Position Overview

Key responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following.

• Provide advanced nursing care consistently and competently for patients of varying complexity in the Special Care Nursery, including whilst working within the boundaries of professional legislation and existing policies and procedures.
• Act as Team Leader within SCN, demonstrating the ability and commitment to working within a multidisciplinary team, effectively communicating effectively and fostering a culture of open communication, collaboration and feedback within a dynamic environment.
• Provide clinical leadership, critical analysis and problem-solving skills, to facilitate effective patient care and evaluate outcomes of own practice, such as planning for admissions in high acuity situations.
• Actively participate in the education and support of other SCN team members, including facilitating clinical teaching, preceptorship of new and novice staff and mentoring area specific skills development activities.
• Support safe and evidence-based practice within neonatology through:
  • Promotion of evidence-based practice
  • Contribution to research and/or promotion of the utilisation of research
  • Regular contribution to the development and review of policy
  • Quality improvement initiatives
• Support cultural and organisational change creating a culture of participation in the department and work in partnership with families.
• Undertake other duties appropriate to this level of classification which contribute to the operation of the organisation.

Competencies

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the following.

• Hold an advanced level of nursing knowledge and skills related to the SCN/NICU environment compared to an RN Level 1.
• Responsible for a neonatal nursing care and of high acuity SCN patients and is able to function in more complex situations while providing support and direction to others
• Demonstrate the following skills and knowledge within the SCN environment:
  • advanced clinical and problem-solving skills
  • expert planning and coordination skills in the clinical management
  • knowledge of contemporary nursing practice and theory.
• Assume Team Leader responsibilities in SCN including shift coordination, patient flow, staffing needs, change management and supporting workplace culture.
• Work collaboratively with peers and others to create a positive environment that achieves best outcomes, including leading implementation of policy, practice changes and clinical innovations.
• Participate in developing, evaluating, and updating clinical service procedures, protocols, standards, and guidelines.
• Engage in incident reporting and initial investigation and conduct quality improvements audits develop risk minimisation strategies/activities to promote safe, and/or rectify unsafe, practice.
• Provide support, guidance, mentoring, preceptorship, role modelling and promote cooperation and collaborative teamwork within the multidisciplinary NICU environment.

About you

CHS is committed to workforce diversity and to creating an inclusive workplace. As part of this commitment, we welcome applications from all diversity groups. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability and people who identify as LGBTQIA+ are particularly encouraged to apply.

Position Requirements / Qualifications

Mandatory

• Tertiary Qualification or related qualification in Bachelor of Nursing/Midwifery.
• Registered or eligible for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
• Completion (or working towards) post graduate qualifications in neonatal intensive care nursing.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong organisational skills with a high degree of drive.
• Adaptability and flexibility to accommodate change and provide responsive services to meet clients’ needs.
• High level interpersonal, negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Registered Nurse/Midwife with a minimum period of 4 years post registration.
• CHS is leading the drive to digitally transform health service delivery in Australia through the implementation of a territory wide Digital Health Record. Computer literacy skills are required which are relevant to this role as you will be responsible for completing required documentation and becoming a proficient user of the Digital Health Record and/or other Information Technology systems; once proficient, you will need to remain current with changes, updates and contingencies.

Highly Desirable

• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.
• Fulfil the responsibilities of this role in alignment to the CHS Exceptional Care Framework and all other related frameworks.

Please note prior to commencement successful candidates will be required to:.

• Undergo a pre-employment National Police Check.
• Comply with Canberra Health Services Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination policy.

Important information

All employees are required to:

• adhere to the Canberra Health Services Values and the ACT Public Service Code of Conduct.
• act in accordance and comply with all relevant Safety and Quality policies and procedures.
• comply with all relevant clinical and/or competency standards.
• be available for weekend, night duty and/or after-hours work.

What you Require (Key Selection Criteria)

These are the key selection criteria for how you will be assessed in conjunction with your resumé and experience.

1. Proven competency in providing advanced neonatal nursing care to babies of varying complexities, including managing a critically ill baby requiring respiratory support in high-pressure environments
2. Demonstrated strong leadership and communication skills with the ability to work both independently and as a member of a team.
3. Demonstrated ability to support education in the clinical area, and a proven commitment to ongoing professional development.
4. Demonstrated participation in quality improvement activities, the development of evidence-based policy and a commitment to departmental research to improve patient outcomes.
5. Demonstrates understanding of, and adherence to, safety and quality standards, Work Health and Safety and the positive patient experience. Displays behaviour consistent with CHS’s values of reliable, progressive, respectful, and kind.

Work Environment Description

The following work environment description outlines the inherent requirements of the role and indicates how frequently each of these requirements would need to be performed. Please note that the ACT Public Service is committed to providing reasonable adjustments and ensuring all individuals have equal opportunities in the workplace.