Event name: 2012 DANA Conference, In the Age of Complexity

Organisation: Drug and Alcohol Nurses of Australasia

Event type: Conference

Date: 13 – 15 June 2012

Location: The Citigate and Sebel, Albert Park, Melbourne

Event Overview:

The 2012 DANA Conference – In the age of complexity will highlight issues around drug and alcohol nursing and will identify and examine the current issues and problems facing drug and alcohol nursing.  It aims to:

• ·         increase the knowledge of the delegates working in the specialist area of alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD)
• ·         demonstrate innovative models of drug and alcohol nursing
• ·         provide a collegial environment that promotes support and networking.

For more information:  http://www.danaconference.com.au/

Contact: dana@rcna.org.au or 02 6283 3424

Community Health Nurse

Part time, ongoing, 30.4 hours per week

 

Western Region Health Centre, Health Works

, 30.4 hours per week

“To create healthy and connected communities in Melbourne’s West through

the delivery of high quality, accessible community and health services.”

 

The Western Region Health Centre (WRHC) provides a range of health and community

support services and are committed to innovation and quality in all we do.

 

Health Works, a program of the Western Region Health Centre (WRHC), aims to improve

the health and wellbeing of people who inject drugs in the western suburbs of Melbourne

using a holistic, social model of health. We aim to address the health inequities

experienced by people who inject in a way that is confidential, innovative, responsive and

based on a harm reduction framework.

 

We are seeking a committed and experienced individual to undertake community health

service provision and other health promotion activities. The successful applicant will have

a working knowledge of the social model of health, sound clinical skills and an interest

in developing and enhancing nursing skills in STI’s , Hepatitis C and HIV management.

Ideally you will have experience working within a community setting or harm reduction

model. You will also have a solid understanding of the clinical and psychosocial health

issues affecting people who inject drugs and the ability to devise care plans and health

promotion initiatives within a team setting.

 

The applicant is to be a Division 1 Nurse registered with the Australian Health Practitioners

Regulation Agency (APHRA). Post graduate qualifications in community health, public

health, BBV, STI’s, sexual and reproductive health are desirable. HIV and Hepatitis C

testing accreditation would be an advantage. Experience in working in community health

settings with marginalised groups is highly desirable.

 

Mandatory

• Division 1 Registered Nurse eligible for registration with Australian Health

Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and have an understanding of independent

nursing practice

• Demonstrated experience or interest in providing health services to people who

inject drugs

• A sound understanding and commitment to harm reduction especially in relation to

injecting drug use, health care access, blood borne viruses and other health risks

• A sensitivity to and understanding of the issues and needs of people from culturally

and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities who inject drugs

• Ability to work as a part of a multidisciplinary team

• Highly developed interpersonal and written communication skills

• Ability to develop harm reduction based health promotion activities to reduce health

risks associated with injecting drug use, and improve the general health of people

who inject drugs

• Computer literacy, including word processing and database skills

• A current driver’s licence

 

Desirable

• Credentialed in HIV and Hepatitis C Testing accredited and registered with the Victoria

Department of Health

• Experience working in a multidisciplinary workplace of similar setting

 

Wages and Conditions: Nurses (Victorian Public Sector) Multiple Employer Agreement

2007 – 2011, Registered Nurse Grade 3B. Attractive salary packaging available.

For a position description please visit our website at www.wrhc.com.au or for further

queries, please phone Rebecca McBurnie, HR Assistant on 03 9680 1138.

 

Closing date for applications is 5:00pm on Sunday 6th May 2012.

Please submit your application via email to jobs@wrhc.com.au, to the attention of

Bernadette Suter and include:

• current resume

• covering letter

• a separate response to the Key Selection Criteria (located within the position

description) – please note that applications will not be considered without this

 

A pre-employment criminal record check is mandatory.

WRHC is an equal opportunity employer.

 

ADCA’s National Inhalants Information Service (NIIS) has released the second edition of the popular publication, Developing an inhalant misuse community strategy.  Written by Dr Sarah MacLean of Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre, the updated booklet details strategies in addressing the issue of inhalant misuse at the community level.  It also provides examples of past successful campaigns undertaken by five communities from around Australia.

The booklet is available to download at http://inhalantsinfo.org.au/community_groups.php

The NSW Ministry of Health, Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol Office (MHDAO) invites applications for funding under the 2012/13 Drug and Alcohol Research Grants Program.

 

The Research Grants Program supports innovation in drug and alcohol research in NSW, and provides 12 month funding for small research projects under the following categories:

 

Category 1: Applicants with 5 or more years experience in research. MHDAO is particularly interested in receiving applications in this category that focus on:

• Pharmaceutical opioids;
• Intersections and collaborations across specialist and primary care sectors in drug and alcohol service delivery; and
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population groups.

Category 2: Applicants with less than 5 years experience in research and who are currently working in a NSW Drug and Alcohol Service.

