NCAH Issue 13 2012

36
Visited by more nurses, midwives and AHPs than any other health website Midwifery Feature Midwives push for home-birthing choice, by Karen Keast Cameron cares for paediatric nursing Tasmanian nurses fly interstate for work Physiotherapist thrives on working with older people Issue 13 02/07/12 fortnightly

description

Your guide to the best in careers and training in nursing and allied health

Transcript of NCAH Issue 13 2012

Page 1: NCAH Issue 13 2012

www.ncah.com.auNursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13

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

ted

by B

MP

- Fr

eeca

ll 18

00 6

23 9

02

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.

Visited by more nurses, midwives and AHPs than any other health website

Midwifery Feature

Midwives push for home-birthing choice, by Karen Keast

Cameron cares for paediatric nursing

Tasmanian nurses �y interstate for work

Physiotherapist thrives on working with older people

Issue 1302/07/12

fortnightly

The employment experts for Nurses in QueenslandSpecialising in a range of contract appointments forRN’s EN’s and AIN’s in Queensland

The Benefits:- Leading agency rates - Travel & accommodation benefits- Weekly payroll - Sign on bonuses to the value of $400 *- Cash referral bonus $100 per nurse*- Assistance with CPD - Criminal check costs provided*- Designated recruitment consultants- Tax free allowances & benefits*- Full insurance - PI, PL and WC

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

For more information, talk toDonna Gould or Jenny Gavenlock in the Medacs Healthcare Nursing team.

*con

ditio

ns ap

ply

NZ RNs - Free Flights to Australia*

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

NCAH June2012 .pdf 29/05/12 11:29:40

1213-034 1PG FULL COLOUR CMYK (typeset)

Midwifery Opportunities within Sydney Local Health District SLHD provides maternity services at two hospitals within the central Sydney Metropolitan area. Canterbury Hospital births 1800 babies each year and offers care to women with low to moderate risk pregnancies. Services include midwifery group practice (caseload), Antenatal Clinics, Delivery Ward, Postnatal Inpatient ward and midwifery home visiting. RPA has over 5000 births each year and offers both a low risk service for local families and high risk services which manage complex pregnancies by referral locally and from across the state. Midwifery opportunities at RPA include working in Antenatal, Delivery, Postnatal and Neonatal Intensive Care Areas – either as a specialty placement or as a supported rotation across a number of specialty areas. Limited opportunities are also currently available within our Fertility Unit providing services to couples requiring assisted reproduction services. RPA has midwifery led models of care including a well-established Birth Centre and developing midwifery group practice model.If you are looking for short term or long term opportunities to build your skills, share your passion for woman-centred care and work with a dynamic team centrally located in Australia’s premier city call Karen Redrup, Clinical Manager, Women’s Health Neonatology and Paediatrics, SLHD on 9515 8416.

Page 2: NCAH Issue 13 2012

www.ncah.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13

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.

Visited by more nurses, midwives and AHPs than any other health website

Midwifery Feature

Midwives push for home-birthing choice, by Karen Keast

Cameron cares for paediatric nursing

Tasmanian nurses �y interstate for work

Physiotherapist thrives on working with older people

Issue 1302/07/12

fortnightly

The employment experts for Nurses in QueenslandSpecialising in a range of contract appointments forRN’s EN’s and AIN’s in Queensland

The Benefits:- Leading agency rates - Travel & accommodation benefits- Weekly payroll - Sign on bonuses to the value of $400 *- Cash referral bonus $100 per nurse*- Assistance with CPD - Criminal check costs provided*- Designated recruitment consultants- Tax free allowances & benefits*- Full insurance - PI, PL and WC

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

For more information, talk toDonna Gould or Jenny Gavenlock in the Medacs Healthcare Nursing team.

*co

nd

itio

ns

app

ly

NZ RNs - Free Flights to Australia*

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

NCAH June2012 .pdf 29/05/12 11:29:40

1213-034 1PG FULL COLOUR CMYK (typeset)

Midwifery Opportunities within Sydney Local Health District SLHD provides maternity services at two hospitals within the central Sydney Metropolitan area. Canterbury Hospital births 1800 babies each year and offers care to women with low to moderate risk pregnancies. Services include midwifery group practice (caseload), Antenatal Clinics, Delivery Ward, Postnatal Inpatient ward and midwifery home visiting. RPA has over 5000 births each year and offers both a low risk service for local families and high risk services which manage complex pregnancies by referral locally and from across the state. Midwifery opportunities at RPA include working in Antenatal, Delivery, Postnatal and Neonatal Intensive Care Areas – either as a specialty placement or as a supported rotation across a number of specialty areas. Limited opportunities are also currently available within our Fertility Unit providing services to couples requiring assisted reproduction services. RPA has midwifery led models of care including a well-established Birth Centre and developing midwifery group practice model.If you are looking for short term or long term opportunities to build your skills, share your passion for woman-centred care and work with a dynamic team centrally located in Australia’s premier city call Karen Redrup, Clinical Manager, Women’s Health Neonatology and Paediatrics, SLHD on 9515 8416.

Page 3: NCAH Issue 13 2012

Page 34 | www.ncah.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 3

Page 6 | www.ncah.com.auNursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 31

Secure locum support for the new

financial year.

Freecall 1300 NAHRLS

AUSTRALIAN

GOVERNMENT PROGRAMME

(1300 624 757)

Apply online at www.nahrls.com.au

Funded by the Australian Government

Get your locum requests in now!

NursesMidwives

Allied Health ProfessionalsRural and remote Australia

LeaveUp to 14 days

Great incentivesNo fees or charges

For more articles visit NCAH.com.au

Tasmanian nurses with families are flying interstate for shift work as the state’s health woes continue to bite.

Experienced nurses are picking up shifts in Queensland and New South Wales and flying home in between shifts to spend time with their families.

Other nurses, including graduate nurses, are moving interstate to find work after 287 nursing positions were trimmed from the public sector in the wake of State Government funding cuts.

But nurses have received a reprieve with the Federal Government’s announcement of a $325 million lifeline for the beleaguered health sector, including an opportunity for an expected 20 nursing positions to be created at new walk-in clinics forecast for Hobart and Launceston.

Australian Nursing Federation Tasmanian branch secretary Neroli Ellis said the news had left nurses feeling more optimistic.

“We welcome that announcement and nurses are feeling there’s more hope there,” she said.

Ms Ellis said the announcement came on the back of “pretty desperate times” in Tasmania.

“Nursing has always been a career that had secure employment so it’s quite unique in Tasmania that nurses and most other public sector workers now are facing insecure work going into the future.”

Ms Ellis said nurses with families are increasingly balancing travel between states for work.

“The nurses I am talking to are aged in their 30s and have families. They have got to have

employment. There’s lots of opportunities interstate to do five or six shifts in a row.

“That’s the reality for them. Nurses have got mortgages like everybody else.”

Ms Ellis said about 30 nurses a month are venturing interstate for work while a recent union survey found 40 per cent of respondents are considering either leaving to work interstate or exiting the nursing profession.

“Many are going to Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria; predominantly going to Queensland,” she said.

“There are better conditions and they are recruiting and there’s the climate.”

Graduates are also leaving, she said.

“We have about 350 graduates a year and there were less than 60 positions last year.

“It’s pretty sad to see our profession being treated in this way.”

The Federal Government’s rescue package includes $31.2 million for an extra 2600 surgeries over four years, $15.4 million to address gaps in mental health services and $53.9 million to train more medical specialists and provide more scholarships for nurses and allied health professionals.

About $22 million will be spent establishing the walk-in clinics, which will provide care for minor illnesses and injuries, free of charge and for extended hours, while reducing demand on the state’s emergency departments.

Tasmanian nurses fly interstate for workby Karen Keast

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?After 26 years of working in hospitals, Debby Jones needed a change.

Flicking through a copy of Nursing Careers Allied Health magazine one morning, Debby found just what she was looking for. An advertisement for a flight nurse with NSW Air Ambulance set Debby on an unexpected and exciting new career path.

Debby is one of 32 flight nurses in NSW responsible for transporting rural and regional patients by air to metropolitan and tertiary centres.

Last year, Air Ambulance carried more than 5000 patients, flying nearly 2500 missions for 6500 hours from Melbourne to Brisbane and from the Darling River to Lord Howe Island.

As a registered midwife, Debby loves the variety that comes with her job including looking after mothers antenatally, during labour and post partum.

“The ideal is not to have a delivery and we try to make it work that way but it doesn’t always happen,” she said.

Earlier this year, Debby helped a woman deliver her baby in a rural airport car park unable to reach the nearest hospital in time.

“The weather was shocking and she was having contractions every minute. We got her off the plane and into an ambulance but she was fully dilated,” she said.

Among her list of memorable jobs include the delivery of a breech baby 10,000 feet in the air between Walgett and Dubbo and the delivery of a 27-week-old baby in a rural hospital. With no midwifery equipment on site, Debby used bed lamps, an oven bag, foil, bunny rugs and a hair dryer to keep the premature baby warm until neonatal transport arrived.

Flight nurses are registered nurses and registered midwives with experience in critical care specialities such as emergency, intensive or coronary care.

Debby says flight nurses are trained in emergency deliveries and are unfazed by whatever the job throws at them.

“It can be a tricky job and you can have nasty things happen but if things do go wrong we’re qualified and trained for those things,” she said.

The medical equipment onboard is identical to devices found in a hospital, just on a smaller scale that is suitable for air travel.

With only a pilot to accompany them, flight nurses are solely responsible for the care of the patients they transport, an aspect of the job Debby finds most rewarding.

“The time that I’m with them, they almost get everything but their fingernails done for them,” she said.

“I love the job, I get more time with the patients and I go home satisfied and that is all because of the care I am able to give.”

Debby’s career takes off

Page 4: NCAH Issue 13 2012

Page 32 | www.ncah.com.auNursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 5

Page 4 | www.ncah.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 33

*Terms and Conditions Apply. ABN 76 104 030 793. A National Credit Act compliant company. A member of the National Financial Services Federation Inc. A member of Credit Ombudsman Service Limited (www.cosl.com.au). 1: A motor vehicle which is paid off, registered in your name and not encumbered (i.e. not currently used as security on any loan with another financial institution). Australian Credit Licence 388145

Call now and be pre-approvedin minutes1300 654 230

Visit our website

www.qef.com.au

wrightcreative.com

.au 2612NC

AH

Quick and Easy Finance specialises in non-conforming, short term personal loans for repayment over 3-24 months*. A short-term loan means your debt is paid off sooner, and with loans that range from $500-$10,000*, you can afford to pay for the things you’ve always wanted. PLUS, by repaying your loan with Payroll Deduction and by using your unencumbered

1 vehicle as security, you can

enjoy a discounted installment on your loan.

HOW SOON CAN I RECEIVE THE FUNDS?

Within 48-72 hours from the moment we receive your completed application form and supporting documents*. How’s that for service! Our turnaround time is second to none and we pride ourselves on our quick and easy approval process, with funds deposited directly into your bank account.

WHAT CAN I USE THE LOAN FOR?

Anything you want! Guilt-free shopping; gift purchases; a holiday of a lifetime; home renovations; car repairs or new tyres; new furniture; upgrade to a new plasma TV or home cinema… in fact, it’s your loan – so use the funds however you choose!

FEES & EARLY SETTLEMENT?

Unlike other companies, Quick and Easy Finance DOES NOT CHARGE ANY FEES OR PENALTIES if you choose to settle your loan early. So you are free to pay out your loan whenever you want.

There is simply no better way to solve all your cash flow needs than a short-term personal loan from Quick and Easy Finance – it’s your cash on demand, the Quick & Easy way.™

Need money QUICKLY?Funds on demand, the ‘Quick & Easy’ way

For more articles visit NCAH.com.au

Training maternal child health nurses in the early warning signs of autism spectrum disorders in children aged 15 to 24 months could be the key to early diagnosis and intervention, according to an Australian psychologist.

La Trobe University Associate Professor Cheryl Dissanayake, director of the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, said the average age of ASD diagnosis was in children aged four but an earlier diagnosis was pivotal to early treatment and a better outcome for children to overcome social, behavioural and cognitive difficulties.

In a Victorian trial, the Social Attention and Communication Study known as SACS, 241 maternal child health nurses were trained to use a developmental surveillance approach to identify infants with an ASD through their routine assessments at eight, 12, 18 and 24 months of age.

More than 20,000 children were monitored for the early autism phenotype, marked by a lack of key behaviours, which are indicative for ASD development at each age.

The warning signs include reduced and atypical eye contact, reduced social smiles, failure to follow a point or initiate pointing, lack of imitative behaviours and limited or no pretend play.

The trial found 81 per cent of the children nurses referred to the La Trobe University team for a thorough developmental assessment were found to have autism while almost all of the remaining children had either a

developmental or language delay, or both.

Dr Dissanayake, who has detailed her research in the Australian Psychological Society journal InPsych, said a variable pattern for the onset of autism meant a one-off screening was not the solution.

“We now understand that the onset of autism symptoms is variable during the first two years of life, with signs evident in some children from birth, while others may appear to be developing typically but then fail to progress, and yet others who may lose some of the skills already developed,” she stated in her article.

The success of SACS and accuracy of early clinical diagnoses of ASDs at 24 months led to the creation of Australia’s first early diagnostic clinic for ASDs, focusing on children aged under three, at La Trobe University in July last year.

A lack of funding has meant the clinic is only open one day a week, thanks to philanthropic funding.

Dr Dissanayake said children aged two to five years in the clinic’s first intake of 20 children with an ASD had all shown major developmental gains in just one year of intervention.

“Those who were younger when they began intervention made the best progress over this time,” she stated.

“We do not know the causes of autism and we have no cure, so intervention to enhance development and reduce symptoms is of crucial importance.”

Autism training vital for maternal child health nurses says psychologist

by Karen Keast

Advertiser List

AHN RecruitmentAlliance Health Services GroupAmbulance Service of NSWAustralia and NZ Mental Health AssociationAustralian College of MidwivesCCM RecruitmentCQ NurseEmployment OfficeGeneva HealthHealth Recruitment SpecialistsKatherine Regional Aboriginal Health ServiceLifescreenMedacs AustraliaMercy Health & Aged Care Central QLD.NSW Health Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health DistrictNSW Health Mid North Coast Local Health DistrictNSW Health Southern Health Reform Transitional OfficeNursing and Allied Health Rural Locum SchemeOceania University of MedicineOxford Aunts CareQuick and Easy FinanceRamsay Figtree Private HospitalRamsay Greenslopes Private HospitalRemote Area Health CorpsRoyal Prince Alfred HospitalSouthwest Healthcare WarrnamboolWestern NSW Local Health District

We hope you enjoy perusing the range of opportunities included in Issue 13, 2012.

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 Magazine distribution is independently audited by the Circulations Audit Board.

Total Audited Print and Digital Distribution: 24,823

The NCAH Magazine is the most widely distributed national nursing and allied health publication in Australia

Next Publication:

Publication Date: Monday 16 July 2012

Colour Artwork Deadline: Monday 9 July 2012

Mono Artwork Deadline: Wednesday 11 July 2012

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.

© 2012 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 13 2 July 2012

www.ncah.com.au

Nursing CareersAllied Health

ncah.com.au

Nursing CareersAllied Health

ncah.com.au

Nursing CareersAllied Health

ncah.com.au

Nursing CareersAllied Health

ncah.com.au

Page 5: NCAH Issue 13 2012

Page 32 | www.ncah.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 5

Page 4 | www.ncah.com.auNursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 33

*Terms and Conditions Apply. ABN 76 104 030 793. A National Credit Act compliant company. A member of the National Financial Services Federation Inc. A member of Credit Ombudsman Service Limited (www.cosl.com.au). 1: A motor vehicle which is paid off, registered in your name and not encumbered (i.e. not currently used as security on any loan with another financial institution). Australian Credit Licence 388145

Call now and be pre-approvedin minutes1300 654 230

Visit our website

www.qef.com.au

wrightcreative.com.au

261

2NC

AH

Quick and Easy Finance specialises in non-conforming, short term personal loans for repayment over 3-24 months*. A short-term loan means your debt is paid off sooner, and with loans that range from $500-$10,000*, you can afford to pay for the things you’ve always wanted. PLUS, by repaying your loan with Payroll Deduction and by using your unencumbered1 vehicle as security, you can enjoy a discounted installment on your loan.

HOW SOON CAN I RECEIVE THE FUNDS?

Within 48-72 hours from the moment we receive your completed application form and supporting documents*. How’s that for service! Our turnaround time is second to none and we pride ourselves on our quick and easy approval process, with funds deposited directly into your bank account.

WHAT CAN I USE THE LOAN FOR?

Anything you want! Guilt-free shopping; gift purchases; a holiday of a lifetime; home renovations; car repairs or new tyres; new furniture; upgrade to a new plasma TV or home cinema… in fact, it’s your loan – so use the funds however you choose!

FEES & EARLY SETTLEMENT?

Unlike other companies, Quick and Easy Finance DOES NOT CHARGE ANY FEES OR PENALTIES if you choose to settle your loan early. So you are free to pay out your loan whenever you want.

There is simply no better way to solve all your cash flow needs than a short-term personal loan from Quick and Easy Finance – it’s your cash on demand, the Quick & Easy way.™

Need money QUICKLY?Funds on demand, the ‘Quick & Easy’ way™

For more articles visit NCAH.com.au

Training maternal child health nurses in the early warning signs of autism spectrum disorders in children aged 15 to 24 months could be the key to early diagnosis and intervention, according to an Australian psychologist.

La Trobe University Associate Professor Cheryl Dissanayake, director of the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, said the average age of ASD diagnosis was in children aged four but an earlier diagnosis was pivotal to early treatment and a better outcome for children to overcome social, behavioural and cognitive difficulties.

In a Victorian trial, the Social Attention and Communication Study known as SACS, 241 maternal child health nurses were trained to use a developmental surveillance approach to identify infants with an ASD through their routine assessments at eight, 12, 18 and 24 months of age.

More than 20,000 children were monitored for the early autism phenotype, marked by a lack of key behaviours, which are indicative for ASD development at each age.

The warning signs include reduced and atypical eye contact, reduced social smiles, failure to follow a point or initiate pointing, lack of imitative behaviours and limited or no pretend play.

The trial found 81 per cent of the children nurses referred to the La Trobe University team for a thorough developmental assessment were found to have autism while almost all of the remaining children had either a

developmental or language delay, or both.

Dr Dissanayake, who has detailed her research in the Australian Psychological Society journal InPsych, said a variable pattern for the onset of autism meant a one-off screening was not the solution.

“We now understand that the onset of autism symptoms is variable during the first two years of life, with signs evident in some children from birth, while others may appear to be developing typically but then fail to progress, and yet others who may lose some of the skills already developed,” she stated in her article.

The success of SACS and accuracy of early clinical diagnoses of ASDs at 24 months led to the creation of Australia’s first early diagnostic clinic for ASDs, focusing on children aged under three, at La Trobe University in July last year.

A lack of funding has meant the clinic is only open one day a week, thanks to philanthropic funding.

Dr Dissanayake said children aged two to five years in the clinic’s first intake of 20 children with an ASD had all shown major developmental gains in just one year of intervention.

“Those who were younger when they began intervention made the best progress over this time,” she stated.

“We do not know the causes of autism and we have no cure, so intervention to enhance development and reduce symptoms is of crucial importance.”

Autism training vital for maternal child health nurses says psychologist

by Karen Keast

Advertiser List

AHN RecruitmentAlliance Health Services GroupAmbulance Service of NSWAustralia and NZ Mental Health AssociationAustralian College of MidwivesCCM RecruitmentCQ NurseEmployment OfficeGeneva HealthHealth Recruitment SpecialistsKatherine Regional Aboriginal Health ServiceLifescreenMedacs AustraliaMercy Health & Aged Care Central QLD.NSW Health Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health DistrictNSW Health Mid North Coast Local Health DistrictNSW Health Southern Health Reform Transitional OfficeNursing and Allied Health Rural Locum SchemeOceania University of MedicineOxford Aunts CareQuick and Easy FinanceRamsay Figtree Private HospitalRamsay Greenslopes Private HospitalRemote Area Health CorpsRoyal Prince Alfred HospitalSouthwest Healthcare WarrnamboolWestern NSW Local Health District

We hope you enjoy perusing the range of opportunities included in Issue 13, 2012.

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 Magazine distribution is independently audited by the Circulations Audit Board.

Total Audited Print and Digital Distribution: 24,823

The NCAH Magazine is the most widely distributed national nursing and allied health publication in Australia

Next Publication:

Publication Date: Monday 16 July 2012

Colour Artwork Deadline: Monday 9 July 2012

Mono Artwork Deadline: Wednesday 11 July 2012

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.

© 2012 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 13 2 July 2012

www.ncah.com.au

Nursing CareersAllied Health ncah.com.au

Nursing CareersAllied Health ncah.com.au

Nursing CareersAllied Health ncah.com.au

Nursing CareersAllied Health ncah.com.au

Page 6: NCAH Issue 13 2012

Page 34 | www.ncah.com.auNursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 3

Page 6 | www.ncah.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 31

Secure locum support for the new

financial year.

Freecall 1300 NAHRLS

AUSTRALIAN

GOVERNMENT PROGRAMME

(1300 624 757)

Apply online at www.nahrls.com.au

Funded by the Australian Government

Get your locum requests in now!

NursesMidwives

Allied Health ProfessionalsRural and remote Australia

LeaveUp to 14 days

Great incentivesNo fees or charges

For more articles visit NCAH.com.au

Tasmanian nurses with families are flying interstate for shift work as the state’s health woes continue to bite.

Experienced nurses are picking up shifts in Queensland and New South Wales and flying home in between shifts to spend time with their families.

Other nurses, including graduate nurses, are moving interstate to find work after 287 nursing positions were trimmed from the public sector in the wake of State Government funding cuts.

But nurses have received a reprieve with the Federal Government’s announcement of a $325 million lifeline for the beleaguered health sector, including an opportunity for an expected 20 nursing positions to be created at new walk-in clinics forecast for Hobart and Launceston.

Australian Nursing Federation Tasmanian branch secretary Neroli Ellis said the news had left nurses feeling more optimistic.

“We welcome that announcement and nurses are feeling there’s more hope there,” she said.

Ms Ellis said the announcement came on the back of “pretty desperate times” in Tasmania.

“Nursing has always been a career that had secure employment so it’s quite unique in Tasmania that nurses and most other public sector workers now are facing insecure work going into the future.”

Ms Ellis said nurses with families are increasingly balancing travel between states for work.

“The nurses I am talking to are aged in their 30s and have families. They have got to have

employment. There’s lots of opportunities interstate to do five or six shifts in a row.

“That’s the reality for them. Nurses have got mortgages like everybody else.”

Ms Ellis said about 30 nurses a month are venturing interstate for work while a recent union survey found 40 per cent of respondents are considering either leaving to work interstate or exiting the nursing profession.

“Many are going to Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria; predominantly going to Queensland,” she said.

“There are better conditions and they are recruiting and there’s the climate.”

Graduates are also leaving, she said.

“We have about 350 graduates a year and there were less than 60 positions last year.

“It’s pretty sad to see our profession being treated in this way.”

The Federal Government’s rescue package includes $31.2 million for an extra 2600 surgeries over four years, $15.4 million to address gaps in mental health services and $53.9 million to train more medical specialists and provide more scholarships for nurses and allied health professionals.

