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Issue 15 01/08/11 fortnightly Hundreds of jobs and courses you won’t find on SEEK! ncah.com.au Disabled Young Still in Aged Care, by Nina Hendy Nutrition Bolsters Health in Aged Care Facebook Warning for Nurses Expert Says Baby Mix-Ups Not Uncommon Aged Care Special Feature

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Your guide to the best careers in nursing & allied health

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Page 1: ncah_issue_15_2011

[email protected]

Issue 1501/08/11

fortnightly

Seabreeze Communications Pty Ltd (ABN 29 071 328 053)PO Box 633 Black Rock Victoria 3193 Australia

Print Post ApprovedPublication No. 340742/0033

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CHANGE OF ADDRESS: If the information on this mail label is incorrect, please email [email protected] with the address that is currently shown and your correct address.

Hundreds of jobs and courses you won’t �nd on SEEK!ncah.com.au

Disabled Young Still in Aged Care, by Nina Hendy

Nutrition Bolsters Health in Aged Care

Facebook Warning for Nurses

Expert Says Baby Mix-Ups Not Uncommon

Aged Care Special Feature

The employment experts for Nurses around AustraliaSpecialising in a range of permanent and temporary roles for registered Nurses in Australia and across the world.

Hot JobsTheatre RN’s - NSW, QLD, NTMental Health RN’s - Melbourne and SydneyMidwives - QLD CoastMidwives - AdelaideRN’s - Emergency Contracts - NSW & WATheatre EN’s - SydneyScrub Scout RN – NewcastleMed / Surg and Rehab RN’s - Central NSWOcc Health RN - DarwinPermanent Roles for specialist RN ‘s looking for 457 visa’s

Contact UsEmail: [email protected]: 1800 059 790www.medacs.com.au

For more information, talk toDonna Gould or David Hunter in the Medacs Healthcare Nursing team.

C

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CY

CMY

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NCAH July 2011.pdf 24/06/11 12:14:46

Funded by the Australian Government

Get involved. Call 1300 MYRAHC or apply online at rahc.com.au

MyRAHCExperience

Like many registered nurses nearing retirement, Queenslander Pauline Rubin was in search of a balance between her work schedule and changing lifestyle. Through RAHC’s short term placements Polly is able to continue her career and contribute her skills and experience into health centres in remote Indigenous communities across the Northern Territory.

“I was experienced in both nursing and in life, less restricted by family commitments and free to work short term contracts,” Polly said. Polly contacted RAHC and was then placed in a nursing position in Alice Springs.

Sitting in the centre of a vast red desert with majestic mountain ranges of spiritual significance, Polly says, “I am in awe of this ancient land. I do feel I am making a difference as an experienced professional and helping to ‘close the gap’. I am now on my third placement, working in the red centre of Australia, and enjoying the best days of my career with generous pay and work conditions. Perhaps it is true we save the best for last!”

Pauline Rubin | Registered Nurse

Drake Medox Cares

Established in 1971, Drake Medox has grown to be one of the largest suppliers of contract and permanent Nurses and Allied Health Professionals to the Australian health sector. With 30 years of experience, we have been a front runner with our services in community health.

Among our services are; provision of temporary and permanent staff in a variety of roles including; Nurses, care workers, administration and ancillary staff.

In addition, clients can also access a variety of HR Solutions including Client Panel Interviewing, Behavioural Assessments, Skills Assessments and much more.

To find out more about our services and how we can assist your business, contact us today at 1300 360 070 or visit us at www.drakemedox.com.au, or email us at [email protected]

Page 2: ncah_issue_15_2011

www.ncah.com.au [email protected]

Issue 1501/08/11

fortnightly

Seabreeze Communications Pty Ltd (ABN 29 071 328 053)PO Box 633 Black Rock Victoria 3193 Australia

Print Post ApprovedPublication No. 340742/0033

BENDIGOVIC 3550

PRINTPOST

Printed by BM

P - Freecall 1800 623 902

CHANGE OF ADDRESS: If the information on this mail label is incorrect, please email [email protected] with the address that is currently shown and your correct address.

Hundreds of jobs and courses you won’t �nd on SEEK!ncah.com.au

Disabled Young Still in Aged Care, by Nina Hendy

Nutrition Bolsters Health in Aged Care

Facebook Warning for Nurses

Expert Says Baby Mix-Ups Not Uncommon

Aged Care Special Feature

The employment experts for Nurses around AustraliaSpecialising in a range of permanent and temporary roles for registered Nurses in Australia and across the world.

Hot JobsTheatre RN’s - NSW, QLD, NTMental Health RN’s - Melbourne and SydneyMidwives - QLD CoastMidwives - AdelaideRN’s - Emergency Contracts - NSW & WATheatre EN’s - SydneyScrub Scout RN – NewcastleMed / Surg and Rehab RN’s - Central NSWOcc Health RN - DarwinPermanent Roles for specialist RN ‘s looking for 457 visa’s

Contact UsEmail: [email protected]: 1800 059 790www.medacs.com.au

For more information, talk toDonna Gould or David Hunter in the Medacs Healthcare Nursing team.

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

NCAH July 2011.pdf 24/06/11 12:14:46

Funded by the Australian Government

Get involved. Call 1300 MYRAHC or apply online at rahc.com.au

MyRAHCExperience

Like many registered nurses nearing retirement, Queenslander Pauline Rubin was in search of a balance between her work schedule and changing lifestyle. Through RAHC’s short term placements Polly is able to continue her career and contribute her skills and experience into health centres in remote Indigenous communities across the Northern Territory.

“I was experienced in both nursing and in life, less restricted by family commitments and free to work short term contracts,” Polly said. Polly contacted RAHC and was then placed in a nursing position in Alice Springs.

Sitting in the centre of a vast red desert with majestic mountain ranges of spiritual significance, Polly says, “I am in awe of this ancient land. I do feel I am making a difference as an experienced professional and helping to ‘close the gap’. I am now on my third placement, working in the red centre of Australia, and enjoying the best days of my career with generous pay and work conditions. Perhaps it is true we save the best for last!”

Pauline Rubin | Registered Nurse

Drake Medox Cares

Established in 1971, Drake Medox has grown to be one of the largest suppliers of contract and permanent Nurses and Allied Health Professionals to the Australian health sector. With 30 years of experience, we have been a front runner with our services in community health.

Among our services are; provision of temporary and permanent staff in a variety of roles including; Nurses, care workers, administration and ancillary staff.

In addition, clients can also access a variety of HR Solutions including Client Panel Interviewing, Behavioural Assessments, Skills Assessments and much more.

To find out more about our services and how we can assist your business, contact us today at 1300 360 070 or visit us at www.drakemedox.com.au, or email us at [email protected]

Page 3: ncah_issue_15_2011

www.ncah.com.au [email protected]

[email protected]

Undergraduate scholarships for those with a demonstrated commitment to aged care

�for courses at an accredited tertiary institution to become a registered nurse.

Postgraduate scholarships (including honours programs)

�masters programs �graduate diplomas �graduate certificates �honours programs.

Continuing professional development (including nurse re-entry)

�conferences �short courses �work shops �nurse re-entry.

Nurse practitioner scholarships

�for registered nurses wishing to undertake nurse practitioner studies.

Are you reAdy to kick stArt your Aged cAre cAreer?Aged Care Nursing Scholarships are available for Australian citizens or permanent residents for study in the following areas:

freecall: 1800 116 696 [email protected] www.rcna.org.au RCNA

For more information on eligibility or how to apply for a scholarship: Aged Care Nursing Scholarships (ACNS) are

funded by the Australian Government.

RCNA, Australia’s peak professional nursing organisation, is proud to partner the Department of Health and Ageing

as the fund administrator for this program.

Applications close: 1 September 2011

Aged cAre NursiNg scholArships

YOU CAN HELP THOUSANDS OF AUSTRALIANS LEAD A HEALTHIER L IFE .

Bupa Health Dialog is growing rapidly and needs your help to keep pace with the demand for our services. As the pioneer of telephone health coaching services, we provide support to over 20 million people globally by helping them make informed decisions about their health.

Now looking after Australians, Health Dialog seeks nurses that are genuinely passionate about health care. In return, you’ll be working for a company that is focused on improving the lives of its customers and employees.

This is your opportunity to be a more active participant in the lives of others using your superior communication skills to counsel and guide callers through their health care choices. Ultimately they’ll live a better life.

Like to make a difference? Then apply now with a current RN Div 1 licence and experience to: www.bupa.com.au/careers quoting job no. 492802. Or call Nandita for a friendly chat on (03) 9937 4698.

Bupa Health Dialog is part of Bupa. Bupa is a trusted healthcare provider, covering over three million Australians through the private health insurance brands HBA, MBF and Mutual Community.

Bupa Australia Health Pty Ltd ABN 50 003 098 655

HEALTH COACHARE YOU LOOKING FOR A FRESH START?

° No heavy lifting and overnight shift work

° Fully subsidised private health insurance plus other insurance benefi ts off ered

° Based in Hawthorn

LIQ2294NCAH LIQUORICE

Continental Travelnurse... the UK'sPremier Travel Nurse Company

FREE call our team today: 1800 85 1234Email: [email protected] Website: www.continentaltravelnurse.com

• 3 month extendable hospital-based assignments• Upmarket COMPANY housing • Travel money• UK nursing registration and visa assistance• More than a decade of experience• ALL AGES – it’s never too soon or too late to have fun

For

3 months or

3 years, we’d

love to have

YOU!

Page 4: ncah_issue_15_2011

[email protected]

www.ncah.com.au [email protected]

Advertiser List

A+A Training

AHN Recruitment

Austra health

Australian Medical Services

Avondale College

Bupa Health Coaches

Continental Travelnurse

CQ Nurse

Drake Medox

Employment Office

Healthcare Australia

HealtheCare Australia - Lingard Hospital

Koala Nursing Agency

Lifescreen

Medacs Australia

NSW Health - Greater Southern Area

Health

NSW Health - Justice Health

NSW Institute of Psychiatry

Oceania University of Medicine

Oxford Aunts Care

PJ Locums

Queensland Health

Remote Area Health Corps (RAHC)

Royal College of Nursing Australia

UHG - Unified Healthcare Group

Victorian Nurse Specialists

Workpac

We hope you enjoy perusing the range of opportunities included in Issue 15, 2011.

If you are interested in pursuing any of these opportunities, please contact the advertiser directly via the contact details provided. If you have any queries about our publication or if you would like to receive our publication, please email us at [email protected]

“FACT, NOT FICTION”

The NCAH Distribution is Independently Audited by the Circulations Audit Bureaux.

Print Distribution: 10,532

Email Distribution: 9,853

Total Distribution: 20,385

Next Publication: Midwifery Special Feature

Publication Date: Monday 15 August 2011

Colour Artwork Deadline: Monday 8 August 2011

Mono Artwork Deadline: Wednesday 10 August 2011

For all advertising and production enquiries please contact us on +61 (0) 3 9271 8700, email [email protected] or visit www.ncah.com.au

If you would like to change your mailing address, or be included on our distribution, please email [email protected]

Published by Seabreeze Communications Pty Ltd Trading as NCAH.

ABN 29 071 328 053.

© 2010 Seabreeze Communications Pty Ltd.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied or

reproduced by any means without the prior written permission of

the publisher. Compliance with the Trade Practices Act 1974 of

advertisements contained in this publication is the responsibility of

those who submit the advertisement for publication.

Issue 15 1 August 2011

housands of jobs online at

w.ncah.com.au

Agency NursingOpportunities

Australian Medical Services Pty Ltd

AMS

Full time and part time work available

We are continually getting bookings for RN’s, midwives, OT, ICU, Anaesthetics, Paediatrics and Recovery.

Excellent rates of pay. CNS rates available*

Please call Cathy on 0422 389 833 [email protected] 18 ct gold Diamond

Pendant and Chain by

“Lora Di”, RRP $3000*Conditions apply

Special Sign-On BOnuS*

02 9522 2533

1001-013 1/2PG (repeat)

REGISTERED GENERAL NURSES ALL AREAS THROUGHOUT AUSTRALIA Due to our rapidly expanding business Lifescreen Australia a division of Sonic HealthCare is currently recruiting Registered Nurses on a sub contractual basis. Lifescreen currently undertakes work for all Insurance Companies and has recently diversified into the Pharmaceutical area. We are looking for nurses to perform a variety of roles including: Insurance Work Pharmaceutical Work Medical Assessments Cannulation and Infusions Venepuncture Patient Support/Education Programs ECG recordings Corporate Work Spirometry Immunisations and Health Awareness Essential Criteria:

• Competent in Venepuncture and or Cannulation

• CPR Certification

• Cannulation Certification. (if applicable)

• ABN

• Own car

• Internet, printer and mobile phone with message bank Choose in what locations you wish to work, work as little or as much as you want. If you are looking for a fully flexible and autonomous lifestyle Send your resume to [email protected] This role is only available to Australian Residents or to those who hold valid working visas or permits

Due to our rapidly expanding business Lifescreen Australia, a division of Sonic Healthcare, is currently recruiting Registered Nurses on a sub-contractual basis.Lifescreen currently undertakes work for all Insurance Companies and has recently diversified into the Pharmaceutical area.We are looking for nurses to perform a variety of roles including:Medical assessments Infusion services Venepuncture ECG recordings Spirometry

Essential Criteria:• Competent in venepuncture

and/or cannulation• CPR Certification• Cannulation Certification

(if applicable)• ABN • Own car• Internet, printer and mobile

phone with message bankChoose in what locations you wish to work, work as little or as much as you want.Lifescreen Australia is currently looking for contractors in both metropolitan and rural areas.

For all queries, please call 1800 673 123 or send your resume to [email protected] role is only available to Australian Residents or to those who hold valid working visas or permits.

REGISTERED GENERAL NURSES Careers with Queensland Health

A criminal history check may be conducted on the recommended person for the job. A non-smoking policy applies to Queensland Government buildings, offi ces and motor vehicles.

You can apply online at www.health.qld.gov.au/workforus

BlazeQ013031

District Director of Nursing

Central West District Offi ce, Longreach,Central West Health Service District.Remuneration value up to $136 969 p.a., comprising salary $120 047 p.a., employer contribution to superannuation(up to 12.75%) and annual leave loading (17.5%) relocationand accommodation expenses negotiable (conditions apply)(Nurse Grade 11 (2)) (Applications will remain current for12 months.) JAR: H11CW07473.Duties/Abilities: Responsible for the professional leadership, strategic development and overall delivery of an effective nursing service in the District. Specifi cally, the position will maximise the potential of nursing practices to enhance health outcomes. Enquiries: Jill Magee (07) 4652 8000.Application Kit: (07) 4920 7000 orwww.health.qld.gov.au/workforusClosing Date: Monday, 15 August 2011.

OCEANIA UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE

Your nextlogical step

Become a physician

NOW INTERNATIONALLY ACCREDITED Visit www.RNtoMBBS.orgor call in NZ 0800 99 01 01 or in AUS 1300 665 343

Earn your MBBS at Oceania University of Medicine~Samoa�Many of your duties are the same as a doctor, so why not gain the rewards�Gain more knowledge, more autonomy and more recognition �No need to uproot family and move from friends and support systems �Continue working during first two years

–New classes begin every March, May and August.

OUM-NC RNtoM

BBS01/11mono

RNtoMBBS

Victor McConvey hopes there will be a day when people with Parkinson’s disease have access to a dedicated Parkinson’s nurse in their local health care network.

The Parkinson’s Victoria clinical nurse consultant, who established the Parkinson’s nurse specialist position in Leeds in the United Kingdom, would like the nation’s small number of Parkinson’s nurses to grow along the lines of the country’s burgeoning network of breast care cancer nurses - giving people with Parkinson’s direct access to specialist nurses.

The disease, the second most common neurological disorder in the world, affects an estimated 20,000 Victorians and 80,000 Australians – about one in five people over the age of 65.

The UK is leading the fight on the Parkinson’s frontline with 264 Parkinson’s nurses and Tasmania is following suit in Australia with four Parkinson’s nurses coming on board. Mr McConvey said Parkinson’s, caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, is often characterised as a disease that makes people shake and slow down but he said there were a wide range of symptoms, including hallucinations, not often discussed.

A nurse of 22 years who has worked in the field of neurology for the past 15 years, Mr McConvey now travels the state working with people living with Parkinson’s and their families, helping them manage symptoms and improve self-management. Another large part of his role is educating health care professionals about the disease.“Nurses can make the world of difference to someone with Parkinson’s,” he said.

“I think probably the biggest issue that nurses in particular struggle with Parkinson’s disease, is a lack of knowledge about the importance of medication.”

Mr McConvey said medication, which addresses the chemical imbalance, needs to be administered regularly in a facility setting. And he said nurses need to be aware of the signs of the medication wearing off, which range from physical symptoms, such as the person moving slower, to hallucinations, anxious or sad feelings.

Mr McConvey said Parkinson’s Victoria, a charitable organisation, is also a resource for health care professionals with an information line for tips and advice.

# The Parkinson’s Unity Walk, hosted by Parkinson’s organisations in each state, is the largest fundraising and awareness raising event of its kind and will be held on Sunday, August 28. For more information visit www.unitywalk.com.au

A Future with more Parkinson’s Nurses

Victor McConvey

Page 5: ncah_issue_15_2011

www.ncah.com.au [email protected]

[email protected]

1022-023 1/2PG FULL COLOUR (repeat)

Nursing Agency

Positions available in ... • Midwifery • Emergency • Rural

• Mental Health • Theatre • ICU

We Offer ...• High rates of pay

• FREE return travel!

• FREE or subsidised

accomodation

• Variety of locations available

• Short and long term contracts

*conditions apply

Aus 1300 306 858 NZ 0800 333 733Freecall now to secure your place

Register online at www.koalanurses.com.au

or email your CV to nursing @koalanurses.com.au

1103-012 1/2PG FULL COLOUR CMYK (typeset)

Caregiversa change is as

good as a rest

Do you want to Work and Travel?Do you want to earn between $8232 + $900 holiday pay and $9564 + $1056 holiday pay over 12 weeks?*Do you have care-giving experience or have trained as a nurse?Are you eligible to work in the UK?Then Oxford Aunts can help you work and travel in the UKUp to 12 week assignments (or longer) living in and caring for people in their own homes. Free board & lodgings are included as well as free induction training in the UK and professional friendly support.Visit our website www.oxfordaunts.co.uk to learn more about this fantastic opportunity.*exchange rate as at January 2011

OXFORD AUNTS CARE3 Cornmarket St. Oxford OX1 3EX UK

Phone: ++44 1865 791017Fax: ++44 1865 242606

Interested in being part of the future of Forensic Mental Health in NSW?

