GV Health Nursing Employment & Education 

Our nursing care, directed by reflective practice, responds to the needs of our society.

Employment

GV Health is a 280 bed hospital providing surgical, medical, paediatric, orthopaedic, urology, aged care, obstetrics/gynaecology, intensive care, rehabilitation services as well as extended care and community based regional services.  The Emergency Department continues to be one of the busiest Emergency Departments in regional Victoria with attendances numbering 28,902 during 2003/2004. The three operating theatres have an average of 450 patients per month.  Nurses are employed in permanent, temporary and casual positions across many campuses within GV Health, and the Casual Nurse Bank provides flexibility in hours and placement in preferred areas of practice.

Contact details For further information and/or enquiries about these services please contact : Contact : Clinical Services - Nursing Address : GV Health Graham Street  Shepparton 3630 Phone : +61 3 5832 2387        hours 9.00am to 5.00pm   Monday to Friday Fax : +61 3 5832 2394 Email : nursing@gvhealth.org.au

Nursing opportunities at GV Health include: 

• Aged Care
• Allied Health/Community Rehabilitation
• Centre for Nursing Education and Research
• Community (DNS, HITH, Community Interlink, Drug and Alcohol, CASA, ACAS, PGAT, Rural Allied Health, Diabetes education)
• Day Procedure
• Diagnostic Services (Pathology, Radiology, Electro diagnostic Unit)
• Emergency
• Haemodialysis
• Intensive Care
• Maternity Services (inpatient and community)
• Medical Unit
• Mental Health (Inpatient and community)
• Oncology
• Operating Suite
• Other (Admissions, Clinical Services, Pharmacy, Infection Control, Pain Management)
• Paediatrics (inpatient and community)
• Rehabilitation/Geriatric Evaluation and Management
• Rushworth (community, acute, aged)
• Specialist Clinics and services (Specialist Consulting Suite, Pre-Admission Clinic, Complex Care, Post Acute Care, Discharge Planning/Discharge Lounge, Nurse conducted clinics i.e. breast/wound Surgical Unit)
• Special Projects
• Tatura (community, acute, aged)

Education

The Centre for Nursing Practice Education & Research co-ordinates and provides a range of education for nursing staff throughout the organisation.  It operates the work experience program, clinical competency program and provides clinical area educators for undergraduate, post graduate and graduate nurses.  A range of post graduate courses are offered in partnership with the University of Melbourne school of nursing and Latrobe University including Rural Criticial Care, Perioperative, Child Health, Mental health and Midwifery streams as well as the Graduate Nurse Program.

Midwifery Programs

GV Health is the referral hospital for other Midwifery Units within the Hume Region.  The Midwifery Unit services approximately 1200 births per annum, has 5 Birthing Suites, 12 Ward beds, Antenatal Clinic, Level 2 Special Care Nursery, Domiciliary Service and Lactation Day Stay facilities.

Midwifery Post Graduate Diploma Student Program

The program is provided in collaboration with Latrobe University. This program permits students to be employed part time whilst studying.  National Registration is required in order to participate in the program and a fee is also payable to the university.  Postgraduate experience, as a Registered Nurse (Division 1) is a prerequisite for the course.

Employment is on the basis of a twelve-month contract, which is subject to performance assessment throughout the year.

Students are responsible for their own university fees. Students are required to pass all elements of the course in order to remain within the respective programs. For further information please contact the Midwifery Clinical Area Educator on (03) 5823 8629. 

Graduate Midwifery Program

This program was developed in response to the need for ongoing clinical support and further education for rural midwives.  Positions exist for enthusiastic midwives. A 6 - 12 month program is offered twice a year or as negotiated.

This program offers the midwife an opportunity to consolidate skills in a supportive environment

• Opportunity for rotation to each clinical area
• Allocation of supernumerary days at commencement of rotations
• On-going support by midwifery staff and clinical educator in midwifery
• Continuing Professional Development opportunities
• Clinical evaluation

For further information please contact the Midwifery Clinical Area Educator on (03) 5823 8629.

Please refer below to the General Nursing Graduate Program for info on double degree (Bachelor Nursing and Bachelor Midwifery) combined Graduate Program.

Post Graduate Nursing Programs 

In association with the University of Melbourne School of Nursing the following employment based post graduate certificate and diploma in nursing practice programs are available;

• Rural Critical Care  
• Perioperative
• Paediatrics
• Mental Health

Applications for 2009 are closed. Enquiries should be directed to the Centre for Nursing Practice, Education and Research on (03) 5823 8629.
For Mental Health post graduates contact Bev Schumacher on (03) 5832 2111

Mental Health Programs

GVAMHS comprise acute and sub-acute in-patient, aged residential and community mental health services for the Goulburn Valley Region of Victoria.  The centre is located in the provincial city of Shepparton, approx. 180kms north of Melbourne and offers a variety of recreational and country lifestyles. 

