Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
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About ICU
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Welcome to our Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Royal Childrens Hospital, Melbourne. Your child would be admitted into ICU because care and treatment is required that is not available in the general ward areas. This care is provided by the intensive care team which consists of the duty consultant, registrars (experienced doctors), nurses and technologists. Ward clerks and patient services assistants also contribute to the care of your child and the smooth running of the unit.
This site offers some information for families and hospital staff with links to helpful sites related to PICU.We welcome your feedback on this site.
Interested in working in PICU?
New opportunities, new beginnings!
Have you ever thought about working with children? Here is your chance! We have places available for enthusiastic motivated Division 1 nurses who are interested in a career in Paediatric Intensive Care Nursing due to the exciting expansion of our Paediatric Intensive Care Unit to 17 ICU equivalents
There are lots of opportunities. If you have PICU experience just call I am sure we can find you a position.
If you have worked in paediatrics, adult ICU , High Dependency, or Neonatal ICU and want a new challenge, just call. Lets organize a visit and show you the unit. Commencement supported with structured preceptorship can be arranged at any time over the year.
Practical Preparation Program
Commencing February 2009.
The Practical Preparation Program is provided for nurses who are interested in working in PICU, but have limited paediatric and/or intensive care exposure. This program will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to work as a beginning practitioner in PICU, and includes the equivalent of 6 paid study days and up to 4 weeks supernumerary time. We ensure structured supervision and assistance is available to you at the bedside with our Preceptors, Clinical Nurse Facilitators and Educators.
The role of the PICU nurse is challenging and rewarding and we will offer you opportunities to learn and develop in a dynamic, enabling and supportive team environment.
For more information please call Suzanne Hall, Nurse Manager Intensive Care Services on 03) 9345 5201, visit our website below or contact Human Resources Department on 03) 9345 5191.
Applications will close late 2008 and should be forwarded to Suzanne Hall, Nurse Manager Intensive Care Services, Royal Children’s Hospital, Flemington Rd, Parkville 3052 or email: suzanne.hall@rch.org.au
The Royal Children’s Hospital offers attractive salary packaging and staff benefit opportunities.
Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Practice (Paediatric Critical Care)
Applications for 2009 start in September 2008
12-month course conducted through The University of Melbourne. Clinical placements include the Neonatal Unit, the Cardiothoracic Unit and the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit. Students are employed part-time and attend lectures conducted on site at RCH. The possibility of part-time study exists. Credits are possible through recognition of prior learning. Students are supported clinically with a strong focus on preceptorship
For further information contact:
Janine Evans
Course Co-ordinator
Telephone: +61 3 9345 5777
e-mail: janine.evans@rch.org.au
- SCHOOL OF NURSING (Melbourne University)
If you have never worked in a PICU and think you might like to try
As you can see there is something for everyone, lots of flexibility and a supportive environment.
Please contact Suzanne Hall Nurse Unit Manager of PICU on 03 9345 5201 or email suzanne.hall@rch.org.au
Comments from staff on why they work in PICU at RCH.
"The work is really challenging"
"No day is ever the same"
"The challenge of the kids and their families"
Observational/Practice Nurse Visitor Guidelines for Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne.
- Requests for all observational nursing visits to the unit will be reviewed by the education team in consultation with the Nurse Manager. Contact Dianne McKinley PICU Nurse Educator di.mckinley@rch.org.au or +61 9345 5225 or Suzanne Hall Nurse Manger Paediatric Intensive Care Services suzanne.hall@rch.org.auor +61 9345 5201.
- Only one observational visitor in the unit at any given time will be accommodated, unless student observational visitors or group observational visitors are from an interstate or an overseas location. In this case 2 observational visitors may be considered.
- Request for observational/practice visits must be received 3 months in advance of the proposed visit. Late requests may be considered at the discretion of the Unit Manager and the Educational Team.
- All observational/practice visitors must provide written objectives which will be considered before the request is granted. The objectives must be specific to PICU and be of value to nursing practice.
- Visitors are encouraged to organise a practice visit and seek registration with the Nurse’s Board of Victorian. This will need to be organised well in advance as registration is a lengthy process. Information can be obtained from the Nurse’s Board of Victoria website. http://www.nbv.org.au
- Practice visits require a contractual agreement between the external agency and the Royal Children’s Hospital.
- Observational visits will be for one week duration, except in circumstances when 2 weeks maximum may be considered for overseas visitors.
- Overseas visitors must have competency in the English language. We will consider individual request, however it is preferable that the standards set by the Nurses Board of Victoria are met (see Appendix 1 below).
- Observational visitors will be placed clinically with a Registered Nurse and the in charge PICU Associate Unit Managers will be notified of the arrangements prior to the commencement of the shift. The observational visitor’s objectives will be made available to the PICU staff supporting the visit.
- Nurses visiting must have completed an undergraduate program
- All visitors must sign a confidential agreement as per RCH policy guidelines
- The Royal Children’s Hospital in unable to provide accommodation and accommodation arrangements must be made independently. Information can be obtained from http://www.travelvictoria.com.au
Appendix 1: Nurses Board of Victoria English requirement
A minimum or the equivalent of a pass in the Occupational English Test (OET) nursing version, with at least a B pass or above in all four subtests. Please note that the result achieved in any individual subtest is valid for two (2) years from the date that subtest was passed. OR a pass in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test, with a score of at least 6.5 in Reading and Listening, and a score of at least 7 in Writing and Speaking and an overall band score of 7, unless accompanied by an interpreter.