Position Description Title: Department: Agreement: Classification: Responsible to: Registered Nurse Division One Across All Units Registered Nurse/RCH Enterprise Agreement Grade 2 Nurse Unit Manager
The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) in Melbourne is a leading provider of specialist public health services for children and adolescents and is the major specialist paediatric hospital in Victoria, caring for children from Tasmania and southern New South Wales as well as other states around Australia and overseas. The Royal Children's Hospital is embarking on an exciting chapter in it’s history with the State Government announcing it would build a state-of-art, “world class” children's hospital for Victoria. In order to design a new hospital we must first consider the health needs of Victorian children and their families in 2011 and beyond. The care they need, will determine the type of facilities required. In redesigning the care we provide we must look at RCH as an organisation - the people, processes and systems must fit as well as the facilities. Therefore, the Building our Future program has been established to coordinate a large number of projects relating to building the new hospital and organisational development projects associated with designing a renewed organisation. With a staff of over 3,900 and an annual operating budget of $270m RCH has an international reputation as a centre of clinical excellence and is a state-wide teaching, training and research hospital providing tertiary, secondary and primary infant, child and adolescent health services. RCH is committed to a philosophy and practice of Patient and Family Centred Care and quality management to ensure the best possible services to patients. This entails an organisational structure which: Devolves decision making and accountability to patient care providers as close as possible to the consumer Encourages and supports teamwork, professional development and growth of its staff Seeks input and participation of consumers and employees in the planning and evaluation processes. RCH has a variety of research and academic partners including Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI), The University of Melbourne, La Trobe University and RMIT University for teaching medical and postgraduate nursing students and for postgraduate study and medical research as well as a number of community based partners.
The Royal Children’s Hospital
Further information on RCH is available at http://www.rch.org.au/ 4 North is a 19 bed specialised Orthopaedic Unit; providing quality care for children and their families in the recovery phase of elective and emergency Orthopaedic surgery along with children recovering from trauma and infections effecting their bones and/or joints. We provide care for children across Victoria, Tasmania, Southern New South Wales and South Australia. Conditions treated within the unit include congenital Orthopaedic abnormalities, trauma, Scoliosis, Perthes disease, limb length discrepancies, and gait anomalies particularly present in children with cerebral palsy. Purpose To ensure all aspects of nursing practice and delivery of care are consistent with the RCH. Nursing standards. To ensure appropriate planning and documentation for all patient care and activities. To support communication systems which enhance patient care delivery and unit functioning, including Trend Care. To participate in appropriate research, education and development activities. To maintain standards that are consistent with professional responsibilities. Clinical Skills Utilises clinical skills and knowledge to initiate alternative approaches to patient care. Promotes an environment where the child's response to hospitalisation and the family or the primary care giver's involvement is integrated into planned nursing care. Accepts responsibility and accountability for patient assignment consistent with clinical skills. Integrates theoretical knowledge with clinical expertise to ensure delivery of safe patient care. Recognises and reports abnormal patient findings/diagnostic data and instigates appropriate nursing actions. Demonstrates a current knowledge of Royal Children's Hospital's emergency procedures and updates skills annually. Demonstrates a working knowledge and understanding of the nursing application for all unit equipment. Ensures all Division 2 Nurse's in the unit are provided with appropriate support and supervision.
Planning and Documentation Ensures that nursing documentation related to patient care activities is consistent with the required hospital and nursing standards. Identifies areas where planning and documentation can be improved to facilitate positive patient care outcomes. Participates in interdisciplinary patient care conferences. Utilises Clinical Paths where appropriate. Organises and prioritises care considering individual patients needs and overall unit activities.
The Royal Children’s Hospital
Participates in Trend Care and enters appropriate patient data accordingly. Ensures continuity of care is provided by liaising with Care Managers, allied health workers, parents/carers, intra-hospital services and relevant community agencies.
Communication Utilises and supports the unit and hospital communication systems. Supports and encourages an interdisciplinary team approach to patient care. Recognises and implements strategies to resolve stressful situations with staff, family or primary care givers. Expresses and accepts constructive feedback with a focus on positive outcomes. Utilises TREND CARE to demonstrate patient acuity and complexity. Education Research & Development Promotes, supports and participates in unit and hospital education programs including orientation. Participates in, and supports, approved research programs within the unit. Completes all compulsory R.C.H. and 4 North specific competencies as required. Participates in annual performance appraisal and identifies learning needs through personal and professional objectives. Professional Responsibility Supports the current aims and objectives of the RCH strategic plan. Recognises situations which necessitate supervision/guidance and seeks appropriate resources. Maintains professional conduct whilst on the premises of the Royal Children’s Hospital. Complies with hospital practice and policies. Ensures cost efficient use of units operating resources. Ensures professional practice is consistent with Occupational Health & Safety requirements. Ensures professional practice is consistent with Infection Control guidelines and Hospital Policy related to same. Maintains a unit environment which facilitates comfort, safety and efficiency for staff, patients and visitors. Maintains confidentiality in matters related to patients and/or staff. Maintains flexible and responsible rostering practices. Relieves in other nursing units when requested by appropriate nursing personnel. Supports integration of undergraduate and post graduate nurses within the unit. Accepts responsibility for individual professional development. Supports the current aims and objectives of the RCH strategic plan. Accepts responsibility for the integration and development of new and less experienced staff within the unit. Other responsibilities Be aware of and work in accordance with Hospital policies and procedures, including Occupational Health and Safety, Equal Employment Opportunity, Confidentiality, Consumer and Community Participation. Be respectful of the needs of patients, visitors and other staff and maintain a professional approach to all interactions.
The Royal Children’s Hospital
QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE Current registration with Nursing Body Minimum 2 years post grad experience Previous paediatric and or orthopaedic experience desirable Attributes Excellent interpersonal and communication skills “can do” and flexible approach Time management and prioritising Professional demeanour Organisational relationship Describe the internal and external parties this position liaises with and if applicable the number of staff that reports directly and in directly to this position. Internal relationships Key words: Clinical staff Shared services McKinnon School Leaning & Development External relationships Key words: Patients, families and carers
Developed: September 2008 Developed by: Adele Monelli, HR Date of next Review: September 2009
The Royal Children’s Hospital