Nurse Practitioner

Our mission is to reduce the incidence of middle ear disease in Indigenous and at-risk children in Western Australia below the World Health Organisation benchmark of 4%. We will achieve this via our established Outreach programs, which demonstrate excellence in Aboriginal health.

Our Vision is that current and future generations of Indigenous (Aboriginal) children can succeed at school unhindered by the debilitating effects of Otitis media and its impacts upon their ability to learn and achieve to their full potential.

POSITION

This position of the Nurse Practitioner works in partnership with the CEO and Director of Clinical Services and Outcomes in promoting the Earbus Foundation of WA (“Earbus” or “EFWA”) as a program of excellence in Aboriginal ear health.

The Nurse Practitioner is employed as part of a specialised clinical team to facilitate screening, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up for the children and families we serve, in the regions where we operate. Earbus strives to provide a culturally appropriate visiting service delivery model, providing a complete medical pathway to Aboriginal children and their families suffering the effects of Otitis media and middle ear disease, in regional and remote WA.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Reporting Relationship: Director of Clinical Services and Outcomes

The role includes but is not limited to, assessment and diagnosis, prescribing of medications, referral of children to specialists, administration of topical treatments, facilitating access to and administration of medication, education and follow-up of families and communities, assisting Audiology, Nurse, Screener and ENT services, facilitating ENT Clinics, liaising with local services, promoting inter-agency collaboration, up skilling as required, whilst monitoring and maintaining accurate records to ensure no child slips through the pathway and is delayed access to the care they need. Services may be delivered face to face or by telehealth depending on need. The Nurse Practitioner will refer to current guidelines and abide by Earbus Foundation WA policies and procedures.

As part of a team approach the Nurse Practitioner will maintain continuous self-education in the area of Otitis media research, infection prevention and control, treatment, education of communities, schools and families and being willing to undertake other responsibilities from time to time to support other team members.

The Nurse Practitioner will be well organised and have a high attention to detail ensuring accurate record keeping, timely clinical review, be highly sensitive to the cultural needs of Aboriginal families, providing appropriate feedback to those families regarding their children and have a vision to develop new opportunities for service delivery in conjunction with Earbus Management.

You will be provided opportunities to learn and evolve as part of a growing and innovative organisation. You will be given the chance to do work that makes a genuine difference in communities.

ROLE RESPONSIBILTIES:

Responsibilities are to be carried out in accordance with Earbus core values, policies and procedures, and under the agreed salary contract answering to the Director of Clinical Services and Outcomes and CEO.

With the ability to engage with families, communities and schools, your duties will include:

Clinical:

  • Assessment of ear health, basic health checks and diagnosis of disease

  • Prescribing of medications, facilitating access to and administration of medication

  • Review after administration of topical treatments

  • Referral of children to specialists and follow up of these referrals

  • Education and follow-up of families and communities

  • Assisting Audiology, Nurse, Screener and ENT services, this may include facilitating ENT Clinics

  • Liaising with local services and promoting inter-agency collaboration

  • Monitoring and maintaining accurate records to ensure no child slips through the pathway and is delayed access to the care they need

  • Services may be delivered face to face or by telehealth depending on need.

  • The Nurse Practitioner will refer to current guidelines and abide by Earbus Foundation WA policies and procedures

  • Implement infection prevention and control procedures within all work areas

  • Maintain safety of all equipment and re-stocking of consumables

  • Report any areas of potential clinical weakness within the program to line manager to develop pathways for improvement

  • Actively participate in pre and post trip meetings to discuss case management

  • Monitor activity across region using Power BI and other data management tools.

Record Keeping:

  • Work with the team to accurately track and encourage new consents forms at each site

  • Accurate recording of medication/treatment/medical pathway for each child

  • Accurately complete and review the Internal Medical Record (IMR), electronic patient records, data collection/entries or other documentation as required.

Family Engagement:

  • Timely reporting of results and/or conditions requiring treatment and/or medication to parents or caregivers in a culturally sensitive manner

  • Encourage all siblings to be consented for Earbus screening opportunities

  • Encourage families to attend GP/ENT visits wherever possible

Community and School Engagement:

  • Liaise with Pharmacies prior to each trip to ensure they have adequate stock for dispensing

  • Actively seek to expand screening opportunities at each venue or at new sites e.g. playgroups, morning teas, yarning sessions in consultation with Earbus management team

  • Actively seek ‘Photo Opportunities’ with consent for the Earbus social media

  • Actively seek and nurture a ‘champion’ support person at each site to support Earbus’s work in-between visits, re: treatment, consents

  • Ongoing revision of service delivery to suit each venue – report new information to Director of Clinical Services and Outcomes and Program Coordinator for discussion with the School Principal or Venue Manager

Education and Training:

  • Be available for educational talks with community or school groups when required

  • Demonstrate simple procedures with caregivers that they may undertake between Earbus visits. e.g. Betadine Wash with tissue spears for “wet ears”

  • Supervise and mentor new staff and visiting students as required

  • Ensure service delivery is maintained at the required standard outlined by the policies and procedures as is requirement across all sites.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS:

Essential:

  • Nursing qualifications - Masters of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) or recognised equivalent

  • AHPRA registration - current and continuing

  • National Police Check

  • Working With Children Card

  • Senior First Aid

  • Current “C” class motor vehicle licence

  • Cultural Awareness Training

  • Ability to work as part of a team or independently as required

  • Strong Communication and interpersonal skills

  • Proven ability for critical thinking and problem solving

  • Hand Hygiene certification

  • Excellent understanding of record keeping, consent process and confidentiality (within Government legislated National Privacy Policy Principles)

  • Sound practical knowledge in computer literacy Microsoft Word and Excel Database

Desirable:

  • Prior experience working within Aboriginal Australia

  • Previous experience working in remote communities

  • Previous experience working with children in an educational setting

  • Certificate IV in Ear Health

  • Certificate IV Training and Assessment

  • Community Health experience

  • 4WD experience or advanced driver safety course/experience

COMPENSATION

This is an outstanding opportunity for a highly motivated professional to assume a pivotal role in the evolution of a fast-growing, highly respected organisation. We are seeking an individual of outstanding quality with a respected track record. EFWA is prepared to offer an attractive compensation package, including a competitive base salary as well as salary sacrifice benefits, depending upon skills and experience. 

EARBUS VALUES

Earbus Foundation's values are at the core of everything we do. Successful applicants will: 

  • Be open and honest in communication and intent 

  • Be loyal and supportive to Earbus, their colleagues and the communities they serve 

  • Be brilliant in their role 

Our internal motto is 'Say it, mean it, do it'. If these values describe you then you will have found a home at Earbus. 

You’ll be provided opportunities to learn and evolve as part of a growing and innovative organisation. You will be given the chance to do work that makes a genuine difference in communities. 

We encourage Aboriginal people to apply for this role. If you are an Aboriginal person looking to further your career give us a call to have a yarn. We aim to create a work environment that is sensitive to cultural difference and to develop talent among Aboriginal people. 

Submit your CV and a one page cover letter outlining your interest to our Director of Clinical Services and Outcomes, Catherine Zeevaarder, to catherine.zeevaarder@earbus.org.au or call for a confidential discussion on 08 9328 4574.