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Position overview

The Peri-Operative Unit at Canberra Hospital consists of a Day of Surgery Admissions Unit (DOSA) Unit, 22 Operating Theatres covering a wide range of surgical specialities, Post Anaesthetic Care Unit (PACU) and an Extended Day Surgery Unit (EDSU) together with several out of areas procedural/invasive specialty areas.

Our Specialties include Orthopaedics, Orthopaedic Trauma, Multi Trauma, Obstetrics, Gynaecological, ENT, Head and Neck, Plastics, Vascular, Endovascular, Neurosurgery, Cardiothoracic, General Surgery, Paediatric Surgery, Ophthalmic and Maxillofacial Surgery. The Canberra Hospital Operating Suits services all high level surgical procedures within the area, including referrals from surrounding regions. Our Nurses are dynamic skilled professionals who are responsible for the provision of patient centred evidence-based nursing care for every patient. Our nursing team works within a multidisciplinary healthcare team supported by Perioperative Education Team, Nurse Unit Managers, and the Clinical Nurse Consultant.

Key responsibilities

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

Under the direction of the Clinical Nurse Consultant and Clinical Development Nurses, you will need to perform the following duties and responsibilities:

  • 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.
  • Demonstrate Competence to perform the role as per ACORN standards and adhere to Organisational policy and guidelines by maintaining and promoting safe clinical practice.
  • Communicate effectively with patients and colleagues utilising well developed verbal, written and technological skills.
  • Recognise post-operative complications or changes in patient’s condition and responding appropriately.
  • Participate in nursing practice review, quality improvement, auditing, policy development and review.
  • Practice in a way that acknowledges the dignity, culture, values, beliefs, and rights of individuals and/or groups.
  • 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.

  • Strong organisational skills with a high degree of drive
  • Adaptability and flexibility to accommodate change and provide responsive services to meet clients’ needs
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Qualifications

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

Essential

  • Tertiary Qualification or related qualification in nursing
  • Registered or eligible for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Desirable

  • Graduate certificate of perioperative nursing

Experience

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

Essential

Desirable

Prior to commencement

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.

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 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.

Key selection criteria

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

  1. Demonstrated clinical knowledge and experience in the implementation of high-quality clinical care utilising the nursing process.
  2. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with patients and colleagues utilising well-developed (clear, concise, and accurate) verbal, written and interpersonal skills.
  3. Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development through participation in education and training activities relevant to the field of clinical practice.
  4. Demonstrated organisational skills and problem-solving abilities to ensure effective, efficient, and appropriate decision making when planning and implementing health care.
  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.

Administrative

Frequency

Telephone use

Frequently

General computer use

Frequently

Extensive keying/data entry

Frequently

Graphical/analytical based

Occasionally

Sitting at a desk

Occasionally

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)

Frequently

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

Never

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

Never

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.

Frequently

Slippery or uneven surfaces

Occasionally

Manual handling

Frequency

Lifting 0 – 9kg

Frequently

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

Frequently

Push/pull

Frequently

Sequential repetitive movements in a short amount of time

Occasionally

Directorate: CHS

Division: Surgery

Business Unit: Post Anaesthetic Care Unit (PACU)

Position number: P63998

Position title: Registered Nurse Level 1 – Post Anaesthetic Care Unit (PACU)

Classification: RN1

Location: Canberra Health Services

Reporting relationships: Direct Manager: Clinical Nurse Consultant Manager + 1: Perioperative Assistant Director of Nursing

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