About $22 million will be spent establishing the walk-in clinics, which will provide care for minor illnesses and injuries, free of charge and for extended hours, while reducing demand on the state’s emergency departments.

Tasmanian nurses fly interstate for workby Karen Keast

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?After 26 years of working in hospitals, Debby Jones needed a change.

Flicking through a copy of Nursing Careers Allied Health magazine one morning, Debby found just what she was looking for. An advertisement for a flight nurse with NSW Air Ambulance set Debby on an unexpected and exciting new career path.

Debby is one of 32 flight nurses in NSW responsible for transporting rural and regional patients by air to metropolitan and tertiary centres.

Last year, Air Ambulance carried more than 5000 patients, flying nearly 2500 missions for 6500 hours from Melbourne to Brisbane and from the Darling River to Lord Howe Island.

As a registered midwife, Debby loves the variety that comes with her job including looking after mothers antenatally, during labour and post partum.

“The ideal is not to have a delivery and we try to make it work that way but it doesn’t always happen,” she said.

Earlier this year, Debby helped a woman deliver her baby in a rural airport car park unable to reach the nearest hospital in time.

“The weather was shocking and she was having contractions every minute. We got her off the plane and into an ambulance but she was fully dilated,” she said.

Among her list of memorable jobs include the delivery of a breech baby 10,000 feet in the air between Walgett and Dubbo and the delivery of a 27-week-old baby in a rural hospital. With no midwifery equipment on site, Debby used bed lamps, an oven bag, foil, bunny rugs and a hair dryer to keep the premature baby warm until neonatal transport arrived.

Flight nurses are registered nurses and registered midwives with experience in critical care specialities such as emergency, intensive or coronary care.

Debby says flight nurses are trained in emergency deliveries and are unfazed by whatever the job throws at them.

“It can be a tricky job and you can have nasty things happen but if things do go wrong we’re qualified and trained for those things,” she said.

The medical equipment onboard is identical to devices found in a hospital, just on a smaller scale that is suitable for air travel.

With only a pilot to accompany them, flight nurses are solely responsible for the care of the patients they transport, an aspect of the job Debby finds most rewarding.

“The time that I’m with them, they almost get everything but their fingernails done for them,” she said.

“I love the job, I get more time with the patients and I go home satisfied and that is all because of the care I am able to give.”

Debby’s career takes off

Page 7: NCAH Issue 13 2012

Page 30 | www.ncah.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 7

Page 10 | www.ncah.com.auNursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 27

SUNRISE HEALTH SERVICE ABORIGINAL CORPORATIONPandanus Plaza, 25 First Street, PO Box 1696, Katherine NT 0850

Ph: 08 89711 120 Fax: 08 89 712 511 Providing primary health care services to remote communities East of Katherine - Bulman, Jilkminggan,

Manyallaluk, Mataranka, Minyerri, Ngukurr, Weemol, Wugularr, Urapunga

Sunrise Health Service is seeking applications for the position of HEALTH CARE MANAGER in remote indigenous communities.

This is an amazing opportunity:

Great salary - $90K approx

18% leave loading

6 weeks annual leave

FREE accommodation and electricity

Relocation allowance

Mobile phone and generous allowance

Leave fares allowance

Professional development opportunities

For a full position description and more information, please contact Daniel Horwood – [email protected], or Ph: 08 8971 9513Sunrise Health Service is an equal opportunity employer and maintains a strong no smoking

policy. Indigenous people are strongly encouraged to apply.

Nurses! Do you have remote area

experience?

Nurses at Australia’s iconic Royal District Nursing Service are taking protected industrial action in a push for better pay and entitlements.

More than 800 nurses at Australia’s oldest and largest provider of home nursing and health care services are wearing Respect Our Work campaign t-shirts to work and enforcing bans, including clerical and administrative work linked to funding, non-critical client assessments and refusing deployment between RDNS centres.

The action has been designed to impact on RDNS financially, amid claims the State Government is underfunding the service.

Nurses have stressed existing RDNS clients and urgent clients will continue to receive care but nurses have not ruled out upping the bans to four-hour work stoppages and bans on non-urgent call outs and non-urgent admissions and referrals.

The action comes after 11 months of negotiations failed to secure a new agreement.

Nurses working at 20 RDNS centres across Victoria, spanning Melbourne, Ballarat, Geelong, Queenscliff, Wodonga and Wangaratta to the Macedon Ranges, are lobbying for parity with public sector hospital nurses’ and midwives’ wages and allowances.

The push includes a 2.5 per cent pay rise per annum over the proposed four-year agreement, back-paid to March, and a $1000 professional development allowance in the first year with $900 for subsequent years.

RDNS has matched the pay rise but has offered allowances of up to $700 with conditions.

The Australian Nursing Federation Vic Branch states the organisation’s plans to implement the pay rise once it’s been formally approved through the Australian Electoral Commission and Fair Work Australia would result in delays and leave some nurses out of pocket at least $10,000.

The union is also fighting to maintain current entitlements including sick leave and carers leave and demanding better staffing arrangements.

ANF Vic Branch assistant secretary Pip Carew said nurses are taking action as a last resort.

“RDNS nurses are very proud of this iconic community nursing service because it has a reputation for skilled and experienced nurses who care for patients recently discharged from hospital, people with chronic and terminal illnesses and homeless people,” she said.

“They’re very concerned that if their conditions are reduced, if their workloads are not addressed and if they’re paid significantly less than hospital nurses then RDNS will very quickly have a serious nurse shortage of its own making.”

RDNS chief executive officer Steve Muggleton said the action was disappointing.

“We have offered 2.5 per cent and we are very close to resolving a range of other demands - but it’s got to be said we’re working through these issues in extremely challenging economic times, not only for RDNS but also for the state and federal governments and the private and public sectors across Australia,” he said.

RDNS nurses take actionby Karen Keast

For the full article visit NCAH.com.au

“The aim is to maximise the health care of older people who have experienced hip fractures,” she said.

“In years gone past, they have not always been prioritised…and older people can end up with complications following surgery and long recovery times.”

Betty said often older people who have experienced a fall develop a fear of falling, which can sap their confidence; preventing them from taking part in activities and even refusing to leave their home.

And she said as the Australian population continues to age, more physios will be needed to help keep older people active.

“It’s not exactly the glamorous side of physiotherapy like sports injuries…but I love working with older people. They are incredibly engaging. It’s rewarding work.

“There needs to be more focus on how we can encourage older people to be more active and stay independent and in shape for old age,” she said.

“No-one ever warns you when you are young how difficult it is when you are old.

“I think that people who are in their 80s and 90s now may not have had much of a lifetime of keeping active,” she said.

“For the ones that do keep more active it may make a greater difference in their old age.

“As a school girl back in Peebles, Scotland, I could never have imagined that working as a physio with older people would be such a perfect choice for me,” Betty said.

For more articles visit NCAH.com.au

AgencyOf�ce

locations

States

serviced

# Nurses

Years

runningSpecialisations

Key

facilitiesContact details

CQ NurseMackay,

QLD

ACT, NSW,

NT, QLD,

TAS, WA

4009General Medical,

Midwifery,

Regional & Remote

Regional and

Remote

Facilities

www.cqnurse.com.au

07 4998 5550

WorkPacMelbourne,

Brisbane

VIC, QLD4Aged Care, Cardiac,

Community / Maternal,

Critical / ICU / NICU,

Emergency,

General Medical,

Mental Health / Psych,

Theatre / Periop

VICPublic Sector Panel,

Epworth;

QLD - Mater, RSL,

Qld Baptist Care,

Blue Care

www.workpac.com

1300 724 216

First Choice

Care

Brisbane,

Melbourne

QLD, VIC2,5008Aged Care, Cardiac,

Community / Maternal,

Critical / ICU / NICU,

Emergency,

General Medical,

Mental Health / Psych,

Midwifery,

Paediatric / PICU,

Regional & Remote,

Renal, Theatre / Periop

Queensland Health

preferred supplier,

Mater Health,

Uniting Care

�rstchoicecare.com.au

1300 307 241

Looking for a Nursing Agency?Compare agencies at agencynursing.net.au

Flight Nurse Air Ambulance Base Sydney Domestic Airport, Mascot Permanent Full Time

My name is Mark and every day I am able to bring my sense of adventure to work to make a

difference to the lives of people in rural and remote NSW locations. Every day is different so there is

definitely no chance to get bored. My job as a Flight Nurse is clinically challenging and stimulating,

utilizing all of my extensive nursing experience as I move from midwife one minute to palliative care

nurse the next. You gain unsurpassed autonomy and can make a real difference in people’s lives,

never knowing who you are going to meet and care for next. There are some interesting and resilient

characters around and that is just the rural and remote paramedic staff. The aircraft is an extension of an emergency department, hospital ward, intensive care or any

speciality unit. A diverse range of broad based medical categories and diagnostic groups are

transferred ranging from cardiac, high risk obstetrics, surgical, neonatal, trauma to aged care and

palliative patients. We attend to over 5,000 cases a year which is why the Ambulance Service has

access to state of the art technology and equipment, and strongly supports an environment that

encourages Continuing Professional Development and research projects.

Come and join our dedicated and experienced team of flight nurses and help us to deliver excellence

in care for rural and regional communities. You will need to be a Registered Nurse with an additional

qualification as a Registered Midwife along with qualifications and/or extensive experience in Aviation

Nursing or adult critical care fields limited to Emergency, Cardiac or Cardiothoracic or Intensive Care

Nursing. For more detailed information pick up the phone or email our Senior Flight Nurse, Margaret

Tabone to take to the skies. For more information and application packs go to:http://www.ambulance.nsw.gov.au/Employment/Become-a-Flight-Nurse.html

Margaret Tabone, Senior Flight Nurse Phone: 02 9669 1708 Email: [email protected].

Forget the four white walls and lack of natural light that surrounds you in the hospital, take this unique opportunity to spread your wings and take to the skies as an Ambulance Service NSW Flight Nurse. Every day is your own personal mystery flight from the vast dry dusty plains, pristine coastal communities through to the snow topped mountains.

Flight Nurse advert for NCAH magazine OUTLINES .indd 1 20/01/2012 12:34:43 PM

Page 8: NCAH Issue 13 2012

Page 28 | www.ncah.com.auNursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 9

Page 8 | www.ncah.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 29

Join the Alliance Health Nursing Team

CALL NOW (02) 9212 1244 www.alliancehealth.com.au

Looking for a change in direction?Join the agency that works in partnership with you.

• Great flexibility in shifts and pay rates• Ask us about our great sign on incentives• All specialty areas – Op Theatres, Critical care, Mental Health, General and Midwifery• 100% Australian owned and operated

Warrnambool CampusRyot Street, Warrnambool 3280www.southwesthealthcare.com.au

2010 Regional Health Service of the Year

Warrnambool CampusRyot Street, Warrnambool 3280www.southwesthealthcare.com.au

2010 Regional Health Service of the Year

Applications are invited from suitably qualified/experienced Registered Nurses for the Nurse Unit Manager role in the Intensive Care/Critical Care Unit at our Warrnambool Base Hospital site. This 165 bed hospital has recently completed a $115m redevelopment which included a state of the art, 6 bed (with room for expansion) Intensive/Critical Care Unit

The Nurse Unit Manager (NUM) is responsible for the effective and efficient management of the human, physical and financial resources within the Unit. The NUM actively leads the ICU/CCU team in a consultative and participative manner ensuring well planned and coordinated services to clients and their families and providing clinical leadership to foster patient focused and outcome directed nursing care.

Further information is available from Sue Morrison (Director of Nursing) on telephone 03 5563 1435 or via email [email protected]

Applications are to be submitted online via our website under careers and need to include: full personal particulars, qualifications and experience; together with the names of two (2) referees by Tuesday 31 July 2012.

NURSE UNIT MANAGER INTENSIVE CARE/CRITICAL CARE UNIT

... health care expenditure on asthma, particularly those over 50 years is expected to increase exponentially.

– Dr Dianne Goeman Royal District Nursing

Service Institute Senior Research Fellow

An Australian researcher has found a concerning number of older and frail people are dying of asthma.

Royal District Nursing Service Institute senior research fellow Dr Dianne Goeman has warned asthma deaths are an issue for all health practitioners and called for targeted interventions to reduce the asthma mortality rate.

Dr Goeman, who conducted a study into the circumstances surrounding Australian asthma deaths since 2005 after being awarded an Asthma Foundation of Victoria research grant, said RDNS nurses were at the frontline of home nursing and health care, and able to observe the extent of the problem.

“RDNS has a large number of older clients with asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and are therefore in a unique position to assist their clients to achieve better asthma outcomes,” she said.

While asthma deaths have decreased in the past three decades, Dr Goeman said the rate of mortality due to asthma in older people had not dropped as dramatically as it had in younger people.

Asthma deaths in Australia are high compared to international standards. Statistics show 416 Australians died of asthma in 2010 and 411 people died of asthma in 2009, with asthma

recorded as an associated cause in another 1,344 deaths.

Dr Goeman said asthma mortality increased with age, with 995 or 64 per cent of asthma deaths between 2005 and 2008 occurring in those aged over 70.

“Asthma is predicted to continue to be a major disease burden in Australia over the next two decades and health care expenditure on asthma, particularly those over 50 years is expected to increase exponentially,” she said.

Dr Goeman said people over 65 with asthma also had the second highest presentation rate to emergency departments, after children.

A medical sociologist, Dr Goeman presented the research, the first research on asthma deaths in the country since the late 1990s, at the International Primary Care Respiratory Group Conference in Edinburgh for this year’s World Asthma Day.

Dr Goeman conducted the research with respiratory physicians Associate Professor Jo Douglass, Professor Michael Abramson and Dr Celia Zubrinich from the Alfred Hospital along with research officer Edwina McCarthy.

RDNS researcher urges nurses to help asthma patientsby Karen Keast

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

For full details of this and other nursing and allied health vacancies visit our web site at:

REGISTERED MIDWIFEKerang, Victoria Are you an experienced Registered Midwife

looking for a new and challenging role in a progressive rural

health service? Kerang District Health is a 54 bed public health

service close to the Murray River in Northern Victoria. The health

service currently provides midwifery services to a population of

around 8,000 via a shared model of care that includes antenatal

and post natal care and is delivered with the support of a local

GP Obstetrician and Visiting Specialist Obstetrician.

NURSE UNIT MANAGEROPERATING SUITEHamilton, VictoriaWestern District Health Service is a public health service which

incorporates 96 acute beds, 170 high and low level extended

care and residential aged care beds, 35 Independent Living Units,

community health and youth services. To be successful in this

role, you will need to demonstrate and possess current AHPRA

registration and at least 5 years post-graduate nursing experience

and demonstrated management skills.

1213-003 1PG FULL COLOUR CMYK (typeset)

Page 9: NCAH Issue 13 2012

Page 28 | www.ncah.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 9

Page 8 | www.ncah.com.auNursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 29

Join the Alliance Health Nursing Team

CALL NOW (02) 9212 1244 www.alliancehealth.com.au

Looking for a change in direction?Join the agency that works in partnership with you.

• Great flexibility in shifts and pay rates• Ask us about our great sign on incentives• All specialty areas – Op Theatres, Critical care, Mental Health, General and Midwifery• 100% Australian owned and operated

Warrnambool CampusRyot Street, Warrnambool 3280www.southwesthealthcare.com.au

2010 Regional Health Service of the Year

Warrnambool CampusRyot Street, Warrnambool 3280www.southwesthealthcare.com.au

2010 Regional Health Service of the Year

Applications are invited from suitably qualified/experienced Registered Nurses for the Nurse Unit Manager role in the Intensive Care/Critical Care Unit at our Warrnambool Base Hospital site. This 165 bed hospital has recently completed a $115m redevelopment which included a state of the art, 6 bed (with room for expansion) Intensive/Critical Care Unit

The Nurse Unit Manager (NUM) is responsible for the effective and efficient management of the human, physical and financial resources within the Unit. The NUM actively leads the ICU/CCU team in a consultative and participative manner ensuring well planned and coordinated services to clients and their families and providing clinical leadership to foster patient focused and outcome directed nursing care.

Further information is available from Sue Morrison (Director of Nursing) on telephone 03 5563 1435 or via email [email protected]

Applications are to be submitted online via our website under careers and need to include: full personal particulars, qualifications and experience; together with the names of two (2) referees by Tuesday 31 July 2012.

NURSE UNIT MANAGER INTENSIVE CARE/CRITICAL CARE UNIT

... health care expenditure on asthma, particularly those over 50 years is expected to increase exponentially.

– Dr Dianne Goeman Royal District Nursing

Service Institute Senior Research Fellow

An Australian researcher has found a concerning number of older and frail people are dying of asthma.

Royal District Nursing Service Institute senior research fellow Dr Dianne Goeman has warned asthma deaths are an issue for all health practitioners and called for targeted interventions to reduce the asthma mortality rate.

Dr Goeman, who conducted a study into the circumstances surrounding Australian asthma deaths since 2005 after being awarded an Asthma Foundation of Victoria research grant, said RDNS nurses were at the frontline of home nursing and health care, and able to observe the extent of the problem.

“RDNS has a large number of older clients with asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and are therefore in a unique position to assist their clients to achieve better asthma outcomes,” she said.

While asthma deaths have decreased in the past three decades, Dr Goeman said the rate of mortality due to asthma in older people had not dropped as dramatically as it had in younger people.

Asthma deaths in Australia are high compared to international standards. Statistics show 416 Australians died of asthma in 2010 and 411 people died of asthma in 2009, with asthma

recorded as an associated cause in another 1,344 deaths.

Dr Goeman said asthma mortality increased with age, with 995 or 64 per cent of asthma deaths between 2005 and 2008 occurring in those aged over 70.

“Asthma is predicted to continue to be a major disease burden in Australia over the next two decades and health care expenditure on asthma, particularly those over 50 years is expected to increase exponentially,” she said.

Dr Goeman said people over 65 with asthma also had the second highest presentation rate to emergency departments, after children.

A medical sociologist, Dr Goeman presented the research, the first research on asthma deaths in the country since the late 1990s, at the International Primary Care Respiratory Group Conference in Edinburgh for this year’s World Asthma Day.

Dr Goeman conducted the research with respiratory physicians Associate Professor Jo Douglass, Professor Michael Abramson and Dr Celia Zubrinich from the Alfred Hospital along with research officer Edwina McCarthy.

RDNS researcher urges nurses to help asthma patientsby Karen Keast

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

For full details of this and other nursing and allied health vacancies visit our web site at:

REGISTERED MIDWIFEKerang, Victoria Are you an experienced Registered Midwife

looking for a new and challenging role in a progressive rural

health service? Kerang District Health is a 54 bed public health

service close to the Murray River in Northern Victoria. The health

service currently provides midwifery services to a population of

around 8,000 via a shared model of care that includes antenatal

and post natal care and is delivered with the support of a local

GP Obstetrician and Visiting Specialist Obstetrician.

NURSE UNIT MANAGEROPERATING SUITEHamilton, VictoriaWestern District Health Service is a public health service which

incorporates 96 acute beds, 170 high and low level extended

care and residential aged care beds, 35 Independent Living Units,

community health and youth services. To be successful in this

role, you will need to demonstrate and possess current AHPRA

registration and at least 5 years post-graduate nursing experience

and demonstrated management skills.

1213-003 1PG FULL COLOUR CMYK (typeset)

Page 10: NCAH Issue 13 2012

Page 30 | www.ncah.com.auNursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 7

Page 10 | www.ncah.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 27

SUNRISE HEALTH SERVICE ABORIGINAL CORPORATIONPandanus Plaza, 25 First Street, PO Box 1696, Katherine NT 0850

Ph: 08 89711 120 Fax: 08 89 712 511 Providing primary health care services to remote communities East of Katherine - Bulman, Jilkminggan,

Manyallaluk, Mataranka, Minyerri, Ngukurr, Weemol, Wugularr, Urapunga

Sunrise Health Service is seeking applications for the position of HEALTH CARE MANAGER in remote indigenous communities.

This is an amazing opportunity:

Great salary - $90K approx

18% leave loading

6 weeks annual leave

FREE accommodation and electricity

Relocation allowance

Mobile phone and generous allowance

Leave fares allowance

Professional development opportunities

For a full position description and more information, please contact Daniel Horwood – [email protected], or Ph: 08 8971 9513Sunrise Health Service is an equal opportunity employer and maintains a strong no smoking

policy. Indigenous people are strongly encouraged to apply.

Nurses! Do you have remote a rea

experience?

Nurses at Australia’s iconic Royal District Nursing Service are taking protected industrial action in a push for better pay and entitlements.

More than 800 nurses at Australia’s oldest and largest provider of home nursing and health care services are wearing Respect Our Work campaign t-shirts to work and enforcing bans, including clerical and administrative work linked to funding, non-critical client assessments and refusing deployment between RDNS centres.

The action has been designed to impact on RDNS financially, amid claims the State Government is underfunding the service.

Nurses have stressed existing RDNS clients and urgent clients will continue to receive care but nurses have not ruled out upping the bans to four-hour work stoppages and bans on non-urgent call outs and non-urgent admissions and referrals.

The action comes after 11 months of negotiations failed to secure a new agreement.

Nurses working at 20 RDNS centres across Victoria, spanning Melbourne, Ballarat, Geelong, Queenscliff, Wodonga and Wangaratta to the Macedon Ranges, are lobbying for parity with public sector hospital nurses’ and midwives’ wages and allowances.

The push includes a 2.5 per cent pay rise per annum over the proposed four-year agreement, back-paid to March, and a $1000 professional development allowance in the first year with $900 for subsequent years.

RDNS has matched the pay rise but has offered allowances of up to $700 with conditions.

The Australian Nursing Federation Vic Branch states the organisation’s plans to implement the pay rise once it’s been formally approved through the Australian Electoral Commission and Fair Work Australia would result in delays and leave some nurses out of pocket at least $10,000.

The union is also fighting to maintain current entitlements including sick leave and carers leave and demanding better staffing arrangements.

ANF Vic Branch assistant secretary Pip Carew said nurses are taking action as a last resort.

“RDNS nurses are very proud of this iconic community nursing service because it has a reputation for skilled and experienced nurses who care for patients recently discharged from hospital, people with chronic and terminal illnesses and homeless people,” she said.

“They’re very concerned that if their conditions are reduced, if their workloads are not addressed and if they’re paid significantly less than hospital nurses then RDNS will very quickly have a serious nurse shortage of its own making.”

RDNS chief executive officer Steve Muggleton said the action was disappointing.

“We have offered 2.5 per cent and we are very close to resolving a range of other demands - but it’s got to be said we’re working through these issues in extremely challenging economic times, not only for RDNS but also for the state and federal governments and the private and public sectors across Australia,” he said.

RDNS nurses take actionby Karen Keast

For the full article visit NCAH.com.au

“The aim is to maximise the health care of older people who have experienced hip fractures,” she said.

“In years gone past, they have not always been prioritised…and older people can end up with complications following surgery and long recovery times.”

Betty said often older people who have experienced a fall develop a fear of falling, which can sap their confidence; preventing them from taking part in activities and even refusing to leave their home.

And she said as the Australian population continues to age, more physios will be needed to help keep older people active.

“It’s not exactly the glamorous side of physiotherapy like sports injuries…but I love working with older people. They are incredibly engaging. It’s rewarding work.

