Clinical Nurse - Watchhouse

Develop your career with Sunshine Coast Health in southeast Queensland which extends through the coastal and hinterland areas from Caloundra in the south and Gympie in the north.

We're excited to welcome Clinical Nurses to the Forensic Nursing Service working across Maroochydore and Caloundra watchhouse.

The Clinical Nurse – Watchhouse Service provides timely, evidence-based and patient-centred healthcare to Persons in Custody (PIC) at the Maroochydore and Caloundra Watchhouses.

Working primarily in an autonomous clinical environment, the Clinical Nurse assesses and prioritises the healthcare needs of PICs, provides appropriate treatment and medication management, identifies clinical deterioration, and coordinates escalation or referral when required.

The Clinical Nurse works closely with Queensland Police Service (QPS) officers and consults with the Virtual Emergency Care Service (VECS) Medical Officer to support safe clinical decision-making. The role also liaises with Alcohol and Other Drugs Services (AODS), Court Liaison Officers (CLOs), mental health services and other healthcare providers to coordinate ongoing care.

The Watchhouse Service supports the health and wellbeing of people in custody while reducing avoidable transfers to hospital emergency departments. Access to qualified nursing assessment also ensures that clinical decisions are made by appropriately trained healthcare professionals.

Sunshine Coast Health is a values-based organisation. We are committed to the maintenance of a culture in which we treat our colleagues with respect as we do our patients, consumers and the community. We respect, protect and promote human rights in our decision-making and actions.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Consult with the VECS Medical Officer to coordinate assessment, treatment, medication management, referral and escalation of care.
• Escalate PICs requiring urgent or higher-level medical assessment in accordance with approved clinical pathways and organisational procedures.
• Administer and manage medications safely in accordance with legislation, medication orders, clinical protocols and organisational requirements.
• Support PICs experiencing alcohol or other drug intoxication, withdrawal or dependence.

Salary rates: $72.20 - $77.31 p.h. employer contribution to superannuation (12.75%) (NRG6(1)) (Multiple casual positions available, hours variable.) Applications will remain current for 12 months. Please note: only applications from candidates will be accepted (applications that may result in an agency fee will not be considered). 

Why work for us?

We offer rewarding career opportunities across a wide range of clinical and non-clinical areas across our health service and pride ourselves on providing a work environment that is safe, satisfying, flexible, and promotes a healthy work-life balance. As a Queensland Health employee, you will benefit from a higher than standard employer contribution to Superannuation of up to 12.75%, access to salary packaging, flexible working arrangements and competitive salary rates with annual incremental increases. We are committed to providing a diverse and inclusive workplace for our people and our community. We encourage people of all genders, races, ages and abilities to apply for roles within our Health Service.
You can find out more about why it's so great to work at Sunshine Coast here: https://www.health.qld.gov.au/sunshinecoast/careers

As a Sunshine Coast Health employee, you will receive competitive remuneration and have access to:

• A wellness program;
• Generous superannuation;
• Flexible work arrangements;
• Career training and development; and
• Salary packaging.

Check out the latest updates here:
https://www.sunshinecoast.health.qld.gov.au/