Opportunities for Endorsed Enrolled Nurses and Registered Nurses with recent Mental Health experienceOperated by Justice Health, The Forensic Hospital is an integral part of the Forensic Mental Health Network.

Located at Malabar and officially opened in February 2009, this purpose-built 135-bed facility provides high-quality specialised care to male, female and adolescent forensic patients in a high-security therapeutic environment.

Justice Health offers flexible work options, salary packaging, education support and self-development opportunities for mental health professionals.

If you have recent mental health experience as an EEN or RN and would like more detail about the opportunities that exist within The Forensic Hospital, please contact a member of our recruitment team.

Enquiries: The Recruitment Team 1300 734 842.

Website: www.jobsatjusticehealth.com.au

Applications: Justice Health Recruitment – The Forensic Hospital, PO Box 150, Matraville NSW 2036 or email [email protected]

We look forward to welcoming you to The Team!

Thinking about a new job opportunity? Perhaps a change of scenery or a step-up to a leadership role?

Post your target job details and your resume on theNCAH.com.au website. You can enter your:

• Target job title.• Your desired salary.• The locations in which you’re

interested in working.• Your field of specialisation.• How soon you’re interested in

taking on a new job.

Recruiters will use the NCAHwebsite to find & then contact you.

Your first step is to visit NCAH.com.au and click the ‘Upload Your CV Now!’ button on the home page.

What job do you want?

WorkPacHealthCare

We’ll Look After YouWhile You Look After Others

Smarter Recruitment

1300 724 216 | workpac.com

Working as a full-time, casual or part-time agency nurse with WorkPac HealthCare provides you a fantastic alternative to your daily grind.

With us you will enjoy access to the best acute hospitals, aged-care and community employers in Melbourne and Brisbane plus the flexibility, variety and freedom to maintain the lifestyle you want.

Work with a team that values your needs. We are currently seeking Registered Nurses and Endorsed Enrolled Nurses to join us.

Contact us today on 1300 724 216 and arrange an appointment with one of our Recruitment Consultants so we can help you to make a positive change for the future!

$300 referral bonus when you introduce a

nurse to WorkPac * conditions apply

Page 6: ncah_issue_15_2011

[email protected]

www.ncah.com.au [email protected]

Supporting Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health Professionals* in rural and remote Australia

Funded by the Australian Government

Call us for Locum support

NO AGENCY FEESNeed to get

away for CPD?

Apply online at: www.nahrls.com.au

Freecall 1300 NAHRLS

*Visit our website for the full list of eligible Allied Health Professions

Social networking is landing Australian nurses in hot water.

The Australian Nursing Federation has warned nurses to keep privileged information off social networking sites, such as Facebook, as increasing numbers of nurses face disciplinary action over inappropriate postings.

ANF federal secretary Lee Thomas said growing numbers of Australian nurses are being reprimanded as a result of posting comments regarding “sensitive issues” online.

“Social networking may be instant and fun, but people are increasingly using these mediums to complain about employers, fellow staff members and among our colleagues and even patients,” Ms Thomas said.

“Clearly, using social networking sites in this manner is problematic in the growing number of cases of employers initiating disciplinary proceedings against staff in relation to comments made on social networking sites.”

Ms Thomas said an entire new area of case law was opening up around social networking

and no consistent approach had yet been formed on acceptable conduct.

“This opens a Pandora’s Box of questions from privacy to confidentially to employment law,” she said.

“I know that speaking to several of our branches that members are increasingly facing disciplinary action as a result of commentating on sensitive issues in this very public way.”

The caution comes as increasing numbers of nurses and midwives in the United Kingdom were found to be discussing privileged information online, often unwittingly, and as a result were being investigated and, in some cases, even struck off for misconduct.

Ms Thomas warned postings on social networking sites were not private.

“They are very public and in some cases you have no idea who is reading them, so next time you switch on your computer, and enter your favoured social networking site, take a moment to remember what happens at work with patients is confidential,” she said.

Facebook Warning For Nurses

WARNING

> Master of Nursing (Coursework)> Graduate Certificate in Nursing

Students have a choice from four areas of study:• ClinicalNursing• ClinicalTeaching• LeadershipandManagement• Agenericcoursewithoutaspeciality

Duration: 12monthsfull-time(orpart-timeequivalent)

Enquiries: FacultyofNursingandHealthPhone:(02)94879627or(02)94879609Email:[email protected]

Mode:DistanceEducationwithon-campussupport

MARCHandAUGUSTintakes

Choose Avondale for

postgraduate studiesin Nursing!

www.avondale.edu.au

Lamp_nursing_halfpage_july11.indd 1 11/07/11 9:45 AM

Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship and Support Scheme (NAHSSS) is

funded by the Australian Government.

RCNA, Australia’s peak professional nursing organisation, is proud to partner

the Australian Government as the fund administrator for this program.

Get an application from www.rcna.org.au | freecall 1800 117 262

nursing scholarships

Closes 16 September 2011

That is the message Lieutenant Alexander ‘Jim’ Evans would like to convey to anyone interested in joining the Australian Defence Forces.

At the tender age of 49, the Adelaide native decided to enter the Royal Australian Navy as a direct entry Nursing Officer.

“I thought initial training would be like ‘Full Metal Jacket’ but I had a great time and found it really enjoyable,” Jim said.

Married with six children and 2 grandchildren, Jim was involved for many years with Training Ship (TS) Noarlunga, his local Navy cadets unit.

Two of his sons, Peter and Philip Jaensch, attended the cadets unit and both are now in the Navy as well. He also has a son-in-law in the Royal Australian Air Force.

“Seeing the positive effect the cadets had on the boys certainly influenced my decision to join the Navy. I was also looking for the possibility to extend my clinical knowledge in a professionally supportive environment, travel and provide assistance in humanitarian and operational circumstances.”

It is safe to say that Jim’s these goals have been met in only a couple of short years.

After graduating from his training at HMAS Creswell Jim was posted to HMAS Penguin on Sydney’s North Shore. A nurse for 26 years, primarily at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Adelaide, he is now a surgical trauma nurse with the Marine Role 2 Enhanced unit – on 48 hours notice to deploy as part of a surgical team afloat.

In 2009 Jim deployed with Operation Padang Assist, the Australian Defence Force’s month-long mission to help people affected by a major earthquake in Indonesia, onboard HMAS Kanimbla and has undertaken various military exercises, mainly in Queensland.

He is now onboard the USS Cleveland, an amphibious transport ship, as part of the US- led humanitarian aid mission Pacific Partnership.

“Being a member of Pacific Partnership 2011 has fully vindicated my decision to join the Navy. I love the opportunity to provide humanitarian assistance in this way,” Jim said.

Alexander Evans – You’re Never Too Old to Give it a Go

Page 7: ncah_issue_15_2011

www.ncah.com.au [email protected]

[email protected]

Supporting Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health Professionals* in rural and remote Australia

Funded by the Australian Government

Call us for Locum support

NO AGENCY FEESNeed to get

away for CPD?

Apply online at: www.nahrls.com.au

Freecall 1300 NAHRLS

*Visit our website for the full list of eligible Allied Health Professions

Social networking is landing Australian nurses in hot water.

The Australian Nursing Federation has warned nurses to keep privileged information off social networking sites, such as Facebook, as increasing numbers of nurses face disciplinary action over inappropriate postings.

ANF federal secretary Lee Thomas said growing numbers of Australian nurses are being reprimanded as a result of posting comments regarding “sensitive issues” online.

“Social networking may be instant and fun, but people are increasingly using these mediums to complain about employers, fellow staff members and among our colleagues and even patients,” Ms Thomas said.

“Clearly, using social networking sites in this manner is problematic in the growing number of cases of employers initiating disciplinary proceedings against staff in relation to comments made on social networking sites.”

Ms Thomas said an entire new area of case law was opening up around social networking

and no consistent approach had yet been formed on acceptable conduct.

“This opens a Pandora’s Box of questions from privacy to confidentially to employment law,” she said.

“I know that speaking to several of our branches that members are increasingly facing disciplinary action as a result of commentating on sensitive issues in this very public way.”

The caution comes as increasing numbers of nurses and midwives in the United Kingdom were found to be discussing privileged information online, often unwittingly, and as a result were being investigated and, in some cases, even struck off for misconduct.

Ms Thomas warned postings on social networking sites were not private.

“They are very public and in some cases you have no idea who is reading them, so next time you switch on your computer, and enter your favoured social networking site, take a moment to remember what happens at work with patients is confidential,” she said.

Facebook Warning For Nurses

WARNING

> Master of Nursing (Coursework)> Graduate Certificate in Nursing

Students have a choice from four areas of study:•ClinicalNursing•ClinicalTeaching•LeadershipandManagement•Agenericcoursewithoutaspeciality

Duration: 12monthsfull-time(orpart-timeequivalent)

Enquiries: FacultyofNursingandHealthPhone:(02)94879627or(02)94879609Email:[email protected]

Mode:DistanceEducationwithon-campussupport

MARCHandAUGUSTintakes

Choose Avondale for

postgraduate studiesin Nursing!

www.avondale.edu.au

Lamp_nursing_halfpage_july11.indd 111/07/11 9:45 AM

Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship and Support Scheme (NAHSSS) is

funded by the Australian Government.

RCNA, Australia’s peak professional nursing organisation, is proud to partner

the Australian Government as the fund administrator for this program.

Get an application from www.rcna.org.au | freecall 1800 117 262

nursing scholarships

Closes 16 September 2011

That is the message Lieutenant Alexander ‘Jim’ Evans would like to convey to anyone interested in joining the Australian Defence Forces.

At the tender age of 49, the Adelaide native decided to enter the Royal Australian Navy as a direct entry Nursing Officer.

“I thought initial training would be like ‘Full Metal Jacket’ but I had a great time and found it really enjoyable,” Jim said.

Married with six children and 2 grandchildren, Jim was involved for many years with Training Ship (TS) Noarlunga, his local Navy cadets unit.

Two of his sons, Peter and Philip Jaensch, attended the cadets unit and both are now in the Navy as well. He also has a son-in-law in the Royal Australian Air Force.

“Seeing the positive effect the cadets had on the boys certainly influenced my decision to join the Navy. I was also looking for the possibility to extend my clinical knowledge in a professionally supportive environment, travel and provide assistance in humanitarian and operational circumstances.”

It is safe to say that Jim’s these goals have been met in only a couple of short years.

After graduating from his training at HMAS Creswell Jim was posted to HMAS Penguin on Sydney’s North Shore. A nurse for 26 years, primarily at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Adelaide, he is now a surgical trauma nurse with the Marine Role 2 Enhanced unit – on 48 hours notice to deploy as part of a surgical team afloat.

In 2009 Jim deployed with Operation Padang Assist, the Australian Defence Force’s month-long mission to help people affected by a major earthquake in Indonesia, onboard HMAS Kanimbla and has undertaken various military exercises, mainly in Queensland.

He is now onboard the USS Cleveland, an amphibious transport ship, as part of the US- led humanitarian aid mission Pacific Partnership.

“Being a member of Pacific Partnership 2011 has fully vindicated my decision to join the Navy. I love the opportunity to provide humanitarian assistance in this way,” Jim said.

Alexander Evans – You’re Never Too Old to Give it a Go

Page 8: ncah_issue_15_2011

[email protected]

www.ncah.com.au [email protected]

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Do you want to Work and Travel?Do you want to earn between $8232 + $900 holiday pay and $9564 + $1056 holiday pay over 12 weeks?*Do you have care-giving experience or have trained as a nurse?Are you eligible to work in the UK?Then Oxford Aunts can help you work and travel in the UKUp to 12 week assignments (or longer) living in and caring for people in their own homes. Free board & lodgings are included as well as free induction training in the UK and professional friendly support.Visit our website www.oxfordaunts.co.uk to learn more about this fantastic opportunity.*exchange rate as at January 2011

OXFORD AUNTS CARE3 Cornmarket St. Oxford OX1 3EX UK

Phone: ++44 1865 791017Fax: ++44 1865 242606

Interested in being part of the future of Forensic Mental Health in NSW?

Opportunities for Endorsed Enrolled Nurses and Registered Nurses with recent Mental Health experienceOperated by Justice Health, The Forensic Hospital is an integral part of the Forensic Mental Health Network.

Located at Malabar and officially opened in February 2009, this purpose-built 135-bed facility provides high-quality specialised care to male, female and adolescent forensic patients in a high-security therapeutic environment.

Justice Health offers flexible work options, salary packaging, education support and self-development opportunities for mental health professionals.

If you have recent mental health experience as an EEN or RN and would like more detail about the opportunities that exist within The Forensic Hospital, please contact a member of our recruitment team.

Enquiries: The Recruitment Team 1300 734 842.

Website: www.jobsatjusticehealth.com.au

Applications: Justice Health Recruitment – The Forensic Hospital, PO Box 150, Matraville NSW 2036 or email [email protected]

We look forward to welcoming you to The Team!

Thinking about a new job opportunity? Perhaps a change of scenery or a step-up to a leadership role?

Post your target job details and your resume on theNCAH.com.au website. You can enter your:

•Target job title.•Your desired salary.•The locations in which you’re

interested in working.•Your field of specialisation.•How soon you’re interested in

taking on a new job.

Recruiters will use the NCAHwebsite to find & then contact you.

Your first step is to visit NCAH.com.au and click the ‘Upload Your CV Now!’ button on the home page.

What job do you want?

WorkPac HealthCare

We’ll Look After YouWhile You Look After Others

Smarter Recruitment

1300 724 216 | workpac.com

Working as a full-time, casual or part-time agency nurse with WorkPac HealthCare provides you a fantastic alternative to your daily grind.

With us you will enjoy access to the best acute hospitals, aged-care and community employers in Melbourne and Brisbane plus the flexibility, variety and freedom to maintain the lifestyle you want.

Work with a team that values your needs. We are currently seeking Registered Nurses and Endorsed Enrolled Nurses to join us.

Contact us today on 1300 724 216 and arrange an appointment with one of our Recruitment Consultants so we can help you to make a positive change for the future!

$300 referral bonus when you introduce a

nurse to WorkPac * conditions apply

Page 9: ncah_issue_15_2011

[email protected]

www.ncah.com.au [email protected]

Undergraduate scholarships for those with a demonstrated commitment to aged care

� for courses at an accredited tertiary institution to become a registered nurse.

Postgraduate scholarships (including honours programs)

� masters programs � graduate diplomas � graduate certificates � honours programs.

Continuing professional development (including nurse re-entry)

� conferences � short courses � work shops � nurse re-entry.

Nurse practitioner scholarships

� for registered nurses wishing to undertake nurse practitioner studies.

Are you reAdy to kick stArt your Aged cAre cAreer?Aged Care Nursing Scholarships are available for Australian citizens or permanent residents for study in the following areas:

freecall: 1800 116 696 [email protected] www.rcna.org.auRCNA

For more information on eligibility or how to apply for a scholarship: Aged Care Nursing Scholarships (ACNS) are funded by the Australian Government.

RCNA, Australia’s peak professional nursing organisation, is proud to partner the Department of Health and Ageing

as the fund administrator for this program.

Applications close: 1 September 2011

Aged cAre NursiNg scholArships

YOU CAN HELP THOUSANDS OF AUSTRALIANS LEAD A HEALTHIER LIFE.

Bupa Health Dialog is growing rapidly and needs your help to keep pace with the demand for our services. As the pioneer of telephone health coaching services, we provide support to over 20 million people globally by helping them make informed decisions about their health.

Now looking after Australians, Health Dialog seeks nurses that are genuinely passionate about health care. In return, you’ll be working for a company that is focused on improving the lives of its customers and employees.

This is your opportunity to be a more active participant in the lives of others using your superior communication skills to counsel and guide callers through their health care choices. Ultimately they’ll live a better life.

Like to make a difference? Then apply now with a current RN Div 1 licence and experience to: www.bupa.com.au/careers quoting job no. 492802. Or call Nandita for a friendly chat on (03) 9937 4698.

Bupa Health Dialog is part of Bupa. Bupa is a trusted healthcare provider, covering over three million Australians through the private health insurance brands HBA, MBF and Mutual Community.

Bupa Australia Health Pty Ltd ABN 50 003 098 655

HEALTH COACHARE YOU LOOKING FOR A FRESH START?

° No heavy lifting and overnight shift work

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Page 10: ncah_issue_15_2011

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[email protected]

Advertiser List

A+A Training

AHN Recruitment

Austra health

Australian Medical Services

Avondale College

Bupa Health Coaches

Continental Travelnurse

CQ Nurse

Drake Medox

Employment Office

Healthcare Australia

HealtheCare Australia - Lingard Hospital

Koala Nursing Agency

Lifescreen

Medacs Australia

NSW Health - Greater Southern Area

Health

NSW Health - Justice Health

NSW Institute of Psychiatry

Oceania University of Medicine

Oxford Aunts Care

PJ Locums

Queensland Health

Remote Area Health Corps (RAHC)

Royal College of Nursing Australia

UHG - Unified Healthcare Group

Victorian Nurse Specialists

Workpac

We hope you enjoy perusing the range of opportunities included in Issue 15, 2011.

If you are interested in pursuing any of these opportunities, please contact the advertiser directly via the contact details provided. If you have any queries about our publication or if you would like to receive our publication, please email us at [email protected]

“FACT, NOT FICTION”

The NCAH Distribution is Independently Audited by the Circulations Audit Bureaux.

Print Distribution: 10,532

Email Distribution: 9,853

Total Distribution: 20,385

Next Publication: Midwifery Special Feature

Publication Date: Monday 15 August 2011

Colour Artwork Deadline: Monday 8 August 2011

Mono Artwork Deadline: Wednesday 10 August 2011

For all advertising and production enquiries please contact us on +61 (0) 3 9271 8700, email [email protected] or visit www.ncah.com.au

If you would like to change your mailing address, or be included on our distribution, please email [email protected]

Published by Seabreeze Communications Pty Ltd Trading as NCAH.

ABN 29 071 328 053.

© 2010 Seabreeze Communications Pty Ltd.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied or

reproduced by any means without the prior written permission of

the publisher. Compliance with the Trade Practices Act 1974 of

advertisements contained in this publication is the responsibility of

those who submit the advertisement for publication.

