Robyn Giec

I have been working full time as a medical surgical assistant since 2011, when the last of the community health centres in Hobart was privatized and my position as a community general practitioner was made redundant. I am currently credentialed at the three private hospitals in Hobart, namely the Hobart Private Hospital (Healthscope), Calvary Hospital Lenah Valley Campus and Calvary Hospital St John's Campus as a surgical assistant. I am also credentialed at Warringal private hospital in Heidelberg, Victoria (Ramsay).

The specialties with which I assist include:-

General surgery (both laparoscopic and open)

Bariatric surgery (lap band insertion and removal, sleeve gastrectