Rebecca Hough

• Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team to implement recovery-focused treatment plans.
• Utilized critical thinking skills to identify any changes in patient presentations and implement strategies to support such as Safewards, medication or as a last resort intervention more restrictive interventions.
• Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities such as SafeCare Vicoria's Restrictive Interventions Colab to stay current on best practices in psychiatric care as well as being the Safewards champion on the ward.
• Advocating for patient rights and treatment choices within the mental health framework, working alongside the care team to address any concerns or barriers to recovery.
• Assessed the need for restrictive interventions such as restraint or seclusion in accordance with the Mental Health Act while always prioritizing least restrictive measures when possible to promote patient autonomy.
• Managing challenging behaviors effectively through de-escalation techniques and implementation of behavior management plans.
• Served as a support nurse for new staff and students, sharing knowledge of the hospital policies and procedures as well as the Mental Health Act while supporting their transition into the role.
• Conducted suicide risk assessments thoughout each shift to identify high-risk individuals in need of additional intervention or monitoring within an appropriate and recovery focused lens.
• Educated patients and family members about psychiatric illness, available treatments, and community resources to promote continuity of care post-discharge when referring back to community.
• Filling in for the ANUM role when gaps appear in the roster with a goal to work toward obtaining this role when a job becomes available.

I completed three rotations while undertaking this consolidation year. The first was in Gandarrah where I worked in their palliative care unit assisting with palliating patients with a focus on;

* Pain management

* Care of a deceased person

* Supporting families

* General care with ADLs

The second rotation was in the Adult Acute Unit which is inpatient psychiatric care. Working in this secure unit I was responsible for patients in the acute phase of their mental illness recovery. Some of my job roles included;

* Managing challenging behaviours

* Deescalation

* Safewards implementation

* Admissions/Discharges

* Supporting carers and families

The third rotation was in 4 South which was Oncolgoy where I was responsible for

* Pain management

* Assisting with pressure care and ADLs

* Care of the dying patient

* Post surgical care