Issue 15 1 August 2011

housands of jobs online at

w.ncah.com.au

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REGISTERED GENERAL NURSES ALL AREAS THROUGHOUT AUSTRALIA Due to our rapidly expanding business Lifescreen Australia a division of Sonic HealthCare is currently recruiting Registered Nurses on a sub contractual basis. Lifescreen currently undertakes work for all Insurance Companies and has recently diversified into the Pharmaceutical area. We are looking for nurses to perform a variety of roles including: Insurance Work Pharmaceutical Work Medical Assessments Cannulation and Infusions Venepuncture Patient Support/Education Programs ECG recordings Corporate Work Spirometry Immunisations and Health Awareness Essential Criteria:

• Competent in Venepuncture and or Cannulation

• CPR Certification

• Cannulation Certification. (if applicable)

• ABN

• Own car

• Internet, printer and mobile phone with message bank Choose in what locations you wish to work, work as little or as much as you want. If you are looking for a fully flexible and autonomous lifestyle Send your resume to [email protected] This role is only available to Australian Residents or to those who hold valid working visas or permits

Due to our rapidly expanding business Lifescreen Australia, a division of Sonic Healthcare, is currently recruiting Registered Nurses on a sub-contractual basis.Lifescreen currently undertakes work for all Insurance Companies and has recently diversified into the Pharmaceutical area.We are looking for nurses to perform a variety of roles including:Medical assessments Infusion services Venepuncture ECG recordings Spirometry

Essential Criteria:• Competent in venepuncture

and/or cannulation• CPR Certification• Cannulation Certification

(if applicable)• ABN • Own car• Internet, printer and mobile

phone with message bankChoose in what locations you wish to work, work as little or as much as you want.Lifescreen Australia is currently looking for contractors in both metropolitan and rural areas.

For all queries, please call 1800 673 123 or send your resume to [email protected] role is only available to Australian Residents or to those who hold valid working visas or permits.

R E G I S T E R E D G E N E R A L N U R S E S Careers with Queensland Health

A criminal history check may be conducted on the recommended person for the job. A non-smoking policy applies to Queensland Government buildings, offi ces and motor vehicles.

You can apply online at www.health.qld.gov.au/workforus

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District Director of Nursing

Central West District Offi ce, Longreach,Central West Health Service District.Remuneration value up to $136 969 p.a., comprising salary $120 047 p.a., employer contribution to superannuation(up to 12.75%) and annual leave loading (17.5%) relocationand accommodation expenses negotiable (conditions apply)(Nurse Grade 11 (2)) (Applications will remain current for12 months.) JAR: H11CW07473.Duties/Abilities: Responsible for the professional leadership, strategic development and overall delivery of an effective nursing service in the District. Specifi cally, the position will maximise the potential of nursing practices to enhance health outcomes. Enquiries: Jill Magee (07) 4652 8000.Application Kit: (07) 4920 7000 orwww.health.qld.gov.au/workforusClosing Date: Monday, 15 August 2011.

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Victor McConvey hopes there will be a day when people with Parkinson’s disease have access to a dedicated Parkinson’s nurse in their local health care network.

The Parkinson’s Victoria clinical nurse consultant, who established the Parkinson’s nurse specialist position in Leeds in the United Kingdom, would like the nation’s small number of Parkinson’s nurses to grow along the lines of the country’s burgeoning network of breast care cancer nurses - giving people with Parkinson’s direct access to specialist nurses.

The disease, the second most common neurological disorder in the world, affects an estimated 20,000 Victorians and 80,000 Australians – about one in five people over the age of 65.

The UK is leading the fight on the Parkinson’s frontline with 264 Parkinson’s nurses and Tasmania is following suit in Australia with four Parkinson’s nurses coming on board. Mr McConvey said Parkinson’s, caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, is often characterised as a disease that makes people shake and slow down but he said there were a wide range of symptoms, including hallucinations, not often discussed.

A nurse of 22 years who has worked in the field of neurology for the past 15 years, Mr McConvey now travels the state working with people living with Parkinson’s and their families, helping them manage symptoms and improve self-management. Another large part of his role is educating health care professionals about the disease.“Nurses can make the world of difference to someone with Parkinson’s,” he said.

“I think probably the biggest issue that nurses in particular struggle with Parkinson’s disease, is a lack of knowledge about the importance of medication.”

Mr McConvey said medication, which addresses the chemical imbalance, needs to be administered regularly in a facility setting. And he said nurses need to be aware of the signs of the medication wearing off, which range from physical symptoms, such as the person moving slower, to hallucinations, anxious or sad feelings.

Mr McConvey said Parkinson’s Victoria, a charitable organisation, is also a resource for health care professionals with an information line for tips and advice.

# The Parkinson’s Unity Walk, hosted by Parkinson’s organisations in each state, is the largest fundraising and awareness raising event of its kind and will be held on Sunday, August 28. For more information visit www.unitywalk.com.au

A Future with more Parkinson’s Nurses

Victor McConvey

Page 11: ncah_issue_15_2011

The 12-hour nursing shift is under the spotlight after a United States study found nurses working the shifts are more prone to health problems and making patient errors.

The results from the University of Maryland and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine study, published earlier this year, come as new Australian Bureau of Statistics figures confirm more Australians than ever before are embracing the move to working longer shifts over the traditional eight-hour day.

ANF federal secretary Lee Thomas said while there were no current statistics on the incidence of 12-hour nursing shifts in Australia, she said longer shifts were usually by consent, particularly in specialist areas such as Intensive Care Units.

“Our members that we have spoken to tend to enjoy working longer shifts because of the extra time off they receive,” Ms Thomas said.

“The ANF of course continues to monitor the practice, in terms of occupational health and safety issues for our members and best quality care to patients.”

The US study was based on survey responses from 633 nurses in 71 non-federal hospitals and found demanding work schedules could be to blame for patient mortality.

The study found nurses who work 12-hour shifts were more prone to sleep deprivation and fatigue, with the average total sleep time between the shifts just 5.5 hours, and those factors combined with insufficient time away from work could contribute to nurse errors and patient deaths.

For more news and resource articles plus thousands of jobs and courses for nurses and allied health professionals, visit www.ncah.com.au

Twelve Hour Shifts Linked to Nurse Errors

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

www.ncah.com.au [email protected]

[email protected]

Tailored healthcare training solutions

Courses on offer:Advanced Life Support •Immediate Life Support •IV Cannulation & •VenepunctureAdvanced Trauma Course •Minor Injuries Workshop •

Advanced Life SupportImmediate Life SupportIV Cannulation & VenepunctureAdvanced Trauma CourseMinor Injuries Workshop

NETS the Newborn & paediatric Emergency Transport Service is the state’s only mobile emergency intensive care service which specialises in newborn and paediatric critical care, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

NETS coordinates and transports critically ill babies and children in over 200 hospitals across NSW and the ACT using specially fitted-out NETS ambulances, helicopters or Royal Flying Doctor Service planes.

NETS even transports children from overseas, using charter jets or commercial airliners.

If you would like to advance your career and become part of an innovative team or if you are already experienced and would like to challenge yourself and your skills in a new and exciting job, a NETS Nurse is the job for you!

NETS Registered Nurses participate in all types of retrievals (statewide, interstate and international) including nurse retrievals in all modes of transport.

This position will also assist in the Clinical Coordination Centre triaging calls, organising neonatal and paediatric retrievals; including organising the appropriate transport equipment.

The successful applicants will be clinically competent in triaging, stabilising and transferring high risk neonatal and paediatric patients.

Nursing on the Move

Position Ref No: 39218Employment Type: Full Time or 12 month TemporarySalary: Public Health Nursing & Midwifery State Award Closing Date: 19 August 2011.

For Enquiries or an Application Pack contact: Paul Gallagher, Nurse Managerp: 02 9633 8724 m: 0438 403 835 e: [email protected]. www.nets.health.nsw.gov.au

‘moving intensive care for kids‛

NETS is a Statewide Service of NSW Health and the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Specialty Health Network

• Eligible for registration with the Nurses and Midwives Board of Australia (NMBA).

• Experience in neonatal, paediatric or adult intensive care unit.

• Excellent clinical assessment skills and evidence of recent advanced nursing care of the critically ill neonate and/or paediatric patient.

• Demonstrated strong clinical, safety and professional standards within the critical care environment.

• Ability to deliver effective care which is innovative and within the organisations designated scope of practice

• Ability to function effectively both independently and as a team member.

• Highly motivated and committed to professional nursing development.

• Ability to provide effective and accurate information through exceptional communication skills, which includes computer literacy.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

NETS REGISTERED NURSE SELECTION CRITERIA

Jenni Armstrong spent about 15 years working in nursing in Saudi Arabia before homesickness lured her back to the shores of Australia.

When she returned last year, she worked as an agency nurse and found her colleagues were unhappy their managers were not listening to their concerns, so she decided to instead pursue a nursing career in aged care.

“I was looking to settle in and feel at home and I couldn’t see that happening in the acute system,” she said.

Jenni applied for several aged care positions but was rejected due to a lack of experience in the sector.

So she jumped in her car and literally knocked on the door at Bupa.

“I was very pleasantly and warmly received when I walked in the door,” she said. “They had a position available at Cardiff, which is the one I have now.”

Seven months later, Jenni loves her new role as care manager at the 67-bed high care Bupa aged care home in Cardiff, New South Wales.

“I am interested in career development and they provide a lot of education,” she said.

Jenni said while it was a fulfilling sector to work in, it was also vital to achieve wage parity between nursing in the acute care and aged care sectors.

“People in aged care do have a lower salary,” she said.

“The people who are in aged care are here because they love working with elderly people and they are passionate about what they do.”

Newcastle born and bred, Jenni ventured overseas and worked in five Saudi Arabian

hospitals in a management role, the latest managing a paediatric cardiac surgery unit at the Prince Sultan Cardiac Centre before she returned home.

Jenni has experienced the highs of working abroad, from the challenging work, a high paying tax-free salary and a satisfying social life, to the lows – the beginning of the Gulf War, shortly after her arrival.

“We all had gas masks and we had tanks patrolling up and down the road in front of our accommodation,” she said.

Jenni, who was 23 at the time, remembers the roar of the planes’ engines flying overhead one night during her night shift and one morning she woke to find the apartment building across the road from hers had been hit during the night.

“I was in Riyadh; it had quite a few direct hits. We were called in to tend to the wounded.”

Now a mother of two, Jenni is relishing a new chapter in her nursing career.

“It’s a rewarding area. It feels like I’m with family. I see the residents every day and you get attached.”

Aged Care Nursing Appeals to Jenni

The mix-up with two newborn babies, who were given to the wrong mothers to breastfeed in a Victorian private hospital, highlights the importance of keeping mums and babies together, according to one expert.

Australian College of Midwives spokesperson and University of Western Sydney Associate Professor of Midwifery Hannah Dahlen said the mix-up was one of the most common mistakes that happen on a maternity ward.

“It’s actually not uncommon,” she said.

“It’s a very good example of why we need to keep mothers and babies together.

“There’s a greater tendency to send your baby off to a nursery in a private hospital compared to a public hospital. We encourage the babies to be with their mothers.

“The more times you take a baby from a mother and return them, the greater the risk of having a mix-up.”

The switch occurred at St John of God Hospital in Geelong when a nurse failed to check the babies’ name bracelets while removing them from their cots in the special-care nursery on July 15 at about 6.30am.

The babies were delivered to the wrong mothers, who cared for them for more than eight hours, until a relative noticed an unfamiliar name on one of the bracelets and alerted staff.

The usual protocol is for staff to check the names on bracelets worn by babies and mothers before any handover but Associate Professor Dahlen said the best protocols can often get waylaid when midwives are overworked.

“You can put all of the best policies and guidelines in place…that’s all good and well in a world where we have plenty of staff and midwives and everything is running as it

should be.

“Midwives are very overworked. We have

a massive workforce shortage.

“If we don’t provide women with the right level of care and midwives with the right workload, we know mistakes happen because people take short

cuts.”

Associate Professor Dahlen said the

nurse responsible for the mistake would “feel

terrible” and while it was a major error she said it was unlikely

anyone had been harmed.

“Let’s put it in perspective,” she said.

“Those babies have both had cuddles. The risks associated with breast milk from another woman are extremely low.

“The biggest risk is the psychological impact, when a mother has been with a baby and it is not her own. That’s not to be underestimated.”

Expert Says Baby Mix-Ups Not Uncommon

Page 12: ncah_issue_15_2011

The 12-hour nursing shift is under the spotlight after a United States study found nurses working the shifts are more prone to health problems and making patient errors.

The results from the University of Maryland and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine study, published earlier this year, come as new Australian Bureau of Statistics figures confirm more Australians than ever before are embracing the move to working longer shifts over the traditional eight-hour day.

ANF federal secretary Lee Thomas said while there were no current statistics on the incidence of 12-hour nursing shifts in Australia, she said longer shifts were usually by consent, particularly in specialist areas such as Intensive Care Units.

“Our members that we have spoken to tend to enjoy working longer shifts because of the extra time off they receive,” Ms Thomas said.

“The ANF of course continues to monitor the practice, in terms of occupational health and safety issues for our members and best quality care to patients.”

The US study was based on survey responses from 633 nurses in 71 non-federal hospitals and found demanding work schedules could be to blame for patient mortality.

The study found nurses who work 12-hour shifts were more prone to sleep deprivation and fatigue, with the average total sleep time between the shifts just 5.5 hours, and those factors combined with insufficient time away from work could contribute to nurse errors and patient deaths.

For more news and resource articles plus thousands of jobs and courses for nurses and allied health professionals, visit www.ncah.com.au

Twelve Hour Shifts Linked to Nurse Errors

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

[email protected]

www.ncah.com.au [email protected]

Tailored healthcare training solutions

Courses on offer:Advanced Life Support•Immediate Life Support•IV Cannulation & •VenepunctureAdvanced Trauma Course•Minor Injuries Workshop•

Advanced Life SupportImmediate Life SupportIV Cannulation & VenepunctureAdvanced Trauma CourseMinor Injuries Workshop

NETS the Newborn & paediatric Emergency Transport Service is the state’s only mobile emergency intensive care service which specialises in newborn and paediatric critical care, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

NETS coordinates and transports critically ill babies and children in over 200 hospitals across NSW and the ACT using specially fitted-out NETS ambulances, helicopters or Royal Flying Doctor Service planes.

NETS even transports children from overseas, using charter jets or commercial airliners.

If you would like to advance your career and become part of an innovative team or if you are already experienced and would like to challenge yourself and your skills in a new and exciting job, a NETS Nurse is the job for you!

NETS Registered Nurses participate in all types of retrievals (statewide, interstate and international) including nurse retrievals in all modes of transport.

This position will also assist in the Clinical Coordination Centre triaging calls, organising neonatal and paediatric retrievals; including organising the appropriate transport equipment.

The successful applicants will be clinically competent in triaging, stabilising and transferring high risk neonatal and paediatric patients.

Nursing on the Move

Position Ref No: 39218Employment Type: Full Time or 12 month TemporarySalary: Public Health Nursing & Midwifery State Award Closing Date: 19 August 2011.

For Enquiries or an Application Pack contact: Paul Gallagher, Nurse Managerp: 02 9633 8724 m: 0438 403 835 e: [email protected]. www.nets.health.nsw.gov.au

‘moving intensive care for kids‛

NETS is a Statewide Service of NSW Health and the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Specialty Health Network

• Eligible for registration with the Nurses and Midwives Board of Australia (NMBA).

• Experience in neonatal, paediatric or adult intensive care unit.

• Excellent clinical assessment skills and evidence of recent advanced nursing care of the critically ill neonate and/or paediatric patient.

• Demonstrated strong clinical, safety and professional standards within the critical care environment.

• Ability to deliver effective care which is innovative and within the organisations designated scope of practice

• Ability to function effectively both independently and as a team member.

• Highly motivated and committed to professional nursing development.

• Ability to provide effective and accurate information through exceptional communication skills, which includes computer literacy.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

NETS REGISTERED NURSESELECTION CRITERIA

Jenni Armstrong spent about 15 years working in nursing in Saudi Arabia before homesickness lured her back to the shores of Australia.

When she returned last year, she worked as an agency nurse and found her colleagues were unhappy their managers were not listening to their concerns, so she decided to instead pursue a nursing career in aged care.

“I was looking to settle in and feel at home and I couldn’t see that happening in the acute system,” she said.

Jenni applied for several aged care positions but was rejected due to a lack of experience in the sector.

So she jumped in her car and literally knocked on the door at Bupa.

“I was very pleasantly and warmly received when I walked in the door,” she said. “They had a position available at Cardiff, which is the one I have now.”

Seven months later, Jenni loves her new role as care manager at the 67-bed high care Bupa aged care home in Cardiff, New South Wales.

“I am interested in career development and they provide a lot of education,” she said.

Jenni said while it was a fulfilling sector to work in, it was also vital to achieve wage parity between nursing in the acute care and aged care sectors.

“People in aged care do have a lower salary,” she said.

“The people who are in aged care are here because they love working with elderly people and they are passionate about what they do.”

Newcastle born and bred, Jenni ventured overseas and worked in five Saudi Arabian

hospitals in a management role, the latest managing a paediatric cardiac surgery unit at the Prince Sultan Cardiac Centre before she returned home.

Jenni has experienced the highs of working abroad, from the challenging work, a high paying tax-free salary and a satisfying social life, to the lows – the beginning of the Gulf War, shortly after her arrival.

“We all had gas masks and we had tanks patrolling up and down the road in front of our accommodation,” she said.

Jenni, who was 23 at the time, remembers the roar of the planes’ engines flying overhead one night during her night shift and one morning she woke to find the apartment building across the road from hers had been hit during the night.

“I was in Riyadh; it had quite a few direct hits. We were called in to tend to the wounded.”

Now a mother of two, Jenni is relishing a new chapter in her nursing career.

“It’s a rewarding area. It feels like I’m with family. I see the residents every day and you get attached.”

Aged Care Nursing Appeals to Jenni

The mix-up with two newborn babies, who were given to the wrong mothers to breastfeed in a Victorian private hospital, highlights the importance of keeping mums and babies together, according to one expert.

Australian College of Midwives spokesperson and University of Western Sydney Associate Professor of Midwifery Hannah Dahlen said the mix-up was one of the most common mistakes that happen on a maternity ward.

“It’s actually not uncommon,” she said.

“It’s a very good example of why we need to keep mothers and babies together.

“There’s a greater tendency to send your baby off to a nursery in a private hospital compared to a public hospital. We encourage the babies to be with their mothers.

