Issue 22 07/11/11 fortnightly
Midwifery Special Feature Expert midwives to improve outcomes in PNG Free birthing on the rise Motorcycle paramedics to roll out in Melbourne Nursing at new heights in Air Force
Part of the effort to improve Indigenous health
RAHC recruits GPs, registered nurses, midwives, dental and allied health professionals to fill short–term paid placements in remote Indigenous communities.
Get involved. Call 1300 MYRAHC or apply online at rahc.com.au
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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 22 | Page 3
www.ncah.com.au Issue 22 7 November 2011 We hope you enjoy perusing the range of opportunities included in Issue 22, 2011. 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 AHN Recruitment Alliance Health Auckland District Health Board Australian Catholic University Australian Medical Services CQ Nurse Drake Medox
Total Audited Print and Digital Distribution: 24,823
Goulburn Valley Health
The NCAH Magazine is the most widely distributed national nursing and allied health publication in Australia
Improving Outcomes
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Publication Date: Monday 21 November 2011 Colour Artwork Deadline: Monday 14 October 2011 Mono Artwork Deadline: Wednesday 16 November 2011 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
Healthcare Australia International SOS NSW Health - Bloomfield Hospital NSW Health - Greater Southern NSW Health - Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD NSW Health - Justice Health NSW Health - Orange Health Service Nursing and Allied Health Rural Locum Scheme Oceania University of Medicine
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Ramsay Healthcare - North Shore Private Remote Area Health Corps (RAHC) Smart Salary University of New England University of Technology Sydney
Page 4 | www.ncah.com.au
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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 22 | Page 5
Make the change now and go rural to live the lifestyle in southern, regional NSW. What are you waiting for?
If you are a Registered Midwife looking for a Lifestyle Change then we need you! We have immediate Full Time and Part Time employment opportunities in
Murrumbidgee Local Health District & Southern NSW Local Health District We offer all the advantages of a rural environment and the opportunity for a real family life without the stress and traffic jams of the big cities.
Other incentives to change are:
• Professional and flexible team environments where you can practice and grow • Flexible Rostering Practices • Attractive salary packaging and Relocation Incentives • More affordable living • Remote Housing Assistance Benefits • NSW Government Regional Relocation Grant • Commitment to ongoing development through professional clinical education programs The combined area of both Murrumbidgee and Southern NSW Local Health Districts in Southern NSW extends from the beaches on the State's South Coast across the Great Dividing Range to the snowfields of the Snowy Mountains and onto the rural regions that border Victoria. It includes the thriving regional centres of Deniliquin, Goulburn, Griffith, Queanbeyan, Batemans Bay, Bega and Wagga Wagga. The area has a population of approximately 470,000 people. For further information on positions available within Local Health Districts log onto: http://nswhealth.erecruit.com.au/Default.aspx and select either Murrumbidgee or Southern NSW Local Health Districts To find out about what the lifestyle of our region has to offer log onto: http://www2.gsahs.nsw.gov.au/lifestyle/ APPLY ONLINE NOW! NSW Health Service: Employer of choice Page 6 | www.ncah.com.au
Facilitators and Sessional Staff Work for Australia’s leading Catholic university! Reinvest your registered nursing/midwifery and clinical teaching experience as you provide clinical supervision, teaching and assessment of our undergraduate nursing students and receive high level support from our School’s team. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to contribute to the future of Australia’s nursing workforce! Send your CV or enquiries to Katy More via email: katy.more@acu.edu.au Arts & Sciences | Business | Education | Health Sciences | Theology & Philosophy
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THEATRE AND PACU NURSES AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND
Auckland City Hospital, Starship Children’s Health and Greenlane Clinical Centre We are looking for experienced Perioperative Nurses to work in our state-of-the-art Operating Theatres department in the centre of our biggest and busiest city. We have over 34 theatres (adult & paediatrics) covering neurosurgery, cardiothoracic, transplants, vascular, general, urology, orthopaedics, ORL, obstetrics and gynaecology. You will have recent theatre/scrub/PACU nursing experience and the ability to interact with members of a multi-disciplinary theatre team. We have full-time and part-time positions working rostered hours, Monday to Sunday with some on-call. We also have some fixed-term leave cover positions available at the moment. Enjoy flexible working hours in this exciting role. Does this sound like a great opportunity for change for you? For more information about the position, our theatres and to apply, please visit our website www.careers.adhb.govt.nz quoting reference #032492 and make an online application attaching your latest CV. For any queries, please contact Sonu Anand, Recruitment Consultant on sonua@adhb.govt.nz or call her on 0064 9 638 0429.
