Operating Theatre Nurse (International Humanitarian Register)

 Operating Theatre Nurse (international humanitarian register)

 Must speak Arabic and / or French in addition to English

Australian Red Cross is seeking skilled Operating Theatre Nurses to join our International Delegate (aid worker) Register. From the Delegate Register, Operating Theatre Nurses can be deployed internationally by the Red Cross to provide professional assistance to individuals and communities impacted by humanitarian disasters or conflicts.  Deployments typically range in duration from six to twelve months and are salaried.

Please note that recruitment to the Delegate Register does not guarantee employment with Red Cross. It does however place the individual on standby to deploy, and enables suitable preparation and training for deployment, should the need arise.   

If you are interested in working internationally with Red Cross, we encourage you to read the below role profile which provides additional information on the requirements of this position, to consider your suitability. Please note that we are only able to consider applications from candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of Australia. 

Australian Red Cross’ International Delegate Register 

The Red Cross and Red Crescent (RCRC) Movement is the largest humanitarian network in the world. It comprises the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (Federation) and 192 National Societies. The RCRC mandate is to protect and support populations experiencing conflicts, disasters and other vulnerabilities. 

ARC maintains an active register of highly screened and trained humanitarian workers (referred to as delegates within the Red Cross) who are deployed to international crises when local capacity is overwhelmed or where additional specialist resources are required. Deployments take place through fixed-term contracts, with delegates seconded into the operations of the ICRC or Federation. 

In all activities, Australian Red Cross’ delegates, staff, volunteers and members are guided by the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.  

Humanity • Neutrality • Impartiality • Independence • Voluntary Service • Unity • Universality.  

To read more on these principles, visit https://www.redcross.org.au/about/fundamental-principles/ 

Operating Theatre Nurse - position summary and requirements

Candidates recruited to join the delegate register as Operating Theatre Nurses will be responsible for the delivery of high-quality patient care, ensuring a safe and sterile environment in the operating theatres of hospitals – including pre and post-operative patient care and scrubbing / assisting in theatre. S/he assesses training needs, develops plans of action and draws up training programmes with local / national personnel.

Essential Requirements 

• Citizen or permanent resident of Australia.
• Fluent spoken and written English. 

• Level B2 (CEFR standard) in a second language (French or Arabic). 

• Extensive (5 years or more) professional experience aligned with the technical and behavioural competencies (outlined below). 

• Previous international humanitarian and/or development experience in low-income countries (non-government organisations, international organisations or charity).  

• Availability to deploy for a minimum of 6 months, and up to 12 months.

Education Qualifications and Professional Registrations

• Registered Nurse with a valid license to practice in Australia – valid registration with AHPRA
• Operating Theatre Nursing specialty degree or equivalent, at least 5 years’ experience in Operating Theatres, ideally with a post graduate certificate
• Current scrub and circulating experience
• Specialty in orrthopaedics, trauma or general surgery is an advantage
• Previous experience(s) in acute care departments such as ER, ICU and Recovery Room, is an asset

Additional Essential Requirements

• Digital Literacy, including ability navigate digital devices (laptops, smartphones), analyse web-based information and work effectively with the Microsoft Office suite of applications. 
• Ability to drive a manual car. 
• Personal motivation to provide humanitarian assistance to individuals and communities impacted by disasters or armed conflict. 
• Ability to adapt to and function effectively in challenging living conditions and potentially unstable security environments. 
• Ability to work effectively while under pressure and within multicultural teams. 
• Excellent organisational skills. 

TECHNICAL Competencies

Operating Theatre Management

• Support the establishment and/or management of the operating theatre, in cooperation with the surgeon, anaesthetist and operating theatre nursing staff
• Organise, maintain and replenish surgical materials
• Ensure correct registration of OT patients and data collection
• Facilitate appropriate OT preparedness and timely response to emergencies, ensures that all resources available are managed and maintained in an appropriate manner
• Ensure quality care by adherence to sterilization and infection control policies and safety standards regarding the handling of sharps, fire safety, waste management, etc.
• Demonstrate and deliver a high standard of evidence-based patient care within the OT   
• Organise, store, maintain and replenish surgical materials.

Stakeholder Management 

• Provide technical advice / training and support to local / national counterparts to maintain/develop local / national capacities and reach international standards
• To define and implement a training package for MOH/resident staff
• Liaise as requested with local / national health authorities and other health providers
• Performs all duties with the highest level of confidentiality

Information Management

• Ensure all documentation meets local / national legal requirements and that statistical data is collated, using the relevant health monitoring systems
• Ensure medical records are written clearly and precisely, including treatment and/or discharge plans, and documentation of unwanted incidents related to the care of the patient
• Ensure patient documentation is consistently filled out by international and local / national medical staff
• Ensure proper registration of OT patients and data collection
• Provide accurate and timely reporting of OT activities

Behavioural Competencies

Cultural Awareness

• Design solutions and plan operations that consider local cultural factors
• Respect cultural diversity within the team
• Adapt programmes and operations in line with socio-political and cultural context, with specific focus on addressing the needs of vulnerable groups

Interpersonal communications

• Deliver accurate, clear and concise messages, orally and in writing, to inform a range of audiences
• Actively listen to and encourage feedback from peers, communities, volunteers and other stakeholders
• Convey complex ideas and plans based on inputs from different audiences in an engaging, appropriate and clear manner

Judgement and Decision-making

• Make informed, timely, balanced decisions at an individual and team level through consultation, research and consideration
• Find solutions to problems in a resourceful and creative manner
• Explain decisions to those who implement or are affected by them

Motivating others

• Provide regular formal and informal feedback and recognises contributions of others to maintain team productivity
• Positively support others to maintain motivation by clearly articulating the purpose of the programme

Personal Resilience

• Appropriately cope with stressful situations by remaining constructive and positive under stress and remaining focused on objectives as the operation evolves

Candidate Assessment  

All candidates will be assessed based on technical and core competencies specific to this role. Candidates may be further invited to take part in a competency-based interview, assessment centre and psychological assessment. 

Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse & Harassment (PSEAH) & Child Protection 

Australian Red Cross reserves the right to conduct background checks on all candidates, including police, working with children checks, personal reference checks and other checks Australian Red Cross considers necessary. Candidates who do not pass a work with children check, or whose backgrounds checks suggest they may pose a risk to the safety and wellbeing of others will not be considered for this position. 

Australian Red Cross participates in the global Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), and is committed to preventing sexual misconduct or child abuse by individuals moving between humanitarian organisations across the globe. Australian Red Cross is also a child safe organisation. To uphold this commitment, Australian Red Cross will share sexual misconduct or child abuse concerns or investigations upon request with other participating organisations. Additionally, as part of our recruitment process, Australian Red Cross may contact previous employers to ask about any sexual misconduct or child abuse concerns or investigations. Visit The Misconduct Disclosure Scheme for more information

Operational Constraints 

In line with the principle of neutrality, please note that staff seconded to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) cannot be deployed to any country of origin. Delegates must be in good health and agree to participate in health clearance processes prior to any assignment. 

For more information on the Operating Theatre Nurse profile, and working internationally with Australian Red Cross, contact Andree Girardau on agirardau@redcross.org.au