“The more times you take a baby from a mother and return them, the greater the risk of having a mix-up.”

The switch occurred at St John of God Hospital in Geelong when a nurse failed to check the babies’ name bracelets while removing them from their cots in the special-care nursery on July 15 at about 6.30am.

The babies were delivered to the wrong mothers, who cared for them for more than eight hours, until a relative noticed an unfamiliar name on one of the bracelets and alerted staff.

The usual protocol is for staff to check the names on bracelets worn by babies and mothers before any handover but Associate Professor Dahlen said the best protocols can often get waylaid when midwives are overworked.

“You can put all of the best policies and guidelines in place…that’s all good and well in a world where we have plenty of staff and midwives and everything is running as it

should be.

“Midwives are very overworked. We have

a massive workforce shortage.

“If we don’t provide women with the right level of care and midwives with the right workload, we know mistakes happen because people take short

cuts.”

Associate Professor Dahlen said the

nurse responsible for the mistake would “feel

terrible” and while it was a major error she said it was unlikely

anyone had been harmed.

“Let’s put it in perspective,” she said.

“Those babies have both had cuddles. The risks associated with breast milk from another woman are extremely low.

“The biggest risk is the psychological impact, when a mother has been with a baby and it is not her own. That’s not to be underestimated.”

Expert Says Baby Mix-Ups Not Uncommon

Page 13: ncah_issue_15_2011

www.ncah.com.au [email protected]

[email protected]

EXPERIENCED THEATRE SCRUB NURSES WANTED

SIGN ON BONUS AVAILABLE

EXPERIENCED THEATRE SCRUB NURSES WANTED

SIGN ON BONUS AVAILABLE

Do you want flexible rostering, top hourly rates & access to state of the art facilities?

Lingard Private Hospital provides an exceptional working environment where your skills are appreciated and your work recognised. Surrounded by a supportive team, you will have access to ongoing professional development, employee rewards and much more.

Currently undergoing major redevelopments, Lingard Private Hospital is expanding its surgical services to deliver a state-of-the-art facility for Patients, Doctors and Staff.

At Lingard Private Hospital we offer:

• Top hourly rates – our rates are the highest of all private hospital groups

• Professional development allowance for each staff member ensuring ongoing education and training

• Flexible rostering Monday to Friday

• Free accessible parking

Join a team where you will be valued!Position Enquiries and Applications (incl. current CV) to:

Anna Styles-Tape, Director of Clinical Services Lingard Private Hospital

23 Merewether Street, Merewether NSW 2291

Ph: 02 4969 6799 Fax: 02 4963 7200

Email: [email protected]

Immediate starts available!

TOP OPPORTUNITIES FOR

AGENCY NURSES

t: +61 3 9864 6010

e: [email protected]

www.austrahealth.com.au

Demand for agency shifts is high and

Austra Health has a variety of work

available at public and private hospitals

across Melbourne, the Western and Eastern

suburbs and the Mornington Peninsula.

We’re looking for registered nurses with

experience in all areas including Medical,

Surgical, Orthopaedic, Emergency, Critical

Care, Paediatrics, NICU, PICU, Midwifery or

Special Care Nursery.

Enjoy the flexibility to choose when and

where you want to work, plus heaps of

great benefits!

To find out more contact us today.

$500* Sign on Bonus

$100* Referral Bonus

Weekly Pay+ choose your own shifts

Education & Training

FREEUniforms & P.I. Insurance

SocialEvenings & Movie Nights!

A preferred provider for all Public Hospitals.*Conditions apply

1115-032 1PG FULL COLOUR CMYK (typeset)

looking for something new?

W: www.ahnr.com.au E: [email protected] T: 1300 981 509www.ahnr.com.au

If you are looking to make a fresh start to your career or would like to register your interest in future job opportunities go to

Some of our latest vacancies include:➤ Nurse Unit Manager (Acute)

Colac, Victoria

➤ Nurse Unit Manager (Surgical) Hamilton, Victoria

➤ Practice Manager (Dental) Shepparton, Victoria

➤ Speech Pathologist Echuca, Victoria

➤ Dental Technician Shepparton, Victoria

AHN recruitment has been established to offer something new for those seeking career challenges in the allied health, nursing and clinical support areas.

Sodexo Australia senior dietitian Jemma O’Hanlon knows her work makes a difference to the lives of aged care residents.

The Melbourne accredited practising dietitian has worked for more than two years for the global food and facilities management company, which caters to 31 aged care sites in Australia.

“Nutrition has a large role to play in reducing the risk of fractures and falls, increasing the speed of wound healing and reducing the risk of infections,” Jemma said.

“I have a large say in what goes into the menus, how it is served, and ensuring that we are providing adequate meals to residents.

“I really love that what I do has an impact on a resident’s quality of life and wellness.”

Jemma’s role includes reviewing menus, supporting the nutrition and hydration processes and to train colleagues for catering to the needs of aged care residents.

She said while most people associate dietitians with promoting good health with nutrient dense foods that are low in fat, sugar and salt, she said in aged care those rules don’t apply.

“In this age group we see high rates of malnutrition and it is for this reason that we often need to supplement residents’ diets with extra protein and energy to ensure they are meeting their nutritional requirements,” she said.

“Encouraging this change of thinking from healthy eating practices to full fat, high calorie choices can be challenging when working with facilities.

“Even residents with diabetes should now be served the same choices as other residents without restriction.

“When I review menus I ensure that main meals are protein based, that adequate portions are served, and choices are based on resident favourites.

“If residents are eating their food and enjoying it then we couldn’t be happier.”

Jemma said Sodexo had recently implemented innovative new systems focussed on improving the nutrition and hydration of residents, ranging from standardised recipe folders to portion control scoops, policies for diabetic diets and a system for high protein high energy foods for dementia residents.

Nutrition Bolsters Health in Aged Care

Page 14: ncah_issue_15_2011

[email protected]

www.ncah.com.au [email protected]

EXPERIENCED THEATRE SCRUB NURSES WANTED

SIGN ON BONUS AVAILABLE

EXPERIENCED THEATRE SCRUB NURSES WANTED

SIGN ON BONUS AVAILABLE

Do you want flexible rostering, top hourly rates & access to state of the art facilities?

Lingard Private Hospital provides an exceptional working environment where your skills are appreciated and your work recognised. Surrounded by a supportive team, you will have access to ongoing professional development, employee rewards and much more.

Currently undergoing major redevelopments, Lingard Private Hospital is expanding its surgical services to deliver a state-of-the-art facility for Patients, Doctors and Staff.

At Lingard Private Hospital we offer:

• Top hourly rates – our rates are the highest of all private hospital groups

• Professional development allowance for each staff member ensuring ongoing education and training

• Flexible rostering Monday to Friday

• Free accessible parking

Join a team where you will be valued!Position Enquiries and Applications (incl. current CV) to:

Anna Styles-Tape, Director of Clinical Services Lingard Private Hospital

23 Merewether Street, Merewether NSW 2291

Ph: 02 4969 6799 Fax: 02 4963 7200

Email: [email protected]

Immediate starts available!

TOP OPPORTUNITIES FOR

AGENCY NURSES

t: +61 3 9864 6010

e: [email protected]

www.austrahealth.com.au

Demand for agency shifts is high and

Austra Health has a variety of work

available at public and private hospitals

across Melbourne, the Western and Eastern

suburbs and the Mornington Peninsula.

We’re looking for registered nurses with

experience in all areas including Medical,

Surgical, Orthopaedic, Emergency, Critical

Care, Paediatrics, NICU, PICU, Midwifery or

Special Care Nursery.

Enjoy the flexibility to choose when and

where you want to work, plus heaps of

great benefits!

To find out more contact us today.

$500* Sign on Bonus

$100* Referral Bonus

Weekly Pay + choose your own shifts

Education & Training

FREEUniforms & P.I. Insurance

Social Evenings & Movie Nights!

A preferred provider for all Public Hospitals. *Conditions apply

1115-032 1PG FULL COLOUR CMYK (typeset)

looking for something new?

W: www.ahnr.com.au E: [email protected] T: 1300 981 509 www.ahnr.com.au

If you are looking to make a fresh start to your career or would like to register your interest in future job opportunities go to

Some of our latest vacancies include:➤ Nurse Unit Manager (Acute)

Colac, Victoria

➤ Nurse Unit Manager (Surgical) Hamilton, Victoria

➤ Practice Manager (Dental) Shepparton, Victoria

➤ Speech Pathologist Echuca, Victoria

➤ Dental Technician Shepparton, Victoria

AHN recruitment has been established to offer something new for those seeking career challenges in the allied health, nursing and clinical support areas.

Sodexo Australia senior dietitian Jemma O’Hanlon knows her work makes a difference to the lives of aged care residents.

The Melbourne accredited practising dietitian has worked for more than two years for the global food and facilities management company, which caters to 31 aged care sites in Australia.

“Nutrition has a large role to play in reducing the risk of fractures and falls, increasing the speed of wound healing and reducing the risk of infections,” Jemma said.

“I have a large say in what goes into the menus, how it is served, and ensuring that we are providing adequate meals to residents.

“I really love that what I do has an impact on a resident’s quality of life and wellness.”

Jemma’s role includes reviewing menus, supporting the nutrition and hydration processes and to train colleagues for catering to the needs of aged care residents.

She said while most people associate dietitians with promoting good health with nutrient dense foods that are low in fat, sugar and salt, she said in aged care those rules don’t apply.

“In this age group we see high rates of malnutrition and it is for this reason that we often need to supplement residents’ diets with extra protein and energy to ensure they are meeting their nutritional requirements,” she said.

“Encouraging this change of thinking from healthy eating practices to full fat, high calorie choices can be challenging when working with facilities.

“Even residents with diabetes should now be served the same choices as other residents without restriction.

“When I review menus I ensure that main meals are protein based, that adequate portions are served, and choices are based on resident favourites.

“If residents are eating their food and enjoying it then we couldn’t be happier.”

Jemma said Sodexo had recently implemented innovative new systems focussed on improving the nutrition and hydration of residents, ranging from standardised recipe folders to portion control scoops, policies for diabetic diets and a system for high protein high energy foods for dementia residents.

Nutrition Bolsters Health in Aged Care

Page 15: ncah_issue_15_2011

[email protected]

www.ncah.com.au [email protected]

Make the change now and go rural to live the lifestyle in Southern NSW.

What are you waiting for?

Are you a Registered Nurse who is looking for a Lifestyle Change and further your career in Aged Care, General and High Dependency Nursing?

We have immediate Full Time and Part Time employment opportunities in both

Murrumbidgee Local Health District&

Southern NSW Local Health District

Plus all the advantages of a rural environment

A balance healthy lifestyle, opportunity for community participation & enhanced family life; no traf�c

Other incentives to change are:• Professional and flexible team environments where you can practice and grow

• Flexible Rostering Practices• Attractive salary packaging and Relocation Incentives

• More affordable living• Remote Housing Assistance Benefits

• NSW Government Regional Relocation Grant• Commitment to ongoing development through

professional clinical education programs

The combined area of both Murrumbidgee and Southern NSW Local Health Districts in Southern NSW extends from the beaches on the State's South Coast across the Great

Dividing Range to the snowfields of the Snowy Mountains and onto the rural regions that border Victoria. It includes the thriving regional centres of Deniliquin, Goulburn, Griffith, Queanbeyan, Batemans Bay, Bega and Wagga Wagga. The area has a population of

approximately 470,000 people.

For further information on positions available within Local Health Districts log onto:http://nswhealth.erecruit.com.au/Default.aspx

and select either Murrumbidgee or Southern NSW Local Health Districts

To �nd out about what the lifestyle of our region has to offer log onto:www2.gsahs.nsw.gov.au/lifestyle/

APPLY ONLINE NOW!

NSW Health Service: Employer of choice

BUSINESS CLASS

BOARDING PASS

BUSINESS CLASS

BUSINESS CLASS BOARDING PASS

BUSINESS CLASS

Work. Life. Choice.

◗ Self Managed Sub-Contract Positions

◗ Great flexibility – work around your personal and family commitments

◗ Looking for Consultants in all States and Territories

◗ Ongoing Phone Support

UHG is a leading provider of customised healthcare solutions for insurers, employers and individuals across Australia. We are offering unique opportunities for nurses to undertake self-managed sub-contract work with our innovative mobile health service division.

This role involves booking and attending appointments for clients in their home or workplace and conducting health examinations, ECGs, spirometry and/or pathology collection. Opportunities also exist for qualified Nurse Immunisers to complete corporate vaccinations.

If you are an outstanding registered or enrolled nurse that meets the following requirements we would love to hear from you.

For more details visit our website at www.uhg.com.au and to Apply online visit www.healthscreening.com.au

For general enquiries, please phone Jessica on (03) 9692 7049

Craving Flexibility?Boost Your Income and Work Around the Lifestyle You Want!

◗ Competent phlebotomy skills - Minimum 2 years recent venepuncture experience

◗ Up to date CPR certificate◗ Own Vehicle and Drivers License◗ Must have own PC & Printer, Internet Access,

Email, Fax or Scanner

◗ Australian Police Check◗ Public Liability and Professional

Indemnity Insurance Coverage◗ ABN

Our key requirements are:

Experience in insurance industry assessments, pre-employment medicals or owning a small business would be well regarded, but not essential.

Page 16: ncah_issue_15_2011

www.ncah.com.au [email protected]

[email protected]

A national advertising blitz is hoping to lure more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to work in Indigenous health.

The $4.3 million Federal Government campaign is aimed at attracting more people into Indigenous health jobs spanning allied health, nursing and medicine.

The campaign was launched on July 24 with television, radio, print and online advertising along with a dedicated website.

Sydney trainee physiotherapist Christopher Webster is one of the faces of the campaign.

“When people talk about our mob’s health, you only hear the bad stuff,” Mr Webster says in the advertisement.

“But just look at our athletes. When our people get the right health care, we’re unbeatable…I’m training to be a physiotherapist in Sydney.

“I’m helping our people get stronger. So they’re fit enough to tackle anything.

“There are hundreds of different health jobs.”

The campaign comes as Australian labour force figures show there were only 153 Indigenous medical professionals and 1598 registered and enrolled nurses in 2008 – which equates to just 0.2 and 0.6 percent of the entire health workforce.

Indigenous Health Minister Warren Snowdon said research showed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are more likely to seek primary health care when it is provided by their own people.

“We need more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander GPs, paramedics, medical

receptionists, nurses, sports physiotherapists, dental assistants, and dietitians to better respond to the particular needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians,” he said.

“This campaign will target Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander secondary school students to encourage them to pursue a job in the health sector and make them more aware of the opportunities in health, including the range of jobs, training options, career pathways and financial and other types of support available.”

For more information visit www.australia.gov.au/healthheroes.

For more news and resource articles plus thousands of jobs and courses for nurses and allied health professionals, visit www.ncah.com.au

New Campaign Targets Indigenous Health Jobs

Understanding & Managing Challenging Behaviours in Dementia

Date: Friday 19 August 2011Cost: $295 (early bird rate - pay by 5 Aug 2011)

Venue: 5 Fleet Street North ParramattaEnquiries: [email protected]

• Gain a better understanding of dementia and associated behaviours

• Learn about the role of the frontal lobe in relation to personality and behaviour

• Gain insights into what it might feel like to experience dementia

• Learn how to manage stress and reduce the risk of burn-out.

NSW Institute of Psychiatrywww.nswiop.nsw.edu.au

Hundreds of jobs and courses you won’t �nd on SEEK! ncah.com.au

Nursing Agencies

Special Feature

1107-009 1/2PG FULL COLOUR CMYK PDF (RPT)

The employment experts

for Nurses around Australia

Post your target job and resume at www.ncah.com.au

What job do you want?

Midwifery Special FeatureSave $2,700* per year using your own money on this card...

Hundreds of jobs and courses you won’t �nd on SEEK! ncah.com.au

Education Special Feature

1107-009 1/2PG FULL COLOUR CMYK PDF (RPT)

The employment experts

for Nurses around Australia

Nearly 7,000 young people with a disability call an Australian nursing facility their home. This is because there are no other accommodation options open to them, which puts immense pressure not only on the aged care system, but also on aged care nurses. Nina Hendy investigates.

The care of young disabled Australians is inadvertently falling under the care of aged care nurses, which puts additional pressure on a system already buckling beneath the strain.

Currently, even seriously disabled young people have no choice but to live in aged care facilities to be able to access the care they need.

An aged care nurse working in a Sydney nursing home cares for aged care residents in a nursing home in the western suburbs. But three young people with severe disabilities also fall under her care. And while she understands the difficulties the situation poses for the Federal Government, the aged care nurse admits that she doesn’t feel that she is equipped to adequately care for those with disabilities.

The nurse, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, says her training hasn’t equipped her with the skills to care for those with disabilities, but this fact appears to be ignored by her superiors. “It’s a completely unfair situation for these young people. They know they are surrounding by the elderly and I know that they find it demoralising. But aside from that, I don’t have the necessary training to deal with their specialist needs.

“I was looking forward to a career in aged care, but it just feels as though every day is sink or swim. I’m completely stretched at work and barely feel I have time to care for both the elderly and the young I look after. And I just don’t think it’s fair that those with disabilities are in my care anyway. I don’t want to sound mean, but it’s just not what I signed up for,” she says.

While the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) addressed the issue by moving young disabled people into more appropriate accommodation five years ago, a recent report has found that the program has reduced the number of young residents in aged care by 29 per cent, which advocates reason still leaves a significant number of young people under the care of aged care centres.

The situation also prompts questions around whether or not adequate training is being provided for nursing staff caring for these special needs patients across the country.

But training is just the start of it for aged care nurses. In fact, there’s a lot stacked against a career as a nurse in aged care.

A series of issues that industry peak bodies continue to highlight remain in the spotlight without resolution. An ongoing issue is pay, with recent media reports highlighting the

Disabled Young Still in Aged Careby Nina Hendy

fact that aged care nurses earn up to $200 less a week than their hospital counterparts. The NSW Nurses Association says that one-off injections of government funding over the years has not flowed on to staff wages, and yet remains hopeful that something will change. However there is no immediate indication that this will be the case.

The Australian Nursing Federation agrees. Assistant Federal Secretary Yvonne Chaperon says the aged care sector is in desperate need of nurses and assistants in nursing (AIS), adding that the current wage gap between aged care nurses and their colleagues in

other parts of the health system was one of the main reasons that recruitment was an ongoing problem for the sector. “Along with greater funding of the aged care sector, there are several crucial workforce issues that are integral to reforming our aged care sector,” Chaperon says.

