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Aged & Community Services
SA & NT Inc©
246 Glen Osmond Road,
Fullarton SA 5063
Phone: (08) 8338 7111
Fax: (08) 8338 7077
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Volume 2 Issue
4 – July 2009
Please note some of the articles provided will have additional papers which can be downloaded, or you will be directed to another website page. In some cases these documents are linked to the ACS Members Only section of this website and will require a Username and Password. All members have been issued with a Username and Password. If you have not received this please contact Gretta Koch with your contact details and she will issue you with your access details.
Index
Randstad to sponsor ACS Snippets
ACS are delighted to announce that HR services provider Randstad will be sponsoring Snippets from the next edition onwards (Thursday 23 July).
About Randstad
Randstad specialises in solutions in the field of flexible work and human resources services across South Australia. Randstad’s services range from regular temporary staffing and permanent placement to inhouse, professionals, executive, and HR Solutions. Since acquiring Vedior in 2008, the Randstad Group is the second largest HR services provider in the world with over 34,000 employees working from 5,200 branches and inhouse locations in 52 countries around the world. Find out more.
ACS members honoured in Palliative Care Awards
ACS warmly congratulates the following members, who were all winners in the Inaugural Palliative Care Awards, presented at a Government House reception last Friday 3 July 2009.
Volunteer Award: Mrs Helen Doley Resthaven Inc
Aged Care Award: Resthaven Inc
Palliative Care Education Award: Ms Lenore de la Perrelle, ACH Group
Attention community care staff - information session - drive safely to and from work
Cameron Wearing, Australian Driving Institute, is running a one-hour information session on Friday 17 July as part of the ACS Combined Regional Forum 2009. An opportunity exists for community care staff to attend the Community Care Concurrent Session to hear Cameron speak on driving incidents, driving safely to and from client homes and world best practice.
The focus will be on travelling in regional areas.
Time: 2.15-3.15 pm
Cost: $30
To register please email Kaylene van Wyck
by next Wednesday 15 July 2009.
ACS Committee update: Workforce
The Workforce Committee has agreed to the following priorities in 2009/2010:
Sustaining an Ageing Workforce – developing specific strategies to attract and retain older workers. The project seeks to examine how the workforce will look in five years’ time with a view to developing strategies which address identified issues.
School Student Engagement – to develop partnerships with key stakeholders aimed at promoting the aged and community care sector as a dynamic career choice to school aged students.
Supporting Middle Managers – to better understand the challenges facing middle and senior managers in the aged and community care sector, with a view to recommending initiatives which support their needs and improve retention rates.
RTO Engagement Project – to improve learning and employment outcomes for students and graduates in the aged and community care sector. The project aims to achieve this by providing opportunities for the industry to work with training providers to strengthen relationships, increase understanding and address issues. A Vocational Placement Agreement (VPA) has been developed, which aims to provide a consistent, high quality approach to vocational placement by clearly outlining the responsibilities of each party. The VPA is being trialled in the second half of 2009. Best Practice Guidelines for Vocational Placement are being developed to accompany the VPA which will be available by the end of 2009.
In the last six months, Workforce Committee initiatives culminated in the recent launch of a number of resources:
Working and Learning in Aged and Community Care – providing information about paid and unpaid employment and training opportunities within the sector.
Taking Care of Workforce Business – providing information about a comprehensive range of initiatives aimed at staff retention.
OHSW Guidelines for Community Workers – revised 2009 edition outlining strategies for managing the complex risks associated with working in peoples homes.
A portable career display is in the process of being created to promote employment within the sector. The portable display will incorporate a stand, posters and handouts and be available to ACS members to use at local career events or to place in libraries, community centres etc. The portable kit will be displayed by the Workforce Committee at all the major career events and can be used to display members’ details.
The Workforce Committee has worked consistently to examine the implications of changes in Government policy and legislation. In particular in 2009, Committee members have spent many hours calculating the impact of award modernisation on the sector, enabling ACS and ACSA to provide submissions to Government about the concerns.
On behalf of ACS, I would like to thank the Workforce Committee for their hard work, dedication and commitment to addressing workforce issues. (For further information about the Committee please contact Carol Mohan.)
Scholarship to attend National Conference on Incontinence in Adelaide
The Australian Government, under the National Continence Management Strategy, has provided funding for
scholarships to support health professionals to attend the 18th National Conference on Incontinence, Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide, 4–7 November 2009.
Applications close 7 August 2009. Find out more.
See also the Call for Abstracts for the Conference and the 'Caring for Carers' workshop information.
Safety alert: Welch Allyn Vital Signs Monitor – VSM 300
Welch Allyn issued a safety alert on 18 June 2009 following a number of reports of loss of audible
alarms from users of the VSM300 vital signs monitor. The monitor is used for monitoring non-invasive blood pressure, pulse rate, body temperature and blood oxygen saturation of adult, paediatric and neonatal patients.
Are you aware of the Unfair Dismissal laws that come into operation from 1 July 2009?
You may be affected, and will need to understand the new legislation that applies from 1 July 2009.
EMA Consulting is holding free information sessions for employers to outline the unfair dismissal changes and subsequent implications this may have on your organisation.
Find out more. Registrations close COB 17 July.
Shelter SA housing Australia factsheet
Shelter SA is the peak housing organisation in SA representing the views of people, especially those on low to moderate incomes, who live in a wide variety of housing tenures.
They have provided a Housing Australia Factsheet: a quick guide to housing facts and figures - June 2009.
Health scholarships to support Indigenous students
The Royal College of Nursing Australia, (RCNA) has announced the Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme, one of Australia's most lucrative scholarships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in the field of Indigenous health.
