PIPER Neonatal Retrieval Nurse

The Hospital:

The Royal Children’s Hospital’s (RCH) Vision is “A world where all kids thrive”.

RCH is a cornerstone member of the Melbourne Children’s Campus, partnering with Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, The University of Melbourne Department of Paediatrics and The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation.

RCH has cared for the children and young people of Victoria for more than 150 years since it was founded in 1870. A full range of paediatrics and adolescent health services are provided plus tertiary and quaternary care for the most critically ill and medically complex patients in Victoria, Tasmania, southern NSW and other states around Australia and overseas. The Hospital has more than 6,000 staff, a budget of $850M, 12 wards and 350 beds. Annually, the RCH has 300,000+ Specialist Clinic appointments, 90,000+ Emergency Department presentations and 20,000 elective surgeries.

The RCH is committed to the Child Safe Standards. 

RCH enjoys high employee engagement and is committed to staff safety and a positive culture through enactment of our Compact.

For further Information on RCH is available here.

Neonatal Retrieval Nurses

This is a Fixed Term Part Time position of 12 months duration for Parental Leave cover. A  total of 74hrs is available.

About the Role

The role of Retrieval Nurse is to participate in patient retrievals by road, fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft  throughout Victoria and occasionally interstate or overseas, ensuring that clinical practice and delivery of care is consistent with RCH and Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) practice, by providing comprehensive, safe, evidence-based practice to facilitate optimal health outcomes. Additionally, the Retrieval Nurse will participate in the coordination of Perinatal, Neonatal and Paediatric referrals and retrievals ensuring transport of all patients are completed in an organised, safe and timely fashion, the Retrieval nurse would also participate in the return (back) transportation of convalescent neonates when required.

About the Department

PIPER improves health outcomes for newborn babies, children and women by providing emergency consultation and medical retrieval services for babies, infants, children and adolescents, and high risk pregnant women.

In addition PIPER’s statewide role includes coordinating NICU/PICU and maternity bed utilisation, collaboration with key stakeholders in the planning and implementation of strategies to improve neonatal, paediatric and maternity services in Victoria, and supporting clinicians through outreach education programs focussed on the non-tertiary health services who refer to PIPER. 

What you’ll achieve:

• The ability to coordinate calls with NETS, PETS or PERS consultants and the receiving hospital consultant to triage and determine potential neonatal, paediatric or obstetric transport requirements.
• Consolidate skills in assessing, stabilising and evaluating the patient’s clinical status at the referring hospital, during transport and prior to admission to a tertiary care centre or destination facility.
• Develop a sound knowledge/understanding of how all equipment functions, and be able to troubleshoot if required.
• Develop skills to coordinate the mode of transport, personnel and equipment to ensure an efficient running of retrievals.
• Maintain written documentation and computerised records pertaining to coordination and retrieval

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Current Neonatal intensive care skills and the ability to care for Neonates on HFOV and Nitric Oxide
• Ability to participate in aircraft (helicopter and fixed wing) and on road retrievals.
• Demonstrated skills in planning and coordinating care delivery.
• Proven ability and skills to build collaborative relationships and work effectively in a multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated ability to liaise with a wide range of staff and in particular with medical staff and management.
• Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills.
• Critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Demonstrated self-direction.
• Effective time management and organisational skills.
• Ability to work well under pressure and be flexible to changing priorities environment.
• Have a flexible approach to a changing virtual and physical environment.
• Current Australian Driver’s License.
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office Suite of products or equivalent.

Other requirements:

• Current National Criminal Record Check, or willing to obtain
• Valid Working with Children Check
• Compliance with RCHs “Staff Immunisation - Prevention of Vaccine Preventable Diseases” procedures

Application process:

To apply, you will need a resume and a tailored cover letter outlining your skills, experience, and suitability for the position in line with the requirements of the position description.

Shortlisting for this position will commence immediately, we encourage you to apply promptly!

For more information about this position please contact Kelly Waterman, PIPER NUM.  Ph:03 9345 9040  Mob: 0466 568 056 Email: Kelly.waterman@rch.org.au

If this sounds like you, click here to view the position description.

Why work at the RCH?

RCH enjoys high employee engagement and is committed to staff safety and a positive culture through enactment of our Compact. We offer the opportunity to work in world-class facilities, surrounded by Royal Park and only a short tram trip from the heart of Melbourne city.

We also offer discounted staff parking, salary packaging, and an award-winning health and wellbeing program.

The RCH is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally and/or linguistically diverse background, all members of the LGBTQI community and people with disability.

It is a requirement of your employment that you be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, and Influenza annually for Category A and B roles, in compliance with any public health orders in place at the relevant time, unless you have a medical exception in line with those public health orders, which has been accepted by The Royal Children’s Hospital.  Applicants will be required to provide their Australian Government Immunisation History Statement, it is a requirement of the RCH to collect, record and hold vaccination information.

It is also a requirement of your employment that you comply with any direction given by The Royal Children’s Hospital that you be vaccinated against, or prove immunity to, any other disease, unless you have a relevant exemption

Are you ready to join our team? 

 Apply online by clicking on the “Apply” button

Applications close 20 Nvember 2024