“We must have a requirement of minimum care hours, extra staffing levels and the right skills mix of aged care workers and the licensing of workers if we are to improve the care that our older Australians need and deserve.”

Page 17: ncah_issue_15_2011

[email protected]

www.ncah.com.au [email protected]

A national advertising blitz is hoping to lure more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to work in Indigenous health.

The $4.3 million Federal Government campaign is aimed at attracting more people into Indigenous health jobs spanning allied health, nursing and medicine.

The campaign was launched on July 24 with television, radio, print and online advertising along with a dedicated website.

Sydney trainee physiotherapist Christopher Webster is one of the faces of the campaign.

“When people talk about our mob’s health, you only hear the bad stuff,” Mr Webster says in the advertisement.

“But just look at our athletes. When our people get the right health care, we’re unbeatable…I’m training to be a physiotherapist in Sydney.

“I’m helping our people get stronger. So they’re fit enough to tackle anything.

“There are hundreds of different health jobs.”

The campaign comes as Australian labour force figures show there were only 153 Indigenous medical professionals and 1598 registered and enrolled nurses in 2008 – which equates to just 0.2 and 0.6 percent of the entire health workforce.

Indigenous Health Minister Warren Snowdon said research showed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are more likely to seek primary health care when it is provided by their own people.

“We need more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander GPs, paramedics, medical

receptionists, nurses, sports physiotherapists, dental assistants, and dietitians to better respond to the particular needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians,” he said.

“This campaign will target Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander secondary school students to encourage them to pursue a job in the health sector and make them more aware of the opportunities in health, including the range of jobs, training options, career pathways and financial and other types of support available.”

For more information visit www.australia.gov.au/healthheroes.

For more news and resource articles plus thousands of jobs and courses for nurses and allied health professionals, visit www.ncah.com.au

New Campaign Targets Indigenous Health Jobs

Understanding & Managing Challenging Behaviours in Dementia

Date: Friday 19 August 2011Cost: $295 (early bird rate - pay by 5 Aug 2011)

Venue: 5 Fleet Street North ParramattaEnquiries: [email protected]

• Gain a better understanding of dementia and associated behaviours

• Learn about the role of the frontal lobe in relation to personality and behaviour

• Gain insights into what it might feel like to experience dementia

• Learn how to manage stress and reduce the risk of burn-out.

NSW Institute of Psychiatrywww.nswiop.nsw.edu.au

Hundreds of jobs and courses you won’t �nd on SEEK!ncah.com.au

Nursing Agencies

Special Feature

1107-009 1/2PG FULL COLOUR CMYK PDF (RPT)

The employment experts

for Nurses around Australia

Post your target job and resume at www.ncah.com.au

What job do you want?

Midwifery Special FeatureSave $2,700* per year using your own money on this card...

Hundreds of jobs and courses you won’t �nd on SEEK!ncah.com.au

Education Special Feature

1107-009 1/2PG FULL COLOUR CMYK PDF (RPT)

The employment experts

for Nurses around Australia

Nearly 7,000 young people with a disability call an Australian nursing facility their home. This is because there are no other accommodation options open to them, which puts immense pressure not only on the aged care system, but also on aged care nurses. Nina Hendy investigates.

The care of young disabled Australians is inadvertently falling under the care of aged care nurses, which puts additional pressure on a system already buckling beneath the strain.

Currently, even seriously disabled young people have no choice but to live in aged care facilities to be able to access the care they need.

An aged care nurse working in a Sydney nursing home cares for aged care residents in a nursing home in the western suburbs. But three young people with severe disabilities also fall under her care. And while she understands the difficulties the situation poses for the Federal Government, the aged care nurse admits that she doesn’t feel that she is equipped to adequately care for those with disabilities.

The nurse, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, says her training hasn’t equipped her with the skills to care for those with disabilities, but this fact appears to be ignored by her superiors. “It’s a completely unfair situation for these young people. They know they are surrounding by the elderly and I know that they find it demoralising. But aside from that, I don’t have the necessary training to deal with their specialist needs.

“I was looking forward to a career in aged care, but it just feels as though every day is sink or swim. I’m completely stretched at work and barely feel I have time to care for both the elderly and the young I look after. And I just don’t think it’s fair that those with disabilities are in my care anyway. I don’t want to sound mean, but it’s just not what I signed up for,” she says.

While the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) addressed the issue by moving young disabled people into more appropriate accommodation five years ago, a recent report has found that the program has reduced the number of young residents in aged care by 29 per cent, which advocates reason still leaves a significant number of young people under the care of aged care centres.

The situation also prompts questions around whether or not adequate training is being provided for nursing staff caring for these special needs patients across the country.

But training is just the start of it for aged care nurses. In fact, there’s a lot stacked against a career as a nurse in aged care.

A series of issues that industry peak bodies continue to highlight remain in the spotlight without resolution. An ongoing issue is pay, with recent media reports highlighting the

Disabled Young Still in Aged Careby Nina Hendy

fact that aged care nurses earn up to $200 less a week than their hospital counterparts. The NSW Nurses Association says that one-off injections of government funding over the years has not flowed on to staff wages, and yet remains hopeful that something will change. However there is no immediate indication that this will be the case.

The Australian Nursing Federation agrees. Assistant Federal Secretary Yvonne Chaperon says the aged care sector is in desperate need of nurses and assistants in nursing (AIS), adding that the current wage gap between aged care nurses and their colleagues in

other parts of the health system was one of the main reasons that recruitment was an ongoing problem for the sector. “Along with greater funding of the aged care sector, there are several crucial workforce issues that are integral to reforming our aged care sector,” Chaperon says.

“We must have a requirement of minimum care hours, extra staffing levels and the right skills mix of aged care workers and the licensing of workers if we are to improve the care that our older Australians need and deserve.”

Page 18: ncah_issue_15_2011

www.ncah.com.au [email protected]

[email protected]

Make the change now and go rural to live the lifestyle in Southern NSW.

What are you waiting for?

Are you a Registered Nurse who is looking for a Lifestyle Change and further your career in Aged Care, General and High Dependency Nursing?

We have immediate Full Time and Part Time employment opportunities in both

Murrumbidgee Local Health District&

Southern NSW Local Health District

Plus all the advantages of a rural environment

A balance healthy lifestyle, opportunity for community participation & enhanced family life; no traf�c

Other incentives to change are:• Professional and flexible team environments where you can practice and grow

• Flexible Rostering Practices• Attractive salary packaging and Relocation Incentives

• More affordable living• Remote Housing Assistance Benefits

• NSW Government Regional Relocation Grant• Commitment to ongoing development through

professional clinical education programs

The combined area of both Murrumbidgee and Southern NSW Local Health Districts in Southern NSW extends from the beaches on the State's South Coast across the Great

Dividing Range to the snowfields of the Snowy Mountains and onto the rural regions that border Victoria. It includes the thriving regional centres of Deniliquin, Goulburn, Griffith, Queanbeyan, Batemans Bay, Bega and Wagga Wagga. The area has a population of

approximately 470,000 people.

For further information on positions available within Local Health Districts log onto:http://nswhealth.erecruit.com.au/Default.aspx

and select either Murrumbidgee or Southern NSW Local Health Districts

To �nd out about what the lifestyle of our region has to offer log onto:www2.gsahs.nsw.gov.au/lifestyle/

APPLY ONLINE NOW!

NSW Health Service: Employer of choice

BUSINESS CLASS

BOARDING PASS

BUSINESS CLASS

BUSINESS CLASS BOARDING PASS

BUSINESS CLASS

Work. Life. Choice.

◗ Self Managed Sub-Contract Positions

◗ Great flexibility – work around your personal and family commitments

◗ Looking for Consultants in all States and Territories

◗ Ongoing Phone Support

UHG is a leading provider of customised healthcare solutions for insurers, employers and individuals across Australia. We are offering unique opportunities for nurses to undertake self-managed sub-contract work with our innovative mobile health service division.

This role involves booking and attending appointments for clients in their home or workplace and conducting health examinations, ECGs, spirometry and/or pathology collection. Opportunities also exist for qualified Nurse Immunisers to complete corporate vaccinations.

If you are an outstanding registered or enrolled nurse that meets the following requirements we would love to hear from you.

For more details visit our website at www.uhg.com.au and to Apply online visit www.healthscreening.com.au

For general enquiries, please phone Jessica on (03) 9692 7049

Craving Flexibility?Boost Your Income and Work Around the Lifestyle You Want!

◗ Competent phlebotomy skills - Minimum 2 years recent venepuncture experience

◗ Up to date CPR certificate◗ Own Vehicle and Drivers License◗ Must have own PC & Printer, Internet Access,

Email, Fax or Scanner

◗ Australian Police Check◗ Public Liability and Professional

Indemnity Insurance Coverage◗ ABN

Our key requirements are:

Experience in insurance industry assessments, pre-employment medicals or owning a small business would be well regarded, but not essential.

Page 19: ncah_issue_15_2011

www.ncah.com.au [email protected]

[email protected]

Make the change now and go rural to live the lifestyle in Southern NSW.

What are you waiting for?

Are you a Registered Nurse who is looking for a Lifestyle Change and further your career in Aged Care, General and High Dependency Nursing?

We have immediate Full Time and Part Time employment opportunities in both

Murrumbidgee Local Health District&

Southern NSW Local Health District

Plus all the advantages of a rural environment

A balance healthy lifestyle, opportunity for community participation & enhanced family life; no traf�c

Other incentives to change are:• Professional and flexible team environments where you can practice and grow

• Flexible Rostering Practices• Attractive salary packaging and Relocation Incentives

• More affordable living• Remote Housing Assistance Benefits

• NSW Government Regional Relocation Grant• Commitment to ongoing development through

professional clinical education programs

The combined area of both Murrumbidgee and Southern NSW Local Health Districts in Southern NSW extends from the beaches on the State's South Coast across the Great

Dividing Range to the snowfields of the Snowy Mountains and onto the rural regions that border Victoria. It includes the thriving regional centres of Deniliquin, Goulburn, Griffith, Queanbeyan, Batemans Bay, Bega and Wagga Wagga. The area has a population of

approximately 470,000 people.

For further information on positions available within Local Health Districts log onto:http://nswhealth.erecruit.com.au/Default.aspx

and select either Murrumbidgee or Southern NSW Local Health Districts

To �nd out about what the lifestyle of our region has to offer log onto:www2.gsahs.nsw.gov.au/lifestyle/

APPLY ONLINE NOW!

NSW Health Service: Employer of choice

BUSINESS CLASS

BOARDING PASS

BUSINESS CLASS

BUSINESS CLASS BOARDING PASS

BUSINESS CLASS

Work. Life. Choice.

◗ Self Managed Sub-Contract Positions

◗ Great flexibility – work around your personal and family commitments

◗ Looking for Consultants in all States and Territories

◗ Ongoing Phone Support

UHG is a leading provider of customised healthcare solutions for insurers, employers and individuals across Australia. We are offering unique opportunities for nurses to undertake self-managed sub-contract work with our innovative mobile health service division.

This role involves booking and attending appointments for clients in their home or workplace and conducting health examinations, ECGs, spirometry and/or pathology collection. Opportunities also exist for qualified Nurse Immunisers to complete corporate vaccinations.

If you are an outstanding registered or enrolled nurse that meets the following requirements we would love to hear from you.

For more details visit our website at www.uhg.com.au and to Apply online visit www.healthscreening.com.au

For general enquiries, please phone Jessica on (03) 9692 7049

Craving Flexibility?Boost Your Income and Work Around the Lifestyle You Want!

◗ Competent phlebotomy skills - Minimum 2 years recent venepuncture experience

◗ Up to date CPR certificate◗ Own Vehicle and Drivers License◗ Must have own PC & Printer, Internet Access,

Email, Fax or Scanner

◗ Australian Police Check◗ Public Liability and Professional

Indemnity Insurance Coverage◗ ABN

Our key requirements are:

Experience in insurance industry assessments, pre-employment medicals or owning a small business would be well regarded, but not essential.

Page 20: ncah_issue_15_2011

[email protected]

www.ncah.com.au [email protected]

A national advertising blitz is hoping to lure more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to work in Indigenous health.

The $4.3 million Federal Government campaign is aimed at attracting more people into Indigenous health jobs spanning allied health, nursing and medicine.

The campaign was launched on July 24 with television, radio, print and online advertising along with a dedicated website.

Sydney trainee physiotherapist Christopher Webster is one of the faces of the campaign.

“When people talk about our mob’s health, you only hear the bad stuff,” Mr Webster says in the advertisement.

“But just look at our athletes. When our people get the right health care, we’re unbeatable…I’m training to be a physiotherapist in Sydney.

“I’m helping our people get stronger. So they’re fit enough to tackle anything.

“There are hundreds of different health jobs.”

The campaign comes as Australian labour force figures show there were only 153 Indigenous medical professionals and 1598 registered and enrolled nurses in 2008 – which equates to just 0.2 and 0.6 percent of the entire health workforce.

Indigenous Health Minister Warren Snowdon said research showed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are more likely to seek primary health care when it is provided by their own people.

“We need more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander GPs, paramedics, medical

receptionists, nurses, sports physiotherapists, dental assistants, and dietitians to better respond to the particular needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians,” he said.

“This campaign will target Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander secondary school students to encourage them to pursue a job in the health sector and make them more aware of the opportunities in health, including the range of jobs, training options, career pathways and financial and other types of support available.”

For more information visit www.australia.gov.au/healthheroes.

For more news and resource articles plus thousands of jobs and courses for nurses and allied health professionals, visit www.ncah.com.au

New Campaign Targets Indigenous Health Jobs

Understanding & Managing Challenging Behaviours in Dementia

Date: Friday 19 August 2011Cost: $295 (early bird rate - pay by 5 Aug 2011)

Venue: 5 Fleet Street North ParramattaEnquiries: [email protected]

• Gain a better understanding of dementia and associated behaviours

• Learn about the role of the frontal lobe in relation to personality and behaviour

• Gain insights into what it might feel like to experience dementia

• Learn how to manage stress and reduce the risk of burn-out.

NSW Institute of Psychiatrywww.nswiop.nsw.edu.au

Hundreds of jobs and courses you won’t �nd on SEEK!ncah.com.au

Nursing Agencies

Special Feature

1107-009 1/2PG FULL COLOUR CMYK PDF (RPT)

The employment experts

for Nurses around Australia

Post your target job and resume at www.ncah.com.au

What job do you want?

Midwifery Special FeatureSave $2,700* per year using your own money on this card...

Hundreds of jobs and courses you won’t �nd on SEEK!ncah.com.au

Education Special Feature

1107-009 1/2PG FULL COLOUR CMYK PDF (RPT)

The employment experts

for Nurses around Australia

Nearly 7,000 young people with a disability call an Australian nursing facility their home. This is because there are no other accommodation options open to them, which puts immense pressure not only on the aged care system, but also on aged care nurses. Nina Hendy investigates.

The care of young disabled Australians is inadvertently falling under the care of aged care nurses, which puts additional pressure on a system already buckling beneath the strain.

Currently, even seriously disabled young people have no choice but to live in aged care facilities to be able to access the care they need.

An aged care nurse working in a Sydney nursing home cares for aged care residents in a nursing home in the western suburbs. But three young people with severe disabilities also fall under her care. And while she understands the difficulties the situation poses for the Federal Government, the aged care nurse admits that she doesn’t feel that she is equipped to adequately care for those with disabilities.

The nurse, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, says her training hasn’t equipped her with the skills to care for those with disabilities, but this fact appears to be ignored by her superiors. “It’s a completely unfair situation for these young people. They know they are surrounding by the elderly and I know that they find it demoralising. But aside from that, I don’t have the necessary training to deal with their specialist needs.

“I was looking forward to a career in aged care, but it just feels as though every day is sink or swim. I’m completely stretched at work and barely feel I have time to care for both the elderly and the young I look after. And I just don’t think it’s fair that those with disabilities are in my care anyway. I don’t want to sound mean, but it’s just not what I signed up for,” she says.

While the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) addressed the issue by moving young disabled people into more appropriate accommodation five years ago, a recent report has found that the program has reduced the number of young residents in aged care by 29 per cent, which advocates reason still leaves a significant number of young people under the care of aged care centres.

The situation also prompts questions around whether or not adequate training is being provided for nursing staff caring for these special needs patients across the country.

But training is just the start of it for aged care nurses. In fact, there’s a lot stacked against a career as a nurse in aged care.

A series of issues that industry peak bodies continue to highlight remain in the spotlight without resolution. An ongoing issue is pay, with recent media reports highlighting the

Disabled Young Still in Aged Careby Nina Hendy

fact that aged care nurses earn up to $200 less a week than their hospital counterparts. The NSW Nurses Association says that one-off injections of government funding over the years has not flowed on to staff wages, and yet remains hopeful that something will change. However there is no immediate indication that this will be the case.

The Australian Nursing Federation agrees. Assistant Federal Secretary Yvonne Chaperon says the aged care sector is in desperate need of nurses and assistants in nursing (AIS), adding that the current wage gap between aged care nurses and their colleagues in

other parts of the health system was one of the main reasons that recruitment was an ongoing problem for the sector. “Along with greater funding of the aged care sector, there are several crucial workforce issues that are integral to reforming our aged care sector,” Chaperon says.

“We must have a requirement of minimum care hours, extra staffing levels and the right skills mix of aged care workers and the licensing of workers if we are to improve the care that our older Australians need and deserve.”

Page 21: ncah_issue_15_2011

www.ncah.com.au [email protected]

[email protected]

A national advertising blitz is hoping to lure more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to work in Indigenous health.

The $4.3 million Federal Government campaign is aimed at attracting more people into Indigenous health jobs spanning allied health, nursing and medicine.

The campaign was launched on July 24 with television, radio, print and online advertising along with a dedicated website.

Sydney trainee physiotherapist Christopher Webster is one of the faces of the campaign.

“When people talk about our mob’s health, you only hear the bad stuff,” Mr Webster says in the advertisement.

“But just look at our athletes. When our people get the right health care, we’re unbeatable…I’m training to be a physiotherapist in Sydney.

“I’m helping our people get stronger. So they’re fit enough to tackle anything.

“There are hundreds of different health jobs.”

The campaign comes as Australian labour force figures show there were only 153 Indigenous medical professionals and 1598 registered and enrolled nurses in 2008 – which equates to just 0.2 and 0.6 percent of the entire health workforce.