“There needs to be more focus on how we can encourage older people to be more active and stay independent and in shape for old age,” she said.

“No-one ever warns you when you are young how difficult it is when you are old.

“I think that people who are in their 80s and 90s now may not have had much of a lifetime of keeping active,” she said.

“For the ones that do keep more active it may make a greater difference in their old age.

“As a school girl back in Peebles, Scotland, I could never have imagined that working as a physio with older people would be such a perfect choice for me,” Betty said.

For more articles visit NCAH.com.au

AgencyOf�ce

locations

States

serviced

# Nurses

Years

runningSpecialisations

Key

facilitiesContact details

CQ Nurse Mackay,

QLD

ACT, NSW,

NT, QLD,

TAS, WA

4009 General Medical,

Midwifery,

Regional & Remote

Regional and

Remote

Facilities

www.cqnurse.com.au

07 4998 5550

WorkPac Melbourne,

Brisbane

VIC, QLD4 Aged Care, Cardiac,

Community / Maternal,

Critical / ICU / NICU,

Emergency,

General Medical,

Mental Health / Psych,

Theatre / Periop

VICPublic Sector Panel,

Epworth;

QLD - Mater, RSL,

Qld Baptist Care,

Blue Care

www.workpac.com

1300 724 216

First Choice

Care

Brisbane,

Melbourne

QLD, VIC2,500 8 Aged Care, Cardiac,

Community / Maternal,

Critical / ICU / NICU,

Emergency,

General Medical,

Mental Health / Psych,

Midwifery,

Paediatric / PICU,

Regional & Remote,

Renal, Theatre / Periop

Queensland Health

preferred supplier,

Mater Health,

Uniting Care

�rstchoicecare.com.au

1300 307 241

Looking for a Nursing Agency?Compare agencies at agencynursing.net.au

Flight Nurse Air Ambulance Base Sydney Domestic Airport, Mascot Permanent Full Time

My name is Mark and every day I am able to bring my sense of adventure to work to make a

difference to the lives of people in rural and remote NSW locations. Every day is different so there is

definitely no chance to get bored. My job as a Flight Nurse is clinically challenging and stimulating,

utilizing all of my extensive nursing experience as I move from midwife one minute to palliative care

nurse the next. You gain unsurpassed autonomy and can make a real difference in people’s lives,

never knowing who you are going to meet and care for next. There are some interesting and resilient

characters around and that is just the rural and remote paramedic staff. The aircraft is an extension of an emergency department, hospital ward, intensive care or any

speciality unit. A diverse range of broad based medical categories and diagnostic groups are

transferred ranging from cardiac, high risk obstetrics, surgical, neonatal, trauma to aged care and

palliative patients. We attend to over 5,000 cases a year which is why the Ambulance Service has

access to state of the art technology and equipment, and strongly supports an environment that

encourages Continuing Professional Development and research projects.

Come and join our dedicated and experienced team of flight nurses and help us to deliver excellence

in care for rural and regional communities. You will need to be a Registered Nurse with an additional

qualification as a Registered Midwife along with qualifications and/or extensive experience in Aviation

Nursing or adult critical care fields limited to Emergency, Cardiac or Cardiothoracic or Intensive Care

Nursing. For more detailed information pick up the phone or email our Senior Flight Nurse, Margaret

Tabone to take to the skies. For more information and application packs go to:http://www.ambulance.nsw.gov.au/Employment/Become-a-Flight-Nurse.html

Margaret Tabone, Senior Flight Nurse Phone: 02 9669 1708 Email: [email protected].

Forget the four white walls and lack of natural light that surrounds you in the hospital, take this unique opportunity to spread your wings and take to the skies as an Ambulance Service NSW Flight Nurse. Every day is your own personal mystery flight from the vast dry dusty plains, pristine coastal communities through to the snow topped mountains.

Flight Nurse advert for NCAH magazine OUTLINES .indd 120/01/2012 12:34:43 PM

Page 11: NCAH Issue 13 2012

Page 26 | www.ncah.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 11

Page 14 | www.ncah.com.auNursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 23

Betty Ramsay was advised against becoming a physiotherapist.

As a student in Scotland, her school’s careers advisor told her it would be “working with old people and it will be boring”.

Fast-forward several decades and Betty, a research physiotherapist at Neuroscience Research Australia in Sydney, thrives on working one-on-one with older people.

“I find older people fascinating. There are a lot of hidden gems out there with a lifetime of stories,” she said.

Betty occasionally rides her Honda motorbike to her appointments with older people, and is always amazed at their reactions.

“A couple of the men have been worried and told me to be careful but at least three of the ladies I have spoken to said ‘I rode a motorbike after the war’,” she said.

“I enjoy the interaction with older people a great deal and helping them with their problems in strength and balance and mobility, and increasing their confidence in being able to get out again.”

Betty moved to Australia in 1996 and has since worked at a private practice, at St Vincent’s Hospital in Darlinghurst and at Sacred Heart Hospice.

It was a move to community health that sparked Betty’s interest in falls prevention, prompting her to take on a major research role at NeuRA in its Falls and Balance Research Group.

Since she began at NeuRA almost five years ago, Betty has worked on a major post-hospital exercise study, involving 340 older people who had recently been in hospital.

The intervention included a 12 month weight bearing exercise program designed to improve strength and balance.

“We were trying to look at how we could hopefully prevent falls for people who had been in hospital,” she said.

“They are less active; usually they are in bed or sitting in a chair next to the bed. Therefore they are more at risk of falling when they go home.”

The data for the study is currently being analysed with results expected soon.

Betty is now working on a national hip fracture database for hospitals across Australia and New Zealand; reviewing hip fracture patients and their care in hospitals.

Physiotherapist thrives on working with older peopleby Karen Keast

•Earnextra$$$$•Bewhereyouareneeded•Meetnewpeople•Visitnewdestinations•ExcitinglocationsthroughoutAustralia

www.cqnurse.com.auOfficelocation239NeboRoad,[email protected]

yourstoCQNurse,Australia’spremiernursingagency,hascontractsavailableNOW.

ACHANGEisasgoodasAHOLIDAYMIDWIFERYpositionsavailable

throughoutAustralia

For the full article visit NCAH.com.au

The first patients are about to begin walking through the doors of Melbourne’s outstanding $189 million Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre.

The world-class facility, which is attached to the Austin Hospital in Heidelberg, will open the doors to three of its seven levels on July 2.

The centre will offer radiation, day oncology and one floor of research along with a drop-in service and group programs such as Look Good Feel Better, individual consultations, mediation, relaxation, music and arts therapy.

Inpatient wards and a palliative care unit are due to open in mid-2013, and once fully complete the centre will include 64 oncology and haematology in-patient beds and 28 palliative care beds.

The centre will also boast dedicated research into

vaccines and treatments for all types of cancer and will become home to the largest clinical research site of the internationally-renowned Ludwig Institute world-wide.

In officially opening the centre, Ms Newton-John said she decided to lend her name to the initiative knowing it would offer wellness programs and an integrated wellness centre, something that was missing when she fought her own battle against breast cancer 20 years ago.

“From my own experience I know what a gap there was in the delivery of truly holistic cancer care and how much there was a need for a cancer centre and philosophy that gives equal support to patients’ well-being as it does to surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and research,” she said.

Olivia’s holistic cancer centre opens its doorsby Karen Keast

rahc.com.auGet involved.

Be part of the effortto improve Indigenous health

Are you a Registered Nurse, RN/Midwife or Allied Health professional? Have you thought about being part of the effort to close the gap in Indigenous health outcomes? Now is the time to get involved.

RAHC has opportunities for urban-based health professionals to undertake short-term paid placements in remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory.

Visit our website now to apply or register your interest then let us know your availability. Our team can find remote placement opportunities that work around your current job and you.

Allied Health Subacute Manager • Seniormanagementrole• Sheppartonbased• AttractivesalarypackageAn exciting opportunity exists for an allied health professional to join an innovative and dynamic team at Goulburn Valley Health, Shepparton.

The Allied Health Clinical Lead – Subacute Programs, is a full time position and will provide clinical leadership and program coordination in the subacute service area to ensure safe, effective and high quality allied health is provided across the subacute programs at Goulburn Valley Health.

As an AHPRA registered and/or accredited allied health professional, your extensive clinical knowledge in the area of subacute service delivery, and management and leadership experience in the health sector, will be supported by excellent

interpersonal and communication skills. In this role, you will work collaboratively with inter-professional teams and have well developed skills and experience in applying evidence base approaches to subacute service development for allied health.

A competitive remuneration package is being offered to attract the highest calibre applicant.

Youcanobtainfurtherdetailsfromourwebsiteat:

www.hrsa.com.auInterestedapplicantsshouldcontact MrJohnBowmanon:0407835747

POBox83OceanGrove3226

[email protected]

www.hrsa.com.au

Page 12: NCAH Issue 13 2012

Page 24 | www.ncah.com.auNursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 13

Page 12 | www.ncah.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 25

1213-019 1PG FULL COLOUR CMYK (typeset)

Registered Midwife Permanent Full and Part Time positions available Port Macquarie Base HospitalWe are seeking experienced and enthusiastic Midwives to join our team at Port Macquarie Base Hospital.Port Macquarie is the major metropolitan hub of the Hastings Macleay region located on the scenic mid north coast of New South Wales where the Hastings River meets the Pacific Ocean, and is an easy four hours’ drive north of Sydney.The area is a paradise for those who love the outdoors. You name it, it’s right here at your door; from sailing, kayaking and surfing, to paragliding, bushwalking in nearby national parks, deep sea fishing, whale watching and stunning coastal walks. Port Macquarie also boasts a vibrant CBD with an exciting variety of shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs. Within an easy commuting distance from Port Macquarie are a number of idyllic villages, from coastal towns to rural hamlets. Affordable housing, excellent education and recreation facilities, combined with all the benefits of a healthy lifestyle make this region one of the fastest growing in the State.With 161 beds and four theatres, Port Macquarie Base Hospital provides 24 hour Emergency Services, Critical Care, Obstetrics/Gynaecology, Medicine, General and Vascular Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, ENT, Ophthalmology, Gastroenterology, Pediatric Care and Mental Health Services to the people of the surrounding areas.If you have demonstrated experience, knowledge and competency in midwifery along with recent birthing experience and would like to know more, please contact:

Sandra Eadie (Maternity Unit Manager) 02 55242403

Registered Midwife Permanent Full and Part Time positions available Port Macquarie Base Hospital We are seeking experienced and enthusiastic Midwives to join our team at Port Macquarie Base Hospital. Port Macquarie is the major metropolitan hub of the Hastings Macleay region located on the scenic mid north coast of New South Wales where the Hastings River meets the Pacific Ocean, and is an easy four hours' drive north of Sydney. The area is a paradise for those who love the outdoors. You name it, it's right here at your door; from sailing, kayaking and surfing, to paragliding, bushwalking in nearby national parks, deep sea fishing, whale watching and stunning coastal walks. Port Macquarie also boasts a vibrant CBD with an exciting variety of shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs. Within an easy commuting distance from Port Macquarie are a number of idyllic villages, from coastal towns to rural hamlets. Affordable housing, excellent education and recreation facilities, combined with all the benefits of a healthy lifestyle make this region one of the fastest growing in the State. With 161 beds and four theatres, Port Macquarie Base Hospital provides 24 hour Emergency Services, Critical Care, Obstetrics/Gynaecology, Medicine, General and Vascular Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, ENT, Ophthalmology, Gastroenterology, Pediatric Care and Mental Health Services to the people of the surrounding areas. If you have demonstrated experience, knowledge and competency in midwifery along with recent birthing experience and would like to know more, please contact:

Sandra Eadie (Maternity Unit Manager) 02 55242403

Registered Midwife Permanent Full and Part Time positions available Port Macquarie Base Hospital We are seeking experienced and enthusiastic Midwives to join our team at Port Macquarie Base Hospital. Port Macquarie is the major metropolitan hub of the Hastings Macleay region located on the scenic mid north coast of New South Wales where the Hastings River meets the Pacific Ocean, and is an easy four hours' drive north of Sydney. The area is a paradise for those who love the outdoors. You name it, it's right here at your door; from sailing, kayaking and surfing, to paragliding, bushwalking in nearby national parks, deep sea fishing, whale watching and stunning coastal walks. Port Macquarie also boasts a vibrant CBD with an exciting variety of shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs. Within an easy commuting distance from Port Macquarie are a number of idyllic villages, from coastal towns to rural hamlets. Affordable housing, excellent education and recreation facilities, combined with all the benefits of a healthy lifestyle make this region one of the fastest growing in the State. With 161 beds and four theatres, Port Macquarie Base Hospital provides 24 hour Emergency Services, Critical Care, Obstetrics/Gynaecology, Medicine, General and Vascular Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, ENT, Ophthalmology, Gastroenterology, Pediatric Care and Mental Health Services to the people of the surrounding areas. If you have demonstrated experience, knowledge and competency in midwifery along with recent birthing experience and would like to know more, please contact:

Sandra Eadie (Maternity Unit Manager) 02 55242403

4th Australian Rural & Remote Mental Health Symposium

4th Australian Rural & Remote Mental Health Symposium

You are invited to join us at the 4th Australian Rural and Remote Mental Health Symposium in Adelaide, when we will explore National and State initiatives and programs that address peoples’ needs, now and in the future. The program will include a diverse range of presenters including some of Australia’s leading academics and clinicians. You will experience a broad range of presenters who will report how their programs are “Putting People First” and what their research indicates for the future.

www.anzmh.asn.au/rrmh/[email protected]

Call for Abstracts Now Open. Visit the Symposium website for full details.

19th – 21st November 2012 | Hotel Grand Chancellor on Hindley, Adelaide

For more articles visit NCAH.com.au

“What did the ocean say to the beach? Nothing, it just waved back.”

Cameron Harwood keeps a few jokes up his sleeve in the hope

of bringing smiles to the faces of his young patients.

“I have got some appalling jokes that I pull out,” he says.

“Really bad ones and most of the people I work with have heard them about 50 times.

“It helps when you can get them smiling and pulling faces, and generally having fun in those situations really helps them to get their mind off what’s happening.”

Cameron is a Registered Nurse and senior nurse on his ward at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, where he has worked since he first started out as a graduate nurse in 2002.

“I have always wanted to help people and I have always loved working with kids and it seemed the best combination of those elements,” he says.

“When people are in need I love helping out in any way that I can.”

Cameron works in a medical day stay unit at the hospital where most of his patients have chronic blood disorders and immune deficiencies and receive donated blood.

After mostly surgical experience at the hospital, Cameron says beginning in the ward was, at first, an adjustment.

“In our situation the kids’ conditions don’t get cured, we are just maintaining their health and

so it was a bit of an adjustment for me and I had to change my perception of what nursing was about.

“I wasn’t fixing anyone, I was helping to maintain their health.”

Cameron is now one of a growing number of male nurses in the female-dominated nursing profession.

Cameron grew up in a house of boys and now has a wife, who is a community nurse, and two girls, aged 18 months and 3.

“I am surrounded by women wherever I go,” he says, laughing.

“I guess there are some guys out there who would struggle with that. I find it to be a blessing, I guess.

“It gives me a healthy opportunity to express the caring, nurturing side which most guys don’t know how to express.”

Cameron hopes more men will consider a career in nursing.

“I think it’s really important to have male nurses in the health care setting,” he says.

“Having a guy who can show that he cares and be there for other people and express emotion and compassion even is such a big thing for a guy to be able to show – we don’t have that role modelled enough in our society.”

Cameron is passionate about helping kids and their families through tough times, and hopes to have a long career working in paediatric nursing ahead of him.

“Wherever I go or wherever I am in 10 years from now I want it to be in paediatric nursing,” he says.

Cameron cares for paediatric nursingby Karen Keast

Cameron Harwood

1201-028 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 $8052 + $888 holiday pay and $9324 + $1020 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 including free board and lodgings on assignment. Also FREE accommodation during your FREE initial UK training. Always professional and friendly support.Visit our website www.oxfordaunts.co.uk to learn more about this fantastic opportunity.*exchange rate as at January 2012

OXFORD AUNTS CARESuite B, Hinksey Court, West Way

Botley, Oxford, OX28 5FAPhone: ++44 1865 791017

Fax: ++44 1865 242606

Page 13: NCAH Issue 13 2012

Page 24 | www.ncah.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 13

Page 12 | www.ncah.com.auNursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 25

1213-019 1PG FULL COLOUR CMYK (typeset)

Registered Midwife Permanent Full and Part Time positions available Port Macquarie Base HospitalWe are seeking experienced and enthusiastic Midwives to join our team at Port Macquarie Base Hospital.Port Macquarie is the major metropolitan hub of the Hastings Macleay region located on the scenic mid north coast of New South Wales where the Hastings River meets the Pacific Ocean, and is an easy four hours’ drive north of Sydney.The area is a paradise for those who love the outdoors. You name it, it’s right here at your door; from sailing, kayaking and surfing, to paragliding, bushwalking in nearby national parks, deep sea fishing, whale watching and stunning coastal walks. Port Macquarie also boasts a vibrant CBD with an exciting variety of shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs. Within an easy commuting distance from Port Macquarie are a number of idyllic villages, from coastal towns to rural hamlets. Affordable housing, excellent education and recreation facilities, combined with all the benefits of a healthy lifestyle make this region one of the fastest growing in the State.With 161 beds and four theatres, Port Macquarie Base Hospital provides 24 hour Emergency Services, Critical Care, Obstetrics/Gynaecology, Medicine, General and Vascular Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, ENT, Ophthalmology, Gastroenterology, Pediatric Care and Mental Health Services to the people of the surrounding areas.If you have demonstrated experience, knowledge and competency in midwifery along with recent birthing experience and would like to know more, please contact:

Sandra Eadie (Maternity Unit Manager) 02 55242403

Registered Midwife Permanent Full and Part Time positions available Port Macquarie Base Hospital We are seeking experienced and enthusiastic Midwives to join our team at Port Macquarie Base Hospital. Port Macquarie is the major metropolitan hub of the Hastings Macleay region located on the scenic mid north coast of New South Wales where the Hastings River meets the Pacific Ocean, and is an easy four hours' drive north of Sydney. The area is a paradise for those who love the outdoors. You name it, it's right here at your door; from sailing, kayaking and surfing, to paragliding, bushwalking in nearby national parks, deep sea fishing, whale watching and stunning coastal walks. Port Macquarie also boasts a vibrant CBD with an exciting variety of shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs. Within an easy commuting distance from Port Macquarie are a number of idyllic villages, from coastal towns to rural hamlets. Affordable housing, excellent education and recreation facilities, combined with all the benefits of a healthy lifestyle make this region one of the fastest growing in the State. With 161 beds and four theatres, Port Macquarie Base Hospital provides 24 hour Emergency Services, Critical Care, Obstetrics/Gynaecology, Medicine, General and Vascular Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, ENT, Ophthalmology, Gastroenterology, Pediatric Care and Mental Health Services to the people of the surrounding areas. If you have demonstrated experience, knowledge and competency in midwifery along with recent birthing experience and would like to know more, please contact:

Sandra Eadie (Maternity Unit Manager) 02 55242403

Registered Midwife Permanent Full and Part Time positions available Port Macquarie Base Hospital We are seeking experienced and enthusiastic Midwives to join our team at Port Macquarie Base Hospital. Port Macquarie is the major metropolitan hub of the Hastings Macleay region located on the scenic mid north coast of New South Wales where the Hastings River meets the Pacific Ocean, and is an easy four hours' drive north of Sydney. The area is a paradise for those who love the outdoors. You name it, it's right here at your door; from sailing, kayaking and surfing, to paragliding, bushwalking in nearby national parks, deep sea fishing, whale watching and stunning coastal walks. Port Macquarie also boasts a vibrant CBD with an exciting variety of shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs. Within an easy commuting distance from Port Macquarie are a number of idyllic villages, from coastal towns to rural hamlets. Affordable housing, excellent education and recreation facilities, combined with all the benefits of a healthy lifestyle make this region one of the fastest growing in the State. With 161 beds and four theatres, Port Macquarie Base Hospital provides 24 hour Emergency Services, Critical Care, Obstetrics/Gynaecology, Medicine, General and Vascular Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, ENT, Ophthalmology, Gastroenterology, Pediatric Care and Mental Health Services to the people of the surrounding areas. If you have demonstrated experience, knowledge and competency in midwifery along with recent birthing experience and would like to know more, please contact:

Sandra Eadie (Maternity Unit Manager) 02 55242403

4th Australian Rural & Remote Mental Health Symposium

4th Australian Rural & Remote Mental Health Symposium

You are invited to join us at the 4th Australian Rural and Remote Mental Health Symposium in Adelaide, when we will explore National and State initiatives and programs that address peoples’ needs, now and in the future. The program will include a diverse range of presenters including some of Australia’s leading academics and clinicians. You will experience a broad range of presenters who will report how their programs are “Putting People First” and what their research indicates for the future.

www.anzmh.asn.au/rrmh/[email protected]

Call for Abstracts Now Open. Visit the Symposium website for full details.

19th – 21st November 2012 | Hotel Grand Chancellor on Hindley, Adelaide

For more articles visit NCAH.com.au

“What did the ocean say to the beach? Nothing, it just waved back.”

Cameron Harwood keeps a few jokes up his sleeve in the hope

of bringing smiles to the faces of his young patients.

“I have got some appalling jokes that I pull out,” he says.

“Really bad ones and most of the people I work with have heard them about 50 times.

“It helps when you can get them smiling and pulling faces, and generally having fun in those situations really helps them to get their mind off what’s happening.”

Cameron is a Registered Nurse and senior nurse on his ward at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, where he has worked since he first started out as a graduate nurse in 2002.

“I have always wanted to help people and I have always loved working with kids and it seemed the best combination of those elements,” he says.

“When people are in need I love helping out in any way that I can.”

Cameron works in a medical day stay unit at the hospital where most of his patients have chronic blood disorders and immune deficiencies and receive donated blood.

After mostly surgical experience at the hospital, Cameron says beginning in the ward was, at first, an adjustment.

“In our situation the kids’ conditions don’t get cured, we are just maintaining their health and

so it was a bit of an adjustment for me and I had to change my perception of what nursing was about.

“I wasn’t fixing anyone, I was helping to maintain their health.”

Cameron is now one of a growing number of male nurses in the female-dominated nursing profession.

Cameron grew up in a house of boys and now has a wife, who is a community nurse, and two girls, aged 18 months and 3.

“I am surrounded by women wherever I go,” he says, laughing.

“I guess there are some guys out there who would struggle with that. I find it to be a blessing, I guess.

“It gives me a healthy opportunity to express the caring, nurturing side which most guys don’t know how to express.”

Cameron hopes more men will consider a career in nursing.

“I think it’s really important to have male nurses in the health care setting,” he says.

“Having a guy who can show that he cares and be there for other people and express emotion and compassion even is such a big thing for a guy to be able to show – we don’t have that role modelled enough in our society.”

Cameron is passionate about helping kids and their families through tough times, and hopes to have a long career working in paediatric nursing ahead of him.

“Wherever I go or wherever I am in 10 years from now I want it to be in paediatric nursing,” he says.

