JOB AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
(NON-MANAGERIAL)
TITLE OF POSITION:
ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT:
Allergy/Immunology Clinical Nurse
Southern Adelaide Health Service
Classification:
Health Unit: Respiratory/Allergy
Registered Nurse Level 2
Division: Medicine Cardiac and Critical Care
Services
Classification Reviewed: 10/7/08
Department / Section: Allergy/Clinical Immunology
Position No:
Position Created:
Job and Person Specification Approval
_________________________________________
CEO or Delegate
_____/_____/_____
Date
JOB SPECIFICATION
1. PREAMBLE
The Southern Adelaide Health Service (Southern Health) was established on 1 July 2004 and
brings together Flinders Medical Centre, Noarlunga Health Services and Drug and Alcohol
Services of SA. The Service also maintains a close affiliation with the Repatriation General
Hospital and other health services in the southern area.
With 330,000 people in the region, a budget of more than $350M and about 4,000 staff, Southern
Health is working towards coordination of services across the region and working cooperatively to
improve the health of the community and to reduce the demand on acute hospital services.
2. SUMMARY OF THE BROAD PURPOSE OF THE POSITION and its responsibilities/duties
The Allergy/Immunology Clinical Nurse will provide advanced nursing services in primary health,
secondary tertiary or quaternary service settings. The Allergy/Immunology Clinical Nurse is
accountable for own practice standards, activities delegated to others and the guidance and
development of less experienced staff.
The Allergy /Immunology Clinical Nurse- provides a customer focused service, and facilitates best
practice, continuity and cost-effective management of patients with allergy/ immunology
conditions, within inpatient and ambulatory care settings. The incumbent is also responsible for
providing and maintaining standards of care within allergy/immunology programs provided in the
community as part of the Out of Hospital strategies
3. 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)
The Clinical Nurse:
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Reports to the Allergy/Immunology Clinical Practice Consultant.
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Maintains a close and transparent working relationship with the Allergy/Immunology Clinical
Practice Consultant
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Maintains cooperative and productive working relationships within all members of the health
care team including the Nurse Management Facilitator and the Director of Allergy
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Supports and works collaboratively with less experienced members of the nursing team
4. SPECIAL CONDITIONS (such as non-metropolitan location, travel requirements, frequent overtime, etc)
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Job and Person Specifications are reviewed regularly as part of the ongoing Performance
Development process.
May be required to work within other locations of the Southern Adelaide Health Service.
Some out of hours work may be required.
Support values consistent with the aims of the Region, including honesty, respect and
integrity.
Will be required to undertake a health assessment prior to commencement.
Appointment will be subject to a satisfactory Offender History Check.
Comply with the Principles of the Code of Fair Information Practice, adopted by the
Department of Health, which regulate the collection, use, disclosure, storage and transfer of
all personal patient/client information within the Department and throughout its funded service
providers.
5. STATEMENT OF KEY OUTCOMES AND ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES
(group in to major areas
of responsibility / activity and list in descending order of importance).
5.1 Assists with the provision of professional high quality patient care within the
allergy/immunology service aimed at improving patient health outcomes through:
5.1.1 Improving nursing and patient care procedures and practices by;
 Providing proficient clinical nursing care to adult and paediatric patients/clients in the area of
Allergy/Immunology.
 Providing care to patients/carers that is underpinned by the aims and objectives of the
allergy/immunology team
 Assessing patients/clients needs, plan, implement and coordinate appropriate service delivery
options and communicate changes in condition and care;
 Overseeing the provision of nursing care to allergy/immunology patients within a team or unit;
 Establishing nurse led patient education sessions to provide health education, counselling and
rehabilitation programs to improve the health outcomes of individual patients/clients or groups.
 Increasing the links within the community to promote best practice models of care within the
specialty and increase allergy awareness
 In conjunction with other members of the health team, provides individual case management to
complex adult and paediatric patients, in particular those with:
 Multiple food allergies, anaphylaxis and associated eczema and asthma
 Venom and drug anaphylaxis patient’s treatment and management.
 Immune deficiency patients
 Planning and coordinating services including those of other disciplines or agencies as required to
meet individual and/or group health care needs; eg share care immunotherapy patients,
 Coordination and booking of inpatient procedures for the treatment and investigation of complex
conditions.
 Maintain and coordinate allergen extract supplies for individual patients.
 Monitoring client care plans and participate in clinical auditing and/or evaluative research to
ensure appropriate patient care outcomes are achieved on a daily basis;
 Demonstrating and promoting a risk minimisation approach to practice and support
implementation and maintenance of systems to protect patients and staff;
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Integrating advanced theoretical knowledge, evidence from a range of sources and own
experience to devise and achieve agreed patient care outcomes;
Working within and promoting a nursing model of client centred care;
5.1.2 Contributes to the human resource management of the Allergy/Immunology service by;
 Acting to resolve local and/or immediate nursing care or service delivery problems;
 Supporting change management processes;
 Contributing to communication processes that effectively deal with challenging behaviours and
the resolution of conflicts;
5.2 Contributes to the achievement of nursing best practice and where
relevant facilitates the development and application of relevant nursing research by;
 Working within a local nursing leadership team to attain consistency of nursing practice standards
and local service outcomes;
 Participating in clinical teaching, overseeing learning experiences, and goal setting for students,
new staff and staff with less experience;
 Acting as a resource person within the specialty of allergy/immunology on knowledge, experience
and skills;
5.3 Contributes to the achievement of professional expertise through the maintenance of
ongoing personal professional development/continuing education by;
 Managing own professional development activities and portfolio, supporting the development of
others and contributing to learning in the work area.