www.aucklandhealthjobs.co.nz
FREEPHONE 0800 733 968 Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 22 | Page 7
Page 8 | www.ncah.com.au
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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 22 | Page 9
Now you’re thinking Page 10 | www.ncah.com.au
More than just a job Queensland Health offers midwives unsurpassed professional rewards, leading remuneration, work life balance and the benefits of a community lifestyle. Queensland Health supports midwives to provide continuity of care in midwifery led services. “Being a midwife in a rural environment is more than just a job; you become part of the community and you can even see children that you have birthed grow up. Queensland Health provides many opportunities and resources and I enjoy being part of the community lifestyle here – it’s a great area to bring up my three active boys.” Debbie McConnel, Midwife and Clinical Nurse Educator, Proserpine and Bowen, Whitsunday Health Service.
alth Queensland Health Search for jobs or submit your online Expression of Interest and CV at www.health.qld.gov.au/nursing
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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 22 | Page 11
Free birthing on the rise Growing numbers of Australian women disillusioned with the country’s maternity system are choosing free birthing over medically assisted births, according to one expert. Australian College of Midwives spokesperson Hannah Dahlen said research, soon to be released from the University of Western Sydney, showed there was a growing trend for Australian women to birth at home unassisted. Ms Dahlen, who is also an associate professor at UWS, said Australia’s fragmented maternity system was driving women away. “We know free birthing is on the rise in Australia,” she said. “America and Australia, are the two countries where it is highest but also where there is the least access to midwifery care.” Ms Dahlen said she had no figures on how many women were choosing to free birth as the issue was “still very underground”. “We still have people who don’t register their births, who home school, who don’t immunise…we don’t have a way to record how many,” she said. Ms Dahlen said the research found there was no stereotype for women opting for free birthing but she said she was surprised to find middle-class women with a university degree were also choosing to free birth. “We do know that these decisions are never made lightly, they don’t go into this blasé… Page 12 | www.ncah.com.au
but they really feel that the risk of hospital is a worse option,” she said. Ms Dahlen said the midwifery reforms were failing and there was not enough recognition of the importance of midwifery-assisted home births for low-risk pregnancies. “We very much believe that having a professional midwife attend your birth is preferred,” she said. “We are very supportive of home births. We recognise that there are quality outcomes for the baby and for the mother if the birth is low risk. Free birthing wouldn’t provide all of that back-up and support. “Midwives have got to continue to do what they are doing which is fight for women to access a professionally attended birth wherever that birth may be,” she said.
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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 22 | Page 13
Women and Infants (Maternity) Unit - Orange Health Service
Interesting facts: • Births have risen steadily since 2006, now approximately 900 per year • Midwifery continuity of carer program (Caseload) to be implemented in 2012 • 20 bed inpatient ward • 4 bed birthing suite (capacity for 5) • 4 cot Level 2 Special Care Nursery Associated Services and Model of Care include: • Antenatal outpatient clinics • Early Pregnancy Assessment Service • Day assessment beds • Out patient assessment service • 4 bed birthing suite (capacity for 5) • 4 cot Level 2 Special Care Nursery • Parenting classes • Community Midwifery Program (early discharge service) • Vaginal Birth After Caesarean Section (VBAC) antenatal clinics • New separate antenatal education classes for women with identified psychosocial vulnerabilities • External Cephalic Version (ECV) clinics/planned provision For more information, visit www.orangehealthservice.com.au or contact Bradley Molenkamp on (02) 6369 3700
Page 14 | www.ncah.com.au
put yourself in the picture Š Pim Ras
MSFA4845NCAH BBK4/11
We need your help. We need your expertise. MIDWIVES play a crucial role in helping us tackle maternal and neonatal mortality around the world. To learn more about joining our team, visit us at www.msf.org.au/join-our-team MSFA 4845 Midwife Ad NCAH 125x85.indd 1
15/04/11 1:54 PM
A GREAT CAREER MOVE Midwives GV Health is seeking midwives to work in one of two possible models of care. The first model is a new, innovative case load midwifery model, which will enable midwives to provide continuity of care from pregnancy through to birth and postnatal. Midwives in this model will have the ability to structure their time to best meet their own needs, and those of the women they are caring for. The role includes an on-call component and flexible relief options. The second model offers the ability to do rostered work in all areas of maternity care, including antenatal, intrapartum, postnatal and in-home support and level 2 neonatal. Applications that do not address the selection criteria will not be considered. All new employees require a National Police Records check and a Victorian Working with Children check.
