The Eastern Health Mental Health Postgraduate Nurse Program is a one or two year program to support Division 1 nurses to gain the necessary clinical experience and qualifications to progress and advance their career in the field of mental health nursing. Our in-house education program is conducted in collaboration with other specialist mental health services, and equates to 50% of a graduate diploma at a number of leading universities.
The Eastern Health Mental Health Program operates a number of specialist community and hospital-based mental health and alcohol and drug services throughout the Eastern suburbs of Melbourne.
New facilities
Eastern Health is undergoing major expansion and redevelopment creating exciting career opportunities
• NEW state of the art, purpose built mental health facilities
• New additional positions
• Major campuses easily reached from the Eastern Freeway and EastLINK
Start Date: 28 January 2008
Employment
12 month contract
Full time*
6 weeks annual leave*
13 accrued days off*
(part time of 4 days per week may be available by negotiation – leave and entitlements vary for part time employees as per the Psychiatric Services Certified Agreement)
Three rotations in specialty clinical areas
• Acute Adult Psychiatry
• Adolescent Psychiatry
• Acute Aged Psychiatry
• Alcohol and Drug
• Community Care Units
Locations
• Box Hill
• Burwood East
• Camberwell
• Ringwood East
Supports for Postgraduates
A number of structures are present to support the postgraduate in their professional development. Clinical educators are present on each inpatient unit, preceptors are allocated to all postgraduates, regular clinical supervision is provided and each rotation begins with a week supernumerary time.
Orientation
- The first week includes supernumerary time in clinical areas, and workshops covering
- Basic life support
- SAFE – Safe Aggression Free Environment workshop
- Clinical risk assessment and management
- The first week on each new rotation is supernumerary to allow postgraduates to be familiar with the area
Education program
A career in psychiatric/mental health nursing requires formal post graduate qualifications, leading to recognition by the Nurses Board of Victoria.
An education program run in collaboration with other specialist mental health services, is embedded in the Eastern Health Postgraduate Mental Health Nurse Program, and includes:
- Three subjects
- Introduction to Frameworks Supporting Mental Health Nursing Practice
- Introduction to Psychopathology, Assessment and Intervention
- Communication and Counselling for Mental Health Nurses
- Study leave
- Following orientation a two week study block provides a sound preparation at the beginning of your career
- Additional, more advanced communication and counselling training at a one week mid year study block
- A two day ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) workshop
- On-the-job competency assessments and written work
- Regular appraisals provide formal feedback and report of progress based on the National Practice Standards
Click this link to see more detail about the Education Program:
http://www.nevil.org.au/Grad%20Trg%20Program.asp (opens in new window)
Our education program is recognized by a number of leading universities, offering up to 50% of a Graduate Diploma. This provides considerable savings in time and tertiary fees.
• Choice of three rotations or a full year in one clinical area (depending an availability)
• Choose a university
• Complete university subjects with
• Study leave
• Financial support and access to scholarships
• Rostering supportive of attending classes
Over one or two years – you choose!
For those choosing to complete the program in one year, the university subjects can be completed simultaneously with the in-house education program.
Application
Apply in writing to:
Rick Bastida
Mental Health Program
PO Box 94
Box Hill 3128
Include:
• A one page covering letter stating why you want to join the Eastern Health Graduate Psychiatric Nurse Program
• Concise resume
• Interim academic results (including an explanation of grading system)
• Passport sized photograph, with your name on the back
• Names and contact details (including email address) of 2 referees
Download brochure click here