Cameron cares for paediatric nursingby Karen Keast

Cameron Harwood

1201-028 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 $8052 + $888 holiday pay and $9324 + $1020 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 including free board and lodgings on assignment. Also FREE accommodation during your FREE initial UK training. Always professional and friendly support.Visit our website www.oxfordaunts.co.uk to learn more about this fantastic opportunity.*exchange rate as at January 2012

OXFORD AUNTS CARESuite B, Hinksey Court, West Way

Botley, Oxford, OX28 5FAPhone: ++44 1865 791017

Fax: ++44 1865 242606

Page 14: NCAH Issue 13 2012

Page 26 | www.ncah.com.auNursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 11

Page 14 | www.ncah.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 23

Betty Ramsay was advised against becoming a physiotherapist.

As a student in Scotland, her school’s careers advisor told her it would be “working with old people and it will be boring”.

Fast-forward several decades and Betty, a research physiotherapist at Neuroscience Research Australia in Sydney, thrives on working one-on-one with older people.

“I find older people fascinating. There are a lot of hidden gems out there with a lifetime of stories,” she said.

Betty occasionally rides her Honda motorbike to her appointments with older people, and is always amazed at their reactions.

“A couple of the men have been worried and told me to be careful but at least three of the ladies I have spoken to said ‘I rode a motorbike after the war’,” she said.

“I enjoy the interaction with older people a great deal and helping them with their problems in strength and balance and mobility, and increasing their confidence in being able to get out again.”

Betty moved to Australia in 1996 and has since worked at a private practice, at St Vincent’s Hospital in Darlinghurst and at Sacred Heart Hospice.

It was a move to community health that sparked Betty’s interest in falls prevention, prompting her to take on a major research role at NeuRA in its Falls and Balance Research Group.

Since she began at NeuRA almost five years ago, Betty has worked on a major post-hospital exercise study, involving 340 older people who had recently been in hospital.

The intervention included a 12 month weight bearing exercise program designed to improve strength and balance.

“We were trying to look at how we could hopefully prevent falls for people who had been in hospital,” she said.

“They are less active; usually they are in bed or sitting in a chair next to the bed. Therefore they are more at risk of falling when they go home.”

The data for the study is currently being analysed with results expected soon.

Betty is now working on a national hip fracture database for hospitals across Australia and New Zealand; reviewing hip fracture patients and their care in hospitals.

Physiotherapist thrives on working with older peopleby Karen Keast

• Earnextra$$$$• Bewhereyouareneeded• Meetnewpeople• Visitnewdestinations• ExcitinglocationsthroughoutAustralia

www.cqnurse.com.auOfficelocation239NeboRoad,[email protected] discover

yourstoCQNurse,Australia’spremiernursingagency,hascontractsavailableNOW.

ACHANGEisasgoodasAHOLIDAYMIDWIFERYpositionsavailable

throughoutAustralia

For the full article visit NCAH.com.au

The first patients are about to begin walking through the doors of Melbourne’s outstanding $189 million Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre.

The world-class facility, which is attached to the Austin Hospital in Heidelberg, will open the doors to three of its seven levels on July 2.

The centre will offer radiation, day oncology and one floor of research along with a drop-in service and group programs such as Look Good Feel Better, individual consultations, mediation, relaxation, music and arts therapy.

Inpatient wards and a palliative care unit are due to open in mid-2013, and once fully complete the centre will include 64 oncology and haematology in-patient beds and 28 palliative care beds.

The centre will also boast dedicated research into

vaccines and treatments for all types of cancer and will become home to the largest clinical research site of the internationally-renowned Ludwig Institute world-wide.

In officially opening the centre, Ms Newton-John said she decided to lend her name to the initiative knowing it would offer wellness programs and an integrated wellness centre, something that was missing when she fought her own battle against breast cancer 20 years ago.

“From my own experience I know what a gap there was in the delivery of truly holistic cancer care and how much there was a need for a cancer centre and philosophy that gives equal support to patients’ well-being as it does to surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and research,” she said.

Olivia’s holistic cancer centre opens its doorsby Karen Keast

rahc.com.auGet involved.

Be part of the effortto improve Indigenous health

Are you a Registered Nurse, RN/Midwife or Allied Health professional? Have you thought about being part of the effort to close the gap in Indigenous health outcomes? Now is the time to get involved.

RAHC has opportunities for urban-based health professionals to undertake short-term paid placements in remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory.

Visit our website now to apply or register your interest then let us know your availability. Our team can find remote placement opportunities that work around your current job and you.

Allied Health Subacute Manager •Seniormanagementrole•Sheppartonbased•AttractivesalarypackageAn exciting opportunity exists for an allied health professional to join an innovative and dynamic team at Goulburn Valley Health, Shepparton.

The Allied Health Clinical Lead – Subacute Programs, is a full time position and will provide clinical leadership and program coordination in the subacute service area to ensure safe, effective and high quality allied health is provided across the subacute programs at Goulburn Valley Health.

As an AHPRA registered and/or accredited allied health professional, your extensive clinical knowledge in the area of subacute service delivery, and management and leadership experience in the health sector, will be supported by excellent

interpersonal and communication skills. In this role, you will work collaboratively with inter-professional teams and have well developed skills and experience in applying evidence base approaches to subacute service development for allied health.

A competitive remuneration package is being offered to attract the highest calibre applicant.

Youcanobtainfurtherdetailsfromourwebsiteat:

www.hrsa.com.auInterestedapplicantsshouldcontact MrJohnBowmanon:0407835747

POBox83OceanGrove3226

[email protected]

www.hrsa.com.au

Page 15: NCAH Issue 13 2012

Page 22 | www.ncah.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 15

Page 18 | www.ncah.com.auNursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 19

“Some studies are telling us one in 10 women are coming out of childbirth with symptoms for post-traumatic stress disorder,” she says.

“That’s terrifying. We have got to look back at the system that allows this trauma in the first place.”

Dr Dahlen practises at Midwives @ Sydney and Beyond, a small group practice with six midwives, providing care in the woman’s choice of setting.

Privately practising midwife Robyn Dempsey, a colleague of Dr Dahlen’s, has attended about 400 homebirths in almost 20 years.

After completing her midwifery training at a Sydney hospital in 1990, Ms Dempsey birthed her own three babies at home, under the care of a midwife, and also launched her own midwifery practice.

Ms Dempsey says on average about 16 per cent of her birthing mothers are transferred to hospital, for either pain relief or emergency care, but no mothers or babies have lost their lives under her care.

“I think women need to have a choice of having their babies wherever they want to,” she says.

“The most amazing thing I find is working with first-time mums. They are just full of

enthusiasm and watching them move from the girl and into a mother…the look on their faces of ‘look what I did’.

“It’s wonderful watching women make their own choices and showing them that they can do it and it’s perfectly safe for low risk women.”

Like Dr Dahlen, Ms Dempsey has concerns about what will happen when the deadline expires next year; for birthing women and also for her midwifery career.

“If no solution is found, I won’t be able to offer women births at home, which collapses an 18 year midwifery practice,” she says.

“It’s just really sad. The government needs to come to the party and provide us with insurance.”

Dr Dahlen says Australia should look to New Zealand where homebirthing is not outside the norm.

In New Zealand, 78 per cent of women choose midwifery care and opt to give birth either at home, at a birth unit or in hospital.

“New Zealand has got it right,” she says.

“They have got a very good clinical pathway they have developed for their midwives.

“The government has given the funding to women... saying ‘here is the package you can go and pick a midwife, a GP or an obstetrician’.

“You can have your baby pretty much wherever you want to have your baby.

“It’s a fundamental human right that a woman should be able to give birth to her baby where she wants to,” Dr Dahlen says.

“I believe that if we can birth right I feel we can get anything right. That’s how strongly I believe in it.”

www.ramsayjobs.com.au

• Are you a Midwife? • Are you looking for easy to access midwifery CPD activities? • Want to access evidence-based and current CPD from home? • Want the choice of either live or recorded events?

The Australian College of Midwives presents a series of Webinars*

Topics include: • Prenatal Screening • Water Immersion for Labour and Birth • Preterm Labour and Birth • Leadership and Management • Epigenetics and Pregnancy • Perinatal Mental Health • Diabetes in Pregnancy

*Webinar is short for web-based seminar and is a presentation, workshop, lecture or seminar that is delivered over the Web (Internet). All you need is a computer with internet access and audio

To Register: www.midwives.org.au go to Events/Events Calender

•AreyouaMidwife?•AreyoulookingforeasytoaccessmidwiferyCPDactivities?•Wanttoaccessevidence-basedandcurrentCPDfromhome?•Wantthechoiceofeitherliveorrecordedevents?

The Australian College of Midwives presents a series of Webinars*

Topics include:

To Register: www.midwives.org.au go to Events/Events Calender *Webinar is short for web-based seminar and is a presentation, workshop, lecture or seminar that is delivered over the Web (Internet). All you need is a computer with internet access and audio.

•PrenatalScreening•WaterImmersionforLabourandBirth•PretermLabourandBirth•LeadershipandManagement

•EpigeneticsandPregnancy•PerinatalMentalHealth•DiabetesinPregnancy

Page 16: NCAH Issue 13 2012

Page 20 | www.ncah.com.auNursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 17

Page 16 | www.ncah.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 21

MIDWIVES! WE WANT YOU!The Mater Hospitals in Mackay and Gladstone, operated by Mercy Health and Aged Care Central Queensland Limited, are seeking Registered Midwives in these rapidly growing areas of Queensland.

MATER MISERICORDIAE HOSPITAL – MACKAY & GLADSTONE

Registered Nurse/ Midwife: provides family-centred nursing care in collaboration with other health professionals and significant other to ensure safe, efficient and effective management of the patient. You must be both a Registered Nurse and Registered Midwife to apply for this role.

Terms: Hours and employment terms are fully negotiable with full-time, part-time and casual positions available that attract a base hourly rate range of $28.61 to $36.76 ($35.19 - $45.22 casual) dependant on comparable prior service + superannuation and penalties.

Enquiries: Apply and/or gain more information about these positions at www.mercycq.com/jobs where the positions are listed under available positions. Alternatively, contact the Human Resources Department, on (07) 4931 7478 during business hours or email [email protected]

“we are an equal opportunity employer”

Homebirthing continues to be a contentious issue in Australia. The death of a renowned Victorian homebirthing advocate and the deaths of three homebirthed babies in South Australia have left homebirthing supporters reeling. Now Australia’s privately practising midwives face yet another homebirthing hurdle but they are rallying in a bid to give women a choice on where and how they give birth, writes Karen Keast.

Hannah Dahlen finds the negative media headlines surrounding homebirths frustrating.

The Australian College of Midwives spokesperson, University of Western Sydney Associate Professor of Midwifery and privately practising midwife is a renowned, vocal advocator of homebirths.

Dr Dahlen says homebirths are safe for low risk women with a competent registered midwife, well networked into a responsive health service and she believes women with high risk factors should give birth in hospital.

But Dr Dahlen, who has spent more than 20 years working in high risk delivery wards in major hospitals, fears homebirthing in Australia is under threat.

And she’s concerned if Australia reacts to recent negative publicity surrounding homebirthing, the consequences could be dire, including potentially pushing more women into the underground freebirthing movement.

The pressing issue confronting Australia’s privately practising midwives is one of insurance. Since the collapse of HIH in 2001, no insurance has been available for privately practising midwives providing homebirthing services.

Now under national law, Australian midwives can practise in a range of settings, including homes, as long as specific registration conditions are met.

Without commercial professional indemnity insurance, the Commonwealth, states and territories have moved to provide privately practising midwives with an exemption from the requirement to hold professional indemnity insurance for providing intrapartum homebirthing services until July 1, 2013.

Australia’s health ministers will meet in August to discuss the issue and while the deadline is a year away, Dr Dahlen fears if a solution is not found soon, the uncertainty will affect women falling pregnant as soon as September.

“It’s a looming crisis,” she says.

“The crucial issue is as of June 30, 2013, if insurance is not found for midwives…homebirthing could become an illegalised practice.”

Homebirthing has recently faced a torrent of negative publicity.

The issue made headlines earlier this year when a renowned homebirthing advocate died after giving birth to her second child in her Melbourne home.

Midwives push for homebirthing choice

continued overleaf

And in early June, a South Australian coronial inquest found three babies who died during or after planned homebirths would have survived had they been born in hospital by caesarean section.

The births, which all involved complications, were assisted by midwife Lisa Barrett who withdrew her midwifery registration in January last year and was acting as a birth advocate.

SA deputy coroner Anthony Schapel found the deaths “could and should have been prevented” in a more appropriate clinical setting.

Dr Dahlen, who spoke at the inquest, says the Coroner highlighted serious system and legislative flaws that contributed to the incidents, and she now fears the negative headlines could tarnish homebirthing and jeopardise the future of the birthing option in Australia.

“We must find a solution for 2013 and we mustn’t react,” she says.

“If we go and change laws based on the case in South Australia, we are changing laws on one midwife and three women, which will impact on hundreds of women and midwives.

“It’s really important not to have a reflex reaction but a measured, sensible response.

“Six or seven babies die every day in hospital. Every two weeks a mum dies in childbirth in hospital. “We have a very skewed perspective in this country.”

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare figures reveal that of the 294,540 women who gave birth to 299,220 babies across Australia in 2009, 863 were homebirths, representing 0.3 per cent of births.

The figures show there were two fetal deaths at homebirths in 2009, while there were 2,339

fetal deaths in hospitals and birth centres across the nation.

In the South Australian coronial inquest, Coroner Schapel recommended that only midwives registered under national law should be allowed to practise midwifery and “it ought to be regarded as an offence, punishable by law, for midwives to practise midwifery without registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia pursuant to the national law”.

Dr Dahlen, who helped formulate the ACM’s position statement on homebirth services, welcomes the move but expresses concerns at one of the Coroner’s other recommendations.

That recommendation calls for new legislation to “impose a duty on any person providing a health service, including midwifery services, to report to the South Australian Department of Health and Ageing the intention of any person under his or her care to undergo a homebirth in respect of deliveries that are attended by an enhanced risk of complication, for example but not limited to, homebirths involving the birth of twins or known breech birth at term”.

Dr Dahlen says if enshrined in legislation, the move may push more women towards freebirthing, where there is no medical assistance, or intrude on the rights of women to choose their path through pregnancy and birth.

Anecdotal evidence suggests freebirthing is on the rise in Australia.

Dr Dahlen, who is involved in a large study on the movement, says while there are no statistics on how many women are choosing to freebirth, there is “no shortage” of women wanting to share their experiences.

And she says many women who have experienced previous traumatic births now want to avoid the hospital system.

Page 17: NCAH Issue 13 2012

Page 20 | www.ncah.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 17

Page 16 | www.ncah.com.auNursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 21

MIDWIVES! WE WANT YOU!The Mater Hospitals in Mackay and Gladstone, operated by Mercy Health and Aged Care Central Queensland Limited, are seeking Registered Midwives in these rapidly growing areas of Queensland.

MATER MISERICORDIAE HOSPITAL – MACKAY & GLADSTONE

Registered Nurse/ Midwife: provides family-centred nursing care in collaboration with other health professionals and significant other to ensure safe, efficient and effective management of the patient. You must be both a Registered Nurse and Registered Midwife to apply for this role.

Terms: Hours and employment terms are fully negotiable with full-time, part-time and casual positions available that attract a base hourly rate range of $28.61 to $36.76 ($35.19 - $45.22 casual) dependant on comparable prior service + superannuation and penalties.

Enquiries: Apply and/or gain more information about these positions at www.mercycq.com/jobs where the positions are listed under available positions. Alternatively, contact the Human Resources Department, on (07) 4931 7478 during business hours or email [email protected]

“we are an equal opportunity employer”

Homebirthing continues to be a contentious issue in Australia. The death of a renowned Victorian homebirthing advocate and the deaths of three homebirthed babies in South Australia have left homebirthing supporters reeling. Now Australia’s privately practising midwives face yet another homebirthing hurdle but they are rallying in a bid to give women a choice on where and how they give birth, writes Karen Keast.

Hannah Dahlen finds the negative media headlines surrounding homebirths frustrating.

The Australian College of Midwives spokesperson, University of Western Sydney Associate Professor of Midwifery and privately practising midwife is a renowned, vocal advocator of homebirths.

Dr Dahlen says homebirths are safe for low risk women with a competent registered midwife, well networked into a responsive health service and she believes women with high risk factors should give birth in hospital.

But Dr Dahlen, who has spent more than 20 years working in high risk delivery wards in major hospitals, fears homebirthing in Australia is under threat.

And she’s concerned if Australia reacts to recent negative publicity surrounding homebirthing, the consequences could be dire, including potentially pushing more women into the underground freebirthing movement.

The pressing issue confronting Australia’s privately practising midwives is one of insurance. Since the collapse of HIH in 2001, no insurance has been available for privately practising midwives providing homebirthing services.

Now under national law, Australian midwives can practise in a range of settings, including homes, as long as specific registration conditions are met.

Without commercial professional indemnity insurance, the Commonwealth, states and territories have moved to provide privately practising midwives with an exemption from the requirement to hold professional indemnity insurance for providing intrapartum homebirthing services until July 1, 2013.

Australia’s health ministers will meet in August to discuss the issue and while the deadline is a year away, Dr Dahlen fears if a solution is not found soon, the uncertainty will affect women falling pregnant as soon as September.

“It’s a looming crisis,” she says.

“The crucial issue is as of June 30, 2013, if insurance is not found for midwives…homebirthing could become an illegalised practice.”

Homebirthing has recently faced a torrent of negative publicity.

The issue made headlines earlier this year when a renowned homebirthing advocate died after giving birth to her second child in her Melbourne home.

Midwives push for homebirthing choice

continued overleaf

And in early June, a South Australian coronial inquest found three babies who died during or after planned homebirths would have survived had they been born in hospital by caesarean section.

The births, which all involved complications, were assisted by midwife Lisa Barrett who withdrew her midwifery registration in January last year and was acting as a birth advocate.

SA deputy coroner Anthony Schapel found the deaths “could and should have been prevented” in a more appropriate clinical setting.

Dr Dahlen, who spoke at the inquest, says the Coroner highlighted serious system and legislative flaws that contributed to the incidents, and she now fears the negative headlines could tarnish homebirthing and jeopardise the future of the birthing option in Australia.

“We must find a solution for 2013 and we mustn’t react,” she says.

“If we go and change laws based on the case in South Australia, we are changing laws on one midwife and three women, which will impact on hundreds of women and midwives.

“It’s really important not to have a reflex reaction but a measured, sensible response.

“Six or seven babies die every day in hospital. Every two weeks a mum dies in childbirth in hospital. “We have a very skewed perspective in this country.”

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare figures reveal that of the 294,540 women who gave birth to 299,220 babies across Australia in 2009, 863 were homebirths, representing 0.3 per cent of births.

The figures show there were two fetal deaths at homebirths in 2009, while there were 2,339

fetal deaths in hospitals and birth centres across the nation.

In the South Australian coronial inquest, Coroner Schapel recommended that only midwives registered under national law should be allowed to practise midwifery and “it ought to be regarded as an offence, punishable by law, for midwives to practise midwifery without registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia pursuant to the national law”.

Dr Dahlen, who helped formulate the ACM’s position statement on homebirth services, welcomes the move but expresses concerns at one of the Coroner’s other recommendations.

That recommendation calls for new legislation to “impose a duty on any person providing a health service, including midwifery services, to report to the South Australian Department of Health and Ageing the intention of any person under his or her care to undergo a homebirth in respect of deliveries that are attended by an enhanced risk of complication, for example but not limited to, homebirths involving the birth of twins or known breech birth at term”.

Dr Dahlen says if enshrined in legislation, the move may push more women towards freebirthing, where there is no medical assistance, or intrude on the rights of women to choose their path through pregnancy and birth.

Anecdotal evidence suggests freebirthing is on the rise in Australia.

Dr Dahlen, who is involved in a large study on the movement, says while there are no statistics on how many women are choosing to freebirth, there is “no shortage” of women wanting to share their experiences.

And she says many women who have experienced previous traumatic births now want to avoid the hospital system.

Page 18: NCAH Issue 13 2012

Page 22 | www.ncah.com.auNursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 15

Page 18 | www.ncah.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 19

“Some studies are telling us one in 10 women are coming out of childbirth with symptoms for post-traumatic stress disorder,” she says.

“That’s terrifying. We have got to look back at the system that allows this trauma in the first place.”

Dr Dahlen practises at Midwives @ Sydney and Beyond, a small group practice with six midwives, providing care in the woman’s choice of setting.

Privately practising midwife Robyn Dempsey, a colleague of Dr Dahlen’s, has attended about 400 homebirths in almost 20 years.

After completing her midwifery training at a Sydney hospital in 1990, Ms Dempsey birthed her own three babies at home, under the care of a midwife, and also launched her own midwifery practice.

Ms Dempsey says on average about 16 per cent of her birthing mothers are transferred to hospital, for either pain relief or emergency care, but no mothers or babies have lost their lives under her care.

“I think women need to have a choice of having their babies wherever they want to,” she says.

“The most amazing thing I find is working with first-time mums. They are just full of

enthusiasm and watching them move from the girl and into a mother…the look on their faces of ‘look what I did’.

“It’s wonderful watching women make their own choices and showing them that they can do it and it’s perfectly safe for low risk women.”

Like Dr Dahlen, Ms Dempsey has concerns about what will happen when the deadline expires next year; for birthing women and also for her midwifery career.

“If no solution is found, I won’t be able to offer women births at home, which collapses an 18 year midwifery practice,” she says.

“It’s just really sad. The government needs to come to the party and provide us with insurance.”

Dr Dahlen says Australia should look to New Zealand where homebirthing is not outside the norm.

In New Zealand, 78 per cent of women choose midwifery care and opt to give birth either at home, at a birth unit or in hospital.

“New Zealand has got it right,” she says.

“They have got a very good clinical pathway they have developed for their midwives.

“The government has given the funding to women... saying ‘here is the package you can go and pick a midwife, a GP or an obstetrician’.

“You can have your baby pretty much wherever you want to have your baby.

“It’s a fundamental human right that a woman should be able to give birth to her baby where she wants to,” Dr Dahlen says.

“I believe that if we can birth right I feel we can get anything right. That’s how strongly I believe in it.”

www.ramsayjobs.com.au

•Are you a Midwife? •Are you looking for easy to access midwifery CPD activities? •Want to access evidence-based and current CPD from home? •Want the choice of either live or recorded events?

The Australian College of Midwives presents a series of Webinars*

Topics include: •Prenatal Screening •Water Immersion for Labour and Birth •Preterm Labour and Birth •Leadership and Management •Epigenetics and Pregnancy •Perinatal Mental Health •Diabetes in Pregnancy

*Webinar is short for web-based seminar and is a presentation, workshop, lecture or seminar that is delivered over the Web (Internet). All you need is a computer with internet access and audio

To Register: www.midwives.org.au go to Events/Events Calender

•AreyouaMidwife?•AreyoulookingforeasytoaccessmidwiferyCPDactivities?•Wanttoaccessevidence-basedandcurrentCPDfromhome?•Wantthechoiceofeitherliveorrecordedevents?

The Australian College of Midwives presents a series of Webinars*

Topics include:

To Register: www.midwives.org.au go to Events/Events Calender *Webinar is short for web-based seminar and is a presentation, workshop, lecture or seminar that is delivered over the Web (Internet). All you need is a computer with internet access and audio.

