SA Health
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Re-entry and Refresher
Registered Nurse / Midwife Programs 2013
Welcome to the 2013 SA Health Re-entry and Refresher Program for Registered Nurses
/ Midwives. This is an exciting time for SA Health as there is one process for all Re-entry
and Refresher Programs conducted within the public health sector.
This means if you want to apply for the program you will only need to apply once and
this will be an on-line process.
This document is aimed at providing answers to frequently asked questions. Please read
this document before submitting on-line enquiries.
Background Information
1. How many places and where will the Re-entry and Refresher Programs be offered in 2013?
The SA Health Re-entry and Refresher Registered Nurse (RN) Registered Midwife (RM) Programs for 2013 will be offered in both country and metropolitan health unit locations. It is anticipated that there will be 40 potential places available across SA Health in 2013.
2. How do I find out more about the specific programs on offer?
Please go to www.health.sa.gov.au/careers and click on the Return to Nursing and Midwifery button and review the general information available. See below possible clinical placement areas:
Nursing Clinical Placement: Midwifery Clinical Placement:
Country Health SA Women's and Children's Hospital
Flinders Medical Centre FMC
Noarlunga Hospital As negotiated in Maternity Services of SA Health
Royal Adelaide Hospital
Repatriation General Hospital
Lyell McEwin Hospital
Modbury Hospital
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital3. Who is eligible to participate in the Re-entry and Refresher RN/RM program?
The Re-entry and Refresher RN/RM program is designed to support:
1. South Australian residents, previously registered RN / RM’s or currently Registered RN / RM’s 2. Re-entry RN/ RM participants who have previously been registered with the Nursing and
Midwifery Board of Australia (Australian Health Provider Regulatory Agency, AHPRA) within the last 5-10 years, to register and re-enter the workforce.
3. Refresher RN/ RM candidates who are currently registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, to update skills and meet recency of practise requirements in aged or acute nursing and midwifery setting.
4. Australian citizen or permanent residents of South Australia to pursue their Nursing and Midwifery careers.
4. Does SA Health support Visa Sponsorship for the Re-entry and Refresher RN/RM program?
No.
Please note: for the July 2013 intake there will only be a Refresher Program for Registered Midwives
offered not a Re-entry pathway for Midwives)
5. Will SA Health give priority placement to South Australiancandidates?
Yes – the programs are ONLY available to South Australian based applicants
We are very keen to receive applications from country based candidates from Rural and Remote locations within South Australia.
6. Is there an incentive to apply for the Re-entry and Refresher RN/RM program?
Yes, the program is free and is funded by SA Health. A scholarship is available to each candidate who successfully completes all program requirements. The scholarship aims to help meet expenses incurred during the program. This may include travel, uniforms or other program related costs. Further details are available from the Program Co-ordinator.
.
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IMPORTANTNOTEThe scholarship is considered “income” and if you are receiving social security payments through Centrelink it will also be assessed as income. Further information contact your local Centrelink Office or visit the website: http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/individuals/st_index.htm
Applying for Re-entry Refresher Program RN/RM
7. How do I apply and where is the application form?
All applications will be submitted online and will open on Monday 22 April 2013,
go to www.health.sa.gov.au/careers click on the Return to Nursing and Midwifery button and follow the links.
8. What do I need when applying?
You will need:
A current resume/curriculum vitae to assist in populating and uploading with the application
Contact details for 2 referees. If you do not include all relevant details for 2 referees it may impact on your overall score.
Rural and remote candidates will require a letter of support from their local health facility to prioritise a clinical placement
9. When can I submit my application?
Applications will be available from Monday 22 April 2013
10. When do applications close?
Applications close Friday 17 May, 2013 at 11.55pm.
11. Do I get to choose clinical placement venue?
In the application process you will be asked to preference a number of sites at which you would be prepared to complete your Re-entry and Refresher RN/RM program. If successful, we will endeavour to meet your request.
