You are already in a position of influence because you are authorised to be a registered nurse,” she said.

Eighteen ambulances ramped every minute in Victoria

by Karen Keast Shocking images reveal ambulance ramping in Victoria has reached alarming new levels.

The images, which show scenes of ambulances gridlocked and an overcrowded emergency department at Melbourne’s Frankston Hospital recently, comes as figures show the state’s ambulances are ramped for an average of almost 13,000 hours a month – which equates to 18 ambulances ramped every minute, every day of the year.

Ambulance Employees Association Victoria general secretary Steve McGhie said the images reflect a growing trend of ambulance ramping, with paramedics reporting up to 16 ambulances ramped in one incident.

“Frankston is just one example of it; it’s probably one of the worst examples,” he said.

“It’s just gotten unbelievably bad in the last few years. Ramping up times have gone backwards.

“We have 18 ambulance crews on standby around Victoria every minute of every day of the year, at least.

“It’s incredible. It’s devastating really. You just shake your head really.”

For the full article visit NCAH.com.au

New allied learning hubs for Northern NSW Northern New South Wales is to receive a significant boost to its range of education opportunities in allied health, following confirmation of government funding for a series of TAFE based training hubs.

It is understood each of five inter-connected allied health training hubs will benefit from a share of a $13 million tranche of Federal Government funding, with connected delivery planned across the entire North Coast. Hubs have been planned for the communities of Port Macquarie, Taree, Coffs Harbour, Lismore and Kingscliff.

Institute director of North Coast TAFE, Elizabeth McGregor, reportedly confirmed

North Coast TAFE had put in a submission for funding because it had identified healthcare employment opportunities in the region. High demand had been proven for workers skilled in a range of allied health requirements, she said.

With planning and design work to commence immediately, McGregor said the allied health training hubs would utilise state of the art technology to enable accessible learning.

Courses available at the hubs would also be tailored to suit specific, practical needs reflecting real world requirements.

“Our idea for five Allied Health Connected Hubs brings technology, strategic partners and our passionate North Coast TAFE staff together in one contemporary, scalable and job-focussed solution accessible to learners and workplaces,” McGregor reportedly said.

For the full article visit NCAH.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 14 | Page 29

NCAH survey shows nurses face multiple violent attacks

by Karen Keast Violence appears to be ingrained in many of Australia’s nursing workplaces with a Nursing Careers Allied Health survey revealing that 39 per cent of nurses that participated in the survey have been victims of violence in the past five years.

often the victims of multiple violent attacks.

More than 900 nurses and midwives participated in the online ‘Nurses: Violence at Work Survey’.

Mr Bowen said the survey results raised questions about how well nurses are trained to avoid and manage violence, whether they are adequately compensated for the added risk in their workplace and whether security levels are appropriate.

Of the victims, more than 52 per cent revealed they have been victims of between two and five violent incidents in the past five years, 27 per cent were victims of more than five incidents in the same period, and 22 per cent were the victim of a single incident.

The survey showed the most violent workplaces for nurses are the areas of aged care, emergency department, and mental health and drug & alcohol.

Most of the violent incidents, at 31 per cent, occurred in corridors, waiting rooms or transit areas, while 19 per cent took place in bathrooms, 13 per cent in the patient’s room or ward and 12 per cent in a triage area, while seven per cent occurred outside the health facility.

Nursing victims revealed 89 per cent of offenders were patients, 19 per cent were family or friends of patients and alarmingly 12 per cent were their work colleagues.

More than 63 per cent of respondents, or 617 nurses and midwives, also revealed they have been threatened with violence, with 327 of those respondents also experiencing violence in the past five years.

The survey comes after the Australian Nursing Federation’s Victorian Branch recently launched its ‘Say No to Violence’ campaign, calling on the State Government to enforce its $21 million pre-election promise to make hospitals safer.

NCAH managing director Martin Bowen said the survey showed nurses working in aged care, emergency department, mental health and drug and alcohol nursing workplaces were Page 30 | www.ncah.com.au

“It was surprising to see the majority of people reporting violence have been victims of violence on multiple occasions, which suggests a systemic problem rather than just spurious one-off events,” he said.

The survey found 64 per cent of respondents had received workplace training to manage violence and threats of violence with 59 per cent stating the training was effective and sufficient.

For the full article visit NCAH.com.au

CCm’s Winter remedy - QAtAr this sun-kissed country is filled with possibilities;

New Day With CCM

sparkling blue waters, sandy desert backdrop, shopping extravaganzas, water sports, all combined with fine dining & engaging night life.

Say GoodbyE to thE WintEr bluES With our top FivE locationS to chooSE From: SAUdi ArAbiA: Discover the magic of Arabian culture, ancient rolling sand dunes & Saudi’s cosmopolitan cities UNited ArAb emirAteS: Experience a rich culture combined with the familiar comforts of home GUerNSey (ChANNel iSlANdS): Enjoy the laid back Island lifestyle with Europe on your doorstep UNited KiNGdom: Immerse yourself in the Metropolis of London or work further afield in the easy going South East of England (new hospital clients now recruiting) AUStrAliA: From Rural/ Remote to City locations we have something to suit all

AUS Free Phone: 1800 818 844 NZ Free Phone: 0800 700 839

Email: dawn@ccmrecruitment.com.au raquel@ccmrecruitment.com.au

ew?

What’s n s in ie vacanc ahrain b & n o d lon Enquire today!

Find us on facebook CcmAustralasia

Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 14

Print Post Approved Publication No. 340742/0033 BENDIGO VIC 3550

Seabreeze Communications Pty Ltd (ABN 29 071 328 053) PO Box 633 Black Rock Victoria 3193 Australia CHANGE OF ADDRESS: If the information on this mail label is incorrect, please email careers@ncah.com.au with the address that is currently shown and your correct address.

What I like about OUM is that I can continue to work part time and continue my studies in medicine.

The ability to combine my studies with the cases I was seeing in the hospital really enhanced my education.

Vivian Ndukwe, RN from Melbourne, OUM Class of 2012

RN to MBBS

Take the next step, earn your MBBS at Oceania University of Medicine.

OUM is proud to announce an even more attractive fee structure from 2013.

Applications are now open for courses beginning in February and August. � New facilities, greater capacity and over 150 students currently enrolled.

� Study from a Home Base under faculty from top international medical schools. � Receive personalised attention from your own Academic Advisor. � OUM Graduates are eligible to sit for the AMC exam or NZREX.

� OUM Graduates are employed in Australia, New Zealand, Samoa and USA.

OCEANIA UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE NOW INTERNATIONALLY ACCREDITED

In AU 1300 665 343 or NZ 0800 99 01 01 www.RNtoMBBS.org

Printed by BMP - Freecall 1800 623 902

PRINT POST