•PrenatalScreening•WaterImmersionforLabourandBirth•PretermLabourandBirth•LeadershipandManagement

•EpigeneticsandPregnancy•PerinatalMentalHealth•DiabetesinPregnancy

Page 19: NCAH Issue 13 2012

Page 22 | www.ncah.com.auNursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 15

Page 18 | www.ncah.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 19

“Some studies are telling us one in 10 women are coming out of childbirth with symptoms for post-traumatic stress disorder,” she says.

“That’s terrifying. We have got to look back at the system that allows this trauma in the first place.”

Dr Dahlen practises at Midwives @ Sydney and Beyond, a small group practice with six midwives, providing care in the woman’s choice of setting.

Privately practising midwife Robyn Dempsey, a colleague of Dr Dahlen’s, has attended about 400 homebirths in almost 20 years.

After completing her midwifery training at a Sydney hospital in 1990, Ms Dempsey birthed her own three babies at home, under the care of a midwife, and also launched her own midwifery practice.

Ms Dempsey says on average about 16 per cent of her birthing mothers are transferred to hospital, for either pain relief or emergency care, but no mothers or babies have lost their lives under her care.

“I think women need to have a choice of having their babies wherever they want to,” she says.

“The most amazing thing I find is working with first-time mums. They are just full of

enthusiasm and watching them move from the girl and into a mother…the look on their faces of ‘look what I did’.

“It’s wonderful watching women make their own choices and showing them that they can do it and it’s perfectly safe for low risk women.”

Like Dr Dahlen, Ms Dempsey has concerns about what will happen when the deadline expires next year; for birthing women and also for her midwifery career.

“If no solution is found, I won’t be able to offer women births at home, which collapses an 18 year midwifery practice,” she says.

“It’s just really sad. The government needs to come to the party and provide us with insurance.”

Dr Dahlen says Australia should look to New Zealand where homebirthing is not outside the norm.

In New Zealand, 78 per cent of women choose midwifery care and opt to give birth either at home, at a birth unit or in hospital.

“New Zealand has got it right,” she says.

“They have got a very good clinical pathway they have developed for their midwives.

“The government has given the funding to women... saying ‘here is the package you can go and pick a midwife, a GP or an obstetrician’.

“You can have your baby pretty much wherever you want to have your baby.

“It’s a fundamental human right that a woman should be able to give birth to her baby where she wants to,” Dr Dahlen says.

“I believe that if we can birth right I feel we can get anything right. That’s how strongly I believe in it.”

www.ramsayjobs.com.au

•Are you a Midwife? •Are you looking for easy to access midwifery CPD activities? •Want to access evidence-based and current CPD from home? •Want the choice of either live or recorded events?

The Australian College of Midwives presents a series of Webinars*

Topics include: •Prenatal Screening •Water Immersion for Labour and Birth •Preterm Labour and Birth •Leadership and Management •Epigenetics and Pregnancy •Perinatal Mental Health •Diabetes in Pregnancy

*Webinar is short for web-based seminar and is a presentation, workshop, lecture or seminar that is delivered over the Web (Internet). All you need is a computer with internet access and audio

To Register: www.midwives.org.au go to Events/Events Calender

•AreyouaMidwife?•AreyoulookingforeasytoaccessmidwiferyCPDactivities?•Wanttoaccessevidence-basedandcurrentCPDfromhome?•Wantthechoiceofeitherliveorrecordedevents?

The Australian College of Midwives presents a series of Webinars*

Topics include:

To Register: www.midwives.org.au go to Events/Events Calender *Webinar is short for web-based seminar and is a presentation, workshop, lecture or seminar that is delivered over the Web (Internet). All you need is a computer with internet access and audio.

•PrenatalScreening•WaterImmersionforLabourandBirth•PretermLabourandBirth•LeadershipandManagement

•EpigeneticsandPregnancy•PerinatalMentalHealth•DiabetesinPregnancy

Page 20: NCAH Issue 13 2012

Page 20 | www.ncah.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 17

Page 16 | www.ncah.com.auNursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 21

MIDWIVES! WE WANT YOU!The Mater Hospitals in Mackay and Gladstone, operated by Mercy Health and Aged Care Central Queensland Limited, are seeking Registered Midwives in these rapidly growing areas of Queensland.

MATER MISERICORDIAE HOSPITAL – MACKAY & GLADSTONE

Registered Nurse/ Midwife: provides family-centred nursing care in collaboration with other health professionals and significant other to ensure safe, efficient and effective management of the patient. You must be both a Registered Nurse and Registered Midwife to apply for this role.

Terms: Hours and employment terms are fully negotiable with full-time, part-time and casual positions available that attract a base hourly rate range of $28.61 to $36.76 ($35.19 - $45.22 casual) dependant on comparable prior service + superannuation and penalties.

Enquiries: Apply and/or gain more information about these positions at www.mercycq.com/jobs where the positions are listed under available positions. Alternatively, contact the Human Resources Department, on (07) 4931 7478 during business hours or email [email protected]

“we are an equal opportunity employer”

Homebirthing continues to be a contentious issue in Australia. The death of a renowned Victorian homebirthing advocate and the deaths of three homebirthed babies in South Australia have left homebirthing supporters reeling. Now Australia’s privately practising midwives face yet another homebirthing hurdle but they are rallying in a bid to give women a choice on where and how they give birth, writes Karen Keast.

Hannah Dahlen finds the negative media headlines surrounding homebirths frustrating.

The Australian College of Midwives spokesperson, University of Western Sydney Associate Professor of Midwifery and privately practising midwife is a renowned, vocal advocator of homebirths.

Dr Dahlen says homebirths are safe for low risk women with a competent registered midwife, well networked into a responsive health service and she believes women with high risk factors should give birth in hospital.

But Dr Dahlen, who has spent more than 20 years working in high risk delivery wards in major hospitals, fears homebirthing in Australia is under threat.

And she’s concerned if Australia reacts to recent negative publicity surrounding homebirthing, the consequences could be dire, including potentially pushing more women into the underground freebirthing movement.

The pressing issue confronting Australia’s privately practising midwives is one of insurance. Since the collapse of HIH in 2001, no insurance has been available for privately practising midwives providing homebirthing services.

Now under national law, Australian midwives can practise in a range of settings, including homes, as long as specific registration conditions are met.

Without commercial professional indemnity insurance, the Commonwealth, states and territories have moved to provide privately practising midwives with an exemption from the requirement to hold professional indemnity insurance for providing intrapartum homebirthing services until July 1, 2013.

Australia’s health ministers will meet in August to discuss the issue and while the deadline is a year away, Dr Dahlen fears if a solution is not found soon, the uncertainty will affect women falling pregnant as soon as September.

“It’s a looming crisis,” she says.

“The crucial issue is as of June 30, 2013, if insurance is not found for midwives…homebirthing could become an illegalised practice.”

Homebirthing has recently faced a torrent of negative publicity.

The issue made headlines earlier this year when a renowned homebirthing advocate died after giving birth to her second child in her Melbourne home.

Midwives push for homebirthing choice

continued overleaf

And in early June, a South Australian coronial inquest found three babies who died during or after planned homebirths would have survived had they been born in hospital by caesarean section.

The births, which all involved complications, were assisted by midwife Lisa Barrett who withdrew her midwifery registration in January last year and was acting as a birth advocate.

SA deputy coroner Anthony Schapel found the deaths “could and should have been prevented” in a more appropriate clinical setting.

Dr Dahlen, who spoke at the inquest, says the Coroner highlighted serious system and legislative flaws that contributed to the incidents, and she now fears the negative headlines could tarnish homebirthing and jeopardise the future of the birthing option in Australia.

“We must find a solution for 2013 and we mustn’t react,” she says.

“If we go and change laws based on the case in South Australia, we are changing laws on one midwife and three women, which will impact on hundreds of women and midwives.

“It’s really important not to have a reflex reaction but a measured, sensible response.

“Six or seven babies die every day in hospital. Every two weeks a mum dies in childbirth in hospital. “We have a very skewed perspective in this country.”

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare figures reveal that of the 294,540 women who gave birth to 299,220 babies across Australia in 2009, 863 were homebirths, representing 0.3 per cent of births.

The figures show there were two fetal deaths at homebirths in 2009, while there were 2,339

fetal deaths in hospitals and birth centres across the nation.

In the South Australian coronial inquest, Coroner Schapel recommended that only midwives registered under national law should be allowed to practise midwifery and “it ought to be regarded as an offence, punishable by law, for midwives to practise midwifery without registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia pursuant to the national law”.

Dr Dahlen, who helped formulate the ACM’s position statement on homebirth services, welcomes the move but expresses concerns at one of the Coroner’s other recommendations.

That recommendation calls for new legislation to “impose a duty on any person providing a health service, including midwifery services, to report to the South Australian Department of Health and Ageing the intention of any person under his or her care to undergo a homebirth in respect of deliveries that are attended by an enhanced risk of complication, for example but not limited to, homebirths involving the birth of twins or known breech birth at term”.

Dr Dahlen says if enshrined in legislation, the move may push more women towards freebirthing, where there is no medical assistance, or intrude on the rights of women to choose their path through pregnancy and birth.

Anecdotal evidence suggests freebirthing is on the rise in Australia.

Dr Dahlen, who is involved in a large study on the movement, says while there are no statistics on how many women are choosing to freebirth, there is “no shortage” of women wanting to share their experiences.

And she says many women who have experienced previous traumatic births now want to avoid the hospital system.

Page 21: NCAH Issue 13 2012

Page 20 | www.ncah.com.auNursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 17

Page 16 | www.ncah.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 21

MIDWIVES! WE WANT YOU!The Mater Hospitals in Mackay and Gladstone, operated by Mercy Health and Aged Care Central Queensland Limited, are seeking Registered Midwives in these rapidly growing areas of Queensland.

MATER MISERICORDIAE HOSPITAL – MACKAY & GLADSTONE

Registered Nurse/ Midwife: provides family-centred nursing care in collaboration with other health professionals and significant other to ensure safe, efficient and effective management of the patient. You must be both a Registered Nurse and Registered Midwife to apply for this role.

Terms: Hours and employment terms are fully negotiable with full-time, part-time and casual positions available that attract a base hourly rate range of $28.61 to $36.76 ($35.19 - $45.22 casual) dependant on comparable prior service + superannuation and penalties.

Enquiries: Apply and/or gain more information about these positions at www.mercycq.com/jobs where the positions are listed under available positions. Alternatively, contact the Human Resources Department, on (07) 4931 7478 during business hours or email [email protected]

“we are an equal opportunity employer”

Homebirthing continues to be a contentious issue in Australia. The death of a renowned Victorian homebirthing advocate and the deaths of three homebirthed babies in South Australia have left homebirthing supporters reeling. Now Australia’s privately practising midwives face yet another homebirthing hurdle but they are rallying in a bid to give women a choice on where and how they give birth, writes Karen Keast.

Hannah Dahlen finds the negative media headlines surrounding homebirths frustrating.

The Australian College of Midwives spokesperson, University of Western Sydney Associate Professor of Midwifery and privately practising midwife is a renowned, vocal advocator of homebirths.

Dr Dahlen says homebirths are safe for low risk women with a competent registered midwife, well networked into a responsive health service and she believes women with high risk factors should give birth in hospital.

But Dr Dahlen, who has spent more than 20 years working in high risk delivery wards in major hospitals, fears homebirthing in Australia is under threat.

And she’s concerned if Australia reacts to recent negative publicity surrounding homebirthing, the consequences could be dire, including potentially pushing more women into the underground freebirthing movement.

The pressing issue confronting Australia’s privately practising midwives is one of insurance. Since the collapse of HIH in 2001, no insurance has been available for privately practising midwives providing homebirthing services.

Now under national law, Australian midwives can practise in a range of settings, including homes, as long as specific registration conditions are met.

Without commercial professional indemnity insurance, the Commonwealth, states and territories have moved to provide privately practising midwives with an exemption from the requirement to hold professional indemnity insurance for providing intrapartum homebirthing services until July 1, 2013.

Australia’s health ministers will meet in August to discuss the issue and while the deadline is a year away, Dr Dahlen fears if a solution is not found soon, the uncertainty will affect women falling pregnant as soon as September.

“It’s a looming crisis,” she says.

“The crucial issue is as of June 30, 2013, if insurance is not found for midwives…homebirthing could become an illegalised practice.”

Homebirthing has recently faced a torrent of negative publicity.

The issue made headlines earlier this year when a renowned homebirthing advocate died after giving birth to her second child in her Melbourne home.

Midwives push for homebirthing choice

continued overleaf

And in early June, a South Australian coronial inquest found three babies who died during or after planned homebirths would have survived had they been born in hospital by caesarean section.

The births, which all involved complications, were assisted by midwife Lisa Barrett who withdrew her midwifery registration in January last year and was acting as a birth advocate.

SA deputy coroner Anthony Schapel found the deaths “could and should have been prevented” in a more appropriate clinical setting.

Dr Dahlen, who spoke at the inquest, says the Coroner highlighted serious system and legislative flaws that contributed to the incidents, and she now fears the negative headlines could tarnish homebirthing and jeopardise the future of the birthing option in Australia.

“We must find a solution for 2013 and we mustn’t react,” she says.

“If we go and change laws based on the case in South Australia, we are changing laws on one midwife and three women, which will impact on hundreds of women and midwives.

“It’s really important not to have a reflex reaction but a measured, sensible response.

“Six or seven babies die every day in hospital. Every two weeks a mum dies in childbirth in hospital. “We have a very skewed perspective in this country.”

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare figures reveal that of the 294,540 women who gave birth to 299,220 babies across Australia in 2009, 863 were homebirths, representing 0.3 per cent of births.

The figures show there were two fetal deaths at homebirths in 2009, while there were 2,339

fetal deaths in hospitals and birth centres across the nation.

In the South Australian coronial inquest, Coroner Schapel recommended that only midwives registered under national law should be allowed to practise midwifery and “it ought to be regarded as an offence, punishable by law, for midwives to practise midwifery without registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia pursuant to the national law”.

Dr Dahlen, who helped formulate the ACM’s position statement on homebirth services, welcomes the move but expresses concerns at one of the Coroner’s other recommendations.

That recommendation calls for new legislation to “impose a duty on any person providing a health service, including midwifery services, to report to the South Australian Department of Health and Ageing the intention of any person under his or her care to undergo a homebirth in respect of deliveries that are attended by an enhanced risk of complication, for example but not limited to, homebirths involving the birth of twins or known breech birth at term”.

Dr Dahlen says if enshrined in legislation, the move may push more women towards freebirthing, where there is no medical assistance, or intrude on the rights of women to choose their path through pregnancy and birth.

Anecdotal evidence suggests freebirthing is on the rise in Australia.

Dr Dahlen, who is involved in a large study on the movement, says while there are no statistics on how many women are choosing to freebirth, there is “no shortage” of women wanting to share their experiences.

And she says many women who have experienced previous traumatic births now want to avoid the hospital system.

Page 22: NCAH Issue 13 2012

Page 22 | www.ncah.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 15

Page 18 | www.ncah.com.auNursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 19

“Some studies are telling us one in 10 women are coming out of childbirth with symptoms for post-traumatic stress disorder,” she says.

“That’s terrifying. We have got to look back at the system that allows this trauma in the first place.”

Dr Dahlen practises at Midwives @ Sydney and Beyond, a small group practice with six midwives, providing care in the woman’s choice of setting.

Privately practising midwife Robyn Dempsey, a colleague of Dr Dahlen’s, has attended about 400 homebirths in almost 20 years.

After completing her midwifery training at a Sydney hospital in 1990, Ms Dempsey birthed her own three babies at home, under the care of a midwife, and also launched her own midwifery practice.

Ms Dempsey says on average about 16 per cent of her birthing mothers are transferred to hospital, for either pain relief or emergency care, but no mothers or babies have lost their lives under her care.

“I think women need to have a choice of having their babies wherever they want to,” she says.

“The most amazing thing I find is working with first-time mums. They are just full of

enthusiasm and watching them move from the girl and into a mother…the look on their faces of ‘look what I did’.

“It’s wonderful watching women make their own choices and showing them that they can do it and it’s perfectly safe for low risk women.”

Like Dr Dahlen, Ms Dempsey has concerns about what will happen when the deadline expires next year; for birthing women and also for her midwifery career.

“If no solution is found, I won’t be able to offer women births at home, which collapses an 18 year midwifery practice,” she says.

“It’s just really sad. The government needs to come to the party and provide us with insurance.”

Dr Dahlen says Australia should look to New Zealand where homebirthing is not outside the norm.

In New Zealand, 78 per cent of women choose midwifery care and opt to give birth either at home, at a birth unit or in hospital.

“New Zealand has got it right,” she says.

“They have got a very good clinical pathway they have developed for their midwives.

“The government has given the funding to women... saying ‘here is the package you can go and pick a midwife, a GP or an obstetrician’.

“You can have your baby pretty much wherever you want to have your baby.

“It’s a fundamental human right that a woman should be able to give birth to her baby where she wants to,” Dr Dahlen says.

“I believe that if we can birth right I feel we can get anything right. That’s how strongly I believe in it.”

www.ramsayjobs.com.au

• Are you a Midwife? • Are you looking for easy to access midwifery CPD activities? • Want to access evidence-based and current CPD from home? • Want the choice of either live or recorded events?

The Australian College of Midwives presents a series of Webinars*

Topics include: • Prenatal Screening • Water Immersion for Labour and Birth • Preterm Labour and Birth • Leadership and Management • Epigenetics and Pregnancy • Perinatal Mental Health • Diabetes in Pregnancy

*Webinar is short for web-based seminar and is a presentation, workshop, lecture or seminar that is delivered over the Web (Internet). All you need is a computer with internet access and audio

To Register: www.midwives.org.au go to Events/Events Calender

•AreyouaMidwife?•AreyoulookingforeasytoaccessmidwiferyCPDactivities?•Wanttoaccessevidence-basedandcurrentCPDfromhome?•Wantthechoiceofeitherliveorrecordedevents?

The Australian College of Midwives presents a series of Webinars*

Topics include:

To Register: www.midwives.org.au go to Events/Events Calender *Webinar is short for web-based seminar and is a presentation, workshop, lecture or seminar that is delivered over the Web (Internet). All you need is a computer with internet access and audio.

•PrenatalScreening•WaterImmersionforLabourandBirth•PretermLabourandBirth•LeadershipandManagement

•EpigeneticsandPregnancy•PerinatalMentalHealth•DiabetesinPregnancy

Page 23: NCAH Issue 13 2012

Page 26 | www.ncah.com.auNursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 11

Page 14 | www.ncah.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 23

Betty Ramsay was advised against becoming a physiotherapist.

As a student in Scotland, her school’s careers advisor told her it would be “working with old people and it will be boring”.

Fast-forward several decades and Betty, a research physiotherapist at Neuroscience Research Australia in Sydney, thrives on working one-on-one with older people.

“I find older people fascinating. There are a lot of hidden gems out there with a lifetime of stories,” she said.

Betty occasionally rides her Honda motorbike to her appointments with older people, and is always amazed at their reactions.

“A couple of the men have been worried and told me to be careful but at least three of the ladies I have spoken to said ‘I rode a motorbike after the war’,” she said.

“I enjoy the interaction with older people a great deal and helping them with their problems in strength and balance and mobility, and increasing their confidence in being able to get out again.”

Betty moved to Australia in 1996 and has since worked at a private practice, at St Vincent’s Hospital in Darlinghurst and at Sacred Heart Hospice.

It was a move to community health that sparked Betty’s interest in falls prevention, prompting her to take on a major research role at NeuRA in its Falls and Balance Research Group.

Since she began at NeuRA almost five years ago, Betty has worked on a major post-hospital exercise study, involving 340 older people who had recently been in hospital.

The intervention included a 12 month weight bearing exercise program designed to improve strength and balance.

“We were trying to look at how we could hopefully prevent falls for people who had been in hospital,” she said.

“They are less active; usually they are in bed or sitting in a chair next to the bed. Therefore they are more at risk of falling when they go home.”

The data for the study is currently being analysed with results expected soon.

Betty is now working on a national hip fracture database for hospitals across Australia and New Zealand; reviewing hip fracture patients and their care in hospitals.

Physiotherapist thrives on working with older peopleby Karen Keast

• Earnextra$$$$• Bewhereyouareneeded• Meetnewpeople• Visitnewdestinations• ExcitinglocationsthroughoutAustralia

www.cqnurse.com.auOfficelocation239NeboRoad,[email protected] discover

yourstoCQNurse,Australia’spremiernursingagency,hascontractsavailableNOW.

ACHANGEisasgoodasAHOLIDAYMIDWIFERYpositionsavailable

throughoutAustralia

For the full article visit NCAH.com.au

The first patients are about to begin walking through the doors of Melbourne’s outstanding $189 million Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre.

The world-class facility, which is attached to the Austin Hospital in Heidelberg, will open the doors to three of its seven levels on July 2.

The centre will offer radiation, day oncology and one floor of research along with a drop-in service and group programs such as Look Good Feel Better, individual consultations, mediation, relaxation, music and arts therapy.

Inpatient wards and a palliative care unit are due to open in mid-2013, and once fully complete the centre will include 64 oncology and haematology in-patient beds and 28 palliative care beds.

The centre will also boast dedicated research into

vaccines and treatments for all types of cancer and will become home to the largest clinical research site of the internationally-renowned Ludwig Institute world-wide.

In officially opening the centre, Ms Newton-John said she decided to lend her name to the initiative knowing it would offer wellness programs and an integrated wellness centre, something that was missing when she fought her own battle against breast cancer 20 years ago.

“From my own experience I know what a gap there was in the delivery of truly holistic cancer care and how much there was a need for a cancer centre and philosophy that gives equal support to patients’ well-being as it does to surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and research,” she said.

Olivia’s holistic cancer centre opens its doorsby Karen Keast

rahc.com.auGet involved.

Be part of the effortto improve Indigenous health

Are you a Registered Nurse, RN/Midwife or Allied Health professional? Have you thought about being part of the effort to close the gap in Indigenous health outcomes? Now is the time to get involved.

RAHC has opportunities for urban-based health professionals to undertake short-term paid placements in remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory.

Visit our website now to apply or register your interest then let us know your availability. Our team can find remote placement opportunities that work around your current job and you.

Allied Health Subacute Manager •Seniormanagementrole•Sheppartonbased•AttractivesalarypackageAn exciting opportunity exists for an allied health professional to join an innovative and dynamic team at Goulburn Valley Health, Shepparton.

The Allied Health Clinical Lead – Subacute Programs, is a full time position and will provide clinical leadership and program coordination in the subacute service area to ensure safe, effective and high quality allied health is provided across the subacute programs at Goulburn Valley Health.

As an AHPRA registered and/or accredited allied health professional, your extensive clinical knowledge in the area of subacute service delivery, and management and leadership experience in the health sector, will be supported by excellent

interpersonal and communication skills. In this role, you will work collaboratively with inter-professional teams and have well developed skills and experience in applying evidence base approaches to subacute service development for allied health.

A competitive remuneration package is being offered to attract the highest calibre applicant.