5.4 In addition to the foregoing the Allergy/Immunology Clinical Nurse may:
 Be required to participate in and/or provide clinical teaching and/or research;
 Be required to contribute to a wider or external area team working on complex or organisation
wide projects such as clinical protocols, guidelines, process mapping;
 Be required to undertake a specific activity and/or portfolio to support the practice area/Health
Unit;
 Be required, within pre-determined guidelines, and in a multi multidisciplinary primary health care
setting, to assess clients, select and implement different therapeutic interventions and/or support
programs and evaluate client progress.
5.5 Contributes to professional nursing practice through:
 A commitment to the Nursing & Midwifery Professional Practice Model;
 Contributing to a safe and healthy work environment, free from discrimination and harassment by
working in accordance with legislative requirements, the Code of Conduct and departmental
human resource policies, including the OHS&W requirements.
Acknowledged by Occupant:______________________________ Date:_____/_____/_____
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PERSON SPECIFICATION
1.
ESSENTIAL MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS (those characteristics considered absolutely necessary)
Educational/Vocational Qualifications
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Registered with the Nurses, Midwives Board of South Australia and holds a current practicing
certificate.
Personal Abilities/Aptitudes/Skills
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Effective communication, problem solving, conflict resolution and negotiation skills.
Ability to work effectively and transparently within a multidisciplinary team.
Ability to prioritise workload and meet set timelines, whilst working under minimal supervision.
Ability to be creative, innovative and flexible when approaching issues within the practice setting.
Proven commitment to the principles and practise of:
 EEO, Ethical Conduct, diversity and OHS&W;
 Quality management and client oriented service;
 Risk management.
Experience
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Registered Nurse with at least 3 years, full time equivalent, post registration experience
Experience with adult and paediatric allergy/immunology patients
Experience in the ‘leadership and direction’ of student nurses, enrolled nurses and less
experienced registered nurses.
Proven experience in basic computing skills, including email and word processing.
Knowledge
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Understanding of the requirements of the Nurses Act 1999.
Comprehensive understanding of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (ANMC) National
Competencies for the Registered and Enrolled Nurse and Midwifes 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.
Knowledge of contemporary nursing/midwifery and health care issues.
Understanding of Occupational Health, Safety & Welfare principles and procedures
Understanding of Quality Management principles and procedures
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2. DESIRABLE CHARACTERISTICS (to distinguish between applicants who meet all essential requirements)
Personal Abilities/Aptitudes/Skills
 Ability to work within a team framework that fosters an environment that develops staff potential.
 Skills in using computers and software relevant to the area of practice.
Experience
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Demonstrated competence in allergy/immunology nursing practice in accordance with the
appropriate standards of practice.
Experience in health promotion/education
Experience with quality improvement activities.
Experience in evaluating the results of nursing research and integrating, where relevant, the
results into nursing practice.
Knowledge
 Knowledge of the South Australian Public Health System.
 Knowledge of contemporary professional nursing/midwifery issues.
Educational/Vocational Qualifications (considered useful in carrying out the responsibilities of the position)
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Where applicable, qualifications relevant to practice setting, Certificate in Allergy Nursing or
equivalent;
 Tertiary qualifications in nursing or human services related discipline.
Other details
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INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for considering applying for a position with the Southern Adelaide Health Service
(Southern Health). Recruitment and Selection processes at Southern Health reflect best practice and
a commitment to a selection based on merit. This means treating all applications in a fair and
equitable manner that aims to choose the best person for the position.
The following information is provided to assist you when applying for a position with Southern Health.
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST IMPRESSION
A well presented, easy to read application will allow the panel to assess the information they need
from your application. To give yourself the best opportunity to reach interview, the application should
clearly and concisely demonstrate to the selection panel that you are suitably equipped to perform
the role, and that you possess all of the stated minimum essential skills, abilities, knowledge,
experience and educational qualifications (where required).
We suggest the following format:
 A covering letter of up to 2 pages introducing yourself to the selection panel and describing
your skills, abilities, knowledge, qualifications and experience in relation to the position. The
covering letter should clearly state the job vacancy number, position title, your name and your
contact details;
 A curriculum vitae that includes your personal details, relevant employment history,
education, training courses, qualifications and professional memberships. Your CV should
also include your nominated referees, their position and their contact details.
THE JOB AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
Selection for interview will be based on an assessment of your application against the requirements
of the position as outlined in the Job Specification, and against the criterion detailed in the
accompanying Person Specification. It is recommended that you carefully read the Job and Person
Specification to understand what the position entails before proceeding to apply for the position, and
ensure that your written application reflects your suitability for the position.
Note for Nursing/Midwifery applicants: Applicants applying for positions at the Clinical Nurse (level 2)
classification are required to demonstrate by way of example/evidence that each of the criteria contained in the
statement of key outcomes and activities of the Job Specification are met in their application.
Please ensure that your written application includes sufficient information for the panel to make an
informed determination.
REFEREES
It is recommended that you advise your referees of the position you are applying for as the panel
may seek their opinion of your capability to perform the requirements of the position. At least one
referee should be your immediate supervisor/manager in your current position, able to provide
current feedback about you to the selection panel.
SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS
It is generally preferable that applications are not bound or in folders, and that the requested number
of applications be provided when posting. Please ensure that applications are addressed as
indicated in the job advertisement, and that you allow sufficient time for your application to reach us
by the closing date/time specified. Late applications may not be considered.
We take this opportunity to wish you success with your application!
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