To apply, visit www.gvhealth.org.au
WORKING TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 22 | Page 15
Expert midwives to improve outcomes in PNG by Belinda Smart PNG’s maternal mortality rate is among the highest in the Western Pacific and skilled attendance at birth is low, mainly due to an acute shortage of midwives, poor accessibility of services, lack of adequate facilities for birth and low levels of trust in public services. This stark assessment of the maternal health crisis currently enfolding Papua New Guinea, by University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) Professor of Midwifery Caroline Homer, is sobering evidence of the health challenges experienced by many countries throughout the world, in this case Australia’s nearest neighbour. Against such a backdrop, it seems safe to assume that a new program to improve maternal health outcomes in PNG by supporting high quality midwifery education will be a welcome development for the country’s health sector. Funded by AusAID, the $US10 million program will provide backing over two years to improve maternal health outcomes by supporting high quality midwifery education. Its remit is to help accelerate the country’s progress towards Millennium Development Goals for improved maternal health, A key tenet of the program, Professor Homer confirmed, will be the recruitment by the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre at UTS (WHO CC UTS) and the WHO office in Papua New Guinea, of eight international expert midwives to work at each of PNG’s four midwifery schools; two in Port Moresby, one in Madang and one in Goroka. Professor Homer said a key initial priority would be capacity building through education; with project participants working alongside Page 16 | www.ncah.com.au
PNG midwives to impart evidence based practice models as well as contemporary approaches to teaching. The program forms just one part of the PNG Government’s recent push to improve maternal and infant health, and, if the figures are any indication, it’s a much needed initiative. “In the 10 years from 1996 to 2006 the average number of maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births rose from 370 to 730. That’s a shocking statistic, and it should be going down, not up,” Professor Homer said. “This new initiative will enable us to implement measures that make a difference. For example many maternal deaths occur due to post-partum haemorrhage; with good midwifery and obstetric care we should be able to help reduce that.” Although PNG’s schools had a core of skilled and motivated educators, their teaching and clinical skills needed to be further developed and supported if the quality of graduates was to improve and quality services were to be delivered. “The expert teams will also work closely with obstetricians and other health care workers
to enhance midwifery education and practice to facilitate improved standards of care.”
Organization as suffering from a crisis in human resources for health,” she said.
Indeed in addition to the eight midwives, the project will also support the recruitment of two obstetricians to work in two regional hospitals and their surrounding catchment areas. They will provide mentoring and continuous competency development to PNG obstetricians and midwives, as well as assist in the development of educational and practice materials.
Professor Homer confirmed that with a twinning arrangement between the Australian College of Midwives and PNG’s newly formed Society of Midwives recently finalised, the “expert midwives” project would form just one part of a host of new openings for Australasian midwives in PNG.
While circumstances in PNG meant it was difficult to gather data and gauge the exact extent of PNG’s shortage of midwives, anecdotal evidence suggested a dire scarcity of skilled practitioners. Many births took place in the absence of midwives, Professor Homer said, while the Port Moresby hospital’s intake dramatically exceeded that of Australia’s busiest hospitals, assisting a staggering 10,000 births a year “with very few midwives to go round.” WHO CC UTS Director Michele Rumsey confirmed PNG’s need for midwifery capacitybuilding was critical. “PNG is one of 57 countries world-wide that has been identified by the World Health
The eight positions will shortly be advertising in leading careers channels such as seek. com.au. With interviewing scheduled to start in late 2011, the “expert midwives” project is set to kick off in early 2012. “The expert midwives will need good midwifery experience, experience or working cross culturally and a certain toughness of character as this is a very challenging environment,” Professor Homer said. “They will also need to be up to date with clinical practice developments and have experience in teaching. We’re aware that this is a lot to ask but we believe the right candidates are out there,” she said, adding that the positions would be open to Australasian or UK registered midwives. “I think as well as assisting PNG, these initiatives will also be enriching for participating midwives. There’s a lot we can learn about resilience, capacity and creativity from those practicing in PNG. In PNG you see resourceful professionals setting up community clinics and making the most of what they have. There’s also an interesting relationship between conventional medicine and traditional healing practices that is worthy of examination.” “It also gives you some perspective when you see the hurdles other countries face. It’s not a bad thing to be a bit humble. With all the talk of the hard work that goes on in Australian labour wards, it’s worth remembering that that is nothing compared to what goes on in Papua New Guinea.” Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 22 | Page 17
LASS C S S E BUSIN ASS L C S S E N I BUS
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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 22 | Page 19