Youcanobtainfurtherdetailsfromourwebsiteat:

www.hrsa.com.auInterestedapplicantsshouldcontact MrJohnBowmanon:0407835747

POBox83OceanGrove3226

[email protected]

www.hrsa.com.au

Page 24: NCAH Issue 13 2012

Page 24 | www.ncah.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 13

Page 12 | www.ncah.com.auNursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 25

1213-019 1PG FULL COLOUR CMYK (typeset)

Registered Midwife Permanent Full and Part Time positions available Port Macquarie Base HospitalWe are seeking experienced and enthusiastic Midwives to join our team at Port Macquarie Base Hospital.Port Macquarie is the major metropolitan hub of the Hastings Macleay region located on the scenic mid north coast of New South Wales where the Hastings River meets the Pacific Ocean, and is an easy four hours’ drive north of Sydney.The area is a paradise for those who love the outdoors. You name it, it’s right here at your door; from sailing, kayaking and surfing, to paragliding, bushwalking in nearby national parks, deep sea fishing, whale watching and stunning coastal walks. Port Macquarie also boasts a vibrant CBD with an exciting variety of shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs. Within an easy commuting distance from Port Macquarie are a number of idyllic villages, from coastal towns to rural hamlets. Affordable housing, excellent education and recreation facilities, combined with all the benefits of a healthy lifestyle make this region one of the fastest growing in the State.With 161 beds and four theatres, Port Macquarie Base Hospital provides 24 hour Emergency Services, Critical Care, Obstetrics/Gynaecology, Medicine, General and Vascular Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, ENT, Ophthalmology, Gastroenterology, Pediatric Care and Mental Health Services to the people of the surrounding areas.If you have demonstrated experience, knowledge and competency in midwifery along with recent birthing experience and would like to know more, please contact:

Sandra Eadie (Maternity Unit Manager) 02 55242403

Registered Midwife Permanent Full and Part Time positions available Port Macquarie Base Hospital We are seeking experienced and enthusiastic Midwives to join our team at Port Macquarie Base Hospital. Port Macquarie is the major metropolitan hub of the Hastings Macleay region located on the scenic mid north coast of New South Wales where the Hastings River meets the Pacific Ocean, and is an easy four hours' drive north of Sydney. The area is a paradise for those who love the outdoors. You name it, it's right here at your door; from sailing, kayaking and surfing, to paragliding, bushwalking in nearby national parks, deep sea fishing, whale watching and stunning coastal walks. Port Macquarie also boasts a vibrant CBD with an exciting variety of shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs. Within an easy commuting distance from Port Macquarie are a number of idyllic villages, from coastal towns to rural hamlets. Affordable housing, excellent education and recreation facilities, combined with all the benefits of a healthy lifestyle make this region one of the fastest growing in the State. With 161 beds and four theatres, Port Macquarie Base Hospital provides 24 hour Emergency Services, Critical Care, Obstetrics/Gynaecology, Medicine, General and Vascular Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, ENT, Ophthalmology, Gastroenterology, Pediatric Care and Mental Health Services to the people of the surrounding areas. If you have demonstrated experience, knowledge and competency in midwifery along with recent birthing experience and would like to know more, please contact:

Sandra Eadie (Maternity Unit Manager) 02 55242403

Registered Midwife Permanent Full and Part Time positions available Port Macquarie Base Hospital We are seeking experienced and enthusiastic Midwives to join our team at Port Macquarie Base Hospital. Port Macquarie is the major metropolitan hub of the Hastings Macleay region located on the scenic mid north coast of New South Wales where the Hastings River meets the Pacific Ocean, and is an easy four hours' drive north of Sydney. The area is a paradise for those who love the outdoors. You name it, it's right here at your door; from sailing, kayaking and surfing, to paragliding, bushwalking in nearby national parks, deep sea fishing, whale watching and stunning coastal walks. Port Macquarie also boasts a vibrant CBD with an exciting variety of shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs. Within an easy commuting distance from Port Macquarie are a number of idyllic villages, from coastal towns to rural hamlets. Affordable housing, excellent education and recreation facilities, combined with all the benefits of a healthy lifestyle make this region one of the fastest growing in the State. With 161 beds and four theatres, Port Macquarie Base Hospital provides 24 hour Emergency Services, Critical Care, Obstetrics/Gynaecology, Medicine, General and Vascular Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, ENT, Ophthalmology, Gastroenterology, Pediatric Care and Mental Health Services to the people of the surrounding areas. If you have demonstrated experience, knowledge and competency in midwifery along with recent birthing experience and would like to know more, please contact:

Sandra Eadie (Maternity Unit Manager) 02 55242403

4th Australian Rural & Remote Mental Health Symposium

4th Australian Rural & Remote Mental Health Symposium

You are invited to join us at the 4th Australian Rural and Remote Mental Health Symposium in Adelaide, when we will explore National and State initiatives and programs that address peoples’ needs, now and in the future. The program will include a diverse range of presenters including some of Australia’s leading academics and clinicians. You will experience a broad range of presenters who will report how their programs are “Putting People First” and what their research indicates for the future.

www.anzmh.asn.au/rrmh/[email protected]

Call for Abstracts Now Open. Visit the Symposium website for full details.

19th – 21st November 2012 | Hotel Grand Chancellor on Hindley, Adelaide

For more articles visit NCAH.com.au

“What did the ocean say to the beach? Nothing, it just waved back.”

Cameron Harwood keeps a few jokes up his sleeve in the hope

of bringing smiles to the faces of his young patients.

“I have got some appalling jokes that I pull out,” he says.

“Really bad ones and most of the people I work with have heard them about 50 times.

“It helps when you can get them smiling and pulling faces, and generally having fun in those situations really helps them to get their mind off what’s happening.”

Cameron is a Registered Nurse and senior nurse on his ward at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, where he has worked since he first started out as a graduate nurse in 2002.

“I have always wanted to help people and I have always loved working with kids and it seemed the best combination of those elements,” he says.

“When people are in need I love helping out in any way that I can.”

Cameron works in a medical day stay unit at the hospital where most of his patients have chronic blood disorders and immune deficiencies and receive donated blood.

After mostly surgical experience at the hospital, Cameron says beginning in the ward was, at first, an adjustment.

“In our situation the kids’ conditions don’t get cured, we are just maintaining their health and

so it was a bit of an adjustment for me and I had to change my perception of what nursing was about.

“I wasn’t fixing anyone, I was helping to maintain their health.”

Cameron is now one of a growing number of male nurses in the female-dominated nursing profession.

Cameron grew up in a house of boys and now has a wife, who is a community nurse, and two girls, aged 18 months and 3.

“I am surrounded by women wherever I go,” he says, laughing.

“I guess there are some guys out there who would struggle with that. I find it to be a blessing, I guess.

“It gives me a healthy opportunity to express the caring, nurturing side which most guys don’t know how to express.”

Cameron hopes more men will consider a career in nursing.

“I think it’s really important to have male nurses in the health care setting,” he says.

“Having a guy who can show that he cares and be there for other people and express emotion and compassion even is such a big thing for a guy to be able to show – we don’t have that role modelled enough in our society.”

Cameron is passionate about helping kids and their families through tough times, and hopes to have a long career working in paediatric nursing ahead of him.

“Wherever I go or wherever I am in 10 years from now I want it to be in paediatric nursing,” he says.

Cameron cares for paediatric nursingby Karen Keast

Cameron Harwood

1201-028 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 $8052 + $888 holiday pay and $9324 + $1020 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 including free board and lodgings on assignment. Also FREE accommodation during your FREE initial UK training. Always professional and friendly support.Visit our website www.oxfordaunts.co.uk to learn more about this fantastic opportunity.*exchange rate as at January 2012

OXFORD AUNTS CARESuite B, Hinksey Court, West Way

Botley, Oxford, OX28 5FAPhone: ++44 1865 791017

Fax: ++44 1865 242606

Page 25: NCAH Issue 13 2012

Page 24 | www.ncah.com.auNursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 13

Page 12 | www.ncah.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 25

1213-019 1PG FULL COLOUR CMYK (typeset)

Registered Midwife Permanent Full and Part Time positions available Port Macquarie Base HospitalWe are seeking experienced and enthusiastic Midwives to join our team at Port Macquarie Base Hospital.Port Macquarie is the major metropolitan hub of the Hastings Macleay region located on the scenic mid north coast of New South Wales where the Hastings River meets the Pacific Ocean, and is an easy four hours’ drive north of Sydney.The area is a paradise for those who love the outdoors. You name it, it’s right here at your door; from sailing, kayaking and surfing, to paragliding, bushwalking in nearby national parks, deep sea fishing, whale watching and stunning coastal walks. Port Macquarie also boasts a vibrant CBD with an exciting variety of shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs. Within an easy commuting distance from Port Macquarie are a number of idyllic villages, from coastal towns to rural hamlets. Affordable housing, excellent education and recreation facilities, combined with all the benefits of a healthy lifestyle make this region one of the fastest growing in the State.With 161 beds and four theatres, Port Macquarie Base Hospital provides 24 hour Emergency Services, Critical Care, Obstetrics/Gynaecology, Medicine, General and Vascular Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, ENT, Ophthalmology, Gastroenterology, Pediatric Care and Mental Health Services to the people of the surrounding areas.If you have demonstrated experience, knowledge and competency in midwifery along with recent birthing experience and would like to know more, please contact:

Sandra Eadie (Maternity Unit Manager) 02 55242403

Registered Midwife Permanent Full and Part Time positions available Port Macquarie Base Hospital We are seeking experienced and enthusiastic Midwives to join our team at Port Macquarie Base Hospital. Port Macquarie is the major metropolitan hub of the Hastings Macleay region located on the scenic mid north coast of New South Wales where the Hastings River meets the Pacific Ocean, and is an easy four hours' drive north of Sydney. The area is a paradise for those who love the outdoors. You name it, it's right here at your door; from sailing, kayaking and surfing, to paragliding, bushwalking in nearby national parks, deep sea fishing, whale watching and stunning coastal walks. Port Macquarie also boasts a vibrant CBD with an exciting variety of shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs. Within an easy commuting distance from Port Macquarie are a number of idyllic villages, from coastal towns to rural hamlets. Affordable housing, excellent education and recreation facilities, combined with all the benefits of a healthy lifestyle make this region one of the fastest growing in the State. With 161 beds and four theatres, Port Macquarie Base Hospital provides 24 hour Emergency Services, Critical Care, Obstetrics/Gynaecology, Medicine, General and Vascular Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, ENT, Ophthalmology, Gastroenterology, Pediatric Care and Mental Health Services to the people of the surrounding areas. If you have demonstrated experience, knowledge and competency in midwifery along with recent birthing experience and would like to know more, please contact:

Sandra Eadie (Maternity Unit Manager) 02 55242403

Registered Midwife Permanent Full and Part Time positions available Port Macquarie Base Hospital We are seeking experienced and enthusiastic Midwives to join our team at Port Macquarie Base Hospital. Port Macquarie is the major metropolitan hub of the Hastings Macleay region located on the scenic mid north coast of New South Wales where the Hastings River meets the Pacific Ocean, and is an easy four hours' drive north of Sydney. The area is a paradise for those who love the outdoors. You name it, it's right here at your door; from sailing, kayaking and surfing, to paragliding, bushwalking in nearby national parks, deep sea fishing, whale watching and stunning coastal walks. Port Macquarie also boasts a vibrant CBD with an exciting variety of shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs. Within an easy commuting distance from Port Macquarie are a number of idyllic villages, from coastal towns to rural hamlets. Affordable housing, excellent education and recreation facilities, combined with all the benefits of a healthy lifestyle make this region one of the fastest growing in the State. With 161 beds and four theatres, Port Macquarie Base Hospital provides 24 hour Emergency Services, Critical Care, Obstetrics/Gynaecology, Medicine, General and Vascular Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, ENT, Ophthalmology, Gastroenterology, Pediatric Care and Mental Health Services to the people of the surrounding areas. If you have demonstrated experience, knowledge and competency in midwifery along with recent birthing experience and would like to know more, please contact:

Sandra Eadie (Maternity Unit Manager) 02 55242403

4th Australian Rural & Remote Mental Health Symposium

4th Australian Rural & Remote Mental Health Symposium

You are invited to join us at the 4th Australian Rural and Remote Mental Health Symposium in Adelaide, when we will explore National and State initiatives and programs that address peoples’ needs, now and in the future. The program will include a diverse range of presenters including some of Australia’s leading academics and clinicians. You will experience a broad range of presenters who will report how their programs are “Putting People First” and what their research indicates for the future.

www.anzmh.asn.au/rrmh/[email protected]

Call for Abstracts Now Open. Visit the Symposium website for full details.

19th – 21st November 2012 | Hotel Grand Chancellor on Hindley, Adelaide

For more articles visit NCAH.com.au

“What did the ocean say to the beach? Nothing, it just waved back.”

Cameron Harwood keeps a few jokes up his sleeve in the hope

of bringing smiles to the faces of his young patients.

“I have got some appalling jokes that I pull out,” he says.

“Really bad ones and most of the people I work with have heard them about 50 times.

“It helps when you can get them smiling and pulling faces, and generally having fun in those situations really helps them to get their mind off what’s happening.”

Cameron is a Registered Nurse and senior nurse on his ward at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, where he has worked since he first started out as a graduate nurse in 2002.

“I have always wanted to help people and I have always loved working with kids and it seemed the best combination of those elements,” he says.

“When people are in need I love helping out in any way that I can.”

Cameron works in a medical day stay unit at the hospital where most of his patients have chronic blood disorders and immune deficiencies and receive donated blood.

After mostly surgical experience at the hospital, Cameron says beginning in the ward was, at first, an adjustment.

“In our situation the kids’ conditions don’t get cured, we are just maintaining their health and

so it was a bit of an adjustment for me and I had to change my perception of what nursing was about.

“I wasn’t fixing anyone, I was helping to maintain their health.”

Cameron is now one of a growing number of male nurses in the female-dominated nursing profession.

Cameron grew up in a house of boys and now has a wife, who is a community nurse, and two girls, aged 18 months and 3.

“I am surrounded by women wherever I go,” he says, laughing.

“I guess there are some guys out there who would struggle with that. I find it to be a blessing, I guess.

“It gives me a healthy opportunity to express the caring, nurturing side which most guys don’t know how to express.”

Cameron hopes more men will consider a career in nursing.

“I think it’s really important to have male nurses in the health care setting,” he says.

“Having a guy who can show that he cares and be there for other people and express emotion and compassion even is such a big thing for a guy to be able to show – we don’t have that role modelled enough in our society.”

Cameron is passionate about helping kids and their families through tough times, and hopes to have a long career working in paediatric nursing ahead of him.

“Wherever I go or wherever I am in 10 years from now I want it to be in paediatric nursing,” he says.

Cameron cares for paediatric nursingby Karen Keast

Cameron Harwood

1201-028 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 $8052 + $888 holiday pay and $9324 + $1020 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 including free board and lodgings on assignment. Also FREE accommodation during your FREE initial UK training. Always professional and friendly support.Visit our website www.oxfordaunts.co.uk to learn more about this fantastic opportunity.*exchange rate as at January 2012

OXFORD AUNTS CARESuite B, Hinksey Court, West Way

Botley, Oxford, OX28 5FAPhone: ++44 1865 791017

Fax: ++44 1865 242606

Page 26: NCAH Issue 13 2012

Page 26 | www.ncah.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 11

Page 14 | www.ncah.com.auNursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 23

Betty Ramsay was advised against becoming a physiotherapist.

As a student in Scotland, her school’s careers advisor told her it would be “working with old people and it will be boring”.

Fast-forward several decades and Betty, a research physiotherapist at Neuroscience Research Australia in Sydney, thrives on working one-on-one with older people.

“I find older people fascinating. There are a lot of hidden gems out there with a lifetime of stories,” she said.

Betty occasionally rides her Honda motorbike to her appointments with older people, and is always amazed at their reactions.

“A couple of the men have been worried and told me to be careful but at least three of the ladies I have spoken to said ‘I rode a motorbike after the war’,” she said.

“I enjoy the interaction with older people a great deal and helping them with their problems in strength and balance and mobility, and increasing their confidence in being able to get out again.”

Betty moved to Australia in 1996 and has since worked at a private practice, at St Vincent’s Hospital in Darlinghurst and at Sacred Heart Hospice.

It was a move to community health that sparked Betty’s interest in falls prevention, prompting her to take on a major research role at NeuRA in its Falls and Balance Research Group.

Since she began at NeuRA almost five years ago, Betty has worked on a major post-hospital exercise study, involving 340 older people who had recently been in hospital.

The intervention included a 12 month weight bearing exercise program designed to improve strength and balance.

“We were trying to look at how we could hopefully prevent falls for people who had been in hospital,” she said.

“They are less active; usually they are in bed or sitting in a chair next to the bed. Therefore they are more at risk of falling when they go home.”

The data for the study is currently being analysed with results expected soon.

Betty is now working on a national hip fracture database for hospitals across Australia and New Zealand; reviewing hip fracture patients and their care in hospitals.

Physiotherapist thrives on working with older peopleby Karen Keast

•Earnextra$$$$•Bewhereyouareneeded•Meetnewpeople•Visitnewdestinations•ExcitinglocationsthroughoutAustralia

www.cqnurse.com.auOfficelocation239NeboRoad,[email protected]

yourstoCQNurse,Australia’spremiernursingagency,hascontractsavailableNOW.

ACHANGEisasgoodasAHOLIDAYMIDWIFERYpositionsavailable

throughoutAustralia

For the full article visit NCAH.com.au

The first patients are about to begin walking through the doors of Melbourne’s outstanding $189 million Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre.

The world-class facility, which is attached to the Austin Hospital in Heidelberg, will open the doors to three of its seven levels on July 2.

The centre will offer radiation, day oncology and one floor of research along with a drop-in service and group programs such as Look Good Feel Better, individual consultations, mediation, relaxation, music and arts therapy.

Inpatient wards and a palliative care unit are due to open in mid-2013, and once fully complete the centre will include 64 oncology and haematology in-patient beds and 28 palliative care beds.

The centre will also boast dedicated research into

vaccines and treatments for all types of cancer and will become home to the largest clinical research site of the internationally-renowned Ludwig Institute world-wide.

In officially opening the centre, Ms Newton-John said she decided to lend her name to the initiative knowing it would offer wellness programs and an integrated wellness centre, something that was missing when she fought her own battle against breast cancer 20 years ago.

“From my own experience I know what a gap there was in the delivery of truly holistic cancer care and how much there was a need for a cancer centre and philosophy that gives equal support to patients’ well-being as it does to surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and research,” she said.

Olivia’s holistic cancer centre opens its doorsby Karen Keast

rahc.com.auGet involved.

Be part of the effortto improve Indigenous health

Are you a Registered Nurse, RN/Midwife or Allied Health professional? Have you thought about being part of the effort to close the gap in Indigenous health outcomes? Now is the time to get involved.

RAHC has opportunities for urban-based health professionals to undertake short-term paid placements in remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory.

Visit our website now to apply or register your interest then let us know your availability. Our team can find remote placement opportunities that work around your current job and you.

Allied Health Subacute Manager • Seniormanagementrole• Sheppartonbased• AttractivesalarypackageAn exciting opportunity exists for an allied health professional to join an innovative and dynamic team at Goulburn Valley Health, Shepparton.

The Allied Health Clinical Lead – Subacute Programs, is a full time position and will provide clinical leadership and program coordination in the subacute service area to ensure safe, effective and high quality allied health is provided across the subacute programs at Goulburn Valley Health.

As an AHPRA registered and/or accredited allied health professional, your extensive clinical knowledge in the area of subacute service delivery, and management and leadership experience in the health sector, will be supported by excellent

interpersonal and communication skills. In this role, you will work collaboratively with inter-professional teams and have well developed skills and experience in applying evidence base approaches to subacute service development for allied health.

A competitive remuneration package is being offered to attract the highest calibre applicant.

Youcanobtainfurtherdetailsfromourwebsiteat:

www.hrsa.com.auInterestedapplicantsshouldcontact MrJohnBowmanon:0407835747

POBox83OceanGrove3226

[email protected]

www.hrsa.com.au

Page 27: NCAH Issue 13 2012

Page 30 | www.ncah.com.auNursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 7

Page 10 | www.ncah.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 27

SUNRISE HEALTH SERVICE ABORIGINAL CORPORATIONPandanus Plaza, 25 First Street, PO Box 1696, Katherine NT 0850

Ph: 08 89711 120 Fax: 08 89 712 511 Providing primary health care services to remote communities East of Katherine - Bulman, Jilkminggan,

Manyallaluk, Mataranka, Minyerri, Ngukurr, Weemol, Wugularr, Urapunga

Sunrise Health Service is seeking applications for the position of HEALTH CARE MANAGER in remote indigenous communities.

This is an amazing opportunity:

Great salary - $90K approx

18% leave loading

6 weeks annual leave

FREE accommodation and electricity

Relocation allowance

Mobile phone and generous allowance

Leave fares allowance

Professional development opportunities

For a full position description and more information, please contact Daniel Horwood – [email protected], or Ph: 08 8971 9513Sunrise Health Service is an equal opportunity employer and maintains a strong no smoking

policy. Indigenous people are strongly encouraged to apply.

Nurses! Do you have remote a rea

experience?

Nurses at Australia’s iconic Royal District Nursing Service are taking protected industrial action in a push for better pay and entitlements.

More than 800 nurses at Australia’s oldest and largest provider of home nursing and health care services are wearing Respect Our Work campaign t-shirts to work and enforcing bans, including clerical and administrative work linked to funding, non-critical client assessments and refusing deployment between RDNS centres.

The action has been designed to impact on RDNS financially, amid claims the State Government is underfunding the service.

Nurses have stressed existing RDNS clients and urgent clients will continue to receive care but nurses have not ruled out upping the bans to four-hour work stoppages and bans on non-urgent call outs and non-urgent admissions and referrals.

The action comes after 11 months of negotiations failed to secure a new agreement.

Nurses working at 20 RDNS centres across Victoria, spanning Melbourne, Ballarat, Geelong, Queenscliff, Wodonga and Wangaratta to the Macedon Ranges, are lobbying for parity with public sector hospital nurses’ and midwives’ wages and allowances.

The push includes a 2.5 per cent pay rise per annum over the proposed four-year agreement, back-paid to March, and a $1000 professional development allowance in the first year with $900 for subsequent years.

RDNS has matched the pay rise but has offered allowances of up to $700 with conditions.

The Australian Nursing Federation Vic Branch states the organisation’s plans to implement the pay rise once it’s been formally approved through the Australian Electoral Commission and Fair Work Australia would result in delays and leave some nurses out of pocket at least $10,000.

The union is also fighting to maintain current entitlements including sick leave and carers leave and demanding better staffing arrangements.

ANF Vic Branch assistant secretary Pip Carew said nurses are taking action as a last resort.

“RDNS nurses are very proud of this iconic community nursing service because it has a reputation for skilled and experienced nurses who care for patients recently discharged from hospital, people with chronic and terminal illnesses and homeless people,” she said.

“They’re very concerned that if their conditions are reduced, if their workloads are not addressed and if they’re paid significantly less than hospital nurses then RDNS will very quickly have a serious nurse shortage of its own making.”

RDNS chief executive officer Steve Muggleton said the action was disappointing.

“We have offered 2.5 per cent and we are very close to resolving a range of other demands - but it’s got to be said we’re working through these issues in extremely challenging economic times, not only for RDNS but also for the state and federal governments and the private and public sectors across Australia,” he said.

