The aim of our graduate programs are to:

• Provide support and guidance to the beginning practitioner in a friendly and safe environment;
• Develop confidence, clinical competence and skills in the multifaceted role of the registered nurse or midwife;
• Provide you with a personal and rewarding experience in a regional health service.

DjHS offer graduate programs suitable for the Registered Nurse, the Registered Midwife and the dual degree Registered Nurse and Midwife:

• Graduate Nurse Program – General Stream
• Graduate Nurse Program – Primary Care Stream
• Graduate Midwifery Program
• Combined Nursing and Midwifery Program

Graduates in all streams are contracted to a 64 hours per fortnight (rotating rosters) for a fixed term of 12 months. DjHS is a fast-growing health service, and graduates will be provided with opportunities for re-employment within the health service post-completion of their program, within their relevant discipline(s).

DjHS offer 2 intakes within the graduate programs per year – January and February.

Registered Nurse – General Stream

The general stream is a collaborative graduate program facilitated in collaboration with Ballarat Health Services (BHS). Each graduate will attend a comprehensive orientation program, along with a minimum of two days supernumerary at the beginning of each rotation. Additional training days are provided at the beginning of each specialty rotation.

Graduates will also attend an additional five study days throughout the year (facilitated by and located at BHS).

During the program, participants will complete 3-4 clinical rotations in the following areas:

• Operating Theatre

• Medical & Surgical Unit

• Acute Unit at Ballarat Health Services (BHS)

• Currently negotiating an additional rotation in a specialty rotation

Operating Theatre

The Operating Theatre is currently being re-developed with construction estimated to be completed by June 2019. The Peri-Operative department offers a wide range of services, which include a Central Sterilising Supplies Department (CSSD), a Pre-Admission Clinic, two Operating Rooms, an Endoscopy Room and Post Anaesthetic Care Unit, which includes six day procedure beds.

Theatre Services offer surgery in a range of specialties, which includes Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ear Nose and Throat, Urology, Orthopaedics, General, Plastics as well as Endoscopic services.

Medical & Surgical Unit

The Medical & Surgical Unit provides a wide variety of services for clients with general medical conditions and provides post-operative care. The 18 bed ward also has the ability to allocated beds to end of life care and also to detox/withdrawal.

Post-operative care is provided to clients following a range of surgery, including General, Plastics, Gynaecology, Orthopaedics, Ear Nose and Throat and Urology.

Acute Unit at Ballarat Health Services (Medical Oncology)

Ballarat Health Services operates the Ballarat Base Hospital, the largest regional hospital in the Grampians region. It is the principal referral hospital for the entire region, which extends from Bacchus Marsh to the South Australian border, an area of 48,000 square kilometres.

DjHS currently have an agreement with BHS to place graduates on the Medical Oncology Unit. The Medical Oncology department provides oncology and haematology services to the patients of Ballarat and the Grampians region.
This includes managing solid tumours such as breast cancer, bowel cancer, lung cancer and others, leukaemias, lymphomas and myelomas through the provision of chemotherapy and supportive care in a multidisciplinary environment.

Graduate Nurse Program - Primary Care Stream

This innovative Graduate Program enables nursing graduates to develop the clinical and health promotion skills required to work in primary care as well as the acute care environment. The Primary Care Stream includes three rotations:

• 6 months - Primary Care at Bacchus Marsh Medical Centre OR Renal Dialysis Unit at Melton Health
• 3 months - Medical Surgical Unit
• 3 months - Grant Lodge Residential Care Facility

Each graduate will attend a comprehensive orientation program, along with a minimum of two days supernumerary at the beginning of each rotation. Additional training day's specific to primary care will be provided whilst at Bacchus Marsh Medical Centre and Renal Dialysis.

Bacchus Marsh Medical Centre

Bacchus Marsh Medical Centre is a comprehensive GP medical practice with onsite pathology, physiotherapy, acupuncture, cardiology, psychology and diabetic education. These services are located on two sites at:

• 2 Turner Street, Bacchus Marsh 3340 &
• 147 Gisborne Road, Darley 3340

Staff at the medical centre provide an extensive range of services including: Obstetrics and Antenatal Care, Travel and Childhood vaccinations, minor surgery, workplace medicals and counselling.

The practice aims to provide high quality health care in a professional and efficient manner. In addition to general medical consultations, the practice offers the following services: Family Planning, Pregnancy Tests, ECG / Heart Check, Spirometry, Vaccinations, Pap Smears, Obstetrics / Antenatal Care, 4yr Old Health Checks, Care Plans, Counselling, Blood Tests, Minor Surgery, Treatment of Fractures, Acupuncture, Weight Control, Nutrition Advice, Health Assessments, Aged Care

Renal Dialysis - Melton Health

Renal Dialysis provides a haemodialysis service to patients in an ambulatory care setting, located at Melton Health. The unit is staffed by Registered Nurses and operates under the "hub and spoke" model in partnership with Western Health. The unit is supported by a sessional Nephrologists, Allied Health staff and Patient Service Assistant.

