The Patient Discharge Lounge (PDCL) has 10 chairs available to current NCH inpatients, awaiting transfer or discharge. The core priorities of the discharge spaces within the PDCL are to facilitate safe and efficient discharge / transfer of patients from most divisions within NCH. This provides access to admit acutely unwell patients from internal and external admission points.

The discharge lounge is operational between 0730 hours to 1630 hours Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays. The position is 2x morning shifts 0730-1600 and 0800-1630 hours.

The Registered Nurse (RN) Level 2 will report to the Clinical Nurse Consultant and be responsible for ensuring timely and safe admission, transfer and discharge of patients within NCH to other facilities or to the patient’s normal residence.

Under limited direction from the Clinical Nurse Consultant you will perform the roles and responsibilities of a Registered Nurse Level 2 to provide the best quality care. You will:

1. Be responsible for the provision of comprehensive, high quality care to patients utilising the principles of fair access and equity, patient participation, health promotion and prevention.
2. Demonstrate operational and clinical care by demonstrating a high level of professional conduct in accordance with relevant legislation, professional standards and organisational policy within an ethical and professional framework.
3. Maintain required clinical core competencies and skills, accessing appropriate education and staff development opportunities. Practices within professional scope of practice.
4. Lead risk assessment, incident and accident reporting, continuous quality improvement activities, program-based research and accreditation that aim at improving the level of service to patients and the PDCL.
5. Communicate effectively with patients and colleagues utilising well developed verbal, written and technological skills to ensure safe and timely transfer and discharge of patients.
6. Maintain and promote safe clinical practice and adhere to Infection Control principles and practices.
7. Contribute to ongoing PDCL data collection and work towards Key Performance Indicators.
8. Undertake other duties appropriate to this level of classification which contribute to the operation of the organisation.

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the following.

• Ability to manage effective patient flow whilst liaising with transferring clinical areas
• Organisational skills with a high degree of drive and ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Adaptability and flexibility to accommodate change and provide responsive services to meet clients’ needs.
• Negotiation skills and the ability to facilitate open communication within clinical areas with regard to patient flow and the provision of a high level of patient care.
• Leadership qualities to provide expertise by guiding, coaching and mentoring where appropriate.

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

Essential

• Be registered or be eligible for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
• 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.
• 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.

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the following.

Essential

• 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.

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

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 and/or after-hours work.

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.

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

1. Proven expertise and knowledge of patient centered care in relation to discharge planning, coordination, and safe and timely discharge.
2. Proven leadership, problem solving and decision-making skills in a collaborative manner to enhance patient flow and meeting timely and effective patient care.
3. Demonstrated ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team, to communicate and negotiate effectively and foster a culture of open communication within a dynamic environment.
4. Demonstrated commitment to best practice principles utilising the National Safety and Quality Health Service standards, quality improvement initiatives and professional standards.
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.

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.

Administrative	Frequency
Telephone use	Frequently
General computer use	Frequently
Extensive keying/data entry	Occasionally
Graphical/analytical based	Frequently
Sitting at a desk	Occasionally
Standing for long periods	Occasionally

Psychosocial demands	Frequency
Distressed People e.g. Emergency or grief situations	Occasionally
Aggressive & Uncooperative People e.g. drug / alcohol, dementia, mental illness	Occasionally
Unpredictable People e.g. Dementia, mental illness, head injuries	Occasionally
Restraining e.g. involvement in physical containment of clients/consumers	Never
Exposure to Distressing Situations e.g. Child abuse, viewing dead / mutilated bodies; verbal abuse; domestic violence; suicide	Never

Physical demands	Frequency
Distance walking (large buildings or inter-building transit)	Occasionally
Working outdoors	Never

Manual handling	Frequency
Lifting 0 - 9kg	Occasionally
Lifting 10 - 15kg	Occasionally
Lifting 16kg+	Never
Climbing	Never
Running	Never
Reaching	Occasionally
Kneeling	Occasionally
Foot and leg movement	Frequently
Hand, arm and grasping movements	Frequently
Bending/squatting	Frequently
Bend/Lean Forward from Waist/Trunk twisting	Occasionally
Push/pull	Occasionally
Sequential repetitive movements in a short amount of time	Occasionally

Travel	Frequency
Frequent travel – multiple work sites	Never
Frequent travel – driving	Never

Specific hazards	Frequency
Working at heights	Never
Exposure to extreme temperatures	Never
Operation of heavy machinery e.g. forklift	Never
Confined spaces	Occasionally
Excessive noise	Never
Low lighting	Occasionally
Handling of dangerous goods/equipment e.g. gases; liquids; biological.	Frequently
Slippery or uneven surfaces	Never