Graduate certificate of intensive care nursing

The employed model program is an exciting opportunity for Registered Nurses to undertake post graduate studies in critical care nursing through a one year or two year paid employment program (Graduate Certificate). Successful applicants must be eligible for employment with NT Health as a Registered Nurse and meet Flinders University enrolment criteria.

Intensive Care Nursing, Royal Darwin and Palmerston Hospital

Royal Darwin and Palmerston Hospital (RDPH) has the only Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in the Top End of the Northern Territory. It services a population of 200,000 in an area of more than 500,000 km² with 6,200 km of coastline, from East Arnhem to the Kimberley. RDPH is the forward receiving hospital for Northern Australia and plays a major role in disaster management in the region through the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre.

RDPH ICU is a mixed Adult/Paediatric Level 3 ICU with 18 beds. The predominant admission diagnoses are severe sepsis, trauma, neurosurgery and tropical diseases such as melioidosis. There are 1,200 admissions annually and the patient demographic is unusual in that it includes 50 per cent Indigenous Australians and 5-8 per cent high acuity paediatric ICU patients.

The ICU provides a combination of two levels of care; intensive care for patients whose conditions merit a high level of support. Skills you will obtain include patient assessments, invasive monitoring, basic and advanced ventilation, medication management, renal replacement therapy, nitric oxide therapy and management of paediatric critical care patients.

The ICU also provides care for high dependency patients who still require significant support and/or may require a high level of medical and nursing assessments for possible rapid deterioration. This involves coordination of postoperative care for neurosurgical, vascular, general, and complex maxillofacial surgical patients. The high dependency patients present opportunities to increase your understanding of a variety of surgical specialities.

Professional development program

The one year employed model program enables clinicians to develop specialist knowledge and skills required in a variety of critical care areas. The two year employed model program is aimed at nurses with no prior ICU experience, and clinicians will be supported during their transition to develop ICU nursing knowledge and skills.

In addition, successful applicants will be supported to undertake advanced life support training as well as other training courses offered by NT Health and the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre.

Application process

To apply for the program you must:

• Current registration as a registered nurse or hold a dual degree (registered nurse and registered midwife) with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
• Minimum of one year post registration experience in an acute health care setting for the two year program or minimum of six months of ICU experience for the one year program
• Meet eligibility and entry requirements for post graduate study through Flinders University
• Be able to work all rostered shifts (morning, afternoon and nights)

Conditions of the Contract

You will be provided with leave to attend study sessions, however, must be able to work all rostered shifts.

You will be required to successfully complete academic course and clinical practice requirements each semester in order to continue the term of employment.

Fee information: The Royal Darwin and Palmerston Hospital Division of Surgery and Critical Care will subsidise 100% of the cost associated with each unit of study (up to $2000 per subject). Any course cost beyond $2000 is covered by the employee. Students are advised to consider the personal cost associated with choosing a university course where the cost of study exceeds $2000 per unit.

University fees are paid for by the student and reimbursed through the organisation at the completion of each semester. To be eligible for re-imbursement students need to complete part one of Bi-law 41 at the commencement of each semester and part two on completion.

Recognised University Providers

The following university graduate certificates are recognised as part of this employed model program:

• Flinders University

Clinical Requirements

The Post Graduate Employment program aims to support clinicians to acquire the knowledge, skills and capacity to work as an Intensive Care Nurse. Theoretical requirements will be provided by Flinders University. Clinical experience and practical support will be provided by RDPH ICU through clinical facilitation, study days and supported learning opportunities.

Application Checklist

This section contains a checklist of compulsory documentation you need to provide with your application through NT Careers in Government Employment Opportunities Online.

• Cover letter (one page summary)
• Resume (include employment history and existing qualifications)
• Certified copy of passport/birth certificate or visa

Contact

For all enquiries relating to employment on the Employed Model Program please contact:

Andrea Kraler, Clinical Nurse Manager ICU; phone: 08 8922 7605, email: andrea.kraler@nt.gov.au