NZ Midwife found her calling with Medicins Sans Frontieres Trained as a nurse (1969-1972) at New Zealand’s Auckland Public Hospital, Janine worked in her home town before travelling and working in England and India. She returned to NZ in 1977 and the following year came to Australia where she trained as a midwife at the former Crown Street Hospital, the site of Sydney’s first natural birth centre. “I worked for a few years as a midwife and then in an Aboriginal community at Mornington Island in the Gulf of Carpenteria, before returning to Sydney and becoming involved in homebirthing over the following four years,” she said. But Janine nurtured a secret wish. “Since I first started to hear about Médecins Sans Frontières in the 1980s I always wanted to work with them,” she said. “I even loved the name. It encapsulated what I believe about healthcare - that it should be available to everyone regardless of politics, religion, race or ethnicity.” So Janine supported Médecins Sans Frontières as a donor but had to wait until her children were grown before she could join them. “I lived in Canada from 1987 to 1994 and Médecins Sans Frontières has a high profile there with a big office in Toronto,” she said. “I’d known about them for so long and it always interested me.” When her father died in New Zealand, Janine brought her mum to Australia but her mother’s death in 2008 became the catalyst for her to act. “By then my children had left home. I had a great job working with marginalised people as the nursing unit manager at the Kirkton Road Centre in Kings Cross, but always dreamed of working in the developing world,” she said. Page 20 | www.ncah.com.au
“When mum died I decided to take some long service leave to see what I would do next. It had been a hard few years.” Janine submitted her application to Médecins Sans Frontières worrying she may be “too old” but was delighted to find she was accepted. “Part of my reason for working at Kirkton Road was to learn more about sexual health because I thought I would be more suitable for Médecins Sans Frontières working in this capacity and its HIV/AIDS programs,” she said. “But when I went to my interview they told me they were desperate for midwives and my midwifery training was what they needed.” Janine went to South Sudan and Kenya with Médecins Sans Frontières. She found working as a midwife in the developing world very different to working in the developed world “where it’s very high-tech and regulated”. “Women here have fewer babies; they’re generally older, are often looked after privately and have very high expectations of the care they will receive and of the outcomes. And they can have those expectations because the facilities exist,” she said. By contrast, in Kenya and Sudan she found low expectations and scant resources. “The vast majority of women I looked after would normally have birthed at home with unskilled help. You see many complications over there that you’d never see in the developed world. “If they have a complication they wait too long or have to travel too far before they get to hospital and this can result in the death of their baby and severe complications like fistula for the mother.”
And working with Médecins Sans Frontières was “fantastic”. “I always felt really well supported. I had thought security might be an issue but I never had any problems and never felt unsafe. I also loved working with an international team – people from different countries, cultures and experiences. I really enjoyed the camaraderie.” Janine is now back in Sydney, working once again at the Kirketon Road Centre and in the Schools Immunisation Program with the Public Health Unit at the Prince of Wales Hospital. She has promised her family she’ll stay put this year but next year hopes to take another placement with Médecins Sans Frontières. “There is something about working where you can see a real need and where the knowledge you bring is really useful,” she said. Janine Issa Nonetheless Janine loved working in that environment. “At first I was worried that I would not be able to deliver the goods but I found that my knowledge and skills were very useful. The people were wonderful to work with and so very grateful,” she said. “I learned an enormous amount. There were national staff I worked with whose clinical skills were amazing even if their theoretical knowledge was limited. They taught me how to deliver breach births and to deal with emergencies I’d never come across in my midwifery experience. “In both Sudan and Kenya we always had an obstetrician surgeon available, as we needed to be able to provide caesarean section when necessary. We worked wonderfully together as a team and I learned much from them.”
“It’s challenging because you have to find ways of dealing with problems in a lateral way. You’re pushed into new roles and skills you haven’t performed before and constantly extending your knowledge. And the people – they’re just wonderful.” Médecins Sans Frontières is always looking for competent nurses and midwives who are willing to live and work within an international team, share their skills and dedicate their time to support the organisation’s medical humanitarian work around the world. All field workers are insured for health, medical repatriation, death and disability for the period of their project. All costs associated with the work are covered, including your travel from home to the project, and living expenses while you’re away. The basic monthly stipend for people without previous relevant field experience for the first 12 months is $1400. To find out more about working with Médecins Sans Frontières, visit www.msf.org.au/joinour-team Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 22 | Page 21
All Health Professionals THE COMPANY
International Health & Medical Services (IHMS) is a subsidiary of International SOS, the world’s leading international healthcare, medical assistance, and security services company. IHMS is contracted to provide healthcare to people in detention throughout Australia. We deliver these important and challenging services in a professional manner that is: medically appropriate; without any form of discrimination; with appropriate dignity, humanity, cultural and gender sensitivity; and with respect for privacy and confidentiality.
THE ROLE
We are seeking experienced and motivated health professionals to join our teams at our primary health facilities in some of the most distinctive parts of Australia. We are currently undertaking a recruitment drive for our new clinic opening in Wickham, Northern Territory as well as our other facilities based across Australia. We have positions available for the following: General Registered Nurses – ED/Primary Health/Remote experience Mental Health Registered Nurses General Practitioners Psychologists Counsellors Psychiatrists Radiologists Dentists Dental Assistants Nursing Unit Managers/Director of Nursing Immunisation Nurse – relevant accreditation required
THE PERSON
Previous remote area experience and/or detention health would be advantageous however the positions would also suit candidates with enthusiasm towards public health and experience in primary and/or community health.
