Canberra Health Services (CHS) is focused on the delivery of high quality, effective, person-centered care. We provide acute, sub-acute, primary and community‐based health services, to the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and surrounding regions. More information can be found on the CHS website.

The Division of Surgery is responsible for delivering inpatient and outpatients surgical services and prevention and treatment dental health programs for children, targeted youth and adults of the ACT and surrounding region. The Division includes Surgical Bookings and Pre-Admission Clinic, Anaesthesia, Pain Management Unit, Operating Theatres, Post-Anaesthetic Care Unit, Day Surgery Unit and Admissions / Extended Day Surgery Unit, specialist surgical ward areas, medical and nursing Outpatient services, Shock Trauma Service, Trauma and Orthopedic Research Unit and the ACT Dental Health Program.

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

Anaesthetic CDNs provide one on one and group Perioperative teaching, clinical support, ongoing evaluation and feedback for graduate Nurses across a diversity of clinical areas within Canberra Hospital Health Services.

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

• Promote evidence based best practice by facilitating the education of colleagues, new and / or less experienced staff by:
• Orientating and precepting of new staff/students.
• Undertaking competency assessments as required with colleagues and new staff.
• Providing one on one supervision of clinical practice as required.
• Disseminating knowledge gained through attendance at educational forums through feedback at staff meetings and/or written reports.
• Supporting senior staff in the delivery of education programs / packages.
• Fulfil the obligations of the professional role by functioning within legal and organisational requirements and acting as a role model in the provision of high-quality holistic care. Work collaboratively with colleagues and leaders and have in depth knowledge of legislation affecting clinical practice within CHS. Provide input into the development and revision of clinical policy and practice manuals, nursing practice review and clinical research activities associated with the Perioperative Unit.
• Educate and actively participate in risk assessment, incident and accident reporting, lead and support peers in continuous quality improvement activities, program-based research and accreditation with the aim of improving the level of service to patients and the department.
• Communicate effectively with patients and colleagues utilising well developed verbal, written and technological skills. Utilise departmental computer programs and databases to assist in communication and to collect information for the generation of reports and statistics.
• Monitor and keep records of new graduate nurses participating in the Perioperative Foundation Program together with existing nursing staff within the Anaesthetic Perioperative role to ensure all essential skills are credentialed annually.
• Maintain professional standards, current policies and procedures. Facilitate and participate in the credentialing processes as required by the department. Maintain clinical and other skills that are required for this position through accessing appropriate education and staff development opportunities. Enhance own professional competence through ongoing self-initiated research.
• Actively participate in Performance Management Agreement activities to optimise own professional learning and development. Facilitate reflective practice for nurses within the Perioperative Unit and facilitate or arrange debriefing sessions, providing advice and support as required.
• 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.

• Advanced clinical and problem-solving skills
• Designing, delivering and evaluating education programs
• Facilitate ongoing professional development and mandatory training
• Promoting a culture of continuous improvement and learning
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Providing clear and constructive feedback to staff
• Promoting adherence to evidence-based practices, policies and procedures
• Supporting staff through change process
• Conducting assessment of clinical performance and competency
• Supporting inclusive approach to education and care that respect diversity.

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

Essential

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

Desirable

• Holds or working towards a Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment or nationally recognised vocational competency units in competency assessment and work-based training.
• Postgraduate qualification in nursing or clinical education
• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.

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

Essential

• Minimum 4 years’ fulltime equivalent experience in Anaesthetics

Desirable

• Prior experience in CDN role will be highly desirable
• Experience or knowledge of the CHS Exceptional Care Framework, Clinical Governance Framework, Partnering With Consumers Framework and all other related frameworks.

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 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. Demonstrate an understanding of adult learning principles and the ability to assist Anaesthetic nurses in the assessment of their own learning needs, development of skills and knowledge, and evaluation of outcomes.
2. Demonstrate a high level of interpersonal skills and leadership with the ability to communicate and liaise effectively and appropriately with staff, patients, and other key stakeholders in a diverse range of situations.
3. Demonstrated ability to assess the competence of nurses utilising evidence informed practice and incorporating a risk assessment approach while working within professional legislation and existing policies and procedures.
4. Proven commitment to learning, teaching, quality improvement and research orientated work environment.
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	Occasionally
Standing for long periods	Occasionally

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	Frequently
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	Occasionally
Excessive noise	Occasionally
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	Never
Foot and leg movement	Frequently
Hand, arm and grasping movements	Frequently
Bending/squatting	Occasionally
Bend/Lean Forward from Waist/Trunk twisting	Occasionally
Push/pull	Occasionally
Sequential repetitive movements in a short amount of time	Occasionally