Ncah issue 18 2013

Issue 18 09/09/13 fortnightly

Education Feature Paramedics devastated at helicopter rescue death ACT nurses reach pay deal Australian physiotherapists want prescribing rights Tasmanian graduate nursing positions disappointing: ANMF

1318-002 1PG FULL COLOUR CMYK (typeset)

AGED CARE UNIT MANAGER South West Victoria

Are you an experienced Registered Nurse looking for a new challenge in a progressive rural health service?

This role as Aged Care Unit Manager offers the successful applicant the opportunity to work in a progressive and stimulating aged care environment at Western District Health Service. This position requires strong leadership skills and a focus on clinical outcomes. The successful candidate for this role will need to have advanced clinical skills, demonstrate effective and professional nursing practices in planning, implementing and monitoring effective nursing practice.

To be successful in this role, you will need to demonstrate and possess: 1. Current registration with the Nursing Board of Australia.

2. Although previous experience in aged care and management is desirable this is an ideal opportunity for the suitable candidate to develop these skills in a fully supported and mentored environment.

3. The ability to co-ordinate and promote the organisations quality improvement program.

For full details of this and other nursing and allied health vacancies visit our web site at:

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W: www.ahnr.com.au E: ahnr@ahnr.com.au T: 1300 981 509 www.ncah.com.au

DEAKIN IS THE HEALTHY CHOICE FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDY. Studying at Deakin University offers students the unique edge for working in the healthcare sector. Many courses are offered by off campus or full time or part-time.

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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 18 | Page 3

www.ncah.com.au Issue 18 – 9 September 2013 We hope you enjoy perusing the range of opportunities included in Issue 18, 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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The NCAH Magazine is the most widely distributed national nursing and allied health publication in Australia 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 If you would like to change your mailing address, or be included on our distribution, please email careers@ncah.com.au

Published by Seabreeze Communications Pty Ltd Trading as NCAH. ABN 29 071 328 053. Š 2013 Seabreeze Communications Pty Ltd. 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.

Advertiser List AHN Recruitment Ausmed Australian College of Nursing CCM Recruitment CPD Education CQ Nurse Criterion Conferences Deakin University eNurse Kate Cowhig International Koala Nursing Agency Lifescreen MIECAT NSW Health Illawara Shoalhaven LPD Oceania University of Medicine Oxford Aunts Care Quick & Easy Finance Royal Flying Doctors Service St Andrews Toowoomba Hospital St Vincents Private Melbourne TR7 Health UK Pensions Transfer Unified Healthcare Group University of New England University of Technology Sydney

Next Publication: Theatre & Critical Care feature Publication Date: Monday 23rd September 2013 Colour Artwork Deadline: Monday 16th September 2013 Mono Artwork Deadline: Wednesday 18th September 2013

Page 4 | www.ncah.com.au

St Vincent’s Private Hopital Melbourne is a facility of St Vincent’s Health Australia under the stewardship of Mary Aikenhead Ministries. We are a not for profit Catholic private hospital which operates across the three sites at Fitzroy, East Melbourne and Kew.

Clinical Coach Peri Operative Permanent Part Time St Vincent’s Private Kew 37.5 hours a fortnight • Do you have a passion for educating nurses in the operating suite?

• Would you like to work with a team of educators who are recognised as leaders in clinical education?

We are seeking an educator who: • Has current registration with AHPRA as a Registered Nurse; • Has recent clinical nursing experience in the perioperative area of nursing; • Has a post graduate qualification in perioperative nursing; • Has experience in supporting learners including graduate registered nurses and post graduate nurses in GOR; and • Has or is willing to work towards a post graduate qualification in education.

This position will be based at the Kew site and will also involve education at the East Melbourne and Fitzroy sites.

Please note that applications must be supported by a cover letter, CV and two professional referees, proof of identity (certified copy of passport and /or birth certificate, drivers licence).

For more information on employment or to apply visit: www.svphm.org.au Applications close 23 September 2013.

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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 18 | Page 5

Health Screening Consultants

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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 Fabrice Coquet 03 9692 7723.

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Page 6 | www.ncah.com.au

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Page 8 | www.ncah.com.au

Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 18 | Page 9

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Page 10 | www.ncah.com.au

The Royal Flying Doctor Service, Central Operations (SA/NT), SEE is seeking WA INto A DAY appoint an enthusiastic and passionate individual to the position of Senior Flight nurses positions Regional bases Flight Nurse. Located in Port Augusta, this role is responsibleCome forandthe rst line enjoy fi this exciting role with one of the largest areomedical services in providing a range of emergency management of a quality nursing service for the Port AugustaAustralia, Base. services and primary health care to the

Senior Flight Nurse

state of Western Australia.

