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Nurse Education Unit
The Nurse Education Unit is an innovative and energetic department working with
nurses across our health service to ensure our clinicians deliver high quality
care to our diverse patient population. We offer a range of programs, workshops
and study days as well as clinically based education. Whether you are starting
your career in our graduate program, achieving a higher level of knowledge and
skills in our postgraduate programs or attending one of our workshops you will
find career enhancement with our department.
For more information email us at:
NurseEducation@svhm.org.au
Continuing Nurse Education
Nurse education across the organisation is based on research, learning and evidence-based practice to achieve excellence in patient care delivery and to maintain the professional standards of nursing practice. To further meet the needs of the profession, a nursing education needs analysis is conducted each year to assist tin the implementation of nursing education for subsequent years. Respondents are represented at all levels and all clinical areas of nursing.
The following provides an overview of programs/study days/workshops offered across the health service:
Clinical
• Grade 2 Year 1 Program
• BLS Train the Trainer
• ECG Course
• IV Cannulation
• Male IDC
• Div 2 Venepuncture
• Epidural Course
• Graduate Winter Education
• Clinical Skills Study Day
• Wound Management
• Mental Health Study Days
• Diabetes Workshop
Developmental
• ANUM Program
• Preceptorship
• Casual Staffing Unit Competency Day
• Education and Presentation Skills
In addition, each clinical area is responsible for the identification and provision of education sessions within their unit.
Human Patient Simulator
The Human Simulator is a sophisticated integration of software and hardware built around a human mannequin. The mannequin breathes, has pulses and can respond to intravenous drugs, CPR, defibrillation, intubation, ventilation, catheterisation and many other procedures. The mannequin mirrors as close as is currently possible, the physiological and pharmacological reactions of a human being.
Human simulation assists in the continuing education and development of all health professionals in a safe environment.
The simulator can be used to address learning needs in a variety of areas, such as clinical skills, minimising risk, team behaviour and management of crisis situation. All training sessions in the Human Simulation Centre are video taped for detailed post-training analysis and debriefing. This allows the health care professional to witness themselves at work and identify their strengths and weaknesses.
Simulation sessions can be concentrated to nursing teams or the interdisciplinary team.
Manuals and Competencies
Each clinical area has an orientation manual containing information pertinent to your survival on the unit incorporating information such as common patient conditions and procedures ward routines, local protocols, admission checklists, common abbreviations, 10 most frequent medications and handover guidelines. Many areas also provide additional worksheets or learning packages to further assist new nursing staff in their orientation to the unit.
Mandatory competencies to be completed annually by nursing staff include Medication and Basic Life Support.
Additional competencies relative to new nursing staff include Venepuncture, ECG, Hand Hygiene and Clinical Risk Management.
Each clinical area also has local competencies to be completed.
Clinical Nurse Educators
There are Nurse Education Coordinators (NEC) and many local Clinical Nurse Educators throughout St. Vincent’s who assist with professional development, provide support and are a resource for all levels of nursing staff. Each of the NEC’s/Clinical Nurse Educators has allocated departments they are responsible for. Local educators are attached to the Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit, Cardiac Care Unit, St. Vincent’s@Home, Neurosciences, Palliative Care Department, Dialysis Unit, Mental Health Services, Operating Suite, St. George’s Hospital and Correctional Health Services.
Preceptors
If required nursing staff can be assigned a preceptor on commencement for a 3-6 month period. Many preceptors are senior Grade 2’s who have attended training to consolidate their learning in the roles and responsibilities of mentorship. Your preceptor will assist in your orientation to the health service and clinical area, support your development as a nurse at St. Vincent’s and provide feedback on your progress.
Clinical Support Nurse (CSN)
The CSN provides direct clinical support to graduates and new staff located on the Fitzroy campus. The CSN is available to assist with skills such as ECG’s, venepuncture, wound dressings, admission and discharge planning. This position was introduced in 2006 in response to feedback from graduates and nursing staff requesting direct clinical support during busy shifts or in the absence of a preceptor. The position has been a great addition to the health service with all nursing staff enjoying the many benefits of this role.
Nursing Teams
The nursing teams are made up of graduate nurses, Grade 2 Registered Nurses, Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs), Associate Nurse Unit Managers (ANUMs) and a Nurse Unit Manager (NUM). Due to the culture and nature of St. Vincent’s all members of the nursing team are expected to provide support to one another and work interdependently.
Multidisciplinary Team
You will work closely with many members of the multidisciplinary team such as medical staff, physiotherapists, dieticians, pharmacists, occupational and speech therapists. They will be conscious of the stressful nature of beginning employment in a new workplace and that you will be unfamiliar with some of their roles and how to make referrals. You will find all staff, not just the nurses, friendly and willing to help you ‘learn the ropes’.
Human Resources
There are many benefits to being a St. Vincent's Health employee. Please contact us if you have any other queries about working at the Hospital. The following is a guide to the various services and work conditions offered to staff:
Orientation Program
Commencing a new position with a new organisation can be a daunting process. There are colleagues, supervisors and managers to meet, new processes to become familiar with, new departments and buildings to navigate, new software to master, employment conditions to understand and a new job to learn!
It is important that you become acquainted with the workplace as quickly as possible and have the information necessary to effectively carry out your responsibilities. It is equally important that you feel welcome and comfortable in your new environment and that you know there is someone to call on when questions arise.
The Human Resources Department provides a comprehensive half orientation program to the health service The unit for which you are employed will also provide you with an induction to the area.
Salary Packaging
Salary packaging offers employees part of their wage in a form other than cash-based remuneration. St. Vincent's is able to offer this benefit because it operates Public Benevolent Institutions, which are entitled to some exemptions from paying Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT). FBT is a tax on non-cash remuneration, including employer payments for items such as mortgages, motor vehicles and school fees.
Hospital employees are generally offered up to $17,000 of their remuneration in the form of benefits.
Professional and Vocational Training
St. Vincent's provides an extensive professional development program. Our training is targeted at professional development and offers a mix of innovative, established and accredited programs that are evaluated externally. Our clinical school consistently rates amongst Australia's best.
STAR – Support Team Action Response
STAR is our critical incident stress management peer support program where trained colleagues can help staff deal with reactions to stressful events. They are available 24 hours a day to assist staff deal with stress in the workplace. STAR’s can provide information and referrals, support on a one-to-one basis and facilitate team debriefing sessions.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The EAP (Access Counselling) is a confidential service free to all staff and their immediate families who may require assistance dealing with personal, family or work issues. Qualified counsellors can assist staff and family members to identify problems and find ways to resolve them.
St. Vincent's Lifestyle Centre
The St. Vincent's Lifestyle Centre is located at the St. Vincent's Hospital campus and provides a range of services and facilities to promote exercise and a healthy lifestyle.
Facilities include:
• Free weights and pin loaded machines
• Cardiovascular exercise equipment
• Aerobics/yoga classes
• Health assessments and specialised fitness programs
• Personal training and massage
Childcare at the Early Learning Centre
The St. Vincent's Early Learning Centre provides full and part time care to children aged from three months to six years. The centre also offers extended hours, kindergarten program, a specialist music program called Mini Maestros and a second language which is Italian.
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