 

All applications must be completed in accordance with the MHDAO Research Guidelines and submitted on the MHDAO Research Application Form.

 

Applications must be received by close of business (5:00pm) Friday 18 May 2012

 

For further enquiries please visit the MHDAO Research web page http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/mhdao/research.asp or email mhdaoresearch@doh.health.nsw.gov.au

 

Cost: $140 (plus GST and postage). 

Enquiries, Sue Helfgott, phone 0403 465682 or email hanmil@optusnet.com.au

For information about all other resources available, see our Website: www.sushiproductions.com

www.sushiproductions.com.au

DRUG ARM Australasia will be delivering the following workshop:

Training: Alcohol & Other Drugs – Information, Issues & Intricacies

An AOD-specific training suited for workers who would like to increase their knowledge, skills and organizational capacity to provide services to people affected by alcohol and other drug issues.

Date: MAY Tuesday 1st, 2012

Time: 9:15am – 4:00pm

Venue: DRUG ARM State & South Office, 249 Diagonal Rd, Warradale, SA 5046

Vacancies: Limited to 16 per workshop – ‘first in, first served’ basis

Details: A full day workshop divided into four modules (Introduction & Overview, Pharmacology, Epidemiology, and Responding). This will explore how and why people use drugs, an in-depth look at different types of drugs and their effects, withdrawal, prevalence of use, associated risks, raising the issue, identifying overdose and intoxication, managing difficult behaviours, harm minimization strategies and treatment options.

Participants are expected to complete an online questionnaire to ascertain their current level of knowledge and experience (in order to tailor the workshop to best suit needs). Group activities and assessments are also incorporated to strengthen participants’ understanding. All participants will receive a certificate following completion of training.

Cost: $120 per person* (training is inclusive of light refreshments, lunch, and training materials)

To obtain a registration form for this workshop, please contact Leanne via email at leannev@drugarm.com.au, or call the State office on 8296 4777. Invoices can also be arranged for workplace payments.
Recent evaluation comments regarding the AOD workshop:
“Diverse range of people to interact with.. Leanne was extremely engaging and made me comfortable speaking… incorporated activities which were great”
“Loved the relaxed format. Felt comfortable asking questions at all times”
“The whole package was melded thoughtfully”
(in reference to most valuable aspects…) “..All….reinforcing what I’m doing, information, and referrals”
“Loved the idea of pre-training questionnaire – also the effort that went into answering all questions”
“Excellent training. Will recommend. Thank you”

NOMINATIONS OPEN

The National Indigenous Drug and Alcohol Committee (NIDAC) is pleased to announce the launch of the inaugural National Indigenous Drug & Alcohol Awards.  These Awards recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander drug and alcohol workers for their contribution to reducing the harmful effects of drug and alcohol use among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.

Nominations can be made NOW by downloading the information and nomination form at: http://www.nidaconference.com.au/images/stories/PDFs/awardsnominationform.pdf.

The Awards to be presented at the NIDAC 2012 Conference in Fremantle on 6-8 June 2012 at the Esplanade Hotel are:

1.                   Award for Excellence, Female Worker

2.                   Award for Excellence, Male Worker

3.                   Encouragement Award

All of the above category winners will receive prize money of $2,000 to go towards a workforce development activity.

NIDAC also announces the introduction of the National Indigenous Drug and Alcohol Honour Roll to acknowledge and publicly recognise the exceptional effort which is made by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander drug and alcohol workers who have tirelessly contributed to this sector over a considerable number of years.

Nominations for the Honour Roll can also be made by downloading the information and nomination form at:http://www.nidaconference.com.au/images/stories/PDFs/awardsnominationform.pdf.

Nominations close at midnight on Monday, 30 April 2012.

For further information contact Denise Gilchrist at denise@ancd.org.au

NIDA CREATES EASY-TO-READ WEBSITE ON DRUG ABUSE New site for adults with limited literacy skills, with audio versions of each page

Clip A new, easy-to-read website on drug abuse designed for adults with a low reading literacy level (eighth grade or below) was launched today by the National Institute on Drug Abuse <http://www.drugabuse.gov/> (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health.  The site, which provides plain language information on neuroscience, drug abuse prevention and treatment, is also a resource for adult literacy educators.  It has a simple design with a large default text size, motion graphic videos and other features that make it easy to read and use.

 

NIDA’s new easy-to-read site can be found at: <www.easyread.drugabuse.gov>.
Before creating the site, NIDA interviewed adults who were seeking to improve their literacy skills to learn their challenges and preferences in using websites. NIDA also worked with groups that provide services to adult learners through nonprofit organizations, libraries, and in healthcare clinics. In addition, NIDA conducted website usability testing at nonprofit organizations that serve adults seeking to improve their reading and/or earn a GED.

See NIH’s Health Literacy Initiative (http://www.nih.gov/clearcommunication/plainlanguage.htm) for more information and additional resources on health literacy