Indigenous Health Minister Warren Snowdon said research showed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are more likely to seek primary health care when it is provided by their own people.

“We need more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander GPs, paramedics, medical

receptionists, nurses, sports physiotherapists, dental assistants, and dietitians to better respond to the particular needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians,” he said.

“This campaign will target Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander secondary school students to encourage them to pursue a job in the health sector and make them more aware of the opportunities in health, including the range of jobs, training options, career pathways and financial and other types of support available.”

For more information visit www.australia.gov.au/healthheroes.

For more news and resource articles plus thousands of jobs and courses for nurses and allied health professionals, visit www.ncah.com.au

New Campaign Targets Indigenous Health Jobs

Understanding & Managing Challenging Behaviours in Dementia

Date: Friday 19 August 2011Cost: $295 (early bird rate - pay by 5 Aug 2011)

Venue: 5 Fleet Street North ParramattaEnquiries: [email protected]

• Gain a better understanding of dementia and associated behaviours

• Learn about the role of the frontal lobe in relation to personality and behaviour

• Gain insights into what it might feel like to experience dementia

• Learn how to manage stress and reduce the risk of burn-out.

NSW Institute of Psychiatrywww.nswiop.nsw.edu.au

Hundreds of jobs and courses you won’t �nd on SEEK! ncah.com.au

Nursing Agencies

Special Feature

1107-009 1/2PG FULL COLOUR CMYK PDF (RPT)

The employment experts

for Nurses around Australia

Post your target job and resume at www.ncah.com.au

What job do you want?

Midwifery Special FeatureSave $2,700* per year using your own money on this card...

Hundreds of jobs and courses you won’t �nd on SEEK! ncah.com.au

Education Special Feature

1107-009 1/2PG FULL COLOUR CMYK PDF (RPT)

The employment experts

for Nurses around Australia

Nearly 7,000 young people with a disability call an Australian nursing facility their home. This is because there are no other accommodation options open to them, which puts immense pressure not only on the aged care system, but also on aged care nurses. Nina Hendy investigates.

The care of young disabled Australians is inadvertently falling under the care of aged care nurses, which puts additional pressure on a system already buckling beneath the strain.

Currently, even seriously disabled young people have no choice but to live in aged care facilities to be able to access the care they need.

An aged care nurse working in a Sydney nursing home cares for aged care residents in a nursing home in the western suburbs. But three young people with severe disabilities also fall under her care. And while she understands the difficulties the situation poses for the Federal Government, the aged care nurse admits that she doesn’t feel that she is equipped to adequately care for those with disabilities.

The nurse, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, says her training hasn’t equipped her with the skills to care for those with disabilities, but this fact appears to be ignored by her superiors. “It’s a completely unfair situation for these young people. They know they are surrounding by the elderly and I know that they find it demoralising. But aside from that, I don’t have the necessary training to deal with their specialist needs.

“I was looking forward to a career in aged care, but it just feels as though every day is sink or swim. I’m completely stretched at work and barely feel I have time to care for both the elderly and the young I look after. And I just don’t think it’s fair that those with disabilities are in my care anyway. I don’t want to sound mean, but it’s just not what I signed up for,” she says.

While the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) addressed the issue by moving young disabled people into more appropriate accommodation five years ago, a recent report has found that the program has reduced the number of young residents in aged care by 29 per cent, which advocates reason still leaves a significant number of young people under the care of aged care centres.

The situation also prompts questions around whether or not adequate training is being provided for nursing staff caring for these special needs patients across the country.

But training is just the start of it for aged care nurses. In fact, there’s a lot stacked against a career as a nurse in aged care.

A series of issues that industry peak bodies continue to highlight remain in the spotlight without resolution. An ongoing issue is pay, with recent media reports highlighting the

Disabled Young Still in Aged Careby Nina Hendy

fact that aged care nurses earn up to $200 less a week than their hospital counterparts. The NSW Nurses Association says that one-off injections of government funding over the years has not flowed on to staff wages, and yet remains hopeful that something will change. However there is no immediate indication that this will be the case.

The Australian Nursing Federation agrees. Assistant Federal Secretary Yvonne Chaperon says the aged care sector is in desperate need of nurses and assistants in nursing (AIS), adding that the current wage gap between aged care nurses and their colleagues in

other parts of the health system was one of the main reasons that recruitment was an ongoing problem for the sector. “Along with greater funding of the aged care sector, there are several crucial workforce issues that are integral to reforming our aged care sector,” Chaperon says.

“We must have a requirement of minimum care hours, extra staffing levels and the right skills mix of aged care workers and the licensing of workers if we are to improve the care that our older Australians need and deserve.”

Page 22: ncah_issue_15_2011

[email protected]

www.ncah.com.au [email protected]

Make the change now and go rural to live the lifestyle in Southern NSW.

What are you waiting for?

Are you a Registered Nurse who is looking for a Lifestyle Change and further your career in Aged Care, General and High Dependency Nursing?

We have immediate Full Time and Part Time employment opportunities in both

Murrumbidgee Local Health District&

Southern NSW Local Health District

Plus all the advantages of a rural environment

A balance healthy lifestyle, opportunity for community participation & enhanced family life; no traf�c

Other incentives to change are:• Professional and flexible team environments where you can practice and grow

• Flexible Rostering Practices• Attractive salary packaging and Relocation Incentives

• More affordable living• Remote Housing Assistance Benefits

• NSW Government Regional Relocation Grant• Commitment to ongoing development through

professional clinical education programs

The combined area of both Murrumbidgee and Southern NSW Local Health Districts in Southern NSW extends from the beaches on the State's South Coast across the Great

Dividing Range to the snowfields of the Snowy Mountains and onto the rural regions that border Victoria. It includes the thriving regional centres of Deniliquin, Goulburn, Griffith, Queanbeyan, Batemans Bay, Bega and Wagga Wagga. The area has a population of

approximately 470,000 people.

For further information on positions available within Local Health Districts log onto:http://nswhealth.erecruit.com.au/Default.aspx

and select either Murrumbidgee or Southern NSW Local Health Districts

To �nd out about what the lifestyle of our region has to offer log onto:www2.gsahs.nsw.gov.au/lifestyle/

APPLY ONLINE NOW!

NSW Health Service: Employer of choice

BUSINESS CLASS

BOARDING PASS

BUSINESS CLASS

BUSINESS CLASS BOARDING PASS

BUSINESS CLASS

Work. Life. Choice.

◗ Self Managed Sub-Contract Positions

◗ Great flexibility – work around your personal and family commitments

◗ Looking for Consultants in all States and Territories

◗ Ongoing Phone Support

UHG is a leading provider of customised healthcare solutions for insurers, employers and individuals across Australia. We are offering unique opportunities for nurses to undertake self-managed sub-contract work with our innovative mobile health service division.

This role involves booking and attending appointments for clients in their home or workplace and conducting health examinations, ECGs, spirometry and/or pathology collection. Opportunities also exist for qualified Nurse Immunisers to complete corporate vaccinations.

If you are an outstanding registered or enrolled nurse that meets the following requirements we would love to hear from you.

For more details visit our website at www.uhg.com.au and to Apply online visit www.healthscreening.com.au

For general enquiries, please phone Jessica on (03) 9692 7049

Craving Flexibility?Boost Your Income and Work Around the Lifestyle You Want!

◗ Competent phlebotomy skills - Minimum 2 years recent venepuncture experience

◗ Up to date CPR certificate◗ Own Vehicle and Drivers License◗ Must have own PC & Printer, Internet Access,

Email, Fax or Scanner

◗ Australian Police Check◗ Public Liability and Professional

Indemnity Insurance Coverage◗ ABN

Our key requirements are:

Experience in insurance industry assessments, pre-employment medicals or owning a small business would be well regarded, but not essential.

Page 23: ncah_issue_15_2011

www.ncah.com.au [email protected]

[email protected]

EXPERIENCED THEATRE SCRUB NURSES WANTED

SIGN ON BONUS AVAILABLE

EXPERIENCED THEATRE SCRUB NURSES WANTED

SIGN ON BONUS AVAILABLE

Do you want flexible rostering, top hourly rates & access to state of the art facilities?

Lingard Private Hospital provides an exceptional working environment where your skills are appreciated and your work recognised. Surrounded by a supportive team, you will have access to ongoing professional development, employee rewards and much more.

Currently undergoing major redevelopments, Lingard Private Hospital is expanding its surgical services to deliver a state-of-the-art facility for Patients, Doctors and Staff.

At Lingard Private Hospital we offer:

• Top hourly rates – our rates are the highest of all private hospital groups

• Professional development allowance for each staff member ensuring ongoing education and training

• Flexible rostering Monday to Friday

• Free accessible parking

Join a team where you will be valued!Position Enquiries and Applications (incl. current CV) to:

Anna Styles-Tape, Director of Clinical Services Lingard Private Hospital

23 Merewether Street, Merewether NSW 2291

Ph: 02 4969 6799 Fax: 02 4963 7200

Email: [email protected]

1114-010 1/2PG FULL COLOUR CMYK (repeat)

Do you have mental health experience?

MHS Nurses Agency are the Mental Health Staffing Specialists.We are looking for experienced Mental Health staff to join us. We have casual shifts, short term contracts and permanent positions available. We also have contract work for allied health staff experienced in Mental Health.

So, if it’s for a shift every now and then, or a change of career, let MHS help you. As Mental Health Nurses we understand what it takes to work in Mental Health. So call the team that understands your speciality and take control of your career today.

MHS more than just a nursing agency.

What can we offer you

· Above Award payments

· A wide variety of work

· Parking Allowances

· Flexi Pay*

· Understanding and Support

· The ability to work only when and where you want

* Flexi Pay – work today, get paid tomorrow.

P: 1300 527 034 E: [email protected] W: www.mhsnurses.com.au

Continental Travelnurse... the UK'sPremier Travel Nurse Company

FREE call our team today: 1800 85 1234Email: [email protected] Website: www.continentaltravelnurse.com

• 3 month extendable hospital-based assignments• Upmarket COMPANY housing • Travel money• UK nursing registration and visa assistance• More than a decade of experience• ALL AGES – it’s never too soon or too late to have fun

For

3 months or

3 years, we’d

love to have

YOU!

Page 24: ncah_issue_15_2011

www.ncah.com.au [email protected]

[email protected]

EXPERIENCED THEATRE SCRUB NURSES WANTED

SIGN ON BONUS AVAILABLE

EXPERIENCED THEATRE SCRUB NURSES WANTED

SIGN ON BONUS AVAILABLE

Do you want flexible rostering, top hourly rates & access to state of the art facilities?

Lingard Private Hospital provides an exceptional working environment where your skills are appreciated and your work recognised. Surrounded by a supportive team, you will have access to ongoing professional development, employee rewards and much more.

Currently undergoing major redevelopments, Lingard Private Hospital is expanding its surgical services to deliver a state-of-the-art facility for Patients, Doctors and Staff.

At Lingard Private Hospital we offer:

• Top hourly rates – our rates are the highest of all private hospital groups

• Professional development allowance for each staff member ensuring ongoing education and training

• Flexible rostering Monday to Friday

• Free accessible parking

Join a team where you will be valued!Position Enquiries and Applications (incl. current CV) to:

Anna Styles-Tape, Director of Clinical Services Lingard Private Hospital

23 Merewether Street, Merewether NSW 2291

Ph: 02 4969 6799 Fax: 02 4963 7200

Email: [email protected]

Immediate starts available!

TOP OPPORTUNITIES FOR

AGENCY NURSES

t: +61 3 9864 6010

e: [email protected]

www.austrahealth.com.au

Demand for agency shifts is high and

Austra Health has a variety of work

available at public and private hospitals

across Melbourne, the Western and Eastern

suburbs and the Mornington Peninsula.

We’re looking for registered nurses with

experience in all areas including Medical,

Surgical, Orthopaedic, Emergency, Critical

Care, Paediatrics, NICU, PICU, Midwifery or

Special Care Nursery.

Enjoy the flexibility to choose when and

where you want to work, plus heaps of

great benefits!

To find out more contact us today.

$500* Sign on Bonus

$100* Referral Bonus

Weekly Pay+ choose your own shifts

Education & Training

FREEUniforms & P.I. Insurance

SocialEvenings & Movie Nights!

A preferred provider for all Public Hospitals.*Conditions apply

1115-032 1PG FULL COLOUR CMYK (typeset)

looking for something new?

W: www.ahnr.com.au E: [email protected] T: 1300 981 509www.ahnr.com.au

If you are looking to make a fresh start to your career or would like to register your interest in future job opportunities go to

Some of our latest vacancies include:➤ Nurse Unit Manager (Acute)

Colac, Victoria

➤ Nurse Unit Manager (Surgical) Hamilton, Victoria

➤ Practice Manager (Dental) Shepparton, Victoria

➤ Speech Pathologist Echuca, Victoria

➤ Dental Technician Shepparton, Victoria

AHN recruitment has been established to offer something new for those seeking career challenges in the allied health, nursing and clinical support areas.

Sodexo Australia senior dietitian Jemma O’Hanlon knows her work makes a difference to the lives of aged care residents.

The Melbourne accredited practising dietitian has worked for more than two years for the global food and facilities management company, which caters to 31 aged care sites in Australia.

“Nutrition has a large role to play in reducing the risk of fractures and falls, increasing the speed of wound healing and reducing the risk of infections,” Jemma said.

“I have a large say in what goes into the menus, how it is served, and ensuring that we are providing adequate meals to residents.

“I really love that what I do has an impact on a resident’s quality of life and wellness.”

Jemma’s role includes reviewing menus, supporting the nutrition and hydration processes and to train colleagues for catering to the needs of aged care residents.

She said while most people associate dietitians with promoting good health with nutrient dense foods that are low in fat, sugar and salt, she said in aged care those rules don’t apply.

“In this age group we see high rates of malnutrition and it is for this reason that we often need to supplement residents’ diets with extra protein and energy to ensure they are meeting their nutritional requirements,” she said.

“Encouraging this change of thinking from healthy eating practices to full fat, high calorie choices can be challenging when working with facilities.

“Even residents with diabetes should now be served the same choices as other residents without restriction.

“When I review menus I ensure that main meals are protein based, that adequate portions are served, and choices are based on resident favourites.

“If residents are eating their food and enjoying it then we couldn’t be happier.”

Jemma said Sodexo had recently implemented innovative new systems focussed on improving the nutrition and hydration of residents, ranging from standardised recipe folders to portion control scoops, policies for diabetic diets and a system for high protein high energy foods for dementia residents.

Nutrition Bolsters Health in Aged Care

Page 25: ncah_issue_15_2011

The 12-hour nursing shift is under the spotlight after a United States study found nurses working the shifts are more prone to health problems and making patient errors.

The results from the University of Maryland and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine study, published earlier this year, come as new Australian Bureau of Statistics figures confirm more Australians than ever before are embracing the move to working longer shifts over the traditional eight-hour day.

ANF federal secretary Lee Thomas said while there were no current statistics on the incidence of 12-hour nursing shifts in Australia, she said longer shifts were usually by consent, particularly in specialist areas such as Intensive Care Units.

“Our members that we have spoken to tend to enjoy working longer shifts because of the extra time off they receive,” Ms Thomas said.

“The ANF of course continues to monitor the practice, in terms of occupational health and safety issues for our members and best quality care to patients.”

The US study was based on survey responses from 633 nurses in 71 non-federal hospitals and found demanding work schedules could be to blame for patient mortality.

The study found nurses who work 12-hour shifts were more prone to sleep deprivation and fatigue, with the average total sleep time between the shifts just 5.5 hours, and those factors combined with insufficient time away from work could contribute to nurse errors and patient deaths.

For more news and resource articles plus thousands of jobs and courses for nurses and allied health professionals, visit www.ncah.com.au

Twelve Hour Shifts Linked to Nurse Errors

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

[email protected]

www.ncah.com.au [email protected]

Tailored healthcare training solutions

Courses on offer:Advanced Life Support•Immediate Life Support•IV Cannulation & •VenepunctureAdvanced Trauma Course•Minor Injuries Workshop•

Advanced Life SupportImmediate Life SupportIV Cannulation & VenepunctureAdvanced Trauma CourseMinor Injuries Workshop

NETS the Newborn & paediatric Emergency Transport Service is the state’s only mobile emergency intensive care service which specialises in newborn and paediatric critical care, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

NETS coordinates and transports critically ill babies and children in over 200 hospitals across NSW and the ACT using specially fitted-out NETS ambulances, helicopters or Royal Flying Doctor Service planes.

NETS even transports children from overseas, using charter jets or commercial airliners.

If you would like to advance your career and become part of an innovative team or if you are already experienced and would like to challenge yourself and your skills in a new and exciting job, a NETS Nurse is the job for you!

NETS Registered Nurses participate in all types of retrievals (statewide, interstate and international) including nurse retrievals in all modes of transport.

This position will also assist in the Clinical Coordination Centre triaging calls, organising neonatal and paediatric retrievals; including organising the appropriate transport equipment.

The successful applicants will be clinically competent in triaging, stabilising and transferring high risk neonatal and paediatric patients.

Nursing on the Move

Position Ref No: 39218Employment Type: Full Time or 12 month TemporarySalary: Public Health Nursing & Midwifery State Award Closing Date: 19 August 2011.

For Enquiries or an Application Pack contact: Paul Gallagher, Nurse Managerp: 02 9633 8724 m: 0438 403 835 e: [email protected]. www.nets.health.nsw.gov.au

‘moving intensive care for kids‛

NETS is a Statewide Service of NSW Health and the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Specialty Health Network

• Eligible for registration with the Nurses and Midwives Board of Australia (NMBA).

• Experience in neonatal, paediatric or adult intensive care unit.

• Excellent clinical assessment skills and evidence of recent advanced nursing care of the critically ill neonate and/or paediatric patient.

• Demonstrated strong clinical, safety and professional standards within the critical care environment.

• Ability to deliver effective care which is innovative and within the organisations designated scope of practice

• Ability to function effectively both independently and as a team member.

• Highly motivated and committed to professional nursing development.

• Ability to provide effective and accurate information through exceptional communication skills, which includes computer literacy.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

NETS REGISTERED NURSESELECTION CRITERIA

Jenni Armstrong spent about 15 years working in nursing in Saudi Arabia before homesickness lured her back to the shores of Australia.

When she returned last year, she worked as an agency nurse and found her colleagues were unhappy their managers were not listening to their concerns, so she decided to instead pursue a nursing career in aged care.