12. Will I get to choose what area or specialty I am allocated to complete my program? Nursing
You will be able to nominate areas you would like to work in but there needs to be consideration for all participants and the ward requirements. Speciality area will only be allocated if the candidate can provide evidence of previous experience or qualifications.
Midwifery
Midwifery candidates will rotate through all areas of the midwifery and neonatal divisions, of the preferred clinical venue.
13. Are the program collaborative? Yes
Nursing
A collaborative program is a program delivered by Flinders Medial Centre or Royal Adelaide Hospital. Study days are undertaken at Flinders Medical Centre or The Royal Adelaide Hospital.
Clinical placements are undertaken at either of these 2 sites or at off-site health location.
For example: Noarlunga Hospital, Repatriation General Hospital, Lyell McEwin Hospital, Modbury Hospital, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Country Health SA
Midwifery
Is a joint collaborative program delivered by Flinders Medial Centre and the Women's and Children's Hospital. Study days are shared between Flinders Medical Centre and the Women's and Children's Hospital.
14. Will you accept a late application?
No. Late applications will not be accepted. The application form will be available on line Monday 22
April 2013 at 1205am until Friday the 17 May 2013 at 1155pm, after that time you will not be able to
apply. If you are interstate or overseas during the application period, you can log onto this site and apply but you must still apply prior to the closing date of Friday 17 May 2013. Discussion can occur with the Program Coordinator.
15. What do I do if I change my address or email details during the process?
your application you are required to visit the SA Health website
www.health.sa.gov.au/careers log in using your profile, select Edit Profile, click on Personal Details, update your details and then save. This is a live system so you can go in and update personal details at any time before the closing date
The Selection Process
17. How are applications selected and assessed?
Applications will be assessed against a predetermined criterion
Assessment and ranking:
Applications will be assessed, scored and then ranked from highest to lowest using the following information:
Past and present the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (APHRA) registration and when candidate last practised as a RN / RM in South Australia or Australia.
Letter of support from rural and remote from local health facility
Re- entry applicants
Quality of curriculum vitae/resume including employment and education Referee comments
Clinical position availability
Provide immunization clinical requirements
An appropriate criminal offender report
Evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for Refresher programs
Note regarding Referee details: please ensure you provide up to date details of relevant referees,
including their email address and their agreement to be a referee. The referee needs to be available to respond between May and June 2013. If you do not provide the specific details requested for referees it may impact on your overall score.
18. Do you hold interviews?
No, please check that you have included all requested documentation as this is essential for your application to be assessed. You may be contacted by the Program Co-ordinator to discuss your application in more detail.
19. When am I likely to receive an offer if I am successful?
Offers will be made on the end of May, 2013 and successful candidates will have 7 days to accept the offer. If you do not accept within this timeframe the offer will lapse.
In the event that candidates reject the offer or do not fulfil SA Health's program requirements further offers will continue to be made until all clinical places are filled.
20. Do I have to undertake any pre- Clinical Placement checks?
Yes. All offers will be subject to verification of Registration with AHPRA and satisfactory Criminal History Check, health assessment and immunisation status.
21. What does it mean if my letter states I have been unsuccessful in my application?
This means that you have not been successful for a position within a SA Health Re-entry and Refresher RN/RM program; further details can be obtained from the Program Co-ordinator.
The Outcome
22. How will I receive my offer?
All correspondence will be via email so please check your email on a regular basis.
It is your responsibility to ensure you check your emails so you do not miss any information.
23. Do I notify you if I am declining an offer?
Yes
SA Health needs to hear from you if you choose to decline an offer made. This ensures that
the placement can be offered to another applicant. Clear instructions on how to accept or decline an offer will be included in any correspondence to successful candidates.
24. If I receive an offer but am unable to return my response by the due date indicated in the email, will you accept a late response?
No. If your response to an offer is not received by the date indicated in your offer, SA Health will withdraw the offer and the program position will be offered to another applicant.
