Modbury Hospital
JOB AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
Position Title: Transitional Care Unit: Emergency Department Liaison Nurse
Classification Code: Clinical Nurse Level 2
Type of Appointment:
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Ongoing
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Temporary
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Other
Term
Division: Nursing
Branch:
Section: Transitional Care
Position Number:
Position Created:
Job & Person Specification Approval
______________________________
CE or delegate
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JOB SPECIFICATION
1.
Summary of the broad purpose of the position in relation to the organisation's
goals:
The Transitional Care Unit / Emergency Department Liaison Nurse will be responsible for
facilitating the transition of patients from the acute setting back to the community by
coordinating support processes to ensure the wellbeing and safety of patients at discharge.
Responsible for planning and coordinating with internal & external interdisciplinary
stakeholders to prevent unnecessary admission and readmission. The Liaison Nurse is
accountable for own practice standards, activities delegated to others and the guidance and
development of less experienced staff.
The Registered Nurse consolidates knowledge and skills and develops in capability through
continuous professional development and experience.
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 Clinical Nurse:
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Reports to the Clinical Service Cooindinator, Transitional Care Unit
Maintains cooperative and productive working relationships within all members of the
Multidisciplinary health care team
Supports and works collaboratively with less experienced members of the nursing team
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3.
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4.
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 may be required to enter into an annual performance agreement for the
achievement of (specific or service or program) outcomes
Modbury Hospital is a smoke free environment.
Shift hours may be adjusted to meet Service Level Demands
The appointee may be required to relieve within Modbury Hospital as required
May be required to work at any site within the Central Northern Adelaide Health Service
and various Health Units within the hospital
The Transitional Care Unit/Emergency Department Liaison Nurse is instrumental in
building relationships with Residential Care Facilities, GP’s and Community Service
providers to facilitate an understanding of alternatives to hospital for their clients care as
well as dissemination of information regarding ongoing care, needs and plans
The appointee must ensure complex admitted patients are identified and have their
Discharge planning commenced in the Emergency Department to ensure an early, safe
and appropriate discharge
The Transitional Care Unit/Emergency Liaison Nurse assists Emergency Department
staff in the transfer of patients to other facilities including hospitals and Residential Care
Facilities. Services include but are not limited to:
 Metrohome LInk
 RDNS
 H@H
 Emergency Respite
 Carers Respite
 Domiciliary care
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 Assists with the provision of professional high quality patient care within the
Service/Unit aimed at improving patient health outcomes through:
4.1.1 Improving nursing and patient care procedures and practices by;
 Providing health education, counselling and rehabilitation programs to improve the
health outcomes of individual patients/clients or groups
 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
 Integrating advanced theoretical knowledge, evidence from a range of sources and own
experience to devise and achieve agreed patient care outcomes
 Providing direct nursing care and/or individual case management to patients/clients on a
shift by shift basis for patients in the Service/Unit
 Assessing individual patient/client needs, planning and implementing or coordinating
appropriate service delivery from a range of accepted options
 Ensuring the maintenance of patient confidentiality, comfort and dignity
 Using professional competence and judgement to recognise the appropriateness of
orders and seeking clarification when concerned
 Acting as a patient advocate in nursing matters to assist individuals make informed
decisions
 Planning and coordinating services with other disciplines or agencies in providing
individual’s health care needs
 Contributing to patient safety, risk minimisation and safe work activities within the
practice setting
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Practicing as a Registered Nurse within a nursing model established to support
patient/client centred care
Contributing to procedures for effectively dealing with people exhibiting challenging
behaviours
Ensuring patient’s rights are upheld
Maintaining safe custody of controlled substances
4.1.2 Contributes to the human resource management of the Service/Unit by;
 Contributing to communication processes that effectively deal with challenging
behaviours and the resolution of conflict
 Providing direction, supervision and support to new or less experienced staff and acting
as a preceptor to staff participating in the Graduate Nurse Program and other post
registration courses
 Using effective and caring interpersonal relationship and communication skills in all
interactions with staff, patients and their families where applicable
 Guiding, directing and sharing professional knowledge with less experienced Registered
Nurses, Enrolled Nurses, and students
 Supporting nursing practice learning experiences for students undertaking clinical