“I was looking to settle in and feel at home and I couldn’t see that happening in the acute system,” she said.

Jenni applied for several aged care positions but was rejected due to a lack of experience in the sector.

So she jumped in her car and literally knocked on the door at Bupa.

“I was very pleasantly and warmly received when I walked in the door,” she said. “They had a position available at Cardiff, which is the one I have now.”

Seven months later, Jenni loves her new role as care manager at the 67-bed high care Bupa aged care home in Cardiff, New South Wales.

“I am interested in career development and they provide a lot of education,” she said.

Jenni said while it was a fulfilling sector to work in, it was also vital to achieve wage parity between nursing in the acute care and aged care sectors.

“People in aged care do have a lower salary,” she said.

“The people who are in aged care are here because they love working with elderly people and they are passionate about what they do.”

Newcastle born and bred, Jenni ventured overseas and worked in five Saudi Arabian

hospitals in a management role, the latest managing a paediatric cardiac surgery unit at the Prince Sultan Cardiac Centre before she returned home.

Jenni has experienced the highs of working abroad, from the challenging work, a high paying tax-free salary and a satisfying social life, to the lows – the beginning of the Gulf War, shortly after her arrival.

“We all had gas masks and we had tanks patrolling up and down the road in front of our accommodation,” she said.

Jenni, who was 23 at the time, remembers the roar of the planes’ engines flying overhead one night during her night shift and one morning she woke to find the apartment building across the road from hers had been hit during the night.

“I was in Riyadh; it had quite a few direct hits. We were called in to tend to the wounded.”

Now a mother of two, Jenni is relishing a new chapter in her nursing career.

“It’s a rewarding area. It feels like I’m with family. I see the residents every day and you get attached.”

Aged Care Nursing Appeals to Jenni

The mix-up with two newborn babies, who were given to the wrong mothers to breastfeed in a Victorian private hospital, highlights the importance of keeping mums and babies together, according to one expert.

Australian College of Midwives spokesperson and University of Western Sydney Associate Professor of Midwifery Hannah Dahlen said the mix-up was one of the most common mistakes that happen on a maternity ward.

“It’s actually not uncommon,” she said.

“It’s a very good example of why we need to keep mothers and babies together.

“There’s a greater tendency to send your baby off to a nursery in a private hospital compared to a public hospital. We encourage the babies to be with their mothers.

“The more times you take a baby from a mother and return them, the greater the risk of having a mix-up.”

The switch occurred at St John of God Hospital in Geelong when a nurse failed to check the babies’ name bracelets while removing them from their cots in the special-care nursery on July 15 at about 6.30am.

The babies were delivered to the wrong mothers, who cared for them for more than eight hours, until a relative noticed an unfamiliar name on one of the bracelets and alerted staff.

The usual protocol is for staff to check the names on bracelets worn by babies and mothers before any handover but Associate Professor Dahlen said the best protocols can often get waylaid when midwives are overworked.

“You can put all of the best policies and guidelines in place…that’s all good and well in a world where we have plenty of staff and midwives and everything is running as it

should be.

“Midwives are very overworked. We have

a massive workforce shortage.

“If we don’t provide women with the right level of care and midwives with the right workload, we know mistakes happen because people take short

cuts.”

Associate Professor Dahlen said the

nurse responsible for the mistake would “feel

terrible” and while it was a major error she said it was unlikely

anyone had been harmed.

“Let’s put it in perspective,” she said.

“Those babies have both had cuddles. The risks associated with breast milk from another woman are extremely low.

“The biggest risk is the psychological impact, when a mother has been with a baby and it is not her own. That’s not to be underestimated.”

Expert Says Baby Mix-Ups Not Uncommon

Page 26: ncah_issue_15_2011

The 12-hour nursing shift is under the spotlight after a United States study found nurses working the shifts are more prone to health problems and making patient errors.

The results from the University of Maryland and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine study, published earlier this year, come as new Australian Bureau of Statistics figures confirm more Australians than ever before are embracing the move to working longer shifts over the traditional eight-hour day.

ANF federal secretary Lee Thomas said while there were no current statistics on the incidence of 12-hour nursing shifts in Australia, she said longer shifts were usually by consent, particularly in specialist areas such as Intensive Care Units.

“Our members that we have spoken to tend to enjoy working longer shifts because of the extra time off they receive,” Ms Thomas said.

“The ANF of course continues to monitor the practice, in terms of occupational health and safety issues for our members and best quality care to patients.”

The US study was based on survey responses from 633 nurses in 71 non-federal hospitals and found demanding work schedules could be to blame for patient mortality.

The study found nurses who work 12-hour shifts were more prone to sleep deprivation and fatigue, with the average total sleep time between the shifts just 5.5 hours, and those factors combined with insufficient time away from work could contribute to nurse errors and patient deaths.

For more news and resource articles plus thousands of jobs and courses for nurses and allied health professionals, visit www.ncah.com.au

Twelve Hour Shifts Linked to Nurse Errors

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

www.ncah.com.au [email protected]

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Jenni Armstrong spent about 15 years working in nursing in Saudi Arabia before homesickness lured her back to the shores of Australia.

When she returned last year, she worked as an agency nurse and found her colleagues were unhappy their managers were not listening to their concerns, so she decided to instead pursue a nursing career in aged care.

“I was looking to settle in and feel at home and I couldn’t see that happening in the acute system,” she said.

Jenni applied for several aged care positions but was rejected due to a lack of experience in the sector.

So she jumped in her car and literally knocked on the door at Bupa.

“I was very pleasantly and warmly received when I walked in the door,” she said. “They had a position available at Cardiff, which is the one I have now.”

Seven months later, Jenni loves her new role as care manager at the 67-bed high care Bupa aged care home in Cardiff, New South Wales.

“I am interested in career development and they provide a lot of education,” she said.

Jenni said while it was a fulfilling sector to work in, it was also vital to achieve wage parity between nursing in the acute care and aged care sectors.

“People in aged care do have a lower salary,” she said.

“The people who are in aged care are here because they love working with elderly people and they are passionate about what they do.”

Newcastle born and bred, Jenni ventured overseas and worked in five Saudi Arabian

hospitals in a management role, the latest managing a paediatric cardiac surgery unit at the Prince Sultan Cardiac Centre before she returned home.

Jenni has experienced the highs of working abroad, from the challenging work, a high paying tax-free salary and a satisfying social life, to the lows – the beginning of the Gulf War, shortly after her arrival.

“We all had gas masks and we had tanks patrolling up and down the road in front of our accommodation,” she said.

Jenni, who was 23 at the time, remembers the roar of the planes’ engines flying overhead one night during her night shift and one morning she woke to find the apartment building across the road from hers had been hit during the night.

“I was in Riyadh; it had quite a few direct hits. We were called in to tend to the wounded.”

Now a mother of two, Jenni is relishing a new chapter in her nursing career.

“It’s a rewarding area. It feels like I’m with family. I see the residents every day and you get attached.”

Aged Care Nursing Appeals to Jenni

The mix-up with two newborn babies, who were given to the wrong mothers to breastfeed in a Victorian private hospital, highlights the importance of keeping mums and babies together, according to one expert.

Australian College of Midwives spokesperson and University of Western Sydney Associate Professor of Midwifery Hannah Dahlen said the mix-up was one of the most common mistakes that happen on a maternity ward.

“It’s actually not uncommon,” she said.

“It’s a very good example of why we need to keep mothers and babies together.

“There’s a greater tendency to send your baby off to a nursery in a private hospital compared to a public hospital. We encourage the babies to be with their mothers.

“The more times you take a baby from a mother and return them, the greater the risk of having a mix-up.”

The switch occurred at St John of God Hospital in Geelong when a nurse failed to check the babies’ name bracelets while removing them from their cots in the special-care nursery on July 15 at about 6.30am.

The babies were delivered to the wrong mothers, who cared for them for more than eight hours, until a relative noticed an unfamiliar name on one of the bracelets and alerted staff.

The usual protocol is for staff to check the names on bracelets worn by babies and mothers before any handover but Associate Professor Dahlen said the best protocols can often get waylaid when midwives are overworked.

“You can put all of the best policies and guidelines in place…that’s all good and well in a world where we have plenty of staff and midwives and everything is running as it

should be.

“Midwives are very overworked. We have

a massive workforce shortage.

“If we don’t provide women with the right level of care and midwives with the right workload, we know mistakes happen because people take short

cuts.”

Associate Professor Dahlen said the

nurse responsible for the mistake would “feel

terrible” and while it was a major error she said it was unlikely

anyone had been harmed.

“Let’s put it in perspective,” she said.

“Those babies have both had cuddles. The risks associated with breast milk from another woman are extremely low.

“The biggest risk is the psychological impact, when a mother has been with a baby and it is not her own. That’s not to be underestimated.”

Expert Says Baby Mix-Ups Not Uncommon

Page 27: ncah_issue_15_2011

www.ncah.com.au [email protected]

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We hope you enjoy perusing the range of opportunities included in Issue 15, 2011.

If you are interested in pursuing any of these opportunities, please contact the advertiser directly via the contact details provided. If you have any queries about our publication or if you would like to receive our publication, please email us at [email protected]

“FACT, NOT FICTION”

The NCAH Distribution is Independently Audited by the Circulations Audit Bureaux.

Print Distribution: 10,532

Email Distribution: 9,853

Total Distribution: 20,385

Next Publication: Midwifery Special Feature

Publication Date: Monday 15 August 2011

Colour Artwork Deadline: Monday 8 August 2011

Mono Artwork Deadline: Wednesday 10 August 2011

For all advertising and production enquiries please contact us on +61 (0) 3 9271 8700, email [email protected] or visit www.ncah.com.au

If you would like to change your mailing address, or be included on our distribution, please email [email protected]

Published by Seabreeze Communications Pty Ltd Trading as NCAH.

ABN 29 071 328 053.

© 2010 Seabreeze Communications Pty Ltd.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied or

reproduced by any means without the prior written permission of

the publisher. Compliance with the Trade Practices Act 1974 of

advertisements contained in this publication is the responsibility of

those who submit the advertisement for publication.

Issue 15 1 August 2011

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Victor McConvey hopes there will be a day when people with Parkinson’s disease have access to a dedicated Parkinson’s nurse in their local health care network.

The Parkinson’s Victoria clinical nurse consultant, who established the Parkinson’s nurse specialist position in Leeds in the United Kingdom, would like the nation’s small number of Parkinson’s nurses to grow along the lines of the country’s burgeoning network of breast care cancer nurses - giving people with Parkinson’s direct access to specialist nurses.

The disease, the second most common neurological disorder in the world, affects an estimated 20,000 Victorians and 80,000 Australians – about one in five people over the age of 65.

The UK is leading the fight on the Parkinson’s frontline with 264 Parkinson’s nurses and Tasmania is following suit in Australia with four Parkinson’s nurses coming on board. Mr McConvey said Parkinson’s, caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, is often characterised as a disease that makes people shake and slow down but he said there were a wide range of symptoms, including hallucinations, not often discussed.

A nurse of 22 years who has worked in the field of neurology for the past 15 years, Mr McConvey now travels the state working with people living with Parkinson’s and their families, helping them manage symptoms and improve self-management. Another large part of his role is educating health care professionals about the disease.“Nurses can make the world of difference to someone with Parkinson’s,” he said.

“I think probably the biggest issue that nurses in particular struggle with Parkinson’s disease, is a lack of knowledge about the importance of medication.”

Mr McConvey said medication, which addresses the chemical imbalance, needs to be administered regularly in a facility setting. And he said nurses need to be aware of the signs of the medication wearing off, which range from physical symptoms, such as the person moving slower, to hallucinations, anxious or sad feelings.

Mr McConvey said Parkinson’s Victoria, a charitable organisation, is also a resource for health care professionals with an information line for tips and advice.

# The Parkinson’s Unity Walk, hosted by Parkinson’s organisations in each state, is the largest fundraising and awareness raising event of its kind and will be held on Sunday, August 28. For more information visit www.unitywalk.com.au

A Future with more Parkinson’s Nurses

Victor McConvey

Page 28: ncah_issue_15_2011

[email protected]

www.ncah.com.au [email protected]

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For more information on eligibility or how to apply for a scholarship: Aged Care Nursing Scholarships (ACNS) are funded by the Australian Government.

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Page 29: ncah_issue_15_2011

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Interested in being part of the future of Forensic Mental Health in NSW?

Opportunities for Endorsed Enrolled Nurses and Registered Nurses with recent Mental Health experienceOperated by Justice Health, The Forensic Hospital is an integral part of the Forensic Mental Health Network.

Located at Malabar and officially opened in February 2009, this purpose-built 135-bed facility provides high-quality specialised care to male, female and adolescent forensic patients in a high-security therapeutic environment.

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If you have recent mental health experience as an EEN or RN and would like more detail about the opportunities that exist within The Forensic Hospital, please contact a member of our recruitment team.

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Page 30: ncah_issue_15_2011

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Social networking is landing Australian nurses in hot water.

The Australian Nursing Federation has warned nurses to keep privileged information off social networking sites, such as Facebook, as increasing numbers of nurses face disciplinary action over inappropriate postings.

ANF federal secretary Lee Thomas said growing numbers of Australian nurses are being reprimanded as a result of posting comments regarding “sensitive issues” online.

“Social networking may be instant and fun, but people are increasingly using these mediums to complain about employers, fellow staff members and among our colleagues and even patients,” Ms Thomas said.

“Clearly, using social networking sites in this manner is problematic in the growing number of cases of employers initiating disciplinary proceedings against staff in relation to comments made on social networking sites.”

Ms Thomas said an entire new area of case law was opening up around social networking

and no consistent approach had yet been formed on acceptable conduct.

“This opens a Pandora’s Box of questions from privacy to confidentially to employment law,” she said.

“I know that speaking to several of our branches that members are increasingly facing disciplinary action as a result of commentating on sensitive issues in this very public way.”

The caution comes as increasing numbers of nurses and midwives in the United Kingdom were found to be discussing privileged information online, often unwittingly, and as a result were being investigated and, in some cases, even struck off for misconduct.

Ms Thomas warned postings on social networking sites were not private.

“They are very public and in some cases you have no idea who is reading them, so next time you switch on your computer, and enter your favoured social networking site, take a moment to remember what happens at work with patients is confidential,” she said.

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That is the message Lieutenant Alexander ‘Jim’ Evans would like to convey to anyone interested in joining the Australian Defence Forces.

At the tender age of 49, the Adelaide native decided to enter the Royal Australian Navy as a direct entry Nursing Officer.

“I thought initial training would be like ‘Full Metal Jacket’ but I had a great time and found it really enjoyable,” Jim said.

Married with six children and 2 grandchildren, Jim was involved for many years with Training Ship (TS) Noarlunga, his local Navy cadets unit.

Two of his sons, Peter and Philip Jaensch, attended the cadets unit and both are now in the Navy as well. He also has a son-in-law in the Royal Australian Air Force.

“Seeing the positive effect the cadets had on the boys certainly influenced my decision to join the Navy. I was also looking for the possibility to extend my clinical knowledge in a professionally supportive environment, travel and provide assistance in humanitarian and operational circumstances.”

It is safe to say that Jim’s these goals have been met in only a couple of short years.

After graduating from his training at HMAS Creswell Jim was posted to HMAS Penguin on Sydney’s North Shore. A nurse for 26 years, primarily at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Adelaide, he is now a surgical trauma nurse with the Marine Role 2 Enhanced unit – on 48 hours notice to deploy as part of a surgical team afloat.

In 2009 Jim deployed with Operation Padang Assist, the Australian Defence Force’s month-long mission to help people affected by a major earthquake in Indonesia, onboard HMAS Kanimbla and has undertaken various military exercises, mainly in Queensland.

He is now onboard the USS Cleveland, an amphibious transport ship, as part of the US- led humanitarian aid mission Pacific Partnership.

“Being a member of Pacific Partnership 2011 has fully vindicated my decision to join the Navy. I love the opportunity to provide humanitarian assistance in this way,” Jim said.

Alexander Evans – You’re Never Too Old to Give it a Go

Page 31: ncah_issue_15_2011

[email protected]

www.ncah.com.au [email protected]

Supporting Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health Professionals* in rural and remote Australia

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*Visit our website for the full list of eligible Allied Health Professions

Social networking is landing Australian nurses in hot water.

The Australian Nursing Federation has warned nurses to keep privileged information off social networking sites, such as Facebook, as increasing numbers of nurses face disciplinary action over inappropriate postings.

ANF federal secretary Lee Thomas said growing numbers of Australian nurses are being reprimanded as a result of posting comments regarding “sensitive issues” online.

“Social networking may be instant and fun, but people are increasingly using these mediums to complain about employers, fellow staff members and among our colleagues and even patients,” Ms Thomas said.

“Clearly, using social networking sites in this manner is problematic in the growing number of cases of employers initiating disciplinary proceedings against staff in relation to comments made on social networking sites.”

Ms Thomas said an entire new area of case law was opening up around social networking

and no consistent approach had yet been formed on acceptable conduct.

“This opens a Pandora’s Box of questions from privacy to confidentially to employment law,” she said.

“I know that speaking to several of our branches that members are increasingly facing disciplinary action as a result of commentating on sensitive issues in this very public way.”

The caution comes as increasing numbers of nurses and midwives in the United Kingdom were found to be discussing privileged information online, often unwittingly, and as a result were being investigated and, in some cases, even struck off for misconduct.

Ms Thomas warned postings on social networking sites were not private.

“They are very public and in some cases you have no idea who is reading them, so next time you switch on your computer, and enter your favoured social networking site, take a moment to remember what happens at work with patients is confidential,” she said.

Facebook Warning For Nurses

WARNING

> Master of Nursing (Coursework)> Graduate Certificate in Nursing

Students have a choice from four areas of study:• ClinicalNursing• ClinicalTeaching• LeadershipandManagement• Agenericcoursewithoutaspeciality

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Closes 16 September 2011

That is the message Lieutenant Alexander ‘Jim’ Evans would like to convey to anyone interested in joining the Australian Defence Forces.

At the tender age of 49, the Adelaide native decided to enter the Royal Australian Navy as a direct entry Nursing Officer.

“I thought initial training would be like ‘Full Metal Jacket’ but I had a great time and found it really enjoyable,” Jim said.

Married with six children and 2 grandchildren, Jim was involved for many years with Training Ship (TS) Noarlunga, his local Navy cadets unit.

