JOB AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
Position Title: Nurse Clinical Practice Consultant (Nurse Practitioner Candidate)
Classification Code: Registered Nurse and or Midwife Division: Country Health SA
Level 3
Branch: Mental Health
Type of Appointment:
Section:
o
Ongoing
Position Number:
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Temporary
Position Created:
o
Other
Term
Job & Person Specification Approval
______________________________
CE or delegate
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PREAMBLE:
Underpinning the Department of Health Strategic Directions are the agreed values that reflect
honesty, respect and integrity for every individual. These values drive how we conduct our
business and how we behave. We aim to make the values “live”. It is important that we
incorporate the values into our behaviour systems and processes.
The Department has a “Commitment to Workplace Values” attached to Job and Person
Specifications that all staff are required to uphold. (Please refer to the back of this document).
Australia has one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse populations in the world. Having a
diverse workforce (inclusive of bi-lingual, bi-cultural and employees who have a disability) can
enhance the department’s ability to negotiate with, and meet the needs of, the full range of its
consumers and customers. Such employees also add to the diversity of the workforce, and give
added opportunities to fully capitalise on difference as a valuable asset in an increasingly
competitive environment.
Job & Person Specification: Nurse Practitioner Candidate (CPC) – Perinatal Mental Health
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JOB SPECIFICATION
1.
Summary of the broad purpose of the position in relation to the organisation's goals:
At the Australian Health Ministers Advisory Council (AHMAC) meeting on March 6th 2008, State
and Territory Governments, together with the Australian Government agreed to collaborate on the
development of the National Perinatal Depression Initiative (NPDI). The framework for the NPDI
was developed by Beyondblue and is based on overwhelming research evidence highlighting the
extent of maternal psychosocial morbidity in Australia. It is well evidenced that vulnerability to
psychological distress & disorder is accentuated in the perinatal period not only for the mother, but
also for her infant, partner and family. Poor mental health in the perinatal period is not only a
significant issue for parents and infants but is also associated with a large financial burden for the
Nation. The overarching aim is to improve the prevention and early detection of antenatal and
postnatal depression, and to provide better care, support and treatment for expectant and new
mothers experiencing perinatal depression, and their infants, fathers/ partners and families.
The following key elements are integral to the NPDI:
 Routine and universal screening for perinatal depression
 Follow up support and care for women assessed as being at risk of experiencing perinatal
depression
 Workforce training and development for health professionals
 Further identification and development of pathways of referral and care
 Research and data collection
 National best practice clinical guidelines
 Increasing Community awareness
In the course of fulfilling the role of Nurse Practitioner Candidate, Level 3, Perinatal Mental Health,
the Nurse at this level, provides clinical nursing expertise for women assessed as being at risk of
experiencing perinatal depression.
Employees in this role accept accountability for the outcomes of nursing practices for the specific
consumer group and for addressing inconsistencies between practice and policy.
Various practice models may be used to enact this role, including but not limited to:
- Primarily providing direct expert nursing and or midwifery care for an individual or group of
patients/consumers,
- Providing clinical leadership to nurses and or midwives.
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).
The Nurse Practitioner Candidate:
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Reports professionally to the Clinical MH Nursing Director (Level 5)
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Functional accountability is to the CHSA MH Operations Director, through the Nurse
Clinical Service Coordinator.
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Clinical accountability is to the Clinical Director, CHSA MH Service.
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Maintains close collaborative working relationships with all level 3 and level 4 Nurses and
or Midwives.
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Maintains cooperative and productive working relationships with all members of the health
care team
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Supports and works collaboratively with less experienced members of the Perinatal and
local Community MH team
3.
Special Conditions. (such as non-metropolitan location, travel requirements, etc)

The appointee must be willing to be subject to a Criminal History Check prior to
confirmation of appointment.
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The incumbent will participate in an annual performance development and review program
during the period of Candidacy
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Some out of hours work may be required as per contract.
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Some Intra and interstate travel may be required, including travel by light aircraft.
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The incumbent must be willing to work from a Country Health SA Network location.
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Participate in an on call roster may be required.
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Must have current South Australian driver’s licence and willingness to drive a government
vehicle is essential
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Participation in continuous quality improvement activity
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Participation in the CHSA Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practice Development
Community
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Engagement and participation in clinical supervision / reflection on practice.
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The incumbent will be required to undertake Master’s studies during candidacy as
preparation for Nurse Practitioner endorsement
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)
Statement of Key Responsibilities/Duties.
4.1 Ensures high quality patient care in the area of Perinatal Mental Health aimed at
improving patient health outcomes through:
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Integrating contemporary information and evidence with personal experience to support
the decision making, innovative thinking and objective analysis at this level;
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Contributing specific expertise to nursing and or midwifery practice through clinical
protocol and standards development;
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Applying and sharing expert clinical knowledge to improve patient/consumer care;
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Providing expert clinical nursing and or midwifery care and interventions and/or individual
case management to a defined population of patients/consumers;
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Applying nursing and or midwifery expertise to assess consumers, select and implement
different therapeutic interventions and/or supporting programs and evaluating consumer
progress in a multi multidisciplinary primary health care setting.

