Central Northern Adelaide Health Service
LYELL McEWIN HOSPITAL
JOB AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
Position Title:
Emergency Department Liaison Nurse
Classification Code:
Registered Nurse/Midwife Level 2
Type of Appointment:

Ongoing
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Temporary
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Other
Term
Division: Emergency Dept
Branch: Lyell McEwin Hospital
Section:
Position Number:
Position Created:
Job & Person Specification Approval
______________________________________
Ms Cathy Hodby
Nursing Director
Emergency, Homelink Services
OPD & Strategic Projects
_____/_____/_____
Date
JOB SPECIFICATION
1.
Summary of the broad purpose of the position in relation to the organisation's goals:
The Emergency Department (ED) Liaison Nurse is responsible for managing and coordinating the
interface between acute and community care for the ED to ensure timely, safe discharges into the
community and to prevent unnecessary admissions and re-admissions. The focus is on hospital
avoidance, case finding and managing complex patients, and commencing discharge planning
from the ED for admitted patients.
Services include but are not limited to:
 Metrohomelink
 Carers Respite Centre
 Hospital @ Home
 Tregenza House transitional unit
 RDNS
J&PS – (ED) Emergency Dept Liaison Nurse Level 2
Feb 2009
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The ED Liaison Nurse coordinates and facilitates the transfer of patients to other facilities including
hospitals and Residential Care Facilities.
The ED Liaison Nurse provides leadership to the Emergency Dept by promoting available
community and hospital services and collaborating with Clinical Nurse Managers, nursing, medical
and Allied Health staff to streamline processes for planning discharge and coordinating home/
residential care as required.
The ED Liaison Nurse is responsible for cultivating a continuous improvement environment where
nursing practice is based on evidence and / or best practice with an emphasis on consumer
participation to facilitate continuity of customer service across Lyell McEwin Hospital and its
external providers.
The ED Liaison Nurse builds networks with local Residential Care Facilities to facilitate
understanding of alternatives to Hospital for their residents.
The ED Liaison Nurse provides a consultative service and contact point for Community Service
Providers and General Practitioners and their clients receiving care at the Lyell McEwin Hospital to
ensure continuity of care to home / residential care.
The ED Liaison Nurse acts as a resource and educates Nursing, Medical and Allied Health staff in
 available services, early identification and intervention
 hospital avoidance strategies and services.
 exploring other options, case finding or facilitating transfer to other hospitals or facilities.
The ED Liaison Nurse works closely with and educates patients and carers in service availability
and how to manage at home
2.
Reporting/Working Relationships (to whom the person reports, staff for whom the person is responsible and
other significant connections and working relationships within the organisation).
Reports and is accountable to the Homelink Co-ordinator ED & Surgery for professional nursing
issues, performance management and standards of practice.
Works in consultation with the Emergency Department Clinical Services Coordinators (CSC)
Will have a close working relationship with northern General Practitioners, community service
providers and Residential Care Facilities.
3.
Special Conditions. (such as non-metropolitan location, travel requirements, etc)

The appointee may be subject to a Criminal History Check prior to confirmation of
appointment.
The incumbent is required to enter into an annual performance agreement for the
achievement of (specific or service or program) outcomes as attached to the back of the Job
and Person Specification or as defined by the Line Manager.
Lyell McEwin hospital is a smoke free workplace
Hours and conditions as per contract.
Some out of hours work may be required
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J&PS – (ED) Emergency Dept Liaison Nurse Level 2
Feb 2009
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4.
Statement of Key Outcomes and Activities (group into major areas of
responsibility/activity and list in descending order of importance - continue on next page)
4.1
Leadership
Provides transformational leadership to achieve the strategic goals of the
organisation by:
 Inspiring staff towards a shared vision;
 Espousing the Lyell McEwin Hospital nursing values that guide our behaviour towards
each other, the decisions we make and how we provide our services:
Trust
Being transparent in the way we work
Integrity
Being true to yourself
Being consistent both publicly and privately
Respect Valuing diversity
Applauding ideas
Recognition of everyone’s contribution
 Acting as a role model of expected nursing leadership behaviours:
- enables and empowers staff,
- celebrates success and recognises staff for their achievements,
- fair and equitable in support of staff
- provides challenges to the work
- builds collaborative relationships with Medical staff, Nursing, Allied health and
Community Service Providers.
