The Registered Nurse Level 1 is an integral member of the multidisciplinary Peri-Operative team at North Canberra Hospital, providing safe, evidence-based and patient-centred care throughout the surgical journey. Working within the Peri-Operative Department, which includes the Day Surgery Unit, Surgical Admission Lounge (SAL), seven operating theatres, procedure room and Post Anaesthetic Care Unit (PACU), the role supports a diverse range of elective and emergency surgical services across specialties including orthopaedics, obstetrics and gynaecology, ear, nose and throat (ENT), head and neck, plastics, vascular, general surgery, urology, ophthalmology and maxillofacial surgery.

The Registered Nurse Level 1 provides nursing care across the perioperative continuum, including pre-operative assessment and preparation, intra-operative support, post-anaesthetic recovery and discharge planning. The role requires the ability to deliver high-quality care in a dynamic, high-acuity environment while applying sound clinical judgement, effective communication and evidence-based practice.

Anaesthetic Nursing

The Registered Nurse Level 1 (Anaesthetics) provides specialised nursing support throughout the peri-anaesthetic phase within a fast-paced, highly specialised clinical environment. Responsibilities include preparing patients, equipment and medications for anaesthesia, assisting the Anaesthetist during procedures, maintaining continuous patient monitoring, and responding promptly to changes in patient condition. The role promotes safe anaesthetic practice through effective teamwork, clinical vigilance, and adherence to evidence-based practice, including the standards and guidelines set by the Australian College of Operating Room Nurses (ACORN) and the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards. The position requires the ability to prioritise competing demands, communicate effectively within a multidisciplinary team, and maintain high standards of patient safety and care in a dynamic perioperative setting.

Post Anaesthetic Care Unit (PACU) Nursing

The Registered Nurse Level 1 (PACU) provides comprehensive, specialised care to patients recovering from anaesthesia and procedural sedation within a critical care environment. The role includes comprehensive assessment and ongoing monitoring of physiological status, management of pain and post-operative symptoms, early recognition and escalation of complications, and facilitating safe patient transfer or discharge. The nurse applies advanced clinical judgement, critical thinking, and prioritisation skills to respond effectively to rapidly changing patient conditions and support optimal recovery outcomes through timely interventions and collaborative multidisciplinary practice. Care is delivered in accordance with evidence-based guidelines and professional standards, including the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards, ensuring the provision of safe, high-quality, patient-centred care.

Day Surgery Unit Nursing

The Registered Nurse Level 1 (Day Surgery Unit) provides comprehensive, patient-centred care for patients undergoing elective and emergency day surgery procedures within a fast-paced, dynamic perioperative environment. Responsibilities include pre-operative assessment and preparation, coordination of admissions, post-operative management, discharge planning, and patient and family education. The role requires effective management of patient flow across various stages of the surgical journey, including admission, pre-operative preparation, recovery, discharge readiness, and transition to home or ongoing care. The nurse supports safe and efficient movement of patients through the unit while prioritising competing demands, applying critical thinking, and responding to changing clinical needs. Care is delivered through effective communication, multidisciplinary collaboration, and adherence to clinical standards to ensure patients and families are well informed, supported, and prepared throughout the surgical experience.

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

Under limited direction of the Clinical Nurse Consultant, you will perform the following duties and responsibilities. You will:

• 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.
• Provides patient care in accordance with relevant legislation, professional standards, and organisational policy within the professional scope of practice of a Registered Nurse.
• Maintain required clinical core competencies and skills, access appropriate education and staff development opportunities.
• Participate in risk assessment, incident and accident reporting and staff development activities such education, policy review and Quality activities, the preceptorship of other staff members and an annual performance review, that aim at improving the level of service to patients and the department.
• Communicate effectively with patients and colleagues utilising well developed verbal, written and technological skills.
• Maintain and promote safe clinical practice and adhere to Infection Control principles and practices.
• Undertake other duties appropriate to this level of classification which contribute to the operation of the organisation.

Specific competencies include but are not limited to the following.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organisational skills with a strong work ethic.
• Strong Critical thinking skills
• Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team and adapt quickly to a changing environment.
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve complex issues involving both human and equipment-related factors.
• Ability to respond to and priorities competing and often urgent requests in a calm and efficient manner while also maintaining high work standards and accuracy.
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information.
• Self-Motivated Learner

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

Essential

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

Desirable

• Have or working toward perioperative or critical care post graduate studies
• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.

Appointment to this position is conditional on being granted and retaining appropriate clearances.

• 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 ability to provide comprehensive, client focused patient care within an ethical, professional, and quality framework.
2. Demonstrated ability to work effectively as a member of the multidisciplinary team.
3. Proven ability to communicate effectively with clients and staff utilising well developed verbal, written and interpersonal skills.
4. Demonstrate commitment to continuing professional development, participation in staff development activities and annual performance review.
5. Demonstrates understanding of, and adherence to, safety and quality standards, work, health and safety (WH&S) 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	Frequently
Graphical/analytical based	Frequently
Sitting at a desk	Frequently
Standing for long periods	Frequently

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

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

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	Occasionally
Exposure to Distressing Situations e.g. Child abuse, viewing dead / mutilated bodies; verbal abuse; domestic violence; suicide	Occasionally

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

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