Contributing expert Perinatal mental health nursing assessment and advice to local clinical
teams to achieve integrated nursing and or midwifery care within a risk management
framework.
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Statement of Key outcomes and Activities (Continued)
4.2 Contributes to clinical leadership and support for the specific area of clinical specialty
by:
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Leading nursing and or midwifery clinical practice within the professional practice
framework established by the Director of Nursing and or Midwifery;
Maintaining productive working relationships and managing conflict resolution;
Contributing specific expertise to monitoring and evaluative research activities in order to
improve nursing practice and Perinatal Mental Health service delivery.
Undertaking the Nurse Practitioner Candidate role with a significant degree of independent
clinical decision making in the area of personal expertise;
Contributing to the development and sustainability of nursing and or midwifery skills for the
needs of the Perinatal Mental Health population group using systems of resource and
standards promulgation.
4.3 Contributes to the achievement of professional expertise through personal professional
development/continuing education and teaching by:
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Contributing Perinatal Mental Health clinical expertise to learning environments, which may
include individual/team capability development and/or post registration clinical teaching;
Holding a contemporary professional practice portfolio containing evidence of postgraduate
qualifications, learning and practice experience that underpin a demonstrable application of
knowledge and skills commensurate with the level and type of practice expected of the
Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Candidate working towards endorsement of Nurse
Practitioner status.
4.4 Contributes to and complies with policies, procedures and practices by:
 Complying with all legislation, Government policies and procedures, the ANMC Code of
Professional Conduct for Nurses in Australia and the Code of Conduct for South Australian
Public Sector Employees, and in relation to people affected by mental disorders and/or
mental health problems,
o The United Nations Principles on the Protection of People with a Mental Illness and
Improvement in Mental Health Care.
o The Australian Health Ministers’ Mental Health Statement on Rights and
Responsibilities.
o Mental health, equal opportunity, anti-discrimination and disability services
legislation.
 Complying with all Country Health SA / National Mental Health Service policies, procedures
and operating practices.
 In consultation with Nursing and Midwifery Director/ Mental Health Program Manager
contributes to the development of organisational policy.
 Integrating into practice and service delivery systems the principles underpinning the
National Women’s Health Policy
 Ensuring practice is consistent with departmental/organisational/unit policies, standards
and legal/regulatory compliance.
 Applying standards and benchmarks for consumer care in the practice setting consistent
with current evidenced based clinical care.
 Maintaining and protecting confidentiality and privacy for consumers, their families and
carers by complying with
o Freedom of Information Act
o Australian Standards for Medical Records
o Code of Fair Information Practice
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o National Mental Health Standard 5 - Privacy and Confidentiality
Understanding and complying with Delegations of Authority.
4.5 Ensure services are delivered in a culturally sensitive manner by:
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Promoting access and equity of services for people from culturally and linguistically diverse
backgrounds.
Providing services that are culturally sensitive to the needs of people and enable them to
make decisions concerning their mental health.
4.6 Contribute toward the provision of a healthy, safe and equitable working
environment by adhering to the principles and standards of Equal Employment
Opportunity Legislation, which:
 Ensures employees are recruited, selected, trained, transferred and promoted solely on the
basis of merit without regard to age, marital status, physical disability, intellectual
impairment, pregnancy, race, sex or sexuality.
 Ensures all employees in the workplace are treated in a fair and equitable manner.
 Identifies and eliminates discrimination, bullying and harassment in the workplace.
4.7 Ensure that staff and other persons in their work area are safe from risks to health
and safety by:
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Carrying out responsibilities as detailed in organisational occupational health, safety and
injury management (OHS&IM) policies and procedures.
Implementing and monitoring relevant OHS&IM policies and procedures within their work
area.
Identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing, monitoring and maintaining hazard
control measures in consultation with staff and relevant committees.
Participating in OHS&IM planning.
Providing staff with the necessary information, instruction, training and supervision to
effectively and safely carry out their work.
Maintaining relevant OHS&IM documentation; and
Consulting with health and safety representatives, committees and staff on changes to the
workplace, which have the potential to impact on health and safety.
Responsible and accountable for taking reasonable care to protect own health, safety and
welfare and avoiding adversely affecting the health and safety of any other person at work
through any act or omission by complying with occupational health, safety and welfare
(OHS) policies and procedure
Contribute to the well-being of people in South Australia through participation in Counter
Disaster activities including attendance, as required, at training programs and exercises to
develop the necessary skills required to participate in responses in the event of a disaster
and/or major incident
4.8 Freedom of Information

Comply with the Principles of the Code of Fair Practice, adopted by the Department of Health,
which regulate the collection, use, disclosure, storage and transfer of all consumer, staff and/or
health service operations information.
Approved by Line Manager:
_________________________
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Acknowledged by Occupant:
_________________________
___/___/___
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PERSON SPECIFICATION
ESSENTIAL MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS (Those characteristics considered absolutely necessary)
PLEASE NOTE:
It is recommended that a Maximum of 15 criteria only (in total) be included in this section (ie the
number of Essential and Desirable criteria combined should not exceed 15).
Educational/Vocational Qualifications (include only those listed in Commissioner’s Standard
2, Attachment C as an essential qualification for the specified classification group)