There are at least 70 scholarships available, offering up to $15,000 per year for full-time students, and up to $7,500 per year for part-time students.
Tender: provision of community nursing services
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) provides eligible members of the veteran community with access to quality health care and support services. These services include home-based community nursing services.
This Request for Tenders is for the provision of community nursing services to meet the clinical and/or personal care needs of eligible members of the veteran community Australia-wide.
The outcome of this Request for Tenders is to establish a panel of DVA-contracted community nursing providers across all areas of Australia (metropolitan, rural and remote) that meet the community nursing and/or palliative care only needs of all eligible members of the veteran community.
Further information email here.
JRA Best Workplaces in Aged Care Survey
This new initiative is intended to provide residential aged care facilities across Australia with critical workplace insights. This survey will provide a comprehensive measurement of your workplace climate and levels of engagement to help you quickly identify issues of concern and target more precisely workplace improvement initiatives. You will also be able to benchmark your performance against your peer organisations.
The survey is quick and easy to do and ACS encourages members to consider completing it.
ACSA 2009 National Conference - early bird extension
September 13-16, 2009, Perth, Western Australia
TWO-WEEK EXTENSION FOR EARLY BIRD REGISTRATIONS - until Friday 17 July.
Final June HealthClix
The final edition of HealthConnect SA's newsletter HealthClix is now available, click here to access.
This issue announces the closure of the HealthConnect SA program and outlines the path forward for our current e-health projects, including the PrimaryCare Sidebar™ and the Communication and Shared Health Summary solution.
Last days to register for the ACS Regional Forum - Friday 17 July 2009
The Monastery, 15 Cross Rd, Glen Osmond, SA
Proudly sponsored by CCI Group Purchasing and Hesta Super
This Forum will focus on regional issues and take community care into account. ACS is pleased to present two of the keynote speakers from the recent 2009 AAG Rural Conference in Broken Hill, along with state, national and rural updates, an excellent concurrent program and a networking drinks & nibbles session.
- ' Demographic Change and Population Ageing in non Metropolitan Australia', Professor Graeme Hugo, University Professorial Research Fellow, University of Adelaide
- ' Climate Change—impact on vulnerable communities and rural health relevant to older people', Dr Liz Hanna, National Centre for Epidemiology & Population Health Australian National University, Canberra.
Registrations close Tuesday 14 July 2009.
NOTE: Extra special price for members who bring two or more delegates from the same organisation. PLUS ACS now has a corporate rate with The Stamford Hotels for all members - refer to the registration flyer for full details.
Easy Moves for Active Ageing training
There are still a few places left for the upcoming Easy Moves for Active Ageing® (EMAA) training to be held on 23 and 24 July in Kidman Park, SA.
4th International Conference on community health nursing research
Early Bird registration extended to Friday 10 July 2009.
Arts, Ageing & Creativity Conference - Registration Brochure now available!
22–23 October 2009
Adelaide Convention Centre
View the Registration Brochure here.
National Housing Conference 2009 Housing in the new era: building the connections
6th National Housing Conference
24-27 November 2009
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Special early bird registration extended to Friday 17 July 2009.
ACS Training courses in July
NEW COURSE: Undertaking an Internal Investigation - Monday 13 July
This one-day intensive seminar is designed for staff placed in situations where they are required to investigate unacceptable behaviour by an employee. Training staff in undertaking investigations will ensure all parties to the dispute are treated in a fair and equitable manner, investigations are contained in-house, and the number of situations normally taken to a third party for resolution are minimised. Course outcomes:
- Understand basic principles of undertaking an investigation.
- Learn how to assess a situation and determine the level of investigation required.
- Learn how to plan an investigation.
- Learn how to record evidence and ensure its validity to the investigation.
- Understand the various forms of evidence that are acceptable in an investigation.
Time: 9 am-4.30 pm (morning tea provided)
Venue: ACS Training Room
NEW COURSE: Bereavement Support Workshop - Assisting Staff and Volunteers in Residential and Community Care in Coping with Death and Grief - Monday 20 July 2009
All staff and volunteers in residential and community aged care and retirement living have to cope with the death of residents and clients, and support family members after the person has passed away. This one-day workshop will assist all staff to reflect on their relationships with residents/clients, feel comfortable talking with and supporting relatives and look after themselves and colleagues. This course will include:
- exploring the assumptions we may have about death and grief
- responding to someone who is hurting is easier than we may think
- steps we can take to potect ourselves and help each other when someone's death affects us at work
- clarifiying any misinformation staff or clients may have about funerals and gaining accurate, current knowledge
- a range of useful materials.
Time: 9 am-4 pm (morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea provided)
Venue: ACS Training Room
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND with Mike Fenwick, If Looks Could Kill: Dealing with Difficult Behaviours in Clients, Residents and Others - Wednesday 22 July 2009
Whatever your role, it may be your responsibility to defuse serious situations between yourself and other staff members or with difficult or aggressive clients, residents, family members or advocates.
Learn how to:
- Understand the basic principles of managing your personal response to anger and conflict in self and others;
- Understand what is happening to you and what to do about it;
- Identify and develop personal strategies to mediate angry situations;
- Understand boundaries and when to disengage.
Time: 9.30 am-12.30 pm
Venue: ACS Training Room
Upcoming RDNS clinical courses
ACS is delighted to provide members with information about upcoming RDNS clinical courses and education events.
View a selection of RDNS’ upcoming clinical courses. Please register directly with RDNS via the links to the flyers in the pdf document.