A 2 week training program is provided to graduate nurses rotating through the unit, which includes practical and theoretical components. This is followed by ongoing clinical support to enable to the graduate nurse to function safely and independently in the renal dialysis unit.

Medical & Surgical Unit

The Medical & Surgical Unit provides a wide variety of services for clients with general medical conditions and provides post-operative care. The ward has 20 beds with two beds allocated to palliative care and one bed allocated to detox/withdrawal.. Surgery provided is General Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Gynaecology, Orthopaedic and Endoscopy.

Residential Care

The Residential Care Unit provides 24 hour quality high level nursing care in a home-like environment for 30 high care residents. A respite bed is also available to provide a break for carers. Person centred care is provided by fully qualified registered nurses, a physiotherapist, allied health services and diversional therapists. Grant Lodge is a member of Dementia Care Australia and through the implementation of the "Spark of Life" approach; staff are able to provide a dementia supportive environment. As well as providing home cooked meals with personal diet preferences, Grant Lodge provides an extensive lifestyle program in Bacchus Marsh.

Registered Midwife - Graduate Midwifery Program

The graduate midwifery program provides an exciting opportunity for the newly registered Bachelor of Midwifery or Dual Nursing & Midwifery degree graduate to complete a transition to practice year within a regional setting. Each graduate will attend a comprehensive orientation program, as well as additional attendance at the Antenatal Study Day, PROMPT, Advanced Neonatal Resuscitation and Breastfeeding Study Day throughout the year.

The midwifery graduate will rotate through the following areas:

• Maternity Unit- antenatal assessment, labour, birth and postnatal care Antenatal Clinic (supernumerary)
• Domiciliary care (supernumerary)
• Special Care Nursery (supernumerary)

DjHS are currently negotiating an additional rotation within an acute tertiary setting in metropolitan Melbourne.DjHS has recently completed a refurbishment of the midwifery unit, with an upgrade of workstations, delivery suites and rooms as well as the inclusion of a three-bay special care nursery (level 3) for resuscitation, stabilising and managing unwell neonates. The Level 3 Special Care Nursery is due to open in May 2019.

Combined Nursing and Midwifery Graduate Program

The combined nursing and midwifery graduate program provides an exciting opportunity for the newly registered dual Nursing and Midwifery degree graduate to complete a transition to practice year within a regional setting, consolidating both midwifery and nursing streams.

Each graduate will attend a comprehensive orientation program, as well as additional attendance at multiple midwifery specific study days and nursing specific study days.

The combined nursing and midwifery graduate will rotate through the following areas:

• Maternity Unit - antenatal assessment, labour, birth and postnatal care

• Medical Surgical Unit

• DjHS are currently negotiating an additional maternity rotation within an acute tertiary setting in metropolitan Melbourne.

I completed my degree last year. Am I still eligible to apply?

As per the PMCV eligibility criteria, you must have completed your degree in the current academic year. Please check the eligibility criteria at http://computermatching.pmcv.com.au/public/matches/gnmp.cfm

I am an interstate or international applicant. Am I eligible to apply?

You must be eligible to apply through to computer match in order to apply for our graduate program. Check eligibility criteria at http://computermatching.pmcv.com.au/public/matches/gnmp.cfm

Who do I address my application to?

You must address your letter to the person by name and title who appears in the advertisement for the Graduate Nurse Program or the Graduate Midwifery Program

Where do I send my application?

Applications are only accepted online via our website http://djhs.recruitmenthub.com.au/Vacancies/

What documents do I need to submit with my application?

• Cover Letter (please include preference of stream)
• Resume (with photo embedded within document). Please include a list of all undergraduate clinical placements (location, type, hours).
• Certified Academic Transcript (with key attached)
• Certified copies of 2 Clinical Assessments from acute placements (preferably one from second year and one from third year)
• Contact details (phone and email addresses) of 2 clinical referees (preferably one from second year and one from third year). 

Applicants are required to upload their documents in two separate files – it is recommended to combine cover letter, CV and academic transcript into one file and clinical assessment tools into the second file.

What is a true certified copy?

A certified true copy is an exact duplicate of the original document which has been sighted by an authorised signatory, and signed off as a “true copy”. The wording must say “This is a certified true copy" and signed. All pages need to be certified in this way even if the document is 10 pages long. 

Who can certify my documents?

In Australia there are a range of persons authorised to certify documentation. AHPRA has a comprehensive list of authorised officers along with the signatory requirements online: https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registration-Process/Certifying-Documents.aspx

When will I be notified if I have been successful with an interview?

We will be conducting interviews mid-late August. You will be contacted at least one week prior if you have been successful with an interview, with details of the interview, date, time and location. You will need to allow approximately 1.5 hours for your interview.

Registered Nurse - General Stream

Registered Nurse - Primary Care Stream

Registered Midwife – Graduate Midwifery Program

Services we offer

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