Our operations are ever evolving and we Responsibilities include: In return we offer: are seeking Expressions of Interest from skilled and motivated Registered • First line management of Flight Nurses based in Port • Attractive remuneration andsuitably benefi ts (salary packaging); Nurse / Midwives wanting to join our dynamic flight nurse teams at our regional Augusta; • Company motor vehicle and relocation assistance bases within Western Australia. provided; • Participation in the development of the strategic The role of a Flight Nurse is fun, rewarding and challenging while valuing team work • Extensive training and orientation; direction for RFDS Flight Nurses; and independent practice. If you are registered with AHPRA as a registered • A supportive environment where staff are valued and • Roster development and coverage as required; nurse and midwife, have 3-5 years post In addition to appropriate tertiary qualifications in health • • Undertake Work with a leading Australian brand grad experience in emergency or critical personal development is encouraged.

Flight Nurse performance appraisals and care and great communication skills RFDS administration, the successful candidate will have: The Royal Flying Doctor Service, Central Operations (SA/NT), Western is seeking to Operations may have the role competency testing; • clinical Attractive Salary Packaging Benefits for you.

• Demonstrated knowledge of, and experience in, the health issues appoint aninenthusiastic and passionate individual to the position of Senior • Participation recruitment activities; If you are and keen to move your Acareer into an organisation comprehensive 2 week orientation, of rural remote Australia; • • Liaison Based in Adelaide generous salary and salary packaging with other Health Services; Flight Nurse.

Located in Port Augusta, this role is adevelop responsible for the first lineanow. ts, assistance with relocation and makes real difference tobenefi allrelationships Australians, apply •that Ability to and maintain across diverse The Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia is the world’s first and subsidised rental and utility costs along • Provide support toof staff hours.nursing service for range of people; district loadings and gratuities are management a after quality the Port Augustawith Base. most comprehensive aero-medical provider of emergency and some of the incentives offered to the Please direct your confidential to: theenquiries ability to effectively lead and successful candidates. primary healthcare services to those who live, work and travel • Excellent interpersonal skills with Qualifications experience: If you are seeking the opportunity to Greg McHugh Ph: 1313 communicate with(08) staff 8150 at all levels; throughout Australia.and An exciting opportunity now exists to join the In return we offer: Responsibilities include: work in all our locations within WA, Derby, • General and Midwifery Nursing qualifications, RFDS Health team. of Applications to: Kate HR Coordinator Jandakot, Meekatharra, Kalgoorlie and •• A proactiveremuneration attitude andGuerin, high level client skills.

Attractive and benefi ts (salary remuneration and benefi tsservice (salary packaging); • First line Services management Flight Nurses based in Port Port Hedland and would packaging); like to know registered with AHPRA; more about being aassistance flightincluding nurse contact return, wemotor are offering an attractive salary, salary Box 381, Marleston BC SA 5033 Reporting to the General Manager, Health Services, this role is In •PO Company vehicle and relocation assistance vehicle and relocation Augusta; Gabrielle West, Director of Nursing on • Comprehensive experience inofaeromedicine and delivered a packaging benefits in a supportive environment where staff are to valued responsible for the coordination health programs (08) 9417 6300. The RFDS are open a provided; • Participation in the development of the strategic Email: careers@fl yingdoctor.net 6 month plus flight nurse contract for critical care area essential; personal development is encouraged. throughout the RFDS Central Operations bases in Adelaide, Port and applicants seeking employment with • Extensive training and orientation; direction for RFDS Flight Nurses; orientation; • Post Alice graduate qualifi inFacility criticalincare essential; Augusta, Springs and cations our Health Marree. the RFDS. Enquiries & Applications to: 9 April where 2012 staff •Applications A supportiveclose: environment are and environment where staff are valued valued • Roster development and coverage as required; Information on positions can be and obtained • Ability to lead andinclude: manage a group of staff; Nikki Crichton, Project Coordinator Other responsibilities from Rosemary Hunt, by phoning personal development is is encouraged. encouraged.