OUR INVESTMENT IN YOU
In return we will offer a comprehensive remuneration package, potential for ongoing work and the endless opportunities for career development within our international organisation. *All applicants will be subject to a mandatory criminal history check as part of the recruitment and selection process. Offers of employment will only be made upon a satisfactory and successful criminal history check. To apply for these positions, please send through a copy of your CV to recruitment@ihms.com.au quoting reference: WICKHAM.
Page 22 | www.ncah.com.au
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Australian Medical Services Pty Ltd 02 9522 2533 Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 22 | Page 23
Mental Health Nursing at Bloomfield, Orange: It’s where you can make a difference. It’s where you matter!
Orange Health Service on the Bloomfield Campus incorporating both general and mental health The Bloomfield Campus, located in the lifestyle city of Orange, NSW is one of the largest Regional Mental Health Facilities in Australia and provides a variety of career opportunities for nurses. Bloomfield boasts not only new state of the art facilities, but also beautifully refurbished historic units. The campus offers exciting career opportunities in an array of Mental Health fields, including Child and Adolescent, Adult Acute and Non Acute, Intensive Care and High Dependency, Older Persons Acute and Non Acute, and two new state-wide medium secure units, Rehabilitation and Forensic. The facility boasts numerous opportunities for nurses across the entire spectrum; including places for Assistants in Nursing, Enrolled Nurses, Endorsed Enrolled Nurses, New Graduate Nurses, Registered Nurses, Nurse Unit Managers, and varying levels of Nurse Managerial Positions. Bloomfield also supports positions such as Clinical Nurse Educators, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Clinical Nurse Consultants and the Reconnect Nursing Program. There is also a Professor of Nursing, a joint appointment between the Mental Health Service and the University of Newcastle. Recruitment for many exciting positions is currently underway, and the allure of career fulfilment has already attracted many staff. Ben joined the Orange team in 2010 to take up a position as NUM in one of the new units. “I could not resist the opportunity to develop and manage a brand new Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit within a new, state of the art facility. Since moving to Orange with my partner we have enjoyed a fulfilling social life and love all that the region has to offer in terms of fantastic cuisine and beautiful surrounds.” “Working in the health service has presented me with many fantastic opportunities to develop my skills and knowledge and to put my own ideas into practice. It is exciting to be part of such a dynamic service in such a beautiful place!” He said. For more information on working with us at Bloomfield visit www.yorange.com.au
Page 24 | www.ncah.com.au
Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 22 | Page 25
Nursing at new heights in Air Force Leigh Molloy has taken her nursing degree to the next level with the Royal Australian Air Force. Flight Lieutenant Molloy, a nursing officer in the 1 Expeditionary Health Squadron at Amberley Medical Centre outside Brisbane, experienced first-hand the Ashmore Reef disaster in April, 2009. Leigh was called in to assist after a boat carrying 41 asylum seekers exploded at sea, off the northwest coast of the Australian mainland, killing five people. Just hours after the explosion, Leigh joined an Army doctor and nurse, who were all flown to Truscott Airfield to help with the aeromedical evacuation of civilians. Leigh helped coordinate the aeromedical evacuations from Truscott Island to Perth. “I acted as liaison between the Air Force and the civilian nurses and doctors; we were all working together to evacuate the patients during the crisis,” she said. Last year, Leigh was deployed to Dubai where she spent four months as a senior nursing officer at the Air Force medical facility on base. “It was extremely busy but a real highlight of a rewarding career,” she said. Leigh entered her nursing degree at James Cook University with the sole intention of becoming an officer in the Air Force. After completing a degree in biomedical science, Leigh decided to begin a Bachelor of Nursing degree at JCU with the support of a Defence university sponsorship, enabling her to focus on her studies and work placement without the additional stress of part-time work. Page 26 | www.ncah.com.au
Leigh Molloy After finishing her nursing degree, Leigh worked for two years in a civilian base hospital as an Air Force employee and she is now the officer in charge of outpatients at Amberley. Leigh, 32, said she loves her position as a nursing officer and has no intentions of returning to civilian nursing. While other Air Force nursing officers took on post grad in ICU or emergency nursing, Leigh stuck to a general nursing role that allows her to take on a more managerial position.
1122-018 1PG FULL COLOUR CMYK (corrected copy)
THEATRE NURSES Swan Hill, Victoria Swan Hill District Health (SHDH) has two operating theatres, PACU with CSSD & Day Procedure. Surgical services provided at SHDH include general surgery, endoscopy, orthopaedic, gynaecology, ENT, ophthalmology and urology. They are currently seeking suitably qualified and experienced candidates for these important roles.
Clinical Nurse Specialist (Perioperative Services) Registered Nurse (Perioperative Services) Minimum requirements • Registered Nurse (AHPRA) • Recognised tertiary qualifications If you think you have the skills and experience to undertake this role then you are encouraged to review the material about the role and the salary package on the additional pages and to lodge an application online.
