Enrolled Nurse / Registered Nurse

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Must include:

• Exceptional communication skills and high standard of written documentation.
• Accurate and thorough documentation and handover to other practitioners involved in care.
• Understanding and adherence to Avelina Healthcare Services’ Privacy and Confidentiality Policy and Procedure regarding participant case files, organisation passwords and information kept within Avelina Healthcare Services’ file storage system.
• All Avelina Healthcare Services policies and procedures are followed.
• Documented evidence that demonstrates that service policies and procedures are followed.
• Exceptional communication skills and high standard of written documentation.
• Ability to build rapport and relationships with participants and families to gain a high level of trust and feeling of safety.
• Nursing care delivered is evidence-based and provided to participants in a person-centered, caring, and supportive way.
• Provide back up and support to other staff as necessary.
• Annual professional development requirements met and active engagement in ongoing training demonstrated.
• Participate in Performance Development meetings to identify ongoing training and support opportunities.
• Encourage and support the professional development of others.
• Work in accordance with the medication administration policy, work health and safety procedures and client right’s policies including privacy and confidentiality.
• Monitoring the health of participants and regular reporting on their progress and wellbeing.
• Recognizing a deteriorating health situation and responding and referring appropriately.
• Immediate notification to manager if a participant deteriorates in any way or needs to be transferred to medical or primary care settings.
• Regular review of nursing care plans and adjustment to nursing management as required.
• Induction, WHS, Manual Handling, Medication and Infection Control training are undertaken on commencement.
• Adherence to strict organization dress code as outlined on commencement.
• Good time management and case load management skills.
• Participation in staff meetings and working closely and collaboratively within the Avelina Healthcare Services team, along with other agencies and services to achieve optimal care of participants.
• Reporting immediately to Avelina Healthcare Services any form of aggressive, threatening, or abusive behaviour by other staff, clients, or stakeholders.
• Employee Code of Conduct is strictly adhered to.
• Notify the service if you are unable to work your rostered shifts, with as much notice as possible.

May include:

• Supporting participants with complex and/or challenging needs.
• Supporting participants in the use of aids and personal equipment including standing or walking frames, wheelchairs, manual or electric hoists, sliding sheets or moving boards, hearing aids and other physical aids.
• Personal care: showering, dressing, grooming and medication assistance.
• Pressure area care and close monitoring of skin integrity.
• Regular assessment and monitoring of wounds and changing of dressings.
• Care of tracheostomy, ventilation, and airway management.
• Stoma care and management.
• Catheterization and urinary catheter care.
• Management of diabetes, blood sugar monitoring and insulin administration.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum one year experience working as an Enrolled or Registered Nurse in Disability/ Medical or Mental Health (as appropriate); Community Nursing experience is desirable; training and induction provided.
• Valid AHPRA registration
• Current Federal Police Check
• Current Australian Driver’s License
• Current Working With Children Check
• NDIS workers screening check
• Reliable, registered, and insured vehicle (comprehensive insurance is preferred)
• Smartphone with internet access