• Undertake Flight Nurse performance appraisals and (08) 9417 6300 during office hours or RFDS Central Operations • Ability to work both independently and as part of a yourOpportunity e-mail request to • Facilitating the planning,testing; delivery and evaluation of the various The Royal Flying Doctor Service is ansend clinical competency Equal Employer nursing@rfdswestops.com.au. multi-disciplinary team; with the relevant individual program Tel: (08) 8238 3333 in collaboration • programs Participation in recruitment activities; date for applications is Monday If you are keen to move your career into an your Closing career into an organisation organisation Post: PO Box 381 Marleston SA 5033 • coordinators; Confident in decision making abilities; 6th February 2012.

• Liaison with other Health Services; Email: careers@flyingdoctor.net that makes a real difference difference to to all all Australians, Australians, apply apply now. now.

• Post graduate qualifi cations in aeromedicine desirable; • • Seeking opportunities health program delivery; Applications close: hours.

Providenew support to stafffor after • General computer literacy.

20 September 2013 • Preparing reports required for each program; Please direct your confi confidential dential enquiries enquiries to: to: RFDS is an (08) Equal8150 1313 and experience: • Qualifi Day tocations day management of health program staff.

Greg The McHugh Ph: 8150 1313 Opportunity Employer • General and Midwifery Nursing qualifications, Applications to: Kate Guerin, Guerin, HR HR Coordinator Coordinator registered with AHPRA; PO Box 381, Marleston BC BC SA SA 5033 5033 • Comprehensive experience in aeromedicine and a Email: careers@flyingdoctor.net yingdoctor.net critical care area essential;

HEALTH SERVICES PROGRAM MANAGER

> Port Augusta

BlazeS052637

• Post graduate qualifications in critical care essential; • Ability to lead and manage a group of staff; • Ability to work both independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team; • Confident in decision making abilities; •Are Postyou graduate qualifications in aeromedicine desirable; a self-motivated registered nurse •searching General computer literacy. balance? for work/life

Applications close: 9 April April 2012 2012 The Royal Flying Doctor Doctor Service Service is is an an Equal Equal Opportunity Opportunity Employer Employer

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We are looking for nurses to join our expanding operations to provide community-based services for our clients.

Lifescreen can offer you: • Extra $$$ • Work/life balance • Continuity of patient care • Job satisfaction • Certified CPR/anaphylaxis training provided at no cost to you

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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 18 | Page 11

CARDIAC CATH LAB Clinical Nurse Manager RN Level 3 Due to our expansion into interventional cardiology we are looking for an experienced Registered Nurse to work fulltime coordinating our Level 5 Cardiac Cath Lab. St Andrew’s Toowoomba Hospital has 3 cardiologists using the Lab, with one of those just returned to commence a new interventional cardiology service.

Criteria: · Current Registered Nurse with Australian Health Practitioners Registration Authority · Minimum 2 years recent experience within the Cath Lab environment with PCI skills and knowledge. · Adult ALS accreditation Responsibilities: · Scrub/scout for Cath Lab procedures as required, including vascular procedures. · Educate other staff on diagnostic and interventional cardiology procedures Relocation costs will be negotiated if required.

Please forward application and CV to: Fiona Brown, Director of Clinical Services St Andrew’s Hospital PO Box 263 Toowoomba QLD 4350 Email: brownf@sath.org.au Telephone enquiries to: Jeff van Leeuwen (Perioperative Services Manager) 07 4631 4658 Applications close: Friday 27th September 2013

Page 12 | www.ncah.com.au

Grow your career by joining ACN! We believe that each and every nurse in Australia should have the opportunity to grow their career and further our profession.

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www.acn.edu.au | freecall 1800 061 660 Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 18 | Page 13

> Port Augusta

Senior Flight Nurse

Midwifery courses give birth to a new career Whether you’re a registered nurse with a desire to move into midwifery, a secondary student or someone with life experience setting your sights on a career in midwifery, there’s a course to suit, writes Karen Keast.

It is Caron Spurway’s life-long dream to become a midwife.

A mum of nine, the Queenslander had to put her dreams on hold while she focused on raising her young family and also supported her husband, Wayne, in running their first aid training business.

Then, three years ago, Caron began her path to midwifery at the age of 49 when she was accepted into Griffith University’s direct-entry Bachelor of Midwifery degree at its Logan campus.

After two years of full-time study and now completing the final year part-time, and with her children now aged nine to 24, Caron is set to graduate this December and is focusing on where she will begin her midwifery career next year.

“I would really love to work in a local midwifery group practice, where I can focus on continuity of care for mothers as evidence shows this is the best practice,” she says.

The requirement for midwives to have a nursing background was shelved a decade ago, opening up several routes for people wanting to pursue a career in midwifery while also helping to establish midwifery as a profession in its own right, distinguished separately from nursing.