AGED CARE NURSES Aged care sector Several positions Melbourne and surrounding regions Our client, Cambridge Aged Care Group is dedicated to high quality care for our older persons. They currently operate five facilities and expect to expand further in coming months. They are seeking caring nursing professionals to join their team dedicated to creating a new paradigm in the aged care sector. They aim to provide high quality care and are therefore seeking to recruitment a number of dedicated nurses to achieve this goal. To be considered for these roles, candidates must demonstrate the following: • Hold current registration with AHPRA • Understanding of the needs of the aged and a passion for meeting those needs • Knowledge of the legislation governing nursing practice and Occupational Health and Safety legislation • Standards of care required by government authorities • Excellent written and comprehension skills • Computer skills of the ability to be taught and understand specific software programs Applicants should have an unrestricted right to work in Australia Further details about the role and to lodge an application visit our web site at www.ahnr.com.au.
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 22 | Page 27
New research could reduce caesarean rates A new study will investigate whether sterile water injections can decrease caesarean section rates and improve outcomes for women and their babies. The technique, which targets back pain, could have major ramifications for Australian birthing practices, with caesarean rates now sitting at around 30 per cent. Australian Catholic University researchers will conduct the double-blind collaborative study across four hospitals over three years, including 1846 women. Under the study, half of the women will receive the sterile water and the other half will be given a placebo of saline. ACU researcher, PhD student and Brisbane Mater Hospital midwife Nigel Lee said sterile water injections could be an innovative and simple technique to increase the normal birth rate. “It’s a very simple procedure. It can be performed by midwives without being overseen by doctors and could be performed in any maternity care setting,” he said. “There are indications the sterile water injections used to ease back pain during labour may also decrease the rate of caesarean sections. “Caesarean section can cause increased risk of infection, increased recovery time and other serious complications. There are many benefits to encouraging a normal birth.” Mr Lee said sterile water injections were first used in medicine at the end of the 19th century and it was a more common practice today in European countries such as Denmark, Norway and Sweden.
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Photo by Patrick Linehan “It’s relatively unheard of here. It’s not a procedure used very commonly in Australia,” he said. Mr Lee said about eight research trials in the past 20 years have been carried out into the effects of sterile water injections during labour but this study would be the largest of its kind. “There was one small study done in Victoria in about 2005 and it involved about 60 women and we have just finished a large trial involving 300 women,” he said. ACU and Mater Medical Research Institute Chair of Midwifery Professor Sue Kildea said it was an exciting area of research. “This large study has been called for internationally and will attract much interest,” she said. The National Health and Medical Research Council has awarded ACU a research grant of $456,760 for the study along with $660,886 to develop an Australian Regional Birthing Index.
Rarely do you get such a choice of nursing work and lifestyle opportunity. Illawarra Shoalhaven? How can things be this good? Ocean, bays, beaches, national parks and state forests, sophisticated country centres just 1.5 to 2.5 hours drive from Sydney. Nine hospitals offering a wide range of first class health services and specialties from emergency and acute care to aged care, rehabilitation and mental health services. Take the next step in your career in a dynamic and flexible nursing team. You’ll enhance your career path, supported with structured clinical educational programs with the University of Wollongong – continuing professional development. Casual, permanent and temporary, full time and part time. Specialties including, but not limited to, surgery, medicine, mental health, aged care, rehabilitation and emergency nursing. Information: Deborah Cameron, Nurse Manager, 4253 4887. deborah.cameron@sesiahs. health.nsw.gov.au
1122-039 1/2PG (repeat)
C R E D E N T I A L E D M E N TA L H E A LT H N U R S E S ·
Develop your own practice
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Autonomy and flexibility
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Supportive and friendly community service
We are seeking highly motivated, experienced and independent credentialed mental health nurses to join our community based independent practice. The successful applicant will resonate strongly with the attitudes and philosophy of Improving Outcomes; in particular, that there is a high priority given to the respect of autonomy, dignity, and individual creativity of the people we serve. The nurse will develop his/her own individual practice within the supportive framework of Improving Outcomes. Our approach resonates with and reflects the emerging ‘recovery’ paradigm; which we articulate as, ‘a journey of increased self awareness and self realisation’, that facilitates the achievement of the identified goals and aspirations of each person. Credentialed nurses with our practice have their own ABN number and are ‘Associate Practitioners’ under the auspices of Improving Outcomes. For more information, visit our website: http://www.improvingoutcomes.net/ Or call John Walker on 03 9863 6942 Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 22 | Page 29
