It is important to distinguish between Remote Clinics & Remote
Hospitals
Remote Clinics or Health Centres care for the community members
health needs in a non-hospital situation. In this environment the
nurse works closely with the Aboriginal Health Workers, and often
there is no Medical Officer present at the Clinic. Medical Officers
are available via phone consults, and evacuations to Hospital are
by small plane or road ambulance, potentially leaving a nurse with
a critical patient to manage for a considerable length of time.
You may be hours from the nearest medical assistance by road or
air so good trauma skills and a strong focus on Primary Health
are required. In most clinics you would be expected to share after
hours On-call with the other nurses.
Generally speaking Remote Hospitals are located in gazetted towns
as opposed to communities. It is expected they will have nursing
staff & doctors to support the needs of their clients / patients.
In your role as a nurse you are more likely to have other nurses & doctors
to support you & consult with on the care of your patients. |