RDNS nurses take actionby Karen Keast

For the full article visit NCAH.com.au

“The aim is to maximise the health care of older people who have experienced hip fractures,” she said.

“In years gone past, they have not always been prioritised…and older people can end up with complications following surgery and long recovery times.”

Betty said often older people who have experienced a fall develop a fear of falling, which can sap their confidence; preventing them from taking part in activities and even refusing to leave their home.

And she said as the Australian population continues to age, more physios will be needed to help keep older people active.

“It’s not exactly the glamorous side of physiotherapy like sports injuries…but I love working with older people. They are incredibly engaging. It’s rewarding work.

“There needs to be more focus on how we can encourage older people to be more active and stay independent and in shape for old age,” she said.

“No-one ever warns you when you are young how difficult it is when you are old.

“I think that people who are in their 80s and 90s now may not have had much of a lifetime of keeping active,” she said.

“For the ones that do keep more active it may make a greater difference in their old age.

“As a school girl back in Peebles, Scotland, I could never have imagined that working as a physio with older people would be such a perfect choice for me,” Betty said.

For more articles visit NCAH.com.au

AgencyOf�ce

locations

States

serviced

# Nurses

Years

runningSpecialisations

Key

facilitiesContact details

CQ Nurse Mackay,

QLD

ACT, NSW,

NT, QLD,

TAS, WA

4009 General Medical,

Midwifery,

Regional & Remote

Regional and

Remote

Facilities

www.cqnurse.com.au

07 4998 5550

WorkPac Melbourne,

Brisbane

VIC, QLD4 Aged Care, Cardiac,

Community / Maternal,

Critical / ICU / NICU,

Emergency,

General Medical,

Mental Health / Psych,

Theatre / Periop

VICPublic Sector Panel,

Epworth;

QLD - Mater, RSL,

Qld Baptist Care,

Blue Care

www.workpac.com

1300 724 216

First Choice

Care

Brisbane,

Melbourne

QLD, VIC2,500 8 Aged Care, Cardiac,

Community / Maternal,

Critical / ICU / NICU,

Emergency,

General Medical,

Mental Health / Psych,

Midwifery,

Paediatric / PICU,

Regional & Remote,

Renal, Theatre / Periop

Queensland Health

preferred supplier,

Mater Health,

Uniting Care

�rstchoicecare.com.au

1300 307 241

Looking for a Nursing Agency?Compare agencies at agencynursing.net.au

Flight Nurse Air Ambulance Base Sydney Domestic Airport, Mascot Permanent Full Time

My name is Mark and every day I am able to bring my sense of adventure to work to make a

difference to the lives of people in rural and remote NSW locations. Every day is different so there is

definitely no chance to get bored. My job as a Flight Nurse is clinically challenging and stimulating,

utilizing all of my extensive nursing experience as I move from midwife one minute to palliative care

nurse the next. You gain unsurpassed autonomy and can make a real difference in people’s lives,

never knowing who you are going to meet and care for next. There are some interesting and resilient

characters around and that is just the rural and remote paramedic staff. The aircraft is an extension of an emergency department, hospital ward, intensive care or any

speciality unit. A diverse range of broad based medical categories and diagnostic groups are

transferred ranging from cardiac, high risk obstetrics, surgical, neonatal, trauma to aged care and

palliative patients. We attend to over 5,000 cases a year which is why the Ambulance Service has

access to state of the art technology and equipment, and strongly supports an environment that

encourages Continuing Professional Development and research projects.

Come and join our dedicated and experienced team of flight nurses and help us to deliver excellence

in care for rural and regional communities. You will need to be a Registered Nurse with an additional

qualification as a Registered Midwife along with qualifications and/or extensive experience in Aviation

Nursing or adult critical care fields limited to Emergency, Cardiac or Cardiothoracic or Intensive Care

Nursing. For more detailed information pick up the phone or email our Senior Flight Nurse, Margaret

Tabone to take to the skies. For more information and application packs go to:http://www.ambulance.nsw.gov.au/Employment/Become-a-Flight-Nurse.html

Margaret Tabone, Senior Flight Nurse Phone: 02 9669 1708 Email: [email protected].

Forget the four white walls and lack of natural light that surrounds you in the hospital, take this unique opportunity to spread your wings and take to the skies as an Ambulance Service NSW Flight Nurse. Every day is your own personal mystery flight from the vast dry dusty plains, pristine coastal communities through to the snow topped mountains.

Flight Nurse advert for NCAH magazine OUTLINES .indd 120/01/2012 12:34:43 PM

Page 28: NCAH Issue 13 2012

Page 28 | www.ncah.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 9

Page 8 | www.ncah.com.auNursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 29

Join the Alliance Health Nursing Team

CALL NOW (02) 9212 1244 www.alliancehealth.com.au

Looking for a change in direction?Join the agency that works in partnership with you.

• Great flexibility in shifts and pay rates• Ask us about our great sign on incentives• All specialty areas – Op Theatres, Critical care, Mental Health, General and Midwifery• 100% Australian owned and operated

Warrnambool CampusRyot Street, Warrnambool 3280www.southwesthealthcare.com.au

2010 Regional Health Service of the Year

Warrnambool CampusRyot Street, Warrnambool 3280www.southwesthealthcare.com.au

2010 Regional Health Service of the Year

Applications are invited from suitably qualified/experienced Registered Nurses for the Nurse Unit Manager role in the Intensive Care/Critical Care Unit at our Warrnambool Base Hospital site. This 165 bed hospital has recently completed a $115m redevelopment which included a state of the art, 6 bed (with room for expansion) Intensive/Critical Care Unit

The Nurse Unit Manager (NUM) is responsible for the effective and efficient management of the human, physical and financial resources within the Unit. The NUM actively leads the ICU/CCU team in a consultative and participative manner ensuring well planned and coordinated services to clients and their families and providing clinical leadership to foster patient focused and outcome directed nursing care.

Further information is available from Sue Morrison (Director of Nursing) on telephone 03 5563 1435 or via email [email protected]

Applications are to be submitted online via our website under careers and need to include: full personal particulars, qualifications and experience; together with the names of two (2) referees by Tuesday 31 July 2012.

NURSE UNIT MANAGER INTENSIVE CARE/CRITICAL CARE UNIT

... health care expenditure on asthma, particularly those over 50 years is expected to increase exponentially.

– Dr Dianne Goeman Royal District Nursing

Service Institute Senior Research Fellow

An Australian researcher has found a concerning number of older and frail people are dying of asthma.

Royal District Nursing Service Institute senior research fellow Dr Dianne Goeman has warned asthma deaths are an issue for all health practitioners and called for targeted interventions to reduce the asthma mortality rate.

Dr Goeman, who conducted a study into the circumstances surrounding Australian asthma deaths since 2005 after being awarded an Asthma Foundation of Victoria research grant, said RDNS nurses were at the frontline of home nursing and health care, and able to observe the extent of the problem.

“RDNS has a large number of older clients with asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and are therefore in a unique position to assist their clients to achieve better asthma outcomes,” she said.

While asthma deaths have decreased in the past three decades, Dr Goeman said the rate of mortality due to asthma in older people had not dropped as dramatically as it had in younger people.

Asthma deaths in Australia are high compared to international standards. Statistics show 416 Australians died of asthma in 2010 and 411 people died of asthma in 2009, with asthma

recorded as an associated cause in another 1,344 deaths.

Dr Goeman said asthma mortality increased with age, with 995 or 64 per cent of asthma deaths between 2005 and 2008 occurring in those aged over 70.

“Asthma is predicted to continue to be a major disease burden in Australia over the next two decades and health care expenditure on asthma, particularly those over 50 years is expected to increase exponentially,” she said.

Dr Goeman said people over 65 with asthma also had the second highest presentation rate to emergency departments, after children.

A medical sociologist, Dr Goeman presented the research, the first research on asthma deaths in the country since the late 1990s, at the International Primary Care Respiratory Group Conference in Edinburgh for this year’s World Asthma Day.

Dr Goeman conducted the research with respiratory physicians Associate Professor Jo Douglass, Professor Michael Abramson and Dr Celia Zubrinich from the Alfred Hospital along with research officer Edwina McCarthy.

RDNS researcher urges nurses to help asthma patientsby Karen Keast

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

For full details of this and other nursing and allied health vacancies visit our web site at:

REGISTERED MIDWIFEKerang, Victoria Are you an experienced Registered Midwife

looking for a new and challenging role in a progressive rural

health service? Kerang District Health is a 54 bed public health

service close to the Murray River in Northern Victoria. The health

service currently provides midwifery services to a population of

around 8,000 via a shared model of care that includes antenatal

and post natal care and is delivered with the support of a local

GP Obstetrician and Visiting Specialist Obstetrician.

NURSE UNIT MANAGEROPERATING SUITEHamilton, VictoriaWestern District Health Service is a public health service which

incorporates 96 acute beds, 170 high and low level extended

care and residential aged care beds, 35 Independent Living Units,

community health and youth services. To be successful in this

role, you will need to demonstrate and possess current AHPRA

registration and at least 5 years post-graduate nursing experience

and demonstrated management skills.

1213-003 1PG FULL COLOUR CMYK (typeset)

Page 29: NCAH Issue 13 2012

Page 28 | www.ncah.com.auNursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 9

Page 8 | www.ncah.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 29

Join the Alliance Health Nursing Team

CALL NOW (02) 9212 1244 www.alliancehealth.com.au

Looking for a change in direction?Join the agency that works in partnership with you.

• Great flexibility in shifts and pay rates• Ask us about our great sign on incentives• All specialty areas – Op Theatres, Critical care, Mental Health, General and Midwifery• 100% Australian owned and operated

Warrnambool CampusRyot Street, Warrnambool 3280www.southwesthealthcare.com.au

2010 Regional Health Service of the Year

Warrnambool CampusRyot Street, Warrnambool 3280www.southwesthealthcare.com.au

2010 Regional Health Service of the Year

Applications are invited from suitably qualified/experienced Registered Nurses for the Nurse Unit Manager role in the Intensive Care/Critical Care Unit at our Warrnambool Base Hospital site. This 165 bed hospital has recently completed a $115m redevelopment which included a state of the art, 6 bed (with room for expansion) Intensive/Critical Care Unit

The Nurse Unit Manager (NUM) is responsible for the effective and efficient management of the human, physical and financial resources within the Unit. The NUM actively leads the ICU/CCU team in a consultative and participative manner ensuring well planned and coordinated services to clients and their families and providing clinical leadership to foster patient focused and outcome directed nursing care.

Further information is available from Sue Morrison (Director of Nursing) on telephone 03 5563 1435 or via email [email protected]

Applications are to be submitted online via our website under careers and need to include: full personal particulars, qualifications and experience; together with the names of two (2) referees by Tuesday 31 July 2012.

NURSE UNIT MANAGER INTENSIVE CARE/CRITICAL CARE UNIT

... health care expenditure on asthma, particularly those over 50 years is expected to increase exponentially.

– Dr Dianne Goeman Royal District Nursing

Service Institute Senior Research Fellow

An Australian researcher has found a concerning number of older and frail people are dying of asthma.

Royal District Nursing Service Institute senior research fellow Dr Dianne Goeman has warned asthma deaths are an issue for all health practitioners and called for targeted interventions to reduce the asthma mortality rate.

Dr Goeman, who conducted a study into the circumstances surrounding Australian asthma deaths since 2005 after being awarded an Asthma Foundation of Victoria research grant, said RDNS nurses were at the frontline of home nursing and health care, and able to observe the extent of the problem.

“RDNS has a large number of older clients with asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and are therefore in a unique position to assist their clients to achieve better asthma outcomes,” she said.

While asthma deaths have decreased in the past three decades, Dr Goeman said the rate of mortality due to asthma in older people had not dropped as dramatically as it had in younger people.

Asthma deaths in Australia are high compared to international standards. Statistics show 416 Australians died of asthma in 2010 and 411 people died of asthma in 2009, with asthma

recorded as an associated cause in another 1,344 deaths.

Dr Goeman said asthma mortality increased with age, with 995 or 64 per cent of asthma deaths between 2005 and 2008 occurring in those aged over 70.

“Asthma is predicted to continue to be a major disease burden in Australia over the next two decades and health care expenditure on asthma, particularly those over 50 years is expected to increase exponentially,” she said.

Dr Goeman said people over 65 with asthma also had the second highest presentation rate to emergency departments, after children.

A medical sociologist, Dr Goeman presented the research, the first research on asthma deaths in the country since the late 1990s, at the International Primary Care Respiratory Group Conference in Edinburgh for this year’s World Asthma Day.

Dr Goeman conducted the research with respiratory physicians Associate Professor Jo Douglass, Professor Michael Abramson and Dr Celia Zubrinich from the Alfred Hospital along with research officer Edwina McCarthy.

RDNS researcher urges nurses to help asthma patientsby Karen Keast

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

For full details of this and other nursing and allied health vacancies visit our web site at:

REGISTERED MIDWIFEKerang, Victoria Are you an experienced Registered Midwife

looking for a new and challenging role in a progressive rural

health service? Kerang District Health is a 54 bed public health

service close to the Murray River in Northern Victoria. The health

service currently provides midwifery services to a population of

around 8,000 via a shared model of care that includes antenatal

and post natal care and is delivered with the support of a local

GP Obstetrician and Visiting Specialist Obstetrician.

NURSE UNIT MANAGEROPERATING SUITEHamilton, VictoriaWestern District Health Service is a public health service which

incorporates 96 acute beds, 170 high and low level extended

care and residential aged care beds, 35 Independent Living Units,

community health and youth services. To be successful in this

role, you will need to demonstrate and possess current AHPRA

registration and at least 5 years post-graduate nursing experience

and demonstrated management skills.

1213-003 1PG FULL COLOUR CMYK (typeset)

Page 30: NCAH Issue 13 2012

Page 30 | www.ncah.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 7

Page 10 | www.ncah.com.auNursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 27

SUNRISE HEALTH SERVICE ABORIGINAL CORPORATIONPandanus Plaza, 25 First Street, PO Box 1696, Katherine NT 0850

Ph: 08 89711 120 Fax: 08 89 712 511 Providing primary health care services to remote communities East of Katherine - Bulman, Jilkminggan,

Manyallaluk, Mataranka, Minyerri, Ngukurr, Weemol, Wugularr, Urapunga

Sunrise Health Service is seeking applications for the position of HEALTH CARE MANAGER in remote indigenous communities.

This is an amazing opportunity:

Great salary - $90K approx

18% leave loading

6 weeks annual leave

FREE accommodation and electricity

Relocation allowance

Mobile phone and generous allowance

Leave fares allowance

Professional development opportunities

For a full position description and more information, please contact Daniel Horwood – [email protected], or Ph: 08 8971 9513Sunrise Health Service is an equal opportunity employer and maintains a strong no smoking

policy. Indigenous people are strongly encouraged to apply.

Nurses! Do you have remote area

experience?

Nurses at Australia’s iconic Royal District Nursing Service are taking protected industrial action in a push for better pay and entitlements.

More than 800 nurses at Australia’s oldest and largest provider of home nursing and health care services are wearing Respect Our Work campaign t-shirts to work and enforcing bans, including clerical and administrative work linked to funding, non-critical client assessments and refusing deployment between RDNS centres.

The action has been designed to impact on RDNS financially, amid claims the State Government is underfunding the service.

Nurses have stressed existing RDNS clients and urgent clients will continue to receive care but nurses have not ruled out upping the bans to four-hour work stoppages and bans on non-urgent call outs and non-urgent admissions and referrals.

The action comes after 11 months of negotiations failed to secure a new agreement.

Nurses working at 20 RDNS centres across Victoria, spanning Melbourne, Ballarat, Geelong, Queenscliff, Wodonga and Wangaratta to the Macedon Ranges, are lobbying for parity with public sector hospital nurses’ and midwives’ wages and allowances.

The push includes a 2.5 per cent pay rise per annum over the proposed four-year agreement, back-paid to March, and a $1000 professional development allowance in the first year with $900 for subsequent years.

RDNS has matched the pay rise but has offered allowances of up to $700 with conditions.

The Australian Nursing Federation Vic Branch states the organisation’s plans to implement the pay rise once it’s been formally approved through the Australian Electoral Commission and Fair Work Australia would result in delays and leave some nurses out of pocket at least $10,000.

The union is also fighting to maintain current entitlements including sick leave and carers leave and demanding better staffing arrangements.

ANF Vic Branch assistant secretary Pip Carew said nurses are taking action as a last resort.

“RDNS nurses are very proud of this iconic community nursing service because it has a reputation for skilled and experienced nurses who care for patients recently discharged from hospital, people with chronic and terminal illnesses and homeless people,” she said.

“They’re very concerned that if their conditions are reduced, if their workloads are not addressed and if they’re paid significantly less than hospital nurses then RDNS will very quickly have a serious nurse shortage of its own making.”

RDNS chief executive officer Steve Muggleton said the action was disappointing.

“We have offered 2.5 per cent and we are very close to resolving a range of other demands - but it’s got to be said we’re working through these issues in extremely challenging economic times, not only for RDNS but also for the state and federal governments and the private and public sectors across Australia,” he said.

RDNS nurses take actionby Karen Keast

For the full article visit NCAH.com.au

“The aim is to maximise the health care of older people who have experienced hip fractures,” she said.

“In years gone past, they have not always been prioritised…and older people can end up with complications following surgery and long recovery times.”

Betty said often older people who have experienced a fall develop a fear of falling, which can sap their confidence; preventing them from taking part in activities and even refusing to leave their home.

And she said as the Australian population continues to age, more physios will be needed to help keep older people active.

“It’s not exactly the glamorous side of physiotherapy like sports injuries…but I love working with older people. They are incredibly engaging. It’s rewarding work.

“There needs to be more focus on how we can encourage older people to be more active and stay independent and in shape for old age,” she said.

“No-one ever warns you when you are young how difficult it is when you are old.

“I think that people who are in their 80s and 90s now may not have had much of a lifetime of keeping active,” she said.

“For the ones that do keep more active it may make a greater difference in their old age.

“As a school girl back in Peebles, Scotland, I could never have imagined that working as a physio with older people would be such a perfect choice for me,” Betty said.

For more articles visit NCAH.com.au

AgencyOf�ce

locations

States

serviced

# Nurses

Years

runningSpecialisations

Key

facilitiesContact details

CQ NurseMackay,

QLD

ACT, NSW,

NT, QLD,

TAS, WA

4009General Medical,

Midwifery,

Regional & Remote

Regional and

Remote

Facilities

www.cqnurse.com.au

07 4998 5550

WorkPacMelbourne,

Brisbane

VIC, QLD4Aged Care, Cardiac,

Community / Maternal,

Critical / ICU / NICU,

Emergency,

General Medical,

Mental Health / Psych,

Theatre / Periop

VICPublic Sector Panel,

Epworth;

QLD - Mater, RSL,

Qld Baptist Care,

Blue Care

www.workpac.com

1300 724 216

First Choice

Care

Brisbane,

Melbourne

QLD, VIC2,5008Aged Care, Cardiac,

Community / Maternal,

Critical / ICU / NICU,

Emergency,

General Medical,

Mental Health / Psych,

Midwifery,

Paediatric / PICU,

Regional & Remote,

Renal, Theatre / Periop

Queensland Health

preferred supplier,

Mater Health,

Uniting Care

�rstchoicecare.com.au

1300 307 241

Looking for a Nursing Agency?Compare agencies at agencynursing.net.au

Flight Nurse Air Ambulance Base Sydney Domestic Airport, Mascot Permanent Full Time

My name is Mark and every day I am able to bring my sense of adventure to work to make a

difference to the lives of people in rural and remote NSW locations. Every day is different so there is

definitely no chance to get bored. My job as a Flight Nurse is clinically challenging and stimulating,

utilizing all of my extensive nursing experience as I move from midwife one minute to palliative care

nurse the next. You gain unsurpassed autonomy and can make a real difference in people’s lives,

never knowing who you are going to meet and care for next. There are some interesting and resilient

characters around and that is just the rural and remote paramedic staff. The aircraft is an extension of an emergency department, hospital ward, intensive care or any

speciality unit. A diverse range of broad based medical categories and diagnostic groups are

transferred ranging from cardiac, high risk obstetrics, surgical, neonatal, trauma to aged care and

palliative patients. We attend to over 5,000 cases a year which is why the Ambulance Service has

access to state of the art technology and equipment, and strongly supports an environment that

encourages Continuing Professional Development and research projects.

Come and join our dedicated and experienced team of flight nurses and help us to deliver excellence

in care for rural and regional communities. You will need to be a Registered Nurse with an additional

qualification as a Registered Midwife along with qualifications and/or extensive experience in Aviation

Nursing or adult critical care fields limited to Emergency, Cardiac or Cardiothoracic or Intensive Care

Nursing. For more detailed information pick up the phone or email our Senior Flight Nurse, Margaret

Tabone to take to the skies. For more information and application packs go to:http://www.ambulance.nsw.gov.au/Employment/Become-a-Flight-Nurse.html

Margaret Tabone, Senior Flight Nurse Phone: 02 9669 1708 Email: [email protected].

Forget the four white walls and lack of natural light that surrounds you in the hospital, take this unique opportunity to spread your wings and take to the skies as an Ambulance Service NSW Flight Nurse. Every day is your own personal mystery flight from the vast dry dusty plains, pristine coastal communities through to the snow topped mountains.

Flight Nurse advert for NCAH magazine OUTLINES .indd 1 20/01/2012 12:34:43 PM

Page 31: NCAH Issue 13 2012

Page 34 | www.ncah.com.auNursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 3

Page 6 | www.ncah.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 31

Secure locum support for the new

financial year.

Freecall 1300 NAHRLS

AUSTRALIAN

GOVERNMENT PROGRAMME

(1300 624 757)

Apply online at www.nahrls.com.au

Funded by the Australian Government

Get your locum requests in now!

NursesMidwives

Allied Health ProfessionalsRural and remote Australia

LeaveUp to 14 days

Great incentivesNo fees or charges

For more articles visit NCAH.com.au

Tasmanian nurses with families are flying interstate for shift work as the state’s health woes continue to bite.

Experienced nurses are picking up shifts in Queensland and New South Wales and flying home in between shifts to spend time with their families.

Other nurses, including graduate nurses, are moving interstate to find work after 287 nursing positions were trimmed from the public sector in the wake of State Government funding cuts.

But nurses have received a reprieve with the Federal Government’s announcement of a $325 million lifeline for the beleaguered health sector, including an opportunity for an expected 20 nursing positions to be created at new walk-in clinics forecast for Hobart and Launceston.

Australian Nursing Federation Tasmanian branch secretary Neroli Ellis said the news had left nurses feeling more optimistic.

“We welcome that announcement and nurses are feeling there’s more hope there,” she said.

Ms Ellis said the announcement came on the back of “pretty desperate times” in Tasmania.

“Nursing has always been a career that had secure employment so it’s quite unique in Tasmania that nurses and most other public sector workers now are facing insecure work going into the future.”

Ms Ellis said nurses with families are increasingly balancing travel between states for work.

“The nurses I am talking to are aged in their 30s and have families. They have got to have

employment. There’s lots of opportunities interstate to do five or six shifts in a row.

“That’s the reality for them. Nurses have got mortgages like everybody else.”

Ms Ellis said about 30 nurses a month are venturing interstate for work while a recent union survey found 40 per cent of respondents are considering either leaving to work interstate or exiting the nursing profession.

