Practice Nurse in Dubbo

BAWRUNGA ABORIGINAL MEDICAL SERVICE – Dubbo NSW

Job Type: Permanent position | Full time position

Job Description

Practice Nurse
Job title: Practice Nurse
Reports to: Head Nurse Chief Executive Officer
Purpose of position: To ensure smooth and efficient functioning of the practice and provide an exceptional standard of care to our patients.

Responsibilities

Clinical

• Perform clinical duties within required level of clinical competency, according to best available evidence.
• Explain procedures to patients, providing them with support and reassurance.
• Duties include triage, immunisations and other injections; wound management, chronic disease management, ECG's and collection of pathology samples.
• Assist doctors with clinical procedures.
• Maintain clinical documentation.
• Oversee cold chain process, awareness, responsibilities and documentation of cold chain process.
• Monitor infection control standards and implement changes / educate.
• Assist with triage, data management, diagnostic services, networking with other providers, planning & management of patient care and patient advocacy.
• Telephone patients with test results as directed by medical staff.
• Conduct preventative/screening procedures; assist with patient education and community health promotion activities.
• Co‐ordinate patient recall and outreach programs and GP management plans and team care arrangement.
• Maintain stocks of clinical supplies, including correct storage (such as refrigeration), removal of out‐of‐date stock and ordering supplies.
• Assist with stock ordering bi – monthly.
• Assist with monthly vaccine order.
• Complete daily job allocation sheet.
• Check emergency trolley daily.
• Check O2 therapy as per job description.
• Monitor cold chain process twice daily.
• Maintain awareness of current and new legislation to ensure business is complying with all statutory and regulatory obligations including infection control, sterilisation, hazardous materials & safe handling/disposal of medical waste, records management, OHS, and accreditation.
• Ensure relevant personnel are kept informed and changes are made to systems and procedures as required.
• Act within the practice and nursing code of ethics & appropriate level of clinical competence at all times.
• Maintain awareness of current evidence and research on clinical practices and inform/educate other practice staff. Change systems and procedures to ensure compliance with best available evidence as applicable.
• Consistently be aware of OHS requirements and comply with them.
• General Delegation of tasks to other medical and non‐medical staff. Assist with other practice duties as required.
• Demonstrate a knowledge of and compliance with all relevant legislation and common law obligations affecting nursing.
• Discharge of duty of care in the course of practice including meeting practice standards, and accountability for nursing actions.
• Demonstrate knowledge of policies and procedural guidelines that have legal implications, for example, ensure documentation conforms to legal requirements.
• Practice only within the limits of their educational preparation and competence.
• Identify and respond to unsafe practice, for example, implement interventions to prevent unsafe practice and/or contravention of law.
• Demonstrated patient‐focused approach in service provision with genuine empathy and interest in their needs.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills across all ages and social groups.
• Be always well presented, friendly, courteous and obliging.
• Represent the practice in a confident and positive manner at all times.
• Undertake all duties in a diligent manner, with honesty and integrity,
• Maintain absolute confidentiality regarding patient and practice information.
• Have a vigilant attitude to accuracy, being prepared to double check as necessary.
• Ability to work cooperatively and independently.
• & ability to prioritise and organise, with attention to detail.
• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development
• This position requires physical ability to occasionally lift and/or move patients.
• Possession of current driver's licence (include only if essential to perform job, such as home visits)

Education, Qualifications and Experience Essential:

• Appropriate tertiary qualification & registration certificate.
• Professional indemnity cover.
• Minimum of one year of nursing experience, preferably in a community‐based role.
• Demonstrated understanding of the needs of general practice and interest in community‐based nursing including patient education and health promotion.
• Knowledge of current immunisation schedules, Diabetes management, asthma management, enhanced primary care items, infection control, CPR and emergency resuscitation techniques, equipment & drugs.

Desirable:

• Competence in the use of relevant equipment & software – be specific, give brand‐names if appropriate.
• Experience in similar role as practice nurse or community‐based nursing.
• Experience with specific social groups serviced by practice, such as adolescents, aged care, migrant or refuge groups, aboriginals & Torres Straight islanders, etc.
• Additional qualifications such as Accredited Women's Health Certificate, Diabetes Education Certificate, Asthma/Spirometry qualification/education.
• Member of APNA.

Hours Of Work

As per fortnightly roster Weekend & Public Holiday work as rostered However it is expected that our staff will work extra time on occasions if this is required to deliver essential patient care. Breaks: 30 minutes for lunch and 10 minutes each for morning and afternoon tea to be taken in shifts with other staff to ensure continuity of care.

Other features:

Professional development provided or expected. Requirement for use of own vehicle, if essential to the position. Potential for contact with hazardous material such as blood & body fluids.

May be required to have some immunisations.