Bachelor of Midwifery degrees have since proven incredibly popular, enabling students who have completed their secondary schooling or people who have had other careers and life-experiences with a direct-entry qualification – no nursing degree or experience required.

However, places at most universities have been limited to well under 100 places each year due to a lack of clinical places in hospitals.

Page 14 | www.ncah.com.au

The Spurway Family University of Western Sydney launched its Bachelor of Midwifery degree this year, with 400 people applying for just 40 places on offer.

Professor Hannah Dahlen, one of the creators of the course who is also a privately practising midwife and spokesperson for the Australian College of Midwives, says the course has proven “very popular” and next year hopes to offer 50 places.

“It’s tough to get into midwifery. The ATAR now is over 90. That’s telling you how popular it is,” she says.

“There’s no lack of people wanting to do midwifery but if we can’t get clinical places in the hospitals we can’t take on more places.”

Similarly, Griffith University’s Bachelor of Midwifery, introduced in 2010, is in high demand – taking in 80 students a year, with 130 full-time equivalent students and just under 341 students in total, with many studying part-time.

If you are unsure whether midwifery or nursing is for you, Professor Dahlen advises it’s easier to enter midwifery through the nursing route - UWS alone offers 1300 places a year for its Bachelor of Nursing.

“What I say to people is if all you have ever wanted to do is midwifery and you are pretty sure you want that to be your career then the Bachelor of Midwifery is for you,” she says.

“If you are not sure and you think you would like to have a versatile career then perhaps nursing is the way for you. continued overleaf

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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 18 | Page 15

“If you don’t have the marks, and let’s face it there’s not many people with ATARs over 90, there are other ways – get your nursing first.

“You can do your nursing studies and you can enrol in midwifery the following year as well.

“Or if you would also like to work in say surgical or theatre, you need to do nursing and later go and do your graduate diploma in midwifery.”

For those already working in nursing, who want to move into midwifery, every Australian state and territory is different when it comes to post graduate courses in midwifery. Courses also vary from university to university.

Professor Dahlen says while the majority of courses on offer are Graduate Diplomas in midwifery, some states offer a Masters in Midwifery and in others you have to complete 18 months of the Bachelor of Midwifery degree.

Regardless of which route you take, Professor Dahlen says the end result is the same.

“We are not creating two types of midwives here,” she says.

“Midwives who do the midwifery course as under graduates or post graduates have to achieve the same standards.”

Some universities also offer double degrees in nursing and midwifery but Professor Dahlen says those degrees blend two very different philosophies.

“Midwifery is based on a completely different philosophy to nursing. It’s based on a womencentered philosophy and wellness principle,” she says.

“It’s based on empowering women and primary health care principles, promoting people to look after their own health out in the community.

“There are a lot of concepts that are unique to midwifery but there is not a right and a wrong way.”

Professor Dahlen, who followed in her mother’s footsteps to become a midwife and caught her first baby in the Middle East at the age of 12, Page 16 | www.ncah.com.au

had no choice at the time but to study nursing before moving into her midwifery career.

“When I did nursing, I had a lot of very good nursing skills which I then had to undo as a midwife,” she says.

“In midwifery, we are very much focused and encouraged on the relationship and continuity and knowing a person through their nine months.

“In nursing you are running around and doing tasks that you have really got to kind of unlearn in midwifery – to just sit with a woman in labour and just be there.”

Professor Dahlen says many people embark on careers in midwifery for a variety of reasons.

Some have had their own childbirth experiences, good and bad, others have been at a relative or friend’s birth, worked as a doula or in providing breastfeeding advice, while some are nurses who want to focus on midwifery after a rotation in the midwifery unit.

And others have become passionate about the profession after watching the BBC period drama Call the Midwife, believed responsible for sparking a 25 per cent rise in midwifery applications in England alone.

“I think there’s a level of idealism that we have about midwifery and babies and cuddling babies,” Professor Dahlen says.

“When I ask, why are you here and why do you want to be a midwife and they say they want to cuddle babies, I say - that’s not your job; that’s the mother’s job to cuddle their baby.”

Whatever your reason for wanting to pursue a career in midwifery, Professor Dahlen says there’s never been a better time to become a midwife.

“When you have all of the battles some of us older midwives have fought to get midwifery to where it is today, the young midwives are coming into such an opportunity,” she says.

“In many ways I wish I was starting my midwifery again.”

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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 18 | Page 17

Australian physiotherapists want prescribing rights

by Karen Keast Australian physiotherapists should have the power to prescribe medicines relevant to their role and setting, according to the nation’s peak group representing physiotherapists.