Two of his sons, Peter and Philip Jaensch, attended the cadets unit and both are now in the Navy as well. He also has a son-in-law in the Royal Australian Air Force.

“Seeing the positive effect the cadets had on the boys certainly influenced my decision to join the Navy. I was also looking for the possibility to extend my clinical knowledge in a professionally supportive environment, travel and provide assistance in humanitarian and operational circumstances.”

It is safe to say that Jim’s these goals have been met in only a couple of short years.

After graduating from his training at HMAS Creswell Jim was posted to HMAS Penguin on Sydney’s North Shore. A nurse for 26 years, primarily at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Adelaide, he is now a surgical trauma nurse with the Marine Role 2 Enhanced unit – on 48 hours notice to deploy as part of a surgical team afloat.

In 2009 Jim deployed with Operation Padang Assist, the Australian Defence Force’s month-long mission to help people affected by a major earthquake in Indonesia, onboard HMAS Kanimbla and has undertaken various military exercises, mainly in Queensland.

He is now onboard the USS Cleveland, an amphibious transport ship, as part of the US- led humanitarian aid mission Pacific Partnership.

“Being a member of Pacific Partnership 2011 has fully vindicated my decision to join the Navy. I love the opportunity to provide humanitarian assistance in this way,” Jim said.

Alexander Evans – You’re Never Too Old to Give it a Go

Page 32: ncah_issue_15_2011

www.ncah.com.au [email protected]

[email protected]

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OXFORD AUNTS CARE3 Cornmarket St. Oxford OX1 3EX UK

Phone: ++44 1865 791017Fax: ++44 1865 242606

Interested in being part of the future of Forensic Mental Health in NSW?

Opportunities for Endorsed Enrolled Nurses and Registered Nurses with recent Mental Health experienceOperated by Justice Health, The Forensic Hospital is an integral part of the Forensic Mental Health Network.

Located at Malabar and officially opened in February 2009, this purpose-built 135-bed facility provides high-quality specialised care to male, female and adolescent forensic patients in a high-security therapeutic environment.

Justice Health offers flexible work options, salary packaging, education support and self-development opportunities for mental health professionals.

If you have recent mental health experience as an EEN or RN and would like more detail about the opportunities that exist within The Forensic Hospital, please contact a member of our recruitment team.

Enquiries: The Recruitment Team 1300 734 842.

Website: www.jobsatjusticehealth.com.au

Applications: Justice Health Recruitment – The Forensic Hospital, PO Box 150, Matraville NSW 2036 or email [email protected]

We look forward to welcoming you to The Team!

Thinking about a new job opportunity? Perhaps a change of scenery or a step-up to a leadership role?

Post your target job details and your resume on theNCAH.com.au website. You can enter your:

• Target job title.• Your desired salary.• The locations in which you’re

interested in working.• Your field of specialisation.• How soon you’re interested in

taking on a new job.

Recruiters will use the NCAHwebsite to find & then contact you.

Your first step is to visit NCAH.com.au and click the ‘Upload Your CV Now!’ button on the home page.

What job do you want?

WorkPacHealthCare

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Working as a full-time, casual or part-time agency nurse with WorkPac HealthCare provides you a fantastic alternative to your daily grind.

With us you will enjoy access to the best acute hospitals, aged-care and community employers in Melbourne and Brisbane plus the flexibility, variety and freedom to maintain the lifestyle you want.

Work with a team that values your needs. We are currently seeking Registered Nurses and Endorsed Enrolled Nurses to join us.

Contact us today on 1300 724 216 and arrange an appointment with one of our Recruitment Consultants so we can help you to make a positive change for the future!

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Page 33: ncah_issue_15_2011

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Advertiser List

A+A Training

AHN Recruitment

Austra health

Australian Medical Services

Avondale College

Bupa Health Coaches

Continental Travelnurse

CQ Nurse

Drake Medox

Employment Office

Healthcare Australia

HealtheCare Australia - Lingard Hospital

Koala Nursing Agency

Lifescreen

Medacs Australia

NSW Health - Greater Southern Area

Health

NSW Health - Justice Health

NSW Institute of Psychiatry

Oceania University of Medicine

Oxford Aunts Care

PJ Locums

Queensland Health

Remote Area Health Corps (RAHC)

Royal College of Nursing Australia

UHG - Unified Healthcare Group

Victorian Nurse Specialists

Workpac

We hope you enjoy perusing the range of opportunities included in Issue 15, 2011.

If you are interested in pursuing any of these opportunities, please contact the advertiser directly via the contact details provided. If you have any queries about our publication or if you would like to receive our publication, please email us at [email protected]

“FACT, NOT FICTION”

The NCAH Distribution is Independently Audited by the Circulations Audit Bureaux.

Print Distribution: 10,532

Email Distribution: 9,853

Total Distribution: 20,385

Next Publication: Midwifery Special Feature

Publication Date: Monday 15 August 2011

Colour Artwork Deadline: Monday 8 August 2011

Mono Artwork Deadline: Wednesday 10 August 2011

For all advertising and production enquiries please contact us on +61 (0) 3 9271 8700, email [email protected] or visit www.ncah.com.au

If you would like to change your mailing address, or be included on our distribution, please email [email protected]

Published by Seabreeze Communications Pty Ltd Trading as NCAH.

ABN 29 071 328 053.

© 2010 Seabreeze Communications Pty Ltd.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied or

reproduced by any means without the prior written permission of

the publisher. Compliance with the Trade Practices Act 1974 of

advertisements contained in this publication is the responsibility of

those who submit the advertisement for publication.

Issue 15 1 August 2011

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REGISTERED GENERAL NURSES ALL AREAS THROUGHOUT AUSTRALIA Due to our rapidly expanding business Lifescreen Australia a division of Sonic HealthCare is currently recruiting Registered Nurses on a sub contractual basis. Lifescreen currently undertakes work for all Insurance Companies and has recently diversified into the Pharmaceutical area. We are looking for nurses to perform a variety of roles including: Insurance Work Pharmaceutical Work Medical Assessments Cannulation and Infusions Venepuncture Patient Support/Education Programs ECG recordings Corporate Work Spirometry Immunisations and Health Awareness Essential Criteria:

• Competent in Venepuncture and or Cannulation

• CPR Certification

• Cannulation Certification. (if applicable)

• ABN

• Own car

• Internet, printer and mobile phone with message bank Choose in what locations you wish to work, work as little or as much as you want. If you are looking for a fully flexible and autonomous lifestyle Send your resume to [email protected] This role is only available to Australian Residents or to those who hold valid working visas or permits

Due to our rapidly expanding business Lifescreen Australia, a division of Sonic Healthcare, is currently recruiting Registered Nurses on a sub-contractual basis.Lifescreen currently undertakes work for all Insurance Companies and has recently diversified into the Pharmaceutical area.We are looking for nurses to perform a variety of roles including:Medical assessments Infusion services Venepuncture ECG recordings Spirometry

Essential Criteria:• Competent in venepuncture

and/or cannulation• CPR Certification• Cannulation Certification

(if applicable)• ABN • Own car• Internet, printer and mobile

phone with message bankChoose in what locations you wish to work, work as little or as much as you want.Lifescreen Australia is currently looking for contractors in both metropolitan and rural areas.

For all queries, please call 1800 673 123 or send your resume to [email protected] role is only available to Australian Residents or to those who hold valid working visas or permits.

REGISTERED GENERAL NURSES Careers with Queensland Health

A criminal history check may be conducted on the recommended person for the job. A non-smoking policy applies to Queensland Government buildings, offi ces and motor vehicles.

You can apply online at www.health.qld.gov.au/workforus

BlazeQ013031

District Director of Nursing

Central West District Offi ce, Longreach,Central West Health Service District.Remuneration value up to $136 969 p.a., comprising salary $120 047 p.a., employer contribution to superannuation(up to 12.75%) and annual leave loading (17.5%) relocationand accommodation expenses negotiable (conditions apply)(Nurse Grade 11 (2)) (Applications will remain current for12 months.) JAR: H11CW07473.Duties/Abilities: Responsible for the professional leadership, strategic development and overall delivery of an effective nursing service in the District. Specifi cally, the position will maximise the potential of nursing practices to enhance health outcomes. Enquiries: Jill Magee (07) 4652 8000.Application Kit: (07) 4920 7000 orwww.health.qld.gov.au/workforusClosing Date: Monday, 15 August 2011.

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Victor McConvey hopes there will be a day when people with Parkinson’s disease have access to a dedicated Parkinson’s nurse in their local health care network.

The Parkinson’s Victoria clinical nurse consultant, who established the Parkinson’s nurse specialist position in Leeds in the United Kingdom, would like the nation’s small number of Parkinson’s nurses to grow along the lines of the country’s burgeoning network of breast care cancer nurses - giving people with Parkinson’s direct access to specialist nurses.

The disease, the second most common neurological disorder in the world, affects an estimated 20,000 Victorians and 80,000 Australians – about one in five people over the age of 65.

The UK is leading the fight on the Parkinson’s frontline with 264 Parkinson’s nurses and Tasmania is following suit in Australia with four Parkinson’s nurses coming on board. Mr McConvey said Parkinson’s, caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, is often characterised as a disease that makes people shake and slow down but he said there were a wide range of symptoms, including hallucinations, not often discussed.

A nurse of 22 years who has worked in the field of neurology for the past 15 years, Mr McConvey now travels the state working with people living with Parkinson’s and their families, helping them manage symptoms and improve self-management. Another large part of his role is educating health care professionals about the disease.“Nurses can make the world of difference to someone with Parkinson’s,” he said.

“I think probably the biggest issue that nurses in particular struggle with Parkinson’s disease, is a lack of knowledge about the importance of medication.”

Mr McConvey said medication, which addresses the chemical imbalance, needs to be administered regularly in a facility setting. And he said nurses need to be aware of the signs of the medication wearing off, which range from physical symptoms, such as the person moving slower, to hallucinations, anxious or sad feelings.

Mr McConvey said Parkinson’s Victoria, a charitable organisation, is also a resource for health care professionals with an information line for tips and advice.

# The Parkinson’s Unity Walk, hosted by Parkinson’s organisations in each state, is the largest fundraising and awareness raising event of its kind and will be held on Sunday, August 28. For more information visit www.unitywalk.com.au

A Future with more Parkinson’s Nurses

Victor McConvey

Page 34: ncah_issue_15_2011

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[email protected]

Undergraduate scholarships for those with a demonstrated commitment to aged care

�for courses at an accredited tertiary institution to become a registered nurse.

Postgraduate scholarships (including honours programs)

�masters programs �graduate diplomas �graduate certificates �honours programs.

Continuing professional development (including nurse re-entry)

�conferences �short courses �work shops �nurse re-entry.

Nurse practitioner scholarships

�for registered nurses wishing to undertake nurse practitioner studies.

Are you reAdy to kick stArt your Aged cAre cAreer?Aged Care Nursing Scholarships are available for Australian citizens or permanent residents for study in the following areas:

freecall: 1800 116 696 [email protected] www.rcna.org.au RCNA

For more information on eligibility or how to apply for a scholarship: Aged Care Nursing Scholarships (ACNS) are

funded by the Australian Government.

RCNA, Australia’s peak professional nursing organisation, is proud to partner the Department of Health and Ageing

as the fund administrator for this program.

Applications close: 1 September 2011

Aged cAre NursiNg scholArships

YOU CAN HELP THOUSANDS OF AUSTRALIANS LEAD A HEALTHIER L IFE .

Bupa Health Dialog is growing rapidly and needs your help to keep pace with the demand for our services. As the pioneer of telephone health coaching services, we provide support to over 20 million people globally by helping them make informed decisions about their health.

Now looking after Australians, Health Dialog seeks nurses that are genuinely passionate about health care. In return, you’ll be working for a company that is focused on improving the lives of its customers and employees.

This is your opportunity to be a more active participant in the lives of others using your superior communication skills to counsel and guide callers through their health care choices. Ultimately they’ll live a better life.

Like to make a difference? Then apply now with a current RN Div 1 licence and experience to: www.bupa.com.au/careers quoting job no. 492802. Or call Nandita for a friendly chat on (03) 9937 4698.

Bupa Health Dialog is part of Bupa. Bupa is a trusted healthcare provider, covering over three million Australians through the private health insurance brands HBA, MBF and Mutual Community.

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Page 35: ncah_issue_15_2011

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Issue 1501/08/11

fortnightly

Seabreeze Communications Pty Ltd (ABN 29 071 328 053)PO Box 633 Black Rock Victoria 3193 Australia

Print Post ApprovedPublication No. 340742/0033

BENDIGOVIC 3550

PRINTPOST

Printed by BM

P - Freecall 1800 623 902

CHANGE OF ADDRESS: If the information on this mail label is incorrect, please email [email protected] with the address that is currently shown and your correct address.

Hundreds of jobs and courses you won’t �nd on SEEK!ncah.com.au

Disabled Young Still in Aged Care, by Nina Hendy

Nutrition Bolsters Health in Aged Care

Facebook Warning for Nurses

Expert Says Baby Mix-Ups Not Uncommon

Aged Care Special Feature

The employment experts for Nurses around AustraliaSpecialising in a range of permanent and temporary roles for registered Nurses in Australia and across the world.

Hot JobsTheatre RN’s - NSW, QLD, NTMental Health RN’s - Melbourne and SydneyMidwives - QLD CoastMidwives - AdelaideRN’s - Emergency Contracts - NSW & WATheatre EN’s - SydneyScrub Scout RN – NewcastleMed / Surg and Rehab RN’s - Central NSWOcc Health RN - DarwinPermanent Roles for specialist RN ‘s looking for 457 visa’s

Contact UsEmail: [email protected]: 1800 059 790www.medacs.com.au

For more information, talk toDonna Gould or David Hunter in the Medacs Healthcare Nursing team.

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

NCAH July 2011.pdf 24/06/11 12:14:46

Funded by the Australian Government

Get involved. Call 1300 MYRAHC or apply online at rahc.com.au

MyRAHCExperience

Like many registered nurses nearing retirement, Queenslander Pauline Rubin was in search of a balance between her work schedule and changing lifestyle. Through RAHC’s short term placements Polly is able to continue her career and contribute her skills and experience into health centres in remote Indigenous communities across the Northern Territory.

“I was experienced in both nursing and in life, less restricted by family commitments and free to work short term contracts,” Polly said. Polly contacted RAHC and was then placed in a nursing position in Alice Springs.

Sitting in the centre of a vast red desert with majestic mountain ranges of spiritual significance, Polly says, “I am in awe of this ancient land. I do feel I am making a difference as an experienced professional and helping to ‘close the gap’. I am now on my third placement, working in the red centre of Australia, and enjoying the best days of my career with generous pay and work conditions. Perhaps it is true we save the best for last!”

Pauline Rubin | Registered Nurse

Drake Medox Cares

Established in 1971, Drake Medox has grown to be one of the largest suppliers of contract and permanent Nurses and Allied Health Professionals to the Australian health sector. With 30 years of experience, we have been a front runner with our services in community health.

Among our services are; provision of temporary and permanent staff in a variety of roles including; Nurses, care workers, administration and ancillary staff.

In addition, clients can also access a variety of HR Solutions including Client Panel Interviewing, Behavioural Assessments, Skills Assessments and much more.

To find out more about our services and how we can assist your business, contact us today at 1300 360 070 or visit us at www.drakemedox.com.au, or email us at [email protected]

Page 36: ncah_issue_15_2011

[email protected]

Issue 1501/08/11

fortnightly

Seabreeze Communications Pty Ltd (ABN 29 071 328 053)PO Box 633 Black Rock Victoria 3193 Australia

Print Post ApprovedPublication No. 340742/0033

B E N D I G OV I C 3 5 5 0

P R I N TP O S T

Prin

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by B

MP

- Fr

eeca

ll 18

00 6

23 9

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CHANGE OF ADDRESS: If the information on this mail label is incorrect, please email [email protected] with the address that is currently shown and your correct address.

Hundreds of jobs and courses you won’t �nd on SEEK!ncah.com.au

Disabled Young Still in Aged Care, by Nina Hendy

Nutrition Bolsters Health in Aged Care

Facebook Warning for Nurses

Expert Says Baby Mix-Ups Not Uncommon

Aged Care Special Feature

The employment experts for Nurses around AustraliaSpecialising in a range of permanent and temporary roles for registered Nurses in Australia and across the world.

Hot JobsTheatre RN’s - NSW, QLD, NTMental Health RN’s - Melbourne and SydneyMidwives - QLD CoastMidwives - AdelaideRN’s - Emergency Contracts - NSW & WATheatre EN’s - SydneyScrub Scout RN – NewcastleMed / Surg and Rehab RN’s - Central NSWOcc Health RN - DarwinPermanent Roles for specialist RN ‘s looking for 457 visa’s

Contact UsEmail: [email protected]: 1800 059 790www.medacs.com.au

For more information, talk toDonna Gould or David Hunter in the Medacs Healthcare Nursing team.

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

NCAH July 2011.pdf 24/06/11 12:14:46

Funded by the Australian Government

Get involved. Call 1300 MYRAHC or apply online at rahc.com.au

MyRAHCExperience

Like many registered nurses nearing retirement, Queenslander Pauline Rubin was in search of a balance between her work schedule and changing lifestyle. Through RAHC’s short term placements Polly is able to continue her career and contribute her skills and experience into health centres in remote Indigenous communities across the Northern Territory.

“I was experienced in both nursing and in life, less restricted by family commitments and free to work short term contracts,” Polly said. Polly contacted RAHC and was then placed in a nursing position in Alice Springs.

Sitting in the centre of a vast red desert with majestic mountain ranges of spiritual significance, Polly says, “I am in awe of this ancient land. I do feel I am making a difference as an experienced professional and helping to ‘close the gap’. I am now on my third placement, working in the red centre of Australia, and enjoying the best days of my career with generous pay and work conditions. Perhaps it is true we save the best for last!”

Pauline Rubin | Registered Nurse

Drake Medox Cares

Established in 1971, Drake Medox has grown to be one of the largest suppliers of contract and permanent Nurses and Allied Health Professionals to the Australian health sector. With 30 years of experience, we have been a front runner with our services in community health.

Among our services are; provision of temporary and permanent staff in a variety of roles including; Nurses, care workers, administration and ancillary staff.

In addition, clients can also access a variety of HR Solutions including Client Panel Interviewing, Behavioural Assessments, Skills Assessments and much more.

To find out more about our services and how we can assist your business, contact us today at 1300 360 070 or visit us at www.drakemedox.com.au, or email us at [email protected]