Bhumi Ganatra

Thank you for accepting my application. I have had an interesting and rewarding working history so far. It has always revolved around providing holistic and empathetic care to the consumer as a RN in many different and diverse contexts of nursing. These work experiences together with the knowledge I have gained through my personal and professional development, have given me a wealth of knowledge in delivery of care in acute settings, specialising in Acute and rehab Mental Health for the past twelve years. This has enhanced my ability to engage therapeutically with a diverse range of people and fine tune my time management skills a great deal, therefore giving me a better sense of my own capacity and the ability to apply this knowledge to the management of consumers/young people.

• The feedback I receive from not only consumers and their families but also the extended treating team and nursing leadership team is reflective of the high quality of care that I provide to the consumer. My daily practice of engaging in risk screening through both verbal conversations and visual observations allows me to provide a safe and therapeutic environment for all. I have recently attended the risk screening workshop which specialised in techniques relevant to the adolescent cohort and I have ensured I have implemented these into my practice. I am familiar with the transition process as a RN and am aware of the change in responsibility job scope and delegation. My experience within the psycho geriatric setting has given me skills to recognise and manage consumers with pre-morbid presentations and as well as the eating disorder cohort who often present with challenging physical complications. I firmly believe in providing hope to those living with mental illness and this aligns with the recovery orientated practices employed by Metro North Mental Health. Assisting consumers to find a sense of identity away from their illness is especially important in the acute mental health cohort when they are already struggling with role confusion and finding their own identity.
• I believe in respecting the dignity, culture, ethnicity, values and beliefs of all individuals whether they are under my care or beside me as a colleague. I adhere to the ethical and legal obligations as required as a professional, to protect the privacy of consumers receiving care. Confidentiality is important in all areas of healthcare however I believe it is extremely important with young people on the ward, for their parents, stakeholders and community services. The ethical decision-making framework guides my practice on the ward. It is necessary to recognise and eliminate unethical options and select the best moral and therapeutic treatment by the treating team and I feel that I am frequently involved in this practice for example when discussing the restraint process of an eating disorder consumer and also in the management of their consumers displaying personality vulnerabilities with challenging behaviours. I continually ensure my knowledge is kept up to date by attending regular in-services, reading research articles supporting current evidence-based practices and availing myself to training opportunities within the mental health service. I have a good understanding of the ten NSQHS Standards that are provided to protect the public from harm and to improve the quality of health service provisions to ensure minimum standards of safety and quality are met. I particularly relate to the view that “Quality is about doing ordinary things extraordinarily well”.
• Whilst working in mental health I have maintained several portfolios at an advanced level. These are clinical handover and a legal documentation portfolio. Within this role I have extensively researched various handover techniques utilised in other health services in different parts of the world, and advocate the use of ISBAR as the most efficient and accurate tool. I ensure I am abreast of the organisational policies, business rules and work unit guidelines and this is evidenced by my ability to work within the safety of these when delivering care to the consumer. I also will ensure I practice within my scope of a Registered Nurse and the Standards of Practice set out by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia and endorsed by APHRA. I am an active participant in the projection process of the ward by attending planning days and engage by providing evidence of current methods used as discussion points. I am an Authorised Mental Health Practitioner, which has enabled me to have an extensive understanding of the QLD Mental Health Act 2016, which includes the National Mental Health policies, plans and standards. I believe this knowledge runs parallel to the implementation of consumer rights when a young person is admitted to the ward and providing them with the appropriate reading material. I am also proficient in using various electronic systems CIMHA, HBCIS, EDIS and IEMR on a daily basis. I use RISKMAN when required to assist in reporting of risks, incidents, their management and how to identify areas that can be used in quality improvement.
• My extensive knowledge on alcohol and other drugs withdrawal and management gained through the gradual Diploma of Mental Health with ACU I have completed enables me to educate other staff and students alongside communicating the effects to the young person and family/carers. Whilst attending MDT meetings, ward rounds and family meetings, I am a passionate advocate on behalf of the young person and their family. I maintain respect, dignity and diplomacy when promoting any consumer and carer engagement in decision making process. I frequently provide factual and objective representations of consumers and voice any related concerns to mitigate risks and promote a safe environment. As a part of the nursing team, I provide the family/carers with education on the process of Ryan’s Rule and how to escalate any concerns through the organisational structure and also offer complaints and compliment forms, when appropriate. I feel that I am a well-liked and respected member of the multidisciplinary team and the larger mental health stream. This is reflected by my professional and trustworthy demeanour.
• I am an active participant in communicating with all levels of the multidisciplinary health care team. I engage in effective therapeutic use of self on a daily basis, providing psycho-education to young people and I play a large supporting role with families, particularly outside of business hours on the ward. I actively utilise my communication skills to plan and facilitate group activities on the ward. My commitment and passion is evident in the enthusiasm displayed at team meetings and planning days. My energetic disposition is noted by my co-workers and motivates them to bring forward their own ideas and suggestions.
• My communication style and approachability allows colleagues to feel comfortable in my support of them. This is demonstrated by addressing situations quickly and respectfully with my colleagues regardless of their designation using conflict resolution techniques if required. I have a passion for being involved in peer support and I demonstrate that through the positive feedback I receive from my colleagues. I endeavour to support the junior staff, including the many graduates rotating through the acute inpatient Unit. I believe self-awareness is an essential part of working with all age group , hence I feel I am able to recognise my strengths, weakness and have a genuine ability to regulate my own emotions to remain professional at all times. This also assists me to build and maintain healthy therapeutic relationship whilst maintaining appropriate boundaries and limits. I am confident in my approach to managing challenging and sometimes volatile situations by asserting my critical thinking and crisis management techniques and engaging in forward planning. I pride myself on being able to identify other people’s emotional cues and I am aware of the power dynamics play on the ward milieu and team interactions.
• Throughout my seventeen years of service in mental health I have played an active role in the evolving changes such as the implementation and subsequent reviews of the Distress Tolerance Program. This has assisted in decreasing the use of seclusion and restraint for those displaying challenging behaviours as well as a change in the management of those consumers exhibiting emerging personality vulnerabilities. I feel although my clinical position as a RN, I exhibit leadership qualities and clinical experience beyond this which is well respected and appreciated by my peers. I have an ability to assist and support more senior staff in making decisions based on my past experiences, clinical knowledge and critical thinking skills.
• I believe I am a capable and confident individual who fulfils all aspects of the key responsibilities and duties within this role description. I feel I have addressed my commitment and sense of responsibility to my employer and the consumers and families in the above examples and through the continuing education I have completed over the years. My professionalism, ability to communicate effectively and therapeutically and to practice at a Registered Nurse level allows me to sustain the support I provide to my peers and management. Finally I wholeheartedly believe my personal values correspond accordingly with the Metro QLD HHS values of Respect, Teamwork, Compassion, High Performance and Integrity.