 Working collaboratively with the CSC Emergency Dept and the Homelink Coordinator ED
& Surgery to develop and monitor the strategic and annual operating plans for the
Service ensuring plans are aligned with the corporate vision and strategic direction;
 Representing the service’s interests in Corporate activities/ committees;
 Contributing to the promotion of nursing and the hospital by establishing external
networks and participating in nursing and corporate promotional activities;
 Contributing to the development and implementation of policies, objectives and criteria for
standards of care across Lyell McEwin Hospital;
 Maintaining an effective communication system which fosters a patient centred, outcome
focused approach;
 Acting in accordance with the profession’s Codes of Conduct and Ethics;
 Accepting accountability for own actions and activities delegated to others.
4.2
Best Practice / Continuity of Care
Ensures the provision of best practice / evidence based patient focussed care by:
 Collaborating with Clinical Service Coordinators, nursing, medical, Allied Health staff and
Community Service Providers to manage and coordinate the interface between acute and
community care for the Emergency Dept to ensure timely, safe discharges into the
community and to prevent unnecessary admissions and re-admissions. Services include
but are not limited to:
- Metrohomelink.
- Carers Respite Centre
- Hospital @ Home
- Tregenza House transitional unit
- RDNS
 Cultivating a continuous improvement environment where nursing practice is based on
evidence and / or best practice with an emphasis on consumer participation to facilitate
continuity of customer service across Lyell McEwin Hospital and it’s external providers;
 Fostering education and research;
 Facilitating and participating in Quality Improvement activities, including the identification
of performance standards and increased efficiencies;
 Supporting and encouraging staff to:
- identify and implement best practice / evidence based patient care;
- undertake benchmarking;
- report incidents by fostering a non-blame culture with a focus on changing systems
and processes.
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Feb 2009
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4.3
Safe Practice and the Environment
Ensures the risks are minimised to patients and staff by:
 Promoting and supporting healthy lifestyle choices for staff;
 Contributing to the development of a risk management plan for the service;
 Identifying and minimising risks to patients prior to discharge;
 Acting to rectify unsafe nursing and work practices, and poor behaviours;
 Ensuring the application of legal and policy provisions for health and safety, non
discriminatory employment practices, equal opportunity and prevention of bullying;
 Complying with Code of Fair Information Practice;
 Complying with Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare principles and procedures on a
daily basis;
 Ensuring Infection Control practices are implemented.
4.4
Financial and Human Resource Management
Ensures the effective use of human and financial resources by:
 Providing leadership and guidance to ensure the service is managed within the agreed
budget;
 Reporting to the Homelink Coordinator Emergency Dept in relation to operational goals
and objectives of the hospital and the Division to achieve cost effective and efficient
outcomes;
 Applying the principles of best practice human resource management by observing the
principles of human resource management, which include the merit principle, industrial
(employee) relations, training and development and equal opportunity;
 Understanding and complying with the Lyell McEwin Hospital Delegations of Authority;
 Providing leadership in developing creative strategies for recruiting and retaining nurses;
 Complying with Equal Employment Opportunity principles and procedures on a daily
basis.
 Understanding of the budgetary restraints related to the Emergency Department service.
 Liaising with funding sources such as Metrohomelink, Carers Respite Centre to access
funding for hospital avoidance strategies such as Tregenza House.