“Many are going to Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria; predominantly going to Queensland,” she said.

“There are better conditions and they are recruiting and there’s the climate.”

Graduates are also leaving, she said.

“We have about 350 graduates a year and there were less than 60 positions last year.

“It’s pretty sad to see our profession being treated in this way.”

The Federal Government’s rescue package includes $31.2 million for an extra 2600 surgeries over four years, $15.4 million to address gaps in mental health services and $53.9 million to train more medical specialists and provide more scholarships for nurses and allied health professionals.

About $22 million will be spent establishing the walk-in clinics, which will provide care for minor illnesses and injuries, free of charge and for extended hours, while reducing demand on the state’s emergency departments.

Tasmanian nurses fly interstate for workby Karen Keast

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?After 26 years of working in hospitals, Debby Jones needed a change.

Flicking through a copy of Nursing Careers Allied Health magazine one morning, Debby found just what she was looking for. An advertisement for a flight nurse with NSW Air Ambulance set Debby on an unexpected and exciting new career path.

Debby is one of 32 flight nurses in NSW responsible for transporting rural and regional patients by air to metropolitan and tertiary centres.

Last year, Air Ambulance carried more than 5000 patients, flying nearly 2500 missions for 6500 hours from Melbourne to Brisbane and from the Darling River to Lord Howe Island.

As a registered midwife, Debby loves the variety that comes with her job including looking after mothers antenatally, during labour and post partum.

“The ideal is not to have a delivery and we try to make it work that way but it doesn’t always happen,” she said.

Earlier this year, Debby helped a woman deliver her baby in a rural airport car park unable to reach the nearest hospital in time.

“The weather was shocking and she was having contractions every minute. We got her off the plane and into an ambulance but she was fully dilated,” she said.

Among her list of memorable jobs include the delivery of a breech baby 10,000 feet in the air between Walgett and Dubbo and the delivery of a 27-week-old baby in a rural hospital. With no midwifery equipment on site, Debby used bed lamps, an oven bag, foil, bunny rugs and a hair dryer to keep the premature baby warm until neonatal transport arrived.

Flight nurses are registered nurses and registered midwives with experience in critical care specialities such as emergency, intensive or coronary care.

Debby says flight nurses are trained in emergency deliveries and are unfazed by whatever the job throws at them.

“It can be a tricky job and you can have nasty things happen but if things do go wrong we’re qualified and trained for those things,” she said.

The medical equipment onboard is identical to devices found in a hospital, just on a smaller scale that is suitable for air travel.

With only a pilot to accompany them, flight nurses are solely responsible for the care of the patients they transport, an aspect of the job Debby finds most rewarding.

“The time that I’m with them, they almost get everything but their fingernails done for them,” she said.

“I love the job, I get more time with the patients and I go home satisfied and that is all because of the care I am able to give.”

Debby’s career takes off

Page 32: NCAH Issue 13 2012

Page 32 | www.ncah.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 5

Page 4 | www.ncah.com.auNursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 33

*Terms and Conditions Apply. ABN 76 104 030 793. A National Credit Act compliant company. A member of the National Financial Services Federation Inc. A member of Credit Ombudsman Service Limited (www.cosl.com.au). 1: A motor vehicle which is paid off, registered in your name and not encumbered (i.e. not currently used as security on any loan with another financial institution). Australian Credit Licence 388145

Call now and be pre-approvedin minutes1300 654 230

Visit our website

www.qef.com.au

wrightcreative.com.au

261

2NC

AH

Quick and Easy Finance specialises in non-conforming, short term personal loans for repayment over 3-24 months*. A short-term loan means your debt is paid off sooner, and with loans that range from $500-$10,000*, you can afford to pay for the things you’ve always wanted. PLUS, by repaying your loan with Payroll Deduction and by using your unencumbered1 vehicle as security, you can enjoy a discounted installment on your loan.

HOW SOON CAN I RECEIVE THE FUNDS?

Within 48-72 hours from the moment we receive your completed application form and supporting documents*. How’s that for service! Our turnaround time is second to none and we pride ourselves on our quick and easy approval process, with funds deposited directly into your bank account.

WHAT CAN I USE THE LOAN FOR?

Anything you want! Guilt-free shopping; gift purchases; a holiday of a lifetime; home renovations; car repairs or new tyres; new furniture; upgrade to a new plasma TV or home cinema… in fact, it’s your loan – so use the funds however you choose!

FEES & EARLY SETTLEMENT?

Unlike other companies, Quick and Easy Finance DOES NOT CHARGE ANY FEES OR PENALTIES if you choose to settle your loan early. So you are free to pay out your loan whenever you want.

There is simply no better way to solve all your cash flow needs than a short-term personal loan from Quick and Easy Finance – it’s your cash on demand, the Quick & Easy way.™

Need money QUICKLY?Funds on demand, the ‘Quick & Easy’ way™

For more articles visit NCAH.com.au

Training maternal child health nurses in the early warning signs of autism spectrum disorders in children aged 15 to 24 months could be the key to early diagnosis and intervention, according to an Australian psychologist.

La Trobe University Associate Professor Cheryl Dissanayake, director of the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, said the average age of ASD diagnosis was in children aged four but an earlier diagnosis was pivotal to early treatment and a better outcome for children to overcome social, behavioural and cognitive difficulties.

In a Victorian trial, the Social Attention and Communication Study known as SACS, 241 maternal child health nurses were trained to use a developmental surveillance approach to identify infants with an ASD through their routine assessments at eight, 12, 18 and 24 months of age.

More than 20,000 children were monitored for the early autism phenotype, marked by a lack of key behaviours, which are indicative for ASD development at each age.

The warning signs include reduced and atypical eye contact, reduced social smiles, failure to follow a point or initiate pointing, lack of imitative behaviours and limited or no pretend play.

The trial found 81 per cent of the children nurses referred to the La Trobe University team for a thorough developmental assessment were found to have autism while almost all of the remaining children had either a

developmental or language delay, or both.

Dr Dissanayake, who has detailed her research in the Australian Psychological Society journal InPsych, said a variable pattern for the onset of autism meant a one-off screening was not the solution.

“We now understand that the onset of autism symptoms is variable during the first two years of life, with signs evident in some children from birth, while others may appear to be developing typically but then fail to progress, and yet others who may lose some of the skills already developed,” she stated in her article.

The success of SACS and accuracy of early clinical diagnoses of ASDs at 24 months led to the creation of Australia’s first early diagnostic clinic for ASDs, focusing on children aged under three, at La Trobe University in July last year.

A lack of funding has meant the clinic is only open one day a week, thanks to philanthropic funding.

Dr Dissanayake said children aged two to five years in the clinic’s first intake of 20 children with an ASD had all shown major developmental gains in just one year of intervention.

“Those who were younger when they began intervention made the best progress over this time,” she stated.

“We do not know the causes of autism and we have no cure, so intervention to enhance development and reduce symptoms is of crucial importance.”

Autism training vital for maternal child health nurses says psychologist

by Karen Keast

Advertiser List

AHN RecruitmentAlliance Health Services GroupAmbulance Service of NSWAustralia and NZ Mental Health AssociationAustralian College of MidwivesCCM RecruitmentCQ NurseEmployment OfficeGeneva HealthHealth Recruitment SpecialistsKatherine Regional Aboriginal Health ServiceLifescreenMedacs AustraliaMercy Health & Aged Care Central QLD.NSW Health Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health DistrictNSW Health Mid North Coast Local Health DistrictNSW Health Southern Health Reform Transitional OfficeNursing and Allied Health Rural Locum SchemeOceania University of MedicineOxford Aunts CareQuick and Easy FinanceRamsay Figtree Private HospitalRamsay Greenslopes Private HospitalRemote Area Health CorpsRoyal Prince Alfred HospitalSouthwest Healthcare WarrnamboolWestern NSW Local Health District

We hope you enjoy perusing the range of opportunities included in Issue 13, 2012.

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 Magazine distribution is independently audited by the Circulations Audit Board.

Total Audited Print and Digital Distribution: 24,823

The NCAH Magazine is the most widely distributed national nursing and allied health publication in Australia

Next Publication:

Publication Date: Monday 16 July 2012

Colour Artwork Deadline: Monday 9 July 2012

Mono Artwork Deadline: Wednesday 11 July 2012

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.

© 2012 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 13 2 July 2012

www.ncah.com.au

Nursing CareersAllied Health ncah.com.au

Nursing CareersAllied Health ncah.com.au

Nursing CareersAllied Health ncah.com.au

Nursing CareersAllied Health ncah.com.au

Page 33: NCAH Issue 13 2012

Page 32 | www.ncah.com.auNursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 5

Page 4 | www.ncah.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 33

*Terms and Conditions Apply. ABN 76 104 030 793. A National Credit Act compliant company. A member of the National Financial Services Federation Inc. A member of Credit Ombudsman Service Limited (www.cosl.com.au). 1: A motor vehicle which is paid off, registered in your name and not encumbered (i.e. not currently used as security on any loan with another financial institution). Australian Credit Licence 388145

Call now and be pre-approvedin minutes1300 654 230

Visit our website

www.qef.com.au

wrightcreative.com

.au 2612NC

AH

Quick and Easy Finance specialises in non-conforming, short term personal loans for repayment over 3-24 months*. A short-term loan means your debt is paid off sooner, and with loans that range from $500-$10,000*, you can afford to pay for the things you’ve always wanted. PLUS, by repaying your loan with Payroll Deduction and by using your unencumbered

1 vehicle as security, you can

enjoy a discounted installment on your loan.

HOW SOON CAN I RECEIVE THE FUNDS?

Within 48-72 hours from the moment we receive your completed application form and supporting documents*. How’s that for service! Our turnaround time is second to none and we pride ourselves on our quick and easy approval process, with funds deposited directly into your bank account.

WHAT CAN I USE THE LOAN FOR?

Anything you want! Guilt-free shopping; gift purchases; a holiday of a lifetime; home renovations; car repairs or new tyres; new furniture; upgrade to a new plasma TV or home cinema… in fact, it’s your loan – so use the funds however you choose!

FEES & EARLY SETTLEMENT?

Unlike other companies, Quick and Easy Finance DOES NOT CHARGE ANY FEES OR PENALTIES if you choose to settle your loan early. So you are free to pay out your loan whenever you want.

There is simply no better way to solve all your cash flow needs than a short-term personal loan from Quick and Easy Finance – it’s your cash on demand, the Quick & Easy way.™

Need money QUICKLY?Funds on demand, the ‘Quick & Easy’ way

For more articles visit NCAH.com.au

Training maternal child health nurses in the early warning signs of autism spectrum disorders in children aged 15 to 24 months could be the key to early diagnosis and intervention, according to an Australian psychologist.

La Trobe University Associate Professor Cheryl Dissanayake, director of the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, said the average age of ASD diagnosis was in children aged four but an earlier diagnosis was pivotal to early treatment and a better outcome for children to overcome social, behavioural and cognitive difficulties.

In a Victorian trial, the Social Attention and Communication Study known as SACS, 241 maternal child health nurses were trained to use a developmental surveillance approach to identify infants with an ASD through their routine assessments at eight, 12, 18 and 24 months of age.

More than 20,000 children were monitored for the early autism phenotype, marked by a lack of key behaviours, which are indicative for ASD development at each age.

The warning signs include reduced and atypical eye contact, reduced social smiles, failure to follow a point or initiate pointing, lack of imitative behaviours and limited or no pretend play.

The trial found 81 per cent of the children nurses referred to the La Trobe University team for a thorough developmental assessment were found to have autism while almost all of the remaining children had either a

developmental or language delay, or both.

Dr Dissanayake, who has detailed her research in the Australian Psychological Society journal InPsych, said a variable pattern for the onset of autism meant a one-off screening was not the solution.

“We now understand that the onset of autism symptoms is variable during the first two years of life, with signs evident in some children from birth, while others may appear to be developing typically but then fail to progress, and yet others who may lose some of the skills already developed,” she stated in her article.

The success of SACS and accuracy of early clinical diagnoses of ASDs at 24 months led to the creation of Australia’s first early diagnostic clinic for ASDs, focusing on children aged under three, at La Trobe University in July last year.

A lack of funding has meant the clinic is only open one day a week, thanks to philanthropic funding.

Dr Dissanayake said children aged two to five years in the clinic’s first intake of 20 children with an ASD had all shown major developmental gains in just one year of intervention.

“Those who were younger when they began intervention made the best progress over this time,” she stated.

“We do not know the causes of autism and we have no cure, so intervention to enhance development and reduce symptoms is of crucial importance.”

Autism training vital for maternal child health nurses says psychologist

by Karen Keast

Advertiser List

AHN RecruitmentAlliance Health Services GroupAmbulance Service of NSWAustralia and NZ Mental Health AssociationAustralian College of MidwivesCCM RecruitmentCQ NurseEmployment OfficeGeneva HealthHealth Recruitment SpecialistsKatherine Regional Aboriginal Health ServiceLifescreenMedacs AustraliaMercy Health & Aged Care Central QLD.NSW Health Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health DistrictNSW Health Mid North Coast Local Health DistrictNSW Health Southern Health Reform Transitional OfficeNursing and Allied Health Rural Locum SchemeOceania University of MedicineOxford Aunts CareQuick and Easy FinanceRamsay Figtree Private HospitalRamsay Greenslopes Private HospitalRemote Area Health CorpsRoyal Prince Alfred HospitalSouthwest Healthcare WarrnamboolWestern NSW Local Health District

We hope you enjoy perusing the range of opportunities included in Issue 13, 2012.

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 Magazine distribution is independently audited by the Circulations Audit Board.

Total Audited Print and Digital Distribution: 24,823

The NCAH Magazine is the most widely distributed national nursing and allied health publication in Australia

Next Publication:

Publication Date: Monday 16 July 2012

Colour Artwork Deadline: Monday 9 July 2012

Mono Artwork Deadline: Wednesday 11 July 2012

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.

© 2012 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 13 2 July 2012

www.ncah.com.au

Nursing CareersAllied Health

ncah.com.au

Nursing CareersAllied Health

ncah.com.au

Nursing CareersAllied Health

ncah.com.au

Nursing CareersAllied Health

ncah.com.au

Page 34: NCAH Issue 13 2012

Page 34 | www.ncah.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 3

Page 6 | www.ncah.com.auNursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13 | Page 31

Secure locum support for the new

financial year.

Freecall 1300 NAHRLS

AUSTRALIAN

GOVERNMENT PROGRAMME

(1300 624 757)

Apply online at www.nahrls.com.au

Funded by the Australian Government

Get your locum requests in now!

NursesMidwives

Allied Health ProfessionalsRural and remote Australia

LeaveUp to 14 days

Great incentivesNo fees or charges

For more articles visit NCAH.com.au

Tasmanian nurses with families are flying interstate for shift work as the state’s health woes continue to bite.

Experienced nurses are picking up shifts in Queensland and New South Wales and flying home in between shifts to spend time with their families.

Other nurses, including graduate nurses, are moving interstate to find work after 287 nursing positions were trimmed from the public sector in the wake of State Government funding cuts.

But nurses have received a reprieve with the Federal Government’s announcement of a $325 million lifeline for the beleaguered health sector, including an opportunity for an expected 20 nursing positions to be created at new walk-in clinics forecast for Hobart and Launceston.

Australian Nursing Federation Tasmanian branch secretary Neroli Ellis said the news had left nurses feeling more optimistic.

“We welcome that announcement and nurses are feeling there’s more hope there,” she said.

Ms Ellis said the announcement came on the back of “pretty desperate times” in Tasmania.

“Nursing has always been a career that had secure employment so it’s quite unique in Tasmania that nurses and most other public sector workers now are facing insecure work going into the future.”

Ms Ellis said nurses with families are increasingly balancing travel between states for work.

“The nurses I am talking to are aged in their 30s and have families. They have got to have

employment. There’s lots of opportunities interstate to do five or six shifts in a row.

“That’s the reality for them. Nurses have got mortgages like everybody else.”

Ms Ellis said about 30 nurses a month are venturing interstate for work while a recent union survey found 40 per cent of respondents are considering either leaving to work interstate or exiting the nursing profession.

“Many are going to Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria; predominantly going to Queensland,” she said.

“There are better conditions and they are recruiting and there’s the climate.”

Graduates are also leaving, she said.

“We have about 350 graduates a year and there were less than 60 positions last year.

“It’s pretty sad to see our profession being treated in this way.”

The Federal Government’s rescue package includes $31.2 million for an extra 2600 surgeries over four years, $15.4 million to address gaps in mental health services and $53.9 million to train more medical specialists and provide more scholarships for nurses and allied health professionals.

About $22 million will be spent establishing the walk-in clinics, which will provide care for minor illnesses and injuries, free of charge and for extended hours, while reducing demand on the state’s emergency departments.

Tasmanian nurses fly interstate for workby Karen Keast

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?After 26 years of working in hospitals, Debby Jones needed a change.

Flicking through a copy of Nursing Careers Allied Health magazine one morning, Debby found just what she was looking for. An advertisement for a flight nurse with NSW Air Ambulance set Debby on an unexpected and exciting new career path.

Debby is one of 32 flight nurses in NSW responsible for transporting rural and regional patients by air to metropolitan and tertiary centres.

Last year, Air Ambulance carried more than 5000 patients, flying nearly 2500 missions for 6500 hours from Melbourne to Brisbane and from the Darling River to Lord Howe Island.

As a registered midwife, Debby loves the variety that comes with her job including looking after mothers antenatally, during labour and post partum.

“The ideal is not to have a delivery and we try to make it work that way but it doesn’t always happen,” she said.

Earlier this year, Debby helped a woman deliver her baby in a rural airport car park unable to reach the nearest hospital in time.

“The weather was shocking and she was having contractions every minute. We got her off the plane and into an ambulance but she was fully dilated,” she said.

Among her list of memorable jobs include the delivery of a breech baby 10,000 feet in the air between Walgett and Dubbo and the delivery of a 27-week-old baby in a rural hospital. With no midwifery equipment on site, Debby used bed lamps, an oven bag, foil, bunny rugs and a hair dryer to keep the premature baby warm until neonatal transport arrived.

Flight nurses are registered nurses and registered midwives with experience in critical care specialities such as emergency, intensive or coronary care.

Debby says flight nurses are trained in emergency deliveries and are unfazed by whatever the job throws at them.

“It can be a tricky job and you can have nasty things happen but if things do go wrong we’re qualified and trained for those things,” she said.

The medical equipment onboard is identical to devices found in a hospital, just on a smaller scale that is suitable for air travel.

With only a pilot to accompany them, flight nurses are solely responsible for the care of the patients they transport, an aspect of the job Debby finds most rewarding.

“The time that I’m with them, they almost get everything but their fingernails done for them,” she said.

“I love the job, I get more time with the patients and I go home satisfied and that is all because of the care I am able to give.”

Debby’s career takes off

Page 35: NCAH Issue 13 2012

www.ncah.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13

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.

Visited by more nurses, midwives and AHPs than any other health website

Midwifery Feature

Midwives push for home-birthing choice, by Karen Keast

Cameron cares for paediatric nursing

Tasmanian nurses �y interstate for work

Physiotherapist thrives on working with older people

Issue 1302/07/12

fortnightly

The employment experts for Nurses in QueenslandSpecialising in a range of contract appointments forRN’s EN’s and AIN’s in Queensland

The Benefits:- Leading agency rates - Travel & accommodation benefits- Weekly payroll - Sign on bonuses to the value of $400 *- Cash referral bonus $100 per nurse*- Assistance with CPD - Criminal check costs provided*- Designated recruitment consultants- Tax free allowances & benefits*- Full insurance - PI, PL and WC

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

For more information, talk toDonna Gould or Jenny Gavenlock in the Medacs Healthcare Nursing team.

*co

nd

itio

ns

app

ly

NZ RNs - Free Flights to Australia*

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

NCAH June2012 .pdf 29/05/12 11:29:40

1213-034 1PG FULL COLOUR CMYK (typeset)

Midwifery Opportunities within Sydney Local Health District SLHD provides maternity services at two hospitals within the central Sydney Metropolitan area. Canterbury Hospital births 1800 babies each year and offers care to women with low to moderate risk pregnancies. Services include midwifery group practice (caseload), Antenatal Clinics, Delivery Ward, Postnatal Inpatient ward and midwifery home visiting. RPA has over 5000 births each year and offers both a low risk service for local families and high risk services which manage complex pregnancies by referral locally and from across the state. Midwifery opportunities at RPA include working in Antenatal, Delivery, Postnatal and Neonatal Intensive Care Areas – either as a specialty placement or as a supported rotation across a number of specialty areas. Limited opportunities are also currently available within our Fertility Unit providing services to couples requiring assisted reproduction services. RPA has midwifery led models of care including a well-established Birth Centre and developing midwifery group practice model.If you are looking for short term or long term opportunities to build your skills, share your passion for woman-centred care and work with a dynamic team centrally located in Australia’s premier city call Karen Redrup, Clinical Manager, Women’s Health Neonatology and Paediatrics, SLHD on 9515 8416.

Page 36: NCAH Issue 13 2012

www.ncah.com.auNursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 13

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

ted

by B

MP

- Fr

eeca

ll 18

00 6

23 9

02

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.

Visited by more nurses, midwives and AHPs than any other health website

Midwifery Feature

Midwives push for home-birthing choice, by Karen Keast

Cameron cares for paediatric nursing

Tasmanian nurses �y interstate for work

Physiotherapist thrives on working with older people

Issue 1302/07/12

fortnightly

The employment experts for Nurses in QueenslandSpecialising in a range of contract appointments forRN’s EN’s and AIN’s in Queensland

The Benefits:- Leading agency rates - Travel & accommodation benefits- Weekly payroll - Sign on bonuses to the value of $400 *- Cash referral bonus $100 per nurse*- Assistance with CPD - Criminal check costs provided*- Designated recruitment consultants- Tax free allowances & benefits*- Full insurance - PI, PL and WC

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

For more information, talk toDonna Gould or Jenny Gavenlock in the Medacs Healthcare Nursing team.

*con

ditio

ns ap

ply

NZ RNs - Free Flights to Australia*

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

NCAH June2012 .pdf 29/05/12 11:29:40

1213-034 1PG FULL COLOUR CMYK (typeset)

Midwifery Opportunities within Sydney Local Health District SLHD provides maternity services at two hospitals within the central Sydney Metropolitan area. Canterbury Hospital births 1800 babies each year and offers care to women with low to moderate risk pregnancies. Services include midwifery group practice (caseload), Antenatal Clinics, Delivery Ward, Postnatal Inpatient ward and midwifery home visiting. RPA has over 5000 births each year and offers both a low risk service for local families and high risk services which manage complex pregnancies by referral locally and from across the state. Midwifery opportunities at RPA include working in Antenatal, Delivery, Postnatal and Neonatal Intensive Care Areas – either as a specialty placement or as a supported rotation across a number of specialty areas. Limited opportunities are also currently available within our Fertility Unit providing services to couples requiring assisted reproduction services. RPA has midwifery led models of care including a well-established Birth Centre and developing midwifery group practice model.If you are looking for short term or long term opportunities to build your skills, share your passion for woman-centred care and work with a dynamic team centrally located in Australia’s premier city call Karen Redrup, Clinical Manager, Women’s Health Neonatology and Paediatrics, SLHD on 9515 8416.