Psychiatric Inpatient Services include: 20 Acute In-patient beds (15 adult and 5 Psychogeriatric assessment), 8 bed Sub Acute step up step down facility, 8 bed Specialist Residential Rehabilitation Program and 20 specialist Psychogeriatric Residential beds.

Psychiatric Community Programs include: Adult, Child, and Adolescent, Psychogeriatric, Primary Mental Health & Early Intervention, Dual Diagnosis and Early Psychosis. The adjoining hospital provides a variety of inpatient and community services which are detailed in the Goulburn Valley Health entry.

Graduate Nurse Mental Health

The Goulburn Valley Area Mental Health Service (GVAMHS) offers a comprehensive 12month clinical education program to nursing graduates.

Our aim is to provide graduates with clinical support and learning opportunities in the specialist field of psychiatry during the transition from student to the independent clinician. The program provides graduates with opportunities to consolidate and apply theoretical knowledge, whilst developing skills in a variety of settings. These include: acute and sub acute inpatient care, child and adolescent, adult community, aged community and residential, rehabilitation and early intervention and primary mental health.

Postgraduate education opportunities are supported through the University of Melbourne, Latrobe University and others. GVAMHS provides education programs to nurses locally and through involvement with NEVIL (North East Victoria Innovative Learning) which is a consortium of Victorian mental health services. For more information visit the web site at  www.nevil.org.au

Duration: 1 year converting to a postgraduate position in 2011
Rotations: Rotations are negotiable. Preferences are discussed during the interview process.
Further / Postgraduate study: Post Graduate study is supported both financially and with supervision and supernumerary time.
The Graduate program articulates with post graduate study and gains credit points through participation in the NEVIL nursing graduate program.
Graduates are to discuss their intentions to engage in post graduate study with the Graduate Program Coordinator.
Date of intake: 31^st January 2010
Overseas Students: Invited to apply
Positions: Full and Part Time positions available
Application Process: Eligible candidates must apply through Nurse Computer Match.
Candidates who have completed a previous year and overseas applicants may apply directly.
GVAMHS has an online application process.
To apply: www.gvhealth.org.au   and go to the Mental Health Graduate Nurse Position.
Closing Date for Applications: 30th July 2009

Graduate Nurse Program - General     

Current Links:

• Graduate Nurse Program Information 2014 Booklet
• Graduate Open Day     

The Graduate Nurse Program is recognised as an adult learning course and therefore encourages self-directed learning. 
The Graduate Program reflects the nursing service values of GV Health:

• Nurses will be committed and practice holistic, reflective practice
• Provide an environment that supports the development of knowledge, practice and accountability
• Promotes a nursing culture that respects, supports and cares for those in their care and values the contributions of their peers
• Empowers Nurses to make clinical decisions based on reflective practice

To support these values a research component is incorporated within the graduate year on clinical practice.

Each rotational area has a Clinical Educator or Clinical Preceptor dedicated to the speciality.  The Clinical Educator aids in facilitating acquisition of knowledge and new skills and is available to assist the Graduate when required. GV Health is committed to a ‘Group Preceptorship’ model of support, ensuring the Graduate always has access to a support person.

Theoretical Component

A minimum of 40 hours theoretical work must be achieved for successful program completion.

Theoretical content is based upon principles relating to evidence based practice and the enhancement of the Graduates professional development.  Theoretical content is presented as:

• Study days (7)
  • 2 during orientation period
  • 5 throughout the year
  • Based on the learning needs of the Graduate nurse
• Presentation of a clinical research project
• Regular debriefing sessions

Clinical Component

Four rotations, with one specialty area of preference.

GVH offers double degree (Bachelor Nursing and Bachelor Midwifery) a combined 12 month Graduate Program with 6 months General Nursing, and 6 months Midwifery rotations.

Based upon formalised preceptor orientation

• Objective setting & measurement utilising a Practice Portfolio
• Satisfactory performance appraisal upon completion of each rotation 

GV Health graduates also have the opportunity to consider further studies in speciality areas once they have completed their program.  These include (but are not limited to) Intensive Care, Emergency Nursing, Peri-operative Nursing, Haemodialysis and Paediatrics.

Link of interest

PMCV (Postgraduate Medical Council of Victoria) Computer Matching Service for Graduate Nurses

http://www.pmcv.com.au/computermatching/gradnurse/index.cfm