Motorcycle paramedics to roll out in Melbourne Victoria’s first motorcycle paramedics will be rolled out before the year is out, as part of a $2.8 million state government commitment. The Baillieu government has pledged six motorcycle paramedics for rapid response to emergencies, which will operate during peak traffic and during major events and festivals, within M e l b o u r n e ’s inner metro area. Motorcycle paramedic units, renowned for their ability to negotiate heavy traffic and their resulting rapid response to emergencies in city areas, have been operating in New South Wales since 1983, in the United Kingdom since 1991, the Netherlands since 1997 and Hong Kong since 1982. The unit, which will carry life-saving drugs and equipment including defibrillators, will respond to emergencies ranging from cardiac arrests to pedestrians hit by vehicles, domestic accidents and alcohol-related incidents. The state’s ambulance union has criticised the move as a waste of funds, which could instead be spent on securing more Page 30 | www.ncah.com.au
ambulances and much-needed paramedics for the under-resourced sector. Ambulance Employees Australia Victoria general secretary Steve McGhie said the plan also posed serious occupational health and safety concerns, from the security of the bike to that of the drugs and equipment. The move to put motorcycle paramedics on Melbourne city streets comes as the state’s ambulance service buckles under increased pressure, resulting in more “ramping” cases and union reports the situation is taking a toll on over-worked paramedics. Motorcycle paramedics will receive additional safety and driver training. The government will trial the unit for a three year period before reviewing its effectiveness. Health Minister David Davis said while the motorcycles were not designed for transporting patients, they provided a quick and convenient way for MICA paramedics to respond to cases and provide clinical backup to colleagues. “These paramedics will often be the first response to accidents and incidents, as they will be able to dodge through congested traffic in inner-city areas,” he said.
Midwives study benefits of acupressure Australian midwives are latching on to the ancient Chinese technique of acupressure to assist women through pregnancy, birth and postnatally. Sydney’s Red Tent Health Centre this year launched Acubirth midwifery courses, accredited by the Australian College of Midwives, in the acupressure technique. Centre co-director and acupuncturist Rebecca Mar Young said about 150 midwives participated in the courses this year. Ms Mar Young said acupressure was a safe, natural and effective technique that required no other tools than the midwives’ hands. “It puts the power back to the woman and the midwives love this,” she said. “It’s something they can do for their women so easily and when they can’t do it, they can teach the husbands, doulas, mothers or friends what to do. “It makes everyone feel more supported and connected.” The natural technique is designed to help women cope with fear and anxiety in the lead up to labour, manage pain naturally regardless of the birth process and encourage a posterior baby move into the ultimate birth position. Ms Mar Young, who has a Bachelor of Health Science in traditional Chinese medicine and has completed post graduate study in obstetric, paediatric and Japanese acupuncture, said
acupressure was a pressured touch to help relieve pain. “There is a point on the bladder meridian (energy channel) that’s called BL-32,” she said. “It falls over the second sacral foramen and when you press it during a contraction, it greatly helps to relieve the pain a woman feels. “It helps to block the pain pathways going back to the brain and makes it all a whole lot more bearable. “Another example is on the spleen meridian, SP-6; pressing this point will help improve the regularity of contractions and their strength, which is very helpful when labour slows down on the way to the hospital, for example.” For more information visit www.acubirth. com.au
Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 22 | Page 31
First national nursing and midwifery data released There were 1300 complaints made about Australian nurses and midwives in the past year, according to the first ever release of comprehensive data on the nation’s health practitioners. The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia has revealed it took immediate action in relation to 115 nursing and midwifery practitioners after receiving complaints about their health, performance or conduct. It imposed conditions on the registration of 26 practitioners, suspended the registration of 36 practitioners, noted four practitioners surrendered their registration and accepted undertakings from 26 practitioners. The board took no further action in 24 cases. There were also 254 mandatory notifications about nurses and midwives in 2010-11, representing more than 58 per cent of all mandatory notifications received across the 10 professions that fall under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. The information is detailed in the 2010-11 annual AHPRA and National Boards’ annual report, which has been tabled in the Western Australian Parliament. The board also revealed, as a result of criminal record checks, it imposed conditions or undertakings on the registration of 16 nursing and midwifery applicants for registration, while one nursing and midwifery practitioner had conditions imposed on their registration at renewal. There were 1466 nursing and midwifery practitioners in Australia with an endorsement on registration, including 624 nurse practitioners, 744 endorsed for scheduled medicines, one midwife practitioner and 97 eligible midwives.
