Health service Wards / Units Services Welcome   Bankstown   Nursing Management   Wards   Nursing Profiles Nursing Education Vacancies Contact Us Aged Care Aged Psychiatry Ambulatory Care Cardiology Community Emergency General Medicine General Surgery Intensive Care / High Dependency Unit Mental Health Operating Suite Orthopaedics Paediatrics Rehabilitation Aged Care Ward 2C is an acute medical unit specialising in Aged Care. It consists of 20 medical beds. We provide care for elderly patients who suffer from acute medical illnesses and patients who require aged care assessment. Our work is based on teamwork and a multidisciplinary approach, which includes nurses, physiotherapists, speech pathologists, social workers, dieticians and occupational therapists. Our efficient and knowledgeable nursing team are providing a high standard of gerontological nursing care. We focus on continuity of quality improvement. All of our nursing staff is approachable and friendly. We have resource people to cover wide variety of issues to assist and support to all staff members. Aged Psychiatry The Aged Psychiatry Unit consists of both hospital and community based services. We pride ourself on effective communication, teamwork and care for both the patient and their carer(s). New Graduates gain valuable experience by working in both the hospital and community setting with support provided by a range of staff, including a Nurse Unit Manager, Clinical Nurse Consultant, medical, nursing and Allied Health staff. Ambulatory Care ‘The Hospital in the Home’ The Ambulatory Care Unit at Bankstown Health Service is an innovative and exciting area of health care for all nurses. Referrals are received from within the hospital, specialist rooms, GPs and the emergency department. Patients commence their treatment in the unit and complete their treatment at home. A range of conditions are treated at home, and some of these include cellulitis, ear infections, pneumonia, DVTs and PEs. Therefore, we work closely with the Primary Health Nurses in the Community, administering IV antibiotics and subcutaneous low molecular weight heparin. Within the unit, we treat patients requiring blood transfusions, abdominal paracentesis, pleural taps/biopsies, lumbar punctures and chemotherapy. The nursing staff in the unit are proficient in cannulation, venepuncture and accessing venous devices such as Port-a-Cath’s and Hickman Catheters. Cardiology The Cardiology Department is a dynamic and challenging specialty area. The department comprises of: Six (6) acute Coronary Care beds 24 Sub-Acute beds Eight (8) Telemetry monitors Cardiac Diagnostics Cardiac Rehabilitation Chronic and Complex Congestive Cardiac Failure Specialist Liaison Nurse (SLN) Opportunities exist to rotate between the Coronary Care Unit, ‘Sub-Acute’, Cardiac Diagnostics and Cardiac Rehabilitation top provide you with a complete cardiac experience as negotiated with the nursing unit manager. Community We offer a range of services including Home Nursing, Health Promotion, Child and Family Health, Palliative Care, School Health, Ambulatory Care, Rapid Response and Asthma Education. The nurses in the Primary Health Nursing team have experience in a variety of backgrounds to meet the large and varied needs of the people of the Bankstown Local Government Area. Primary Health Nurses work within a primary health care framework forming partnerships with Government and Non-Government agencies to promote health and prevent illness. We provide primary health nursing care through clinical services, appropriate assessment, health education, health promotion and referrals. All new Primary Health Nurses undergo a field orientation, depending on previous qualifications and past experience. All staff are well supported by Nurse Unit Managers, Clinical Nurse Specialists and other Primary Health Nurses. Emergency Learn in an Exciting Workplace!!! The Emergency Department (ED) is a dynamic and exciting area to work. At Bankstown Health the ED is stimulating and challenging, creating a learning environment for all staff. Our ED is part of the metropolitan principal referral network. It is also part of the South West Sydney Clinical School of the University of NSW. The ED manages most major emergency conditions across the entire age spectrum. The department has 14 acute beds including two resuscitation bays, four paediatric beds and other assessment and treatment areas. The ED attends to over 32,000 presentations a year. Of this at least 20% are paediatrics cases. On average 37% are admitted. The nursing team has over 65 members. The team is support by a Nurse Manager, Clinical Nurse Consultants in both emergency care and mental health, Nurse Practitioners, a Clinical Nurse Educator and Clinical Nurse Specialists. The medical team has over 22 members including the Director. There is also Medical Staff Specialists and Career Medical Officers specialising in Emergency Medicine, thus providing senior medical coverage 24/7. Bankstown ED is innovative in nursing practice. For nurses there is a competency based orientation program. This program flows onto a competency based career pathway that is supported by both department and Area based education programs. The pathway is designed to take you from beginning practitioner to nurse practitioner, educator or manager in emergency care. General Medicine Medical Nursing offers you many diverse opportunities and challenges within a friendly and caring environment, with nurses available to support and assist you as you further develop your knowledge and skills. The units offer flexible working practices, education leave and the opportunity to participate in a range of hospital activities. Patients often present with a range of medical conditions, and as a member of the health care team, you will be able to assist them to alleviate some of their problems and more importantly, enhance their quality of life. Exposure to a variety of medical conditions is available, and includes respiratory, gastroenterological and neurological conditions. You will also be provided the experience to participate in multidisciplinary care and discharge planning. SO COME AND BELONG! General Surgery Bankstown Health Service consists of two (2) surgical units, and offers a range of surgical specialties, including: Vascular ENT Urology Gynaecology Plastics Colo-Rectal Ophthalmology General and Laparoscopic Surgery Both units work in a multidisciplinary team consisting of physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers and a discharge planner. We also work in collaboration with other departments within the hospital and community with a focus on the continuum of care from pre-admission to post-discharge for the patient and their family and/or carer. Intensive Care / High Dependency Unit ICU/HDU is a dynamic, rewarding and continually evolving working environment. The combined HDU/ICU unit accommodates 14 patients, with 7 ventilated ICU beds and 6 high dependency beds. The majority of the patients who are admitted to the unit are usually patients who have had major surgical procedures