CLINICAL REQUIREMENTS

• If dealing with participants who require complex bowel care, knowledge of anatomy of the digestive system, importance of regular bowel care and understanding of stool characteristics indicating healthy bowel functioning and related signs and symptoms; basic understanding of related conditions including autonomic dysreflexia; awareness of symptoms/indications of need for intervention and when to refer to a medical service e.g. overflow, impaction, perforation, infection; understand intervention options and techniques including administering enemas and suppositories, digital stimulation, massage etc. and related guidelines and procedures; understand the importance of nutrition and hydration.
• If dealing with participants who require enteral feeding and management, understanding of the anatomy of the digestive system; be familiar with the equipment components, function, cleaning, and maintenance; have experience with stoma care procedures; have awareness of risks associated with departing from the care plan and the ability to explain these risks to others, including carers.
• If dealing with participants who have a severe dysphagia management plan, experience in supporting a person with severe dysphagia; be able to recognise and respond to the signs and symptoms associated with severe dysphagia; and know how to avoid the risks of aspiration and what to do if this happens.
• If dealing with participants who require tracheostomy care, knowledge and experience with skin and stoma care; stoma equipment, components and functions, including speaking valves; be aware of common risks and indicators of malfunction; recognise need for suctioning; be proficient in monitoring and reporting; be aware of complications and action required e.g. when to inflate and deflate cuffs; signs of infection, both in respiratory system and the stoma site; and know when to escalate care to a medical practitioner or primary health care setting.
• If dealing with participants who have urinary catheters, understanding of the urinary system for males and females; the importance of hydration; be familiar with the different types of catheters; have experience and be aware of all procedures when inserting catheters in both males and females (intermittent catheters only); know the common complications associated with use of catheters; be aware of indicators of complications that require intervention and recognise when to escalate care to a medical practitioner or primary health care setting.
• If dealing with participants who require ventilation, knowledge of respiratory system anatomy; musculoskeletal problems associated with ventilation; signs of respiratory distress; types of ventilators and familiarity with equipment components and functions; types of breathing masks and techniques for fitting; ways to avoid discomfort and pressure areas/sores and maintain skin integrity; trouble shooting and response to abnormal observation parameters; and when to escalate care to a medical practitioner or primary health care setting.
• If dealing with participants who require subcutaneous or intramuscular injection, knowledge of administration by needle, pens and pumps; have good understanding of appropriate site, site rotation, timing and method of injection; fulfil medication checking and recording requirements; perform safe needle disposal; monitor for signs of adverse reactions and respond appropriately if required; understanding of the drugs being administered and monitor for symptoms of overdose and withdrawal; must be proficient in medication checking protocols and accurately calculating and delivering a variable dose; ensure that consent is obtained and thorough documentation of all medications administered in real time.
• If dealing with participants who have diabetes, knowledge about diabetes types 1 and 2 and which is relevant to each participant; awareness of complications associated with diabetes, especially if poorly managed; be familiar with what is normal range for BSLs, and what is normal range for the participant; be aware of what can elevate or lower BSLs, including different types of insulin (fast/slow release), medication, diet, exercise, fasting, infection, or illness; follow the participant’s diabetes care plan closely, including timing of medication and/or insulin delivery in relation to meals, site selection and rotation of site; monitor for signs and symptoms of low or unstable blood sugar levels and respond appropriately; educate participant and family/carer about diabetes management as needed; refer to specialists e.g. podiatrist, dietician etc as required; and recognise when to escalate care to a medical practitioner or primary health care setting.
• If dealing with participants with epilepsy, awareness of the type of seizures the participant experiences, including duration and frequency; the impact of epilepsy on the participant; common patterns or clusters of seizures; seizure triggers and symptoms; individual seizure management plan and control procedures; factors that increase risk of seizures and be aware of what to encourage and avoid during individual participant care; know the participant’s emergency management plan; parameters to guide decisions about when and how much PRN medication to administer and when an ambulance is to be called; and recognise when to escalate care to a medical practitioner or primary health care setting based on assessment.
• If dealing with participants with pressure care and wound management plans, familiarity with skin integrity assessment and management; recognise signs of infection and escalate to medical care appropriately; be aware of the implications of prolonged or worsening infection; understand principles of positioning and regular turning to reduce risk of skin breakdown; know how to manage optimal wound healing and care when delivering daily support activities such as showering, toileting, mealtime assistance and mobility.
• If dealing with participants who require mealtime preparation and delivery, able to recognise signs and symptoms of swallowing and feeding difficulties; be aware of risks associated with aspiration; know the individual food preparation requirements e.g. if the participant has issues with confusion; follow the individual plan if medication is to be given with meals, for example knowing which medication can be crushed for ease of swallowing; be aware of common terminology related to mealtime preparation and modified meals to ensure appropriate for the participant.

You can send your CV thru Email: info@avelinahealthcareservices.com.au