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The information shows there were 332,185 nurses and midwives registered to practise in Australia on June 30 this year, with nursing and midwifery representing 63 per cent of the total group of registered health practitioners. Of these, 1789 practitioners held midwifery registration only, 290,072 nursing registration only, and 40,324 held dual nursing and midwifery registration. There were 59,901 enrolled nurses, 228,114 registered nurses and 2057 registered and enrolled nurses. New South Wales has the largest number of nursing and midwifery registrants, the largest group of nurses and midwives was aged 50 to 54 years (51,998 or almost 18 per cent of the profession), 83 per cent or 274,228 registered, enrolled and dual nursing midwifery registrants are female and 99.67 per cent or 1783 midwives are female. For the full article please visit www.ncah.com.au
Your next logical step Become a physician
RN to MBBS Earn your MBBS at Oceania University of Medicine ~ Samoa
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OCEANIA UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE N O W I N T E R N AT I O N A L LY A C C R E D I T E D Visit www.RNtoMBBS.org or call in NZ 0800 99 01 01 or in AUS 1300 665 343
Anniversary tolls for health reforms More than 5200 midwifery services and almost 29,000 nurse practitioner services have been subsidised by Medicare, on the first anniversary marking Australia’s major health reforms. While the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners has applauded the reforms, the Australian College of Midwives has branded the system for eligible midwives “a failure”. ACM spokesperson Hannah Dahlen said the Federal Government urgently needs to review the reforms for midwives. “We have had very little success with it,” she said. “It’s what we knew would happen. The collaboration always was the death knell with the eligible midwives roll out. “There’s
been
very
few
successful
collaborations; there’s been two or three that we know of. “We still don’t have visiting rights to hospitals, almost nobody has claimed for intrapartum care in hospital.” The November 1 anniversary marks a year since the government gave nurse practitioners and eligible midwives the ability to offer clients rebates on services under the Medicare Benefits Schedule and to write prescriptions qualifying for Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme subsidies. The Australian Nursing Federation has revealed 402 nurse practitioners have now registered with Medicare and NPs have also provided more than 11,000 prescriptions through the PBS. For the full article please visit www.ncah.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 22 | Page 33
Bub Hub provides comprehensive pregnancy and birthing info for mums If only there was a place where people could find answers to common pregnancy, birth and parenting questions … Such a place does exist! And it is growing every day. Australia’s leading independent pregnancy and parenting website The Bub Hub hit a major milestone in October, signing up its 90,000th member. The site, which launched nationally in 2003, now has more than 90,300 members all at various stages of the pregnancy and parenting journey. Bub Hub marketing manager Brad Lauder, who founded the company with his wife Hilary, said the site aimed to better inform its members and answer many common pregnancy and parenting questions, which midwives and nurses would often be asked. He said the site featured articles on all aspects of pre-conception, conception, pregnancy and parenting and its forum offered invaluable support and advice for parents and parentsto-be. “The Bub Hub’s philosophy is to put all the information about pregnancy and parenting in one spot, so parents can make informed decisions,” he said. “We allow parents to access a lot of information on almost every aspect of the journey. “We do not advocate one method over another because we firmly believe that every parenting journey is different. We recommend taking what works for you and your child, or your children, and ignoring everything else.” Brad also said the site was proud to support Page 34 | www.ncah.com.au
and to be endorsed by the Australian College of Midwives (ACM). “We believe that midwives are the best option when it comes to giving birth,” he said. “They are calm, experienced, patient and direct when dealing with parents they do not try and fit the parent into their schedule but allow the process to occur naturally and healthily. “Midwives are a font of information and confidence that most first time parents find invaluable.” The Bub Hub also offers sections specifically for midwives. The services directory lists independent midwives, homebirth midwives, community midwifery programs, antenatal and childbirth classes and much more. Plus the forum has a section specifically for student midwives and for those seeking a midwife or looking for recommendations on healthcare providers. The Bub Hub also provides its members with a list of helplines and support organisations, peer reviews of many parenting and pregnancy products, a monthly newsletter, a pregnancy week-by-week email, a monthly baby and toddler development email and opportunities to win pregnancy and parenting prizes. It also caters for busy mums by offering a mobile site and apps for iPhone and Android. The Bub Hub is also the only major parenting site to NOT pay a single cent for Google ad words and who voluntarily abide by the World Health Organisation Code with regards to formula and bottle promotion. Visit www.bubhub.com.au
Interested in being part of the future of Forensic Mental Health in NSW? Opportunities for Endorsed Enrolled Nurses and Registered Nurses with recent Mental Health experience Operated by Justice Health, The Forensic Hospital is an integral part of the Forensic Mental Health Network. Located at Malabar and officially opened in February 2009, this purpose-built 135-bed facility provides high-quality specialised care to male, female and adolescent forensic patients in a high-security therapeutic environment. Justice Health offers flexible work options, salary packaging, education support and selfdevelopment opportunities for mental health professionals. If you have recent mental health experience as an EEN or RN and would like more detail about the opportunities that exist within The Forensic Hospital, please contact a member of our recruitment team. Enquiries: The Recruitment Team 1300 734 842. Website: www.jobsatjusticehealth.com.au Applications: Justice Health Recruitment – The Forensic Hospital, PO Box 150, Matraville NSW 2036 or email careers@justicehealth.nsw.gov.au
We look forward to welcoming you to The Team!
Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 22
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