and complex medical patients with conditions such as CAL, asthma, DKA and Sepsis. There are numerous resources available to staff in the unit to facilitate the orientation process. The Clinical Nurse Educator is responsible for coordinating education programs and is available to provide clinical supervision to novice nurses. The orientation program consists of three supernumerary days, an orientation workbook and a competency checklist of acute clinical skills. New staff are also rostered with an assigned preceptor and CNS resource person. All ICU/HDU staff participates in the overall direction of the unit and many are involved in individual quality projects. There are great opportunities to pursue your professional development within the Health Service and our staff has a great social life. Mental Health The Bankstown Mental Health Service is an integrated service providing mental health care to the population of the Bankstown LGA. The service comprises of Banks House, Community Mental Health Team, Rehabilitation Service, Early Intervention Program and Anxiety Disorders Clinic. A range of other specialist mental health services eg GP Shared Care and Arabic Mental Health within the division. The service strongly supports the education of its staff through a monthly divisional in-service program as well as individual educational programs. New graduates are given the opportunity to attend a Mental Health Specialty Nurse Introduction Program run through South Western Sydney Area Health Services Mental Health Education. At Banks House, our staff forms a multidisciplinary team that provides a full range of inpatient psychiatry services. We aim to provide a safe and supportive community environment, with an emphasis on a holistic approach to care. Nursing care is delivered under a philosophy of primary nursing where nursing staff assumes responsibility for planning and delivering individualised care. Inpatient staff have a strong involvement with community-based services to provide continuity of care. The Community Mental Health Team provides an extensive range of services including case management and crisis intervention. An extended hours service operates from the Emergency Department. The Rehabilitation Service provides supported accommodation, a Community Skills and Support Program, a Work Assessment and Retraining Unit and a Recreation Club. The Early Intervention Psychosis Program offers assessment and early intervention for people aged 12 to 24 years presenting with first episode of psychosis or emerging psychosis. The Anxiety Disorders Clinic is an outpatient clinic providing a specialist service to people experiencing anxiety or panic disorders, social phobias or obsessive-compulsive disorders. A new graduate speciality stream with the Mental Health Service is offered and incorporates rotation through some of the above service components. Orthopaedics Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital has a 28 bed Orthopaedic Unit, catering for a varied case mix of elective joint replacement and other minor elective orthopaedic procedures. We work within a multidisciplinary team, which includes Physiotherapists, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists and a Discharge Planner to enhance care of our clients and to facilitate their discharge process. There are regular in-service programs and comprehensive education packages available to all nurses, and opportunities for continuing education through internal and external courses. Nursing in the Orthopaedic Unit is not only fun, but also rewarding! Paediatrics Are you looking for a career adventure? Then look no further! Come and work in a dynamic Paediatric Unit, where there is ample support from the Nurse Unit Manager, numerous resource staff, and an individual preceptor to help you along the way! An exciting and stimulating learning experience awaits you. The unit caters for children from diverse cultural backgrounds, with a broad range of medical and surgical conditions. A comprehensive orientation program is offered within a friendly and caring environment. So come along, and join a fantastic group of people in your journey through your first year as a Registered Nurse. Rehabilitation The aim of the Rehabilitation Unit is to provide a comprehensive rehabilitation service to patients with mobility problems resulting from fractures, amputation, arthritis, illness complicated by impaired mobility, falls, and patients unable to cope due to social and/or medical problems. Our service is focused using a multidisciplinary approach collaborating with a range of staff including, medical, and nursing, physiotherapy, social work, dietetics, occupational therapy, speech pathology and community services. Units Philosophy is the physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual and social well being of our clients, their relatives and significant others, is promoted by observing the highest standards of professional and personal ethnics and skilfully and conscientiously practicing nursing procedures and techniques. Units Goals: 1. To develop and maintain an environment providing optimal care of the client. 2. To promote personal and professional development of the staff working in the unit. Functions of the Unit: The rehabilitation service aims to assist clients to achieve the highest possible level of independence physically, psychologically, socially and economically after loss of function or ability due to disease or injury. This is achieved through a combined and coordinated use of medical, nursing and allied health professional’s skills. It involves individual assessment, participation of family, discharge planning, continuity of care in the community and follow for review. The Rehabilitation Unit was established in January 1986, and currently has 20 beds. The average length of stay varies. The amputee patients require a more involved programme and their length of stay could be up to sixty days or more. Operating Suite (Including Day Surgery/Endoscopy Unit, Operating Theatres and Recovery/Anaesthetics) Graduate nurses completing a placement are welcome and supported by managers, an educator, numerous resource staff and preceptors. A comprehensive orientation program is offered which includes self-directed learning packages. These packages are aimed to assist you to increase your knowledge and skills. All staff are willing to assist you with the theoretical and practical components. The Operating Suite includes three (3) departments which includes: 1. The Day Surgery/Endoscopy Unit Placement to this unit will provide you with experience in caring for short stay surgical patients, with two (2) Endoscopy Rooms providing you with experience in a variety of procedures. 2. The Operating Theatre Experience will be gained in a range of surgical procedures including, ENT, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, Urology, Plastics, Opthalmics, Laparoscopic Surgery, General Surgery, Neuro, Vascular and Orthopaedics. 3. Recovery/Anaesthetics Includes care for the patient in the pre-, intra- and post-operative stages.