Australian Physiotherapy Association president Marcus Dripps said physiotherapists should be able to prescribe for pain relief and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication.

“The opportunity to prescribe pain relief and other medicines would help many patients to respond more quickly to their treatment,” he said.

“Of course, the APA would support rigorous safety and quality guidelines and mechanisms to ensure adherence.”

The comments come after a world-first move to grant UK physiotherapists and podiatrists the power to independently prescribe medication to their patients, in a bid to fast-track access to treatment and free up GPs’ time.

The APA has joined New Zealand’s professional physiotherapy organisation, Physiotherapy New Zealand, in welcoming the landmark step forward for the physiotherapy profession.

Mr Dripps said the UK Department of Health made the decision after a multi-dimensional analysis, including surveys of patients and practitioners, case study sites, and peer reviews of pharmacist and nurse prescribing cases.

“The review found that prescribing by qualified pharmacists and nurses is safe, clinically appropriate, acceptable to patients, viewed positively by other health professionals, and will be well integrated into health services,” he said.

“The APA believes that prescribing pathways should be focused around patient-centered care rather than the professions that have historically provided the service.

“Professional boundaries should not be a barrier to prescribing, and prescribing should be based Page 18 | www.ncah.com.au

on which profession is able to most safely and effectively provide care which results in positive outcomes for the patient.”

The APA is working with Health Workforce Australia to develop a model prescribing pathway for non-medical health professions under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme, which aims to provide non-medical health professionals the ability to prescribe medicines consistent with their scope of practice.

Mr Dripps said the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission Report 2009 revealed the Australian health system was under pressure and recommended health professionals’ roles be expanded where appropriate to address service equity gaps and to cope with increased demand.

For more articles visit NCAH.com.au

NURSING & MIDWIFERY SCHOLARSHIPS Open 22 July 2013 Close 13 Sept 2013 Apply online www.acn.edu.au freecall 1800 117 262 An Australian Government initiative supporting nurses and midwives. ACN, Australia’s professional organisation for all nurses is proud to work with the Department of Health and Ageing as the fund administrator of this program.

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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 18 | Page 19

New allied health training package to inform research

by Karen Keast A free new online training package has been launched for allied health professionals working with people with developmental disabilities.

In an Australian first, the N1 Practice in Research Training Package has been designed to teach clinicians, including speech pathologists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists, how to evaluate client outcomes using single case experimental designs, also known as N1 designs.

The program aims to support the delivery of evidence-based treatment to children, adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities and their families.

The Griffith University initiative, launched to coincide with Speech Pathology Week, is being run in collaboration with La Trobe University and Sydney University.

and educators have evaluated the training package with results showing clinicians, after 90 minutes of using the package, had more knowledge, confidence and skills in understanding and applying single case designs in their clinical practice.

He said the next phase of the initiative encouraged clinicians to share their findings with an online research community.

“It is hoped that clinicians will be able to benefit from this shared community, in order that they can enhance their overall research understanding within their particular discipline,” he said.

“This then contributes to providing higher quality services for patients.”

For more information visit http://otarc.blogs. latrobe.edu.au/n1-training-package-registration

Study leader Dr David Trembath, of Griffith University’s School of Rehabilitation Sciences, said the initiative provided clinicians and educators with a systematic way of working with their clients in a bid to increase research understanding and improve patient outcomes.

“The aim is for these clinicians to better understand the findings of clinical research and learn from what other clinicians already know,” he said.

“Therefore, the training package is designed to help clinicians think of each of their patients as a single research study.

“Users will be taken through a set of online modules, universal to all disciplines, which they can work through at their own pace.”

The training package was developed with the support of SpotonDD, a group of speech pathologists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists, working in the area of developmental disability.

Dr Trembath said 80 allied health professionals Page 20 | www.ncah.com.au

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ACT nurses reach pay deal

by Karen Keast

ACT nurses and midwives have accepted an eleventh hour agreement from the State Government for a flat rate pay rise, staving off industrial action.

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation ACT Branch has reached an in-principle agreement with the government, putting an end to months of EBA negotiations.

ANMF ACT Branch secretary Jenny Miragaya said the flat rate pay increase would take effect from July 1, 2013, with further increases until June 2017.

“At lower levels, there will be a higher increase than those at higher classifications,” she said.

“It’s not greater than what we were asking which was 20 per cent over four years but it’s better than the two per cent offer that was originally made by the government.”