25. I have been offered a position in a SA Health Re-entry and Refresher RN/RM program,
when will I find out what wards I have been allocated to? Nursing
Clinical Placements/wards will be available during the first 3 study days or as soon as practicable and prior to the clinical observation days
Midwifery
The program clinical rotations are negotiated in the first five study days.
26. I have accepted an offer within a SA Health the Re-entry and Refresher RN/ RM Program however I will now be unavailable to commence, what do I do?
Please notify the Program Coordinator as soon as possible indicating you are withdrawing from the program, this way another candidate can be offered a position
27. I have returned my 'Response to Acceptance of Offer’ form and accompanying documents, stating that I will accept the offer in the program. When will I receive a response from SA Health?
28. What happens if I am unsuccessful in obtaining a position?
If you are assessed as unsuccessful you will be advised via email that you will not be offered a position.
If you are still interested in the Re-entry and Refresher Nursing and Midwifery Programs and you meet the eligibility criteria you may wish to reapply for the 2014 intake.
29. Can I work Part time or Full time?
Yes
Re-entry and Refresher RN/RM programs are offered Full and Part time with a minimum of 3 clinical placement days per week. Do not hesitate to contact the program coordinator for clarification.
30. If I am successful what hours will I be expected to commit to? Nursing
You will be required to work in accordance within a 5 day clinical roster which includes morning and afternoon shifts.
Re-entry
Study component: 6 x 7.5 hour contact study days with 150 hours self-directed learning
Clinical: 2 observation days followed by 40 clinical supernumerary shifts over 14 weeks
Refresher
Study component: 6 x 7.5 hour study days contact with 90 hours self-directed learning
Clinical: 2 observation days followed by 27 clinical supernumerary shifts over 8 weeks
Midwifery
You will be required to work in accordance with a 7 day clinical roster which includes morning, afternoon and night shifts
Re-entry
Study component: 10x 6 hour contact study days with 100 hours of self-directed learning
Clinical: 60 clinical supernumerary full time or part time over 20 weeks
Refresher
Study component: 10x 6 hour contact study days along with 100 hours of self-directed learning
Clinical: 40 clinical supernumerary shifts full time or part time over 12 weeks
31. When will I be given my clinical roster and is it negotiable? Nursing
Rosters are negotiated between the Participant and the ward Clinical Service Coordinator (CSC) in collaboration with the Program coordinator and can be negotiated during the Clinical Observation Visits.
Midwifery
Rosters are currently generated through Clin Ed SA and will be allocated to the candidate prior to commencing clinical placements
32. Am I expected to work a Public Holiday?
No.
33. What theory or study days does the Re-entry and Refresher RN/RM program involve?
Nursing
Theory/Study days are on the 2 sites of Flinders Medical Centre (FMC) or the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH)
Midwifery
Theory/Study days are on 2 sites at Flinders Medical Centre (FMC) and the Women’s and Children Hospital (WCH)
For further details see specific information sheets available at www.health.sa.gov.au/careers and click on the Re-entry and Refresher RN/RM button.
34. When does the 2013 Re-entry and Refresher RN/RM program commence?
RAH - RN Re-entry and Refresher program commences 24 July 2013 FMC - Re-entry and Refresher RN program commences 29 July 2013 FMC/WCH – Refresher Program for Midwives commences 29 July 2013
35. Do I automatically gain employment after my program?
Employment positions in SA Health are subject to vacancies as advertised on www.health.sa.gov.au/careers
Throughout the Re-entry and Refresher RN/RM program you will be given clinical feedback and appraisals which will assist you in providing evidence for your application of employment.
Further details of employment once registered with AHPRA as a Registered Nurse/ Midwife you are eligible to apply for vacancies across SA Health.
Do you have a question we haven't answered here?
Please go to www.health.sa.gov.au/careers and click on the Return to Nursing and Midwifery button for more information.
If you have further questions please submit your question via the online enquiries link.
