Sarah Draper

Working in busy metropolitan health clinic, alongside general practitioners and allied health personnel; active participation in development and implementation of primary health care strategies for a wide range of patients, from new-born infants to the elderly.

• Paediatric and adult vaccinations, including immunisation of infants and young children.
• Completion of Government required infant and children's health, growth and development checks.
• Completion of adult health checks including middle aged and geriatric health assessments.
• Daily completion of patient chronic health care plans, reviews and allied health referrals.
• Assisting practice doctors with minor medical/surgical procedures including venepuncture blood collection, skin lesion excisions and biopsies, insertion and removal of sutures, conduction and analysis of ECG’s, cervical smear screening, intravenous iron infusions, and acute and chronic wound care.
• Conduction of nurse-run paediatric rapid assessment clinic for "on day" review and diagnosis (by supporting GP) of acutely ill children, under the age of 10 years- including completion of comprehensive medical history and routine physical observations
• Ensuring GP orders were effectively carried out, including seeking clarification, guidance and assistance where required.
• Use of critical thinking to analyse problems, evaluate solutions, make confident decisions and improve operations, including patient outcomes and experiences.
• Maintenance of a clean and safe environment, adhering to infection control protocols and ensuring compliance with current regulations.
• Regular stock taking and ordering of consumable medical stock, including Government supplied vaccines.
• Participation in professional development activities to remain current with best practice nursing care delivery methods.
• Daily use of electronic health records systems including accurate data entry, retrieval, and communication among healthcare team members.
• Daily patient education regarding varied aspects of primary and chronic health care and promotion including but not limited to: prevention and management of solitary and multi-morbidity chronic health conditions, proper use of prescribed medications including potential side/adverse effects and interactions, sexual health concerns and issues, mental health and developmental concerns and issues, paediatric growth and development, and general adult and geriatric concerns.

Phase I-II Clinical Research and Trials Facility in Adelaide City, South Australia.

• Comprehensive daily collection of essential clinical trials data from healthy human participants and volunteers undergoing various Phase I-II drug administration regimes.
• Practical, study based clinical skills including: venous venepuncture and intravenous cannula blood specimen collection for pharmacokinetic analysis, ECG conduction, vital sign assessment, urinalysis and faecal specimen collection for pharmacokinetic analysis, adverse event assessment and monitoring, study specific participant meal and fluid provision and monitoring.
• Volunteer preliminary screening procedures including: collection of comprehensive and accurate personal, medical and surgical histories, venous venepuncture blood specimen collection, urine collection and analysis testing including pregnancy (HCG) and illicit drugs, ECG conduction and vital sign assessment. Speciality training also includes spirometry lung function testing and EEG (electroencephalogram) conduction.
• Accurate and timely recording of all clinical data in appropriate study specific documentation.
• Adherence to defined study protocols and sponsor specifications, including efficient time management to enable completion of tasks under strict time parameters and in fast-paced environments.
• Daily consultation and work with clinical study team members, including governing senior medical officers, study managers and supervisors, fellow study nurses and study assistants.
• In conjunction with management personnel, establishment, and daily operation of facility based RAT (Rapid Antigen Testing) station and co-ordination and supervision of daily testing schedules of volunteers, participants and staff.
• Currently undertaking practical intravenous cannulation assessment and investigational product medication dosing & witnessing training.
• Gained extensive knowledge in accurate and confidential data entry, analysis, quality checking and reporting, including error clarification and correction.
• Use of strong analytical and problem-solving skills as well as creativity and resourcefulness to develop effective solutions for challenging or unforeseen situations.
• Cultivated strong interpersonal skills by building positive relationships with others, including providing leadership, guidance and support for younger and less experienced staff members.

Busy medium sized regional-hub hospital in rural northern South Australia.

• Work as ward Team Leader, including management and supervision of senior and junior nursing staff, consultation and patient rounding with medical officers and conference with allied health team members regarding ongoing patient treatment and care.
• Comprehensive peri-operative nursing care, including patient preparation, retrieval of patients from surgical recovery unit and post-operative care on ward.
• Safe, daily medication management and administration to ward patients via various means and routes including oral, parenteral, topical, inhalation and trans-dermal.
• Nursing care and rehabilitation of patients recovering from major orthopaedic surgery, including knee, hip and shoulder replacements and reconstructions.
• Nursing care of diabetic patients, including blood glucose monitoring, management of hyper/hypoglycaemic episodes and insulin administration.
• Advanced multi-modal medication management, including opioid analgesia, anti-emetic and anti-coagulant therapies and intravenous antibiotics, fluids and blood products.
• Basic and speciality wound care, including surgical wounds, dressings and drains, acute injuries and chronic conditions.
• Nursing care of patients presenting with mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, substance dependence and suicidal ideation.
• Nursing and comfort care of patients with neurological deficits, including stroke.
• Nursing care of patients (both elderly and younger) with complex cognitive deficits, including dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
• Comfort care of palliative patients, including compassionate therapeutic relationships with patients and families.
• Completion of Last Offices and transfer of deceased patients to hospital morgue.
• Daily participation in clinical ISBAR based handover procedures, including face to face and telephone handovers.
• Daily communication with patients, patient family members and professional colleagues, face to face and via telephone.
• Completed daily hand written and digital paperwork, identifying discrepancies and promptly addressing for resolution.
• Demonstrated creativity and resourcefulness through development and implementation of effective solutions for difficult or unforeseen patient situations, whilst maintaining patient centred and quality care principles.
• Demonstrated strong organisational, time management and prioritisation skills whilst managing multiple patients and responsibilities.
• Worked flexible hours including night, weekend and public holiday shifts.