Ms Miragaya said the deal averted nurses and midwives taking industrial action.

“Members had being waiting for an offer that was fair, and would not be contingent on cuts to current conditions, so they would not have to pursue industrial action,” she said.

The agreement, which members voted on at a meeting in Woden, also ensures the qualifications allowance will be maintained and protects against any cuts to the number of nurses and midwives employed in the public sector.

“The ANMF ACT is pleased that the ACT Government has decided to build on the existing pay and entitlements of nurses and midwives in the ACT without exploring potential job losses”, Ms Miragaya said.

“This is particularly pleasing when other states and territories have looked at slashing jobs, and potentially compromising patient care.”

The replacement ACT Public Sector Nursing and Midwifery Enterprise Agreement will now be finalised before being voted on. The agreement will then be lodged with the Fair Work Commission.

Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 18 | Page 21

Nurses lead doctors in hand hygiene

by Karen Keast “They may well speak as an individual but they will come together as a group,” she said.

“Doctors will talk about it as an individual and talk amongst their peers and then assume that rules or new practices don’t apply to them because they are very individual.”

Poor hand hygiene causes millions of infections every year, leading to hundreds of thousands of deaths, according to WHO.

Nurses are leading doctors when it comes to hand hygiene in hospitals, according to researchers.

The Australian co-author of a new international study, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, said Aussie nurses, with a current compliance rate of 82-84 per cent in hand hygiene, are “streets ahead” of doctors with a 65 per cent compliance rate.

UNSW Professor Mary-Louise McLaws, who helped draft The World Health Organisation’s Hand Hygiene Guidelines launched in 2009, said nurses have the highest compliance rates internationally at 71 per cent before intervention and also after the introduction of hand hygiene practices.

“Nurses were outstandingly better than doctors worldwide and it’s the same in Australia,” she said.

The study, which assessed the effect of the WHO strategy for improving hand hygiene focused on 55 departments in 43 hospitals across five countries, including Costa Rica, Italy, Mali, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

Professor McLaws, from the School of Public Health and Community Medicine, said previous research revealed nurses are quicker to follow an organisation’s request to comply with new practices.

Page 22 | www.ncah.com.au

Professor McLaws said the hand hygiene program, featuring an alcohol-based hand rub, had proven a major success with nurses.

“It’s quite remarkable. Just finding the time with a little bit of effort and having the resources you can actually persuade nurses to come on board with a really easy program that reduces infections,” she said.

Professor McLaws applauded nurses for the results but also suggested nurses could further cut infection rates by focusing on the first moment of the five moment hand hygiene process.

“If I was to ask them to get 100 per cent compliance it would be before they touch a patient at moment one…when they are thinking about having to carry out a clinical procedure or make a patient comfortable,” she said.

“The five moment process can be difficult and burdensome; we can’t pretend it’s not.

“While our nurses are doing really well they should remember to do moment one perfectly.

“Let’s hope the nurses and their behaviours will assist the medical profession,” she said.

Australia is one of 168 countries to have implemented the WHO guidelines.

Allied health body makes pre-election case for Medicare Locals

A CHANGE IS AS GOOD AS A REST

by Belinda Smart Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA), the national peak body for the allied health professions in Australia, has defended the position of Medicare Locals, following comments by opposition leader Tony Abbott that appear to place their future in question.

AHPA executive officer Lin Oke commented: “AHPA will seek to work with the government of the day to encourage reform that will enhance access to the front-line services provided by allied health professionals at Medicare Locals, which will improve consumer outcomes, significantly reduce the need for hospitalisation and thus result in significant cost savings in health care.”

The comment followed an indication by opposition leader Tony Abbott that he will review Medicare Locals if he wins government and cannot guarantee they will stay “exactly the same.”

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During the leaders’ debate on 28 August, Mr Abbott said he would not close Medicare Locals. However his promise followed statements from the Coalition that it would review them if they won the election. In his preelection statements Mr Abbott also reportedly said he couldn’t guarantee all Medicare Locals would “stay the same.”

“Our focus is on trying to move the money from the back office to front-line services. And I am confident that Medicare Locals will flourish provided that they are focused on front-line health services and not simply on more health bureaucracy.”

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For the full article visit NCAH.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 18 | Page 23

Paramedics devastated at helicopter rescue death

by Karen Keast “He’s retrieving a patient with a fractured ankle, he gets him into the helicopter and for some reason the patient has fallen and fallen 30 metres to his death right in front of his eyes. He was quite shaken.

