West Gippsland Healthcare Group
Position Description – District Nursing Services
Position Title:
District Nursing Services – Registered Nurse
Employment Type:
Part-time
Reporting Relationship:
Responsible to the District Nursing Services Nurse Unit Manager
Enterprise Agreement:
Nurses & Midwives (Victorian Public Sector) (Single Interest
Employers) Enterprise Agreement 2012-2016
Division:
Nursing
Classification:
Commences at RN Grade 2, moves to Grade 3 upon successful
completion of training and fulfilment of on-call requirements.
Location:
West Gippsland Healthcare Group
Position Summary:
The District Nurse is an independent practitioner who assists clients to remain in the security of their
home during periods of illness or disability, by providing skilled nursing care and educating and
encouraging them and their families to retain their independence.
Organisation Overview:
West Gippsland Healthcare Group is a sub-regional public hospital providing 77 Hospital and 110 Aged
Care beds. We provide acute medical and surgical, paediatric, obstetrics & gynaecology, emergency, aged
care and community services, primarily in the Shire of Baw Baw, approximately 100 kms east of
Melbourne.
West Gippsland Healthcare Group comprises a number of sites. They are Baw Baw Health and
Community Care Centre in Drouin, Community Services Centres in Warragul and Trafalgar, Rawson
Community Health Centre, Cooinda Lodge Aged Care Residence, Andrews House Aged Care Residence,
Warragul Linen Service and West Gippsland Hospital.
Vision:
To improve the health and wellbeing of our community.
Mission:
West Gippsland Healthcare Group is committed to the provision of high quality, integrated health care
that meets the changing needs of individuals and our community.
What we value is:
Our Customers
Our Community
Be committed to continuity of care for individuals whilst
recognising rights, responsibilities and participation.
Be a responsible corporate citizen and neighbour in caring for
our community and environment.
Our Staff
Leadership
Improving Performance
We are committed to our staff’s wellbeing and ongoing
development.
Be a role model in the planning and delivery of health services.
Ensure continuous quality improvement.
Organisational Structure:
The District Nurse will report to the Nurse Unit Manager, District Nursing.
Direct reporting line:
Chief Executive Officer
WGHG
Director of Nursing &
Midwifery Services
Nurse Unit Manager,
District Nursing
Ward Clerks
District Nurses
Qualifications/Experience:
Mandatory:
 Current registration with AHPRA.
 Minimum 3 years-experience post registration in acute setting.
 Recent District Nursing Experience an advantage.
 Current Driver Licence.
Desirable:
 Recent District Nursing experience.
 Post Graduate qualifications relevant to District Nursing.
 Knowledge of privacy legislation and document control.
 Previous Experience within a hospital or health care environment.
Key Selection Criteria:
Key Competencies:
 Well-developed skills and knowledge in wound management and care of CVADs.
 Wound Management education and experience.
 Demonstrated ability to problem solve.
 Well-developed time management, communication and interpersonal skills.
 Interpersonal and leadership skills in order to motivate nursing personnel, including:
- Effective communication skills
- Ability to interact well with people
- Ability to appropriately confront issues
 Sound computer skills
 Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team environment, including:
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- Ability to motivate others as individuals and as a group
- Ability to plan, organise and direct the activities of others
Ability to work independently with minimal direction.
Ability to work under pressure, handling multiple tasks simultaneously.
Ability to cover all shifts and work on call.
Personal Attributes:
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Commitment to providing a customer focused service.
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Ability to use initiative.
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Capacity and willingness to be flexible and adaptable.
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Commitment to corporate vision, mission values and agreed critical strategies.
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Responsible and mature work attitude.
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Respect for confidentiality.
Key Responsibilities:
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Maintain a high quality of individualised patient care, through the use of the nursing
process.
Identify the patient’s physical, spiritual, social, environmental and psychological needs,
through client assessments for all new clients and reassessment of ongoing clients.
Communicate and provide support to family members responsible for the direct care of
the patient; be available for counseling when necessary.
Ensure that there is positive transfer of principles and practice of nursing care of the
patient from the hospital situation to the home environment.
Prepare daily client progress reports and assist with the maintenance of office records.
This involves the updating of computer programs, nursing care plans and other client
associated documentation.
Report condition and progress of patients to the Medical Practitioner as appropriate.
Maintain a current knowledge of community resources and benefits available to patients.
Liaison with agencies that can enhance the care of the patient.
Maintain close liaison with health professionals; e.g. Assessment Nurse, Diabetes Educator
and organisations that will assist in the education of the patients and their families.
Daily check and re-stock all medical supplies in District nursing bags, HITH bags and
ensure all cars have regulation working equipment.
Ensure that the allocated motor vehicle is in roadworthy condition and has sufficient fuel
for the days and next day’s work. Complete kilometer recording in log book after each day.
Take on a portfolio or become a champion within District Nursing.
Instruct and supervise students of nursing in all aspects of District Nursing care.
Be able to work On Call and work a variety of shifts.
Attend and participate in monthly District Nursing meeting and other designated meetings
in the community and the hospital.
Participate in learning new nursing techniques, procedures and skills that will create a high
standard of individualised nursing care for the patient in the home environment.
Personal Development
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Keeps informed about current research in nursing and health care in order to provide a
spirit of inquiry regarding existing nursing practice and the development and testing of
new approaches to nursing care, using evidenced based practice.
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Maintains own professional knowledge through involvement in nursing organisations,
reading nursing literature, attending seminars and disseminating this information to
colleagues.
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Participates in regular self-evaluation through performance appraisal.
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Successfully completes annual proficiency test in BLS, Smart lift, fire evacuation and fire
extinguishers, as well as all online competencies.
Confidentiality:
 Ensure that any personal, private or sensitive information obtained regarding a staff
member or client remains confidential.
Personnel Reporting To This Position:
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Not applicable
Annual Operating Expenditure:
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Not applicable
Personal Responsibilities:
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Comply with all Occupational Health & Safety Regulations.
Comply with all legislative requirements.
To complete mandatory training annually that has been identified as being a requirement of the
position.
Participate in continuous quality improvement.
Ensure that effective lines of communication are maintained with key stakeholders.
To participate in an annual performance appraisal every twelve (12) months.
Actively seek feedback from Stakeholders (Health Professionals, Consumers, Carers & the
Community).
Conditions of Employment:
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Employment subject to provision of satisfactory Police Record Check and/or Working with
Children Check.
6 months probationary period
Comply with all WGHG policies and procedures
I have read and am satisfied that I have understood the contents of this Position Description. While
this position description reflects the current duties and responsibilities, it is not to be interpreted as
all inclusive. It may be subject to review from time to time.
Employee Name:
Employee Signature:
Witness:
Date:
/
/20
The West Gippsland Healthcare Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Reviewed By:
Nurse Unit Manager
Last Review Date:
September 2013
Date to be Reviewed:
September 2016