AddressPOSITION OVERVIEW
The 2023-23 Federal Budget committed funding over 4 years (July 2023 – June 2026) to support the establishment of targeted Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain primary care clinics across the country. Kardinia Health is one of 22 GP clinics around Australia who has received this funding (for full list of clinics and more information see https://www.health.gov.au/ourwork/endometriosis-and-pelvic-pain-clinics).
The intention of this funding is to maximise the role of GP-led multidisciplinary care in the management of endometriosis and Pelvic Pain. Key programs objectives are to provide multidisciplinary care with a focus on improving diagnostic delay and to promote early access to intervention, care and treatment options for endometriosis and Pelvic Pain.
Kardinia Health is currently utilising this funding towards:
- dedicated Pelvic Pain nursing time to assist with patient registration, assessment and support coordination (2 x nurses approx. 8-10 hours each per week)
- subsidised initial GP and allied health appointments (Physiotherapy and Pain
education)
- funding clinical staff to attend weekly multidisciplinary team meetings to ensure timely communication and handovers between team members, and provide informal peer education across disciplines
- funding professional development opportunities for staff (eg education courses and conferences)
- providing monthly group education sessions to patients (eg nutrition, pain education)
- providing webinars/presentations to patients and the broader community
At present the ‘Pelvic Pain Clinic’ is held on Thursday mornings, with multidisciplinary team meeting held at 11:30am.
However clinical reviews by nursing/allied health/GP staff will also occur at other times throughout the week based on clinician preference/availability.
Key Duties:
- Administrative duties (shared with administrative staff):
o Answering patient queries about the clinic/service
o Booking appointments
o Chasing relevant correspondence/investigations
o Attending multidisciplinary team meeting and taking notes/following up
urgent tasks
o Corresponding with patients after group education sessions
- Patient support
o Intake/triage appointments– conducting initial appointments with new
patients to gather relevant information and introduce to clinic. This role is
crucial to patient validation and trust.
o Phone check ins – regular phone calls to patients to monitor progress, assess barriers, and offer advice (as appropriate) or act as a point of communication with GPs/clinical team as needed
o GP management plans – assisting GPs with completion of GP chronic disease management plans and team care arrangements
o Assisting with GP procedures as needed e.g. IUD insertions
KEY SELECTION CRITERIA
Communication
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, particularly active listening and nonverbal communication with patients
- Ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with adolescents through to post-menopausal patients, across a range of cultural backgrounds, sexualities, and gender identities.
- Ability to communicate medical concepts/jargon in a manner that is understandable to patients and their loved ones
- Ability to communicate professionally via email
Collaboration
- Ability to work and communicate effectively with a multidisciplinary team of nurses, GPs and allied health
- Focus on working in partnership with patients to empower them to achieve the goals that are important to them
Commitment to professional development
- Willingness to build on skills and knowledge in the area of Pelvic Pain and
endometriosis
- Commitment to peer education and sharing of expertise
- Enthusiasm for broader professional development opportunities, such as
motivational interviewing and trauma informed practice courses
Trauma informed practice
- Commitment to ensuring the physical and emotional safety of patients attending the clinic
- Being aware of and sensitive to the significant number of patients who will have experienced trauma, and understanding the role this may play in their symptoms and management journey.
Essential requirements:
- Bachelor of Nursing (or equivalent)
- Current registration with AHPRA
- Experience/interest in Women’s health/reproductive health
Additional requirements
- Completion of Cultural Awareness Training and other Endometriosis/Pelvic Pain specific training
Any queries about the role please contact Dr Caitlyn Pring via email
*************@kardiniahealth.com.au
Applications can be submitted by clicking on the apply now button or send your CV and cover letter via email to Dr Caitlyn Pring (GP clinical lead *************@kardiniahealth.com.au) and Michelle Heagney (CEO ***************@kardiniahealth.com.au)