“I think it just highlights the dangers that are faced in these types of situations and it’s a terrible tragedy for everyone involved.”

The Coroner, police, Ambulance Victoria and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority are all conducting inquiries into the accident.

Ambulance Victoria CEO Greg Sassella said the death had affected the crew and the entire service.

“They are very distressed,” he said.

“You know these people, the pilot, the crew and the paramedic, have spent their entire working lives…they are highly qualified, it takes years to get to the standard required for these jobs.

An experienced Victorian MICA flight paramedic has been left devastated after a patient recently fell to his death from a rescue helicopter.

The flight paramedic, helicopter pilot and crew, and a road ambulance crew, witnessed the fatal winching accident.

The 68-year-old patient, who weighed up to 140kg, was near the door of the helicopter when he fell from his harness and plunged to his death in bush terrain at Macs Cove, near Lake Eildon.

The Sydney man was being winched to safety after injuring his ankle during a hunting expedition when the rescue operation went horribly wrong.

Ambulance Employees Association Victoria general secretary Steve McGhie said he spoke briefly to the air paramedic.

“He’s devastated – absolutely devastated. He’s a man that’s very experienced, one of the most experienced flight paramedics in the state,” he said.

Page 24 | www.ncah.com.au

“They go there to help the person…and the person ends up not surviving, so they are absolutely devastated.”

Mr Sassella said while he did not want to preempt investigations into the incident, he was confident the equipment and the crew were not at fault.

He also said the patient’s weight would not have contributed to the accident.

“These are very big helicopters, these have got twin jet engines, the winch machine itself, the cable is very powerful, it can carry much more weight than what the gentleman would have weighed.”

Mr Sassella said the crews involved had been offered crisis counselling and psychological support.

“Sometimes people prefer to keep working and sometimes they don’t - that’s their decision but we are giving them every single support we possibly can.”

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enurse.com.au Follow us on: Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 18 | Page 25

Tasmanian graduate nursing positions disappointing: ANMF

by Karen Keast Tasmania’s graduate nurses could continue to migrate to the mainland and abroad for work after the State Government revealed it will again offer just 115 positions across the public health sector next year.

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Tasmanian Branch president Emily Shepherd labelled the number of positions being offered “disappointing”.

“Certainly we are grateful for 115 but we would like to see a lot more. We don’t believe it’s enough,” she said.

“Last year, we saw quite a significant number of graduate nurses head interstate and even overseas to take up nursing positions outside of Tasmania.

“We need them here. We need our graduates to stay in Tasmania to ensure that we have a safe and adequate amount of nurses for the future.

“Even now we are struggling to have adequate staffing numbers to care for patients.

“At the moment we are seeing nurses and midwives working double shifts but if there was more funding to employ more nurses and midwives we wouldn’t have to see that.”

Ms Shepherd said she expected the graduate positions on offer would be .8 positions on a 12-month fixed term contract.

“It sounds like quite a large number, 115. It seems as if they are offering a lot more graduate positions,” she said.

“In previous years they were only offered .8 positions. It means those particular graduates won’t get that full-time experience. It’s really a cost-saving measure.”

DHHS acting chief nurse and midwifery officer Francine Douce said the government would offer a mix of full-time and part-time positions to graduates.

“Offering positions as part-time means we can employ more graduate nurses. The bulk of the Page 26 | www.ncah.com.au

part time positions are 0.84 FTEs or four days a week,” she said.

“The Tasmanian Government is committed to employing as many new graduate nurses as possible.”

Last year, the branch released figures showing only 41 nurses gained full-time employment in the DHHS’ transition-to-practice program in 2012 with another 65 nurses receiving part-time work.

In a statement, Health Minister Michelle O’Byrne said 115 positions were offered last year and an extra 15 graduate positions were offered as opportunities arose.

Ms O’Byrne said the government would again offer additional positions “where opportunities are available”.

“This number has always fluctuated depending on opportunities within the practice setting and the nursing workforce needs,” she said.

Ms O’Byrne said final year University of Tasmania nursing students had a range of options open to them after graduation.

“As in previous years some graduates seek positions within the DHHS while others choose to secure opportunities within private hospitals, private practices, aged and community care, private mental health facilities and interstate,” she said.

“Historically, some nurses have also chosen to undertake additional nursing studies while others have sought experiences overseas.”

But Ms Shepherd said there were only limited opportunities for graduate nurses in the private sector.

