POSITION DESCRIPTION: Primary Health Care Registered Nurse

Position Details

Position Title: Primary Health Care Registered Nurse

Employment Status: Fulltime

Salary Range: Depending upon qualification and years of experience (base salary) + superannuation,

5 weeks annual leave, 17.5% leave loading, generous salary sacrifice options

Reports to: Director of Primary Health Care

Positions supervised: None

Location: Mount Isa – may require some remote communities across the North West and

Lower Gulf of Carpentaria region

About Gidgee Healing:

Gidgee Healing is an independent, community controlled health service, with overall direction and management set by a Board

of Directors comprised of representatives from the remote Aboriginal communities of the region. Gidgee takes a broad view of

primary health care, has a philosophy of community participation, and a strong focus on care coordination.

Gidgee Healing is the only Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service representing the health needs of the Aboriginal

people residing in the Mt Isa, North West and Lower Gulf regions of Queensland. We provide a range of primary health care

services to communities across the region with the aim of supporting Aboriginal communities’ own solutions to live long healthy

lives, strengthening our culture and regaining our spirit. The service footprint is now approximately 640,000 km2 and includes

some 11,000 Indigenous persons. It is the largest single Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service provider land area in

Queensland. It has 20 Native Title group land areas; 12 Local Governments; Queensland State Seats of Mount Isa and Gregory;

and two House of Representative Divisions being Kennedy and Maranoa. It also includes two Hospital and Health Service regions

(Central West and North West) which include 12 Hospitals, 7 Primary Health Care Centre’s and two Health Centre’s. Gidgee

Healing shares its boundary with the Central and North West Queensland Medicare Local.

Gidgee Healing currently provides Primary Health Care; GP; Maternal and Child Health; Allied Health; Closing the Gap and

Specialist services. In accordance with the regionalisation process being rolled out across Queensland by the Queensland

Aboriginal & Islander Health Council (QAIHC), Gidgee Healing is in the process of expanding the type and frequency of services

being provided across it’s entire region, including the Gulf communities. In the immediate future, Gidgee will be focusing on

expanding its health promotion and early intervention; primary health care; chronic disease management services; and recovery/

community wellbeing services through the North West and Lower Gulf regions.

Position Summary:

The primary function of this position is to provide high quality nursing practice including assessment, examination, treatment and case management, along with contributing to the development of models of holistic health incorporating continuity of care. The Registered Nurse works within a clinical team environment with the aim of improving the health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through the provision of comprehensive and culturally valid primary health care services.

Duty Statement and Key Responsibilities:

1. Clinical Service Provision

Undertake a wide range of clinical duties including immunisations, blood collection, wound dressings, patient

screenings etc within well established clinical pathways, protocols and guidelines

Deliver priority health services

Monitor and report on immunisation coverage and completed childhood immunisation, as well relevant vaccinations for adults

Oversee and participate in the assessment, planning and implementation of care based on individual Clients’ needs incorporating a holistic approach to primary health care service delivery

Initiate GPMPs, TCA and their reviews, performing history, examination and relevant monitoring procedures and collating required information for GP completion

Triage clients for the purpose of prioritising clients to ascertain those with immediate needs

Conduct Adult Health checks as required

Responsible for the stock control of medical goods and services required by the service and monitor/maintain control of dispensing/discarding of medical stock according to relevant legislation

Ensure pathology samples are sent to the laboratory or hospital and are stamped and results passed onto the General Practitioner as required

In collaboration with GPs, Aboriginal Health Workers/Practitioners prioritise, facilitate and follow up recalls

Ensure regular servicing of medical equipment is undertaken as scheduled and recorded in the appropriate manner

Ensure the competent use, accuracy and integrity of data entry on the practice management software system, Best Practice

Any other duty as the Director of Primary Health Care, or in the absence of the Director of Primary Health Care, Practice Manager directs

2. Self-Management and Team Contribution

Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team including GPs, Aboriginal Health Workers and Allied Health staff

Provide input into the development of clinical practices, procedures and protocols within the nursing work area

Participate in quality and service improvement activities to continually improve Client care

Ensure a coordinated approach to providing health checks and management plans to all clients

Supervise and mentor clinical team members as directed

Comply with a;; professional development requirements for maintenance of registration with AHPRA

Actively participate in continuing education opportunities provided through the organization

Participate in performance reviews, feedback and information sharing discussions that relate to communication, continuous improvement, learning and development, innovation and performance improvement

Advocate for rights and needs of individuals, families and community on health-related issues

3. Administration

Optimise Medicare billings through effective and timely clinical support processes

Collect data on national key performance indicators (nKPIs) as required.

Contribute to clinical reports and research activities

Accurately document client files with treatment and medication information

Ensure maintenance and confidentiality of patient health records

Maintain accurate client records, including the collection and collation of statistical information in order to forecast demand of services and allocations of budgets

Maintain recall and follow up register for clients

4. Key Performance Indicators

As determined by the Director of Primary Health Care, but typically include:

MBS Income

Number of client visits

Monthly CQI Meetings

5. Practical requirements

As an AHPRA registered health professional, your registration includes the assessment of a national history check and the provision of the Blue card (working with children and young people) requirements. Any changes to criminal history should be advised to the supervisor as soon as possible.

Current First Aid Certificate

6. Foster Linkages

Work to foster productive relationships with all Clinic, Program and Support Staff

Streamline procedures for seamless client care within internal staff and external providers

Work to foster productive working relationships with relevant government departments, hospitals, key antenatal and postnatal providers and other specialist providers

7. Legal Obligation:

All relevant health professionals (including registered nurses and medical officers) who, in the course of their duties,

formulate a reasonable suspicion that a child or young person has been abused or neglected in their home/community

environment, have a legislative and a duty of care obligation to immediately report such concerns to the Department of Child

Safety.

Please note that the duties outlined in this position description are not exhaustive, and only an indication of the work of the role. The organisation can direct you to carry out duties which it considers are within your level of skill, competence and training and scope of practice.

Selection Criteria

Essential

1. Current unconditional nursing registration through AHPRA with a minimum of five years’ experience as a Registered

Nurse

2. Demonstrated ability to comply with the professional code of ethics and function in accordance with legislation

affecting nursing practice.

3. A comprehensive understanding of health issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and a strong

commitment to improving health outcomes

4. Ability to work sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

5. Commitment to the philosophy and practice of Aboriginal Community Health Control Service

6. Demonstrated skill in working in a primary care setting, in particular the ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary

team with a sound understanding of your role in the cycle of care for a client

7. Demonstrated effective verbal and written skills with particular emphasis on interpersonal communication skills,

confidentiality and record keeping

8. Computer literate and ability to work effectively with electronic client record systems

9. Willingness to work flexible hours as required, including the requirement to travel, work and stay overnight for up to several days at a time in remote areas. Willingness to travel by road and small planes.

Desirable:

1. A local Aboriginal or Islander person, with established connections to the region.

2. Current Immunisation endorsement and experience

3. Experience working within a general practice setting

Practical Requirements

Current C Class Drivers Licence (QLD) – essential

Current Blue Card (working with children and young people) or willingness to apply for one

Satisfactory police check – no serious Criminal/Court record

Current CPR and First Aid certificate

Endorsement and Approval

Position description approved by Chief Executive Officer:

Signature: ENDORSED Date: