New nurses and patient assistance officers joining the Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN) have completed an innovative week-long orientation program.
Welcoming the O Week approach, Chief Executive Officer of CALHN, Lesley Dwyer said more than 210 new nurses and patient assistance officers, one of the largest intakes in CALHN’s history, took part in the program last week (28 March-1 April).
Professor Dwyer said the new starters, which included 175 registered and enrolled nurses and 40 patient assistance officers, received an introduction to CALHN’s clinical procedures and processes, including blood and clinical transfusion practices, cannulation and venepuncture, infection control and Aboriginal cultural learning.
She said the new staff, working in small groups largely onsite at the Adelaide Showgrounds, were fitted for N95 masks and received wellbeing and workforce information to ensure they were “ward-ready” when they started on the job in coming weeks.
“We are confident this innovative orientation format will support them when they begin their new roles and inform them about our world-class organisation and values.” Professor Dwyer said..
“We are looking forward to seeing them on the wards soon.”
Nursing Project Manager at CALHN, Sarah Kemp said that with such a large intake, it made sense to bring everyone together for an orientation program at the same time.
Ms Kemp said she welcomed CALHN’s first patient assistance officers, a newly developed non-clinical role aimed at supporting patients and other clinical staff.
“They will offer extra support to patients who may be at risk of harm through falls, cognitive impairment, or pose a challenge to others through wandering or intrusive behaviour,” she said.