placements, orientation for new staff and preceptorship of graduates
4.2 Contributes to the achievement of nursing best practice and where
relevant facilitates the development and application of relevant nursing research
by;
 Acting as a resource person within an area based on knowledge, experience and skills;
 Participating in quality assurance and/or evaluative research activities within practice
setting
 Using foundation theoretical knowledge and evidence based guidelines and applying
these to a range of activities to achieve agreed patient care outcomes
4.3 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
 Demonstrating evidence of continuous education, supported by evidence based learning
 Participating in the in-service training schedule within the department as required
including annual mandatory skills updates and performance appraisals
 Seeking learning opportunities and developing and maintaining own professional
development portfolio of learning and experience
 Demonstrating evidence of continuous education, supported by evidence based learning
 Continuing to maintain professional knowledge by reference to relevant literature and
participation in staff development programs
4.4 In addition to the foregoing the Clinical Nurse may:
 Participate in clinical teaching, oversee learning experiences, and goal setting for
students, new staff and staff with less experience
 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 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
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4.5 Occupational Health Safety and Welfare and Code of Fair Information
 As an employee of this organisation, it is a requirement to follow defined OHS&W
policies and procedures related to the work being undertaken in order to ensure own
safety and that of others in the work place
 Follow workplace OH&S policies and procedures when performing tasks making proper
use of all safeguards, safety devices and personal protective equipment (as required in
undertaking the duties of the position)
 Attend mandatory safety training programs and maintain effective work practices
 Report all hazards, accidents, incidents, injuries and unsafe work practices in the
workplace to your supervisor
 Complying with the Principles of the Code of Fair Information Practice, adopted by the
Department of Human Services, which regulate the collection, use, disclosure, storage
and transfer of all patient, staff and / or hospital operations information within the Health
Service
 Practise safe working procedures by complying with health and safety policies,
procedures and direction from line management
 Participate in safety audits and the documentation / reporting of unsafe work practices.
 Support activities of Elected Safety Representatives and Risk Assessment Teams
Infection Control
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Demonstrate an understanding of:
o Standard and additional precautions;
o National Health & Medical Research Council Guidelines for Infection Control;
o Codes of Practice; and
o Relevant Standards
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Perform patient care and all other duties in compliance with infection control and
procedures as outlined in the Hospital Infection Control Manual.
Approved by Line Manager:
_________________________
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Acknowledged by Occupant:
Print Name: _________________Signature: ___________________
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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)
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Registered with the Nurses’ 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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Effective communication, problem solving, conflict resolution and negotiation skills
Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team
Ability to prioritise workload and meet set timelines, whilst working autonomously under
minimal supervision in an ever changing environment
Ability to be creative, innovative and flexible when approaching issues within acute
community setting
Experience
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Registered Nurse with at least 3 years, full time equivalent, post registration experience
Demonstrated competence in the relevant area of nursing practice in accordance with
the appropriate standards of practice
Experience in the leadership and direction of student nurses, enrolled nurses and less
experienced registered nurses
Experience in proficient discharge planning
Knowledge
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Knowledge and understanding of the role of the Registered General Nurse within a
Hospital at Home environment
Understanding of the requirements of the Nurses Act 1999
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
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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 Graduate qualifications relevant to hospital at home nursing practice
 Tertiary qualifications in nursing or human services related discipline
Personal Abilities/Aptitudes/Skills: (related to the job description and expressed in a way
which allows objective assessment):
 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
 Effective communication skills including, problem solving, conflict resolution and
negotiation skills
 Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team
 Ability to prioritise workload
 Ability to be creative, innovative and flexible when approaching issues within a healthcare
setting
Experience
 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 issues
Other Details:
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