Registered or eligible for registration as a Mental Health Nurse by the Nurses Board of South
Australia and who holds, or who is eligible to hold, 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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Effective leadership skills including highly developed skills in communication, problem solving,
conflict resolution and negotiation skills.
Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
Ability to prioritise workload and meet set timelines.
Ability to foster a workplace environment that develops staff potential.
Proven ability for flexibility, innovation and creativity with in the whole of service setting.
Demonstrated ability in the facilitation of change management.
Demonstrated ability to apply the Primary Health Care Principles to practice
Ability to be a critical thinker, self motivated, resourceful, imaginative and innovative.
Computer literacy
Commitment to worker and consumer participation in service planning.
Demonstrate ability to develop, implement and maintain formal and informal partnerships
across the community with key stakeholders.
Commitment to Quality Management.
Ability to present at seminars, workshops and conferences.
Experience
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Registered Mental Health Nurse with at least 3 years full-time equivalent post registration
experience
Demonstrated competence in the relevant area of mental health nursing practice in
accordance with the relevant standards.
Experience in the supervision of students, enrolled nurses and less experienced registered
mental health nurses, nurses and or midwives.
Knowledge

Comprehensive understanding of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (ANMC)
National Competencies for the Registered and Enrolled Nurse in Recommended Domains.
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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 mental health nursing and Women’s health care issues.
Knowledge of community support services and referral processes.
Knowledge of National Mental Health Strategy/Policy/Plan.
Knowledge of National Mental Health Standards.
Knowledge of the Recovery framework for Mental Health and Well-being.
Knowledge and understanding of Mental Health Primary, Prevention and Early Intervention
Knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation, principles and codes of practice
including, but not limited to:
 Mental Health Act 2009
 Guardianship and Administration Act.
 Occupational Health Welfare and Safety Act.
 Equal Opportunity Act.
 Disability Discrimination Act.
 South Australian Health Care Act.
 National Women’s Health Policy Framework 2009
 Freedom of Information Act.
 Code of Fair Information Practice.
 Fire Arms Act
 Coroners Act
 Understanding of the requirements of the Nurses Act 1999.
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)
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Registered as a Midwife
Bachelor of Nursing of Equivalent
Post Graduate qualification relevant to Mental Health or Women’s Health.
Personal Abilities/Aptitudes/Skills: (related to the job description and expressed in a way which
allows objective assessment):
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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.
Ability to analyse complex data.
Ability to undertake presentations to community and professional groups.
Experience
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Experience with quality improvement activities.
Experience of working in a perinatal mental health environment
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Experience in working with women and families who live in Rural & Remote areas.
Experience with using ICT in a clinical role.
Experience in evaluating the results of nursing and/or midwifery research and integrating,
where relevant, the results into nursing and or midwifery practice.
Experience in management and leadership roles
Knowledge
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Knowledge of the South Australian Public Health System.
Knowledge of contemporary professional nursing issues
Knowledge of research methodology and aspects of community orientated care
Knowledge of Health and healthcare issues relevant to people living in rural and remote
South Australia.
Knowledge of the National Women’s Health Policy Framework (2009) including the
principles of:
o Gender Equality
o Health Equity between women
o A focus on prevention
o A strong and emerging evidence base
o A life course approach
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COMMITMENT TO WORKPLACE VALUES
The Department of Health values have an influence on the people we employ
Every organisation has values that govern the way people are treated and the way
decisions are made. The Department’s Strategic Plan identifies the values that guide our
behaviours. These behaviours apply to all employees and govern the way people in the
organisation are treated, the way decisions are made and how we provide our services.
These values are used in day to day communication and interaction between all employees and
are linked to the whole of government Code of Conduct, Performance Development, Job and
Person Specifications and Department of Health Employment Conditions.
Department of Health Organisational Values are:
Honesty
We show honesty by speaking truthfully, within the boundaries of confidentiality. This is shown
in our dealings within the Department and with our consumers and partners by: saying what we
mean and meaning what we say, keeping our promises, telling the truth tactfully, providing
honest feedback and answers and admitting to mistakes.
Respect
We show respect by speaking and acting with courtesy. We treat others with dignity and use
culturally appropriate ways of communicating. This is shown in our dealings within the
Department and with our consumers and partners by: treating everyone fairly, communicating so
people can understand, listening to others, and seeking and providing feedback.
Integrity
We show integrity by honouring our values and the rules of our department, government and
nation. This is shown in our dealings within the department and with our consumers and
partners by: doing the right thing, abiding by the values, standing up for what we believe in, and
taking responsibility for our mistakes.
*****************
I ___________________________________ have the ability and commitment to
behave consistently with the stated values of the Department of Health.
__________________________________
Signature
/
/
Please complete and return attached to your application to the nominated person
“The right people with the right skills in the right place at the right time”
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