Under the DHHS recruitment for early 2014 placements, graduate nurses can apply for positions online from September 4-13 at http:// www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/career/home/nurses2/ education/rntp

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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 18 | Page 27

Health heart rate slows in federal election

by Karen Keast Health may be one of the largest spending areas for the Federal Government but it has been largely overshadowed in the federal election campaign due to the focus on economic management, jobs, the cost of living, asylum seekers and same-sex marriage.

Health this year accounted for 16 per cent of the budget or $64.6 billion.

As the election heads into its final days, here is a snapshot of what the major political parties have pledged on the health front.

Labor: • $15 million in funding for 34 cancer care nurse coordinators and $50 million to create a national network of stroke care coordinators, comprising more than 60 allied health professionals and nurses – both announcements have been welcomed by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) • A $180 million investment over five years for dementia research through the National Health and Medical Research Council • $14.95 million for Australia’s aged care workers to receive specialist palliative care training and advance care planning expertise, along with a 24-hour daily telephone line to advise aged care staff and GPs on palliative care and advance care planning issues – applauded by the ANMF • New projects and upgraded hospital infrastructure including $30 million for the Prince of Wales Hospital in New South Wales, $215,000 for Victoria’s Lorne Community Hospital, $40 million for the constructive of a new hospital at Palmerston in the Northern Territory, $100 million to redevelop the Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, $10 million for the Children’s Medical Research Institute at Westmead, $15 million for a cancer clinic at South Australia’s Flinders Medical Centre Page 28 | www.ncah.com.au

and new facilities at Brisbane’s Royal Princess Alexandra, Royal Brisbane and Prince Charles hospitals • The continuation of its $2.2 billion mental health package to be rolled out over five years • $30 million to fund a new prevention program and research to address increasing rates of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and blood borne viruses including HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. Coalition: • $18 million to establish the country’s first National Centre for Excellence in Youth Mental Health and a review of mental health services through the National Mental Health Commission • A review of the nation’s 61 Medicare Local centres • Changes to the way medicines are listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme with medicines to be listed on the basis of advice from the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee • $200 million investment over five years to find a cure for dementia and $35 million to find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes • $46 million for National Bowel Cancer Screening • Plans to axe means-testing for the private health insurance rebate and a pledge to sell the Commonwealth’s Medibank Private health insurer • Will retain Labor’s National Health Reform Agreement with the states, with the Commonwealth set to increase its share of growth funding to 50 per cent with an extra $16 billion in federal funding between 2014 and 2020 For the full article visit NCAH.com.au

Physiotherapists can tackle rise in MSK conditions: APA

by Karen Keast The number of cases of arthritis and other musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions is forecast to almost double to affect 8.7 million Australians within 20 years, according to alarming new research.

from direct health costs to productivity costs and also in preventing MSK conditions from developing into disability and other chronic diseases, including cardiovascular, diabetes and mental health problems.

Arthritis and Osteoporosis Victoria (A&OV) has called for government and industry action to manage the rising cost of MSK conditions, including a multi-disciplinary approach from nurses and allied health professionals such as physiotherapists.

“Physiotherapy can reduce overall direct health costs – as long as patients have access to physiotherapy services including physiotherapist-led group exercise as a preventative measure.”

The A&OV report, A Problem Worth Solving, reveals there were an estimated 6.1 million cases of arthritis and other MSK conditions in Australia last year (26.9 per cent of the population), including 2.9 million people with back problems, 1.9 million people with osteoarthritis, 800,000 people with osteoporosis and 500,000 people with rheumatoid arthritis.

A&OV CEO Linda Martin said health professionals, including physiotherapists, nurses, rheumatologists, orthopaedic surgeons and endocrinologists, should work together with consumers and policy makers to address MSK conditions.

For more articles visit NCAH.com.au

Those figures are expected to rise 43 per cent – an extra 2.6 million people – by 2032 to affect 30.2 per cent of the population, with the number of people with osteoarthritis and osteoporosis projected to increase the fastest, at 58 per cent and 50 per cent respectively, while back problems will remain the most prevalent condition.

The report found arthritis and other MSK conditions cost the country $55.1 billion and shows more Australians live with MSK conditions than any national health priority area such as heart disease, cancer or diabetes.

Australian Physiotherapy Association president Marcus Dripps labelled chronic MSK pain the nation’s silent epidemic.

“Musculoskeletal conditions are the most common cause of severe long term pain and physical disability, and as this report shows, this is costing us billions,” he said.

Mr Dripps said physiotherapists are well placed to tackle the key areas of intervention, Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 18 | Page 29

Page 30 | www.ncah.com.au

Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 18

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