4.5
Professional / Staff Development
Ensures there is appropriate qualified staff and ongoing learning opportunities by:
 Acting as a resource and educating nursing, medical, Allied Health staff and community
service providers in available services and early identification and intervention;
 Developing and mentoring nursing staff;
 Maintaining currency in leadership and nursing knowledge and applying contemporary
leadership techniques;
 Participating in Performance Enhancement activities, including annual performance
development reviews;
 Ensuring the ongoing training and development of all staff supervised;
 Ensuring staff development, education, training and research activities are conducted
within a fair, equitable and ethical framework;
 Being responsible for own professional development.
4.6
Demonstrate responsibility and commitment to Infection Control policy by using
Standard Precautions strategies and actions as outlined in the Lyell McEwin Hospital
Infection Control Manual.
Approved by Line Manager:
_________________________
Management Facilitator
_____/_____/_____
Date
Acknowledged by Occupant:
_________________________
Employee
_____/_____/_____
Date
J&PS – (ED) Emergency Dept Liaison Nurse Level 2
Feb 2009
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PERSON SPECIFICATION
ESSENTIAL MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS (Those characteristics considered absolutely necessary)
Educational/Vocational Qualifications

Registered as a general nurse with the Nursing & Midwifery Board of South Australia and holds
a current practicing certificate.
Personal Abilities/Aptitudes/Skills: (related to the job description and expressed in a way which allows
objective assessment):
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Proven ability to cultivate productive working relationships with key individuals
Proven leadership ability and the ability to influence, motivate and inspire others
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with all levels and groups of staff both in
writing and verbally (includes in a presentations setting).
Demonstrated ability to identify and analyse issues, obtain and evaluate information, and to
draw defensible conclusions.
Demonstrated ability to self motivate, work without close supervision, determine priorities, set
and meets deadlines and complete tasks.
Intermediate level computing skills including Excel.
Demonstrated ability to manage effectively and achieve defined outcomes through a
participatory management style.
Highly developed interpersonal, communication and conflict resolution sills.
Experience
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Recent broad-based experience in acute care and community interface.
Experience in nursing leadership and management in an acute teaching hospital.
Experience in policy development and implementation.
Experience in report writing.
Experience in organisational development and change management.
Experience in dealing with contemporary issues related to community services/packages.
Knowledge
 Demonstrates an understanding of contemporary issues in nursing, health care and the acute
community interface including emerging models of care to support community management
and continuity of care.
 Understanding of contemporary management practices including:
Equal Employment Opportunity Principles and procedures
Occupational Health Safety & Welfare
Principles of bullying and harassment
Quality Improvement principles and procedures
Performance Measurement
Human Resource Management
Code of Fair Information practice
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Feb 2009
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 Understanding of the requirements of the Nursing & Midwifery Practice Act 2008
 Comprehensive understanding of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (ANMC)
National Competencies for the Registered and Enrolled Nurse and Midwives in Recommended
Domains.
 Knowledge and understanding of the ANMC Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses in
Australia (2003) and the Commissioner for Public Employment Code of Conduct for Public
Employees.
 Knowledge and understanding of legislative responsibilities for OHS&W, Workers
Compensation and Rehabilitation and Equal Opportunity.
 Knowledge of Quality Improvement Systems as applied to a healthcare setting.
DESIRABLE CHARACTERISTICS (To distinguish between applicants who have met all essential
requirements)
Educational/Vocational Qualifications ((include only those listed in Commissioner’s Standard
2, Attachment C, as an essential qualification for the specified classification group)
 Post registration qualification relevant to area of practice
Personal Abilities/Aptitudes/Skills: (related to the job description and expressed in a way which
allows objective assessment):
 Advanced level of computer literacy including the ability to create electronic spread sheets and
databases.
Experience
 Recent experience in an Emergency Department.
 Experience in hospital accreditation processes.
 Experience in designing and implementing and audit tool.
Knowledge
 Knowledge of Industrial Awards and enterprise Agreements
 Knowledge of research methodologies and principles to apply to practice
 Involvement in the development and or implementation of evidence based practice
Other Details:
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J&PS – (ED) Emergency Dept Liaison Nurse Level 2
Feb 2009
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