POSITION DESCRIPTION
Title:
Research Collection Nurse
Area/Group:
Embryology and Placental Biology (EPB) – The Ritchie Centre
Reporting to:
Dr Hayley Dickinson
Date Last Updated:
14 April 2015
Current Occupant:
New Position
1.
About MIMR-PHI Institute
MIMR-PHI Institute is a NHMRC accredited, not-for-profit, independent medical research institute
located at Monash Medical Centre in Clayton, Victoria, Australia. The Institute employs nearly 300
research staff, 30 administration/support staff and hosts over 100 undergraduate and postgraduate
students.
Our research involves investigation in the fields of reproductive health, hormone action, sex
determination, cancer, obesity, inflammation, infectious diseases, cardiovascular disease, neonatal
and fetal physiology, bone health, stem cells, genetic diseases and men’s, women’s and children’s
health. The Institute works to improve the quality of life by finding and improving methods for
prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a variety of health conditions.
2.
Purpose of Position
The position is located within the Ritchie Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Monash Health, reporting to Dr. Hayley Dickinson and is funded by a stillbirth Foundation
Grant. The position will assist clinicians and research scientists in the collection of clinical
samples as part of a research project directed to understanding how creatine levels change
over human pregnancy and their association with pregnancy outcomes, such as stillbirth.
The appointee will work under direction of the Laboratory Head, Embryology and Placental
Biology Group and directly with antenatal clinic and midwifery staff at Monash Health. The
appointee will liaise between the antenatal clinics and the laboratory and must be able to
schedule the collection of samples and documentation according to defined protocols and
deliver such samples to the appropriate staff in the laboratories. The appointee must be flexible
in his/her hours to match the antenatal clinic schedules at the various hospitals.
3.
Accountabilities and Responsibilities
Primary Responsibilities
Candidate Recruitment & Sample Collection
 Recruitment of pregnant women from antenatal clinics at Monash Health
 Sample maternal urine and blood at each antenatal appointment and process under
defined conditions.
 Guide recruited women through the completion of dietary questionnaires at each
antenatal appointment.
 Conduct study as per protocol and Human Research Ethics Committee approval.
 Extract all relevant maternal and baby health data from patient records.


On-going liaison with scientists to determine tissue sample requirements
Collection of blood from patients and process following specific laboratory protocols.
Other Duties & Responsibilities
▪ Collection and documentation of maternal health and pregnancy outcomes data
▪ Maintaining a computer database
▪ Record upcoming antenatal appointment dates and time for all women
▪ Interaction with the antenatal clinic staff
▪ Interactions and collaboration with other research nurses within the Ritchie Centre
▪ Travel to associated Monash Health hospital sites (Dandenong, Casey)
Compliancy and Legislative Knowledge
 Comply with MIMR-PHI and Monash Health policies and procedures and relevant
appropriate legislation
 Meet Occupational Safety and Health, anti-discrimination, equal opportunity and other
legislative requirements in accordance with the parameters of the position


4.
Equal Opportunity (EO)
Comply with the Institute’s EO policies and procedures.
Legal Compliance
All staff are required to be aware of and adhere to both legislation and Institute policy
relevant to the duties undertaken.
Working Relationships
Internal
 Professor Euan Wallace, Head Obstetrics and Gynecology, Monash Health Professor of
Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Director, The Ritchie Centre, MIMR-PHI
Institute of Research, Director of Obstetric Services, MH.
 Ms Joanne Mockler, Research Midwife Consultant, Manager, Perinatal Clinical Trials.
The Ritchie Centre, MIMR-PHI Institute of Research.
 Ms Annike Griffey, Research Assistant, EPB laboratory, The Ritchie Centre
External
 Clinical staff (nurses, midwives, booking clerks and obstetricians)
 Pregnant and postnatal women attending Monash Health for their confinement
5.
Selection Criteria
Qualifications
Essential
 Registered nurse Division I or II
 Current practicing certificate
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
 Excellent communication and organisational skills
 Good basic computing skills as a minimum
 Database management
 Flexibility of hours
Experience
Desirable
 Research experience an advantage
 Phlebotomy skills
Appointee will be appropriately trained upon commencement
2
Personal Qualities
Essential
 Own car with comprehensive car insurance & valid drivers licence
 Attention to detail
 Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team
6.
Endorsement
Name: (Manager)
Signed:
Date:
______/______/______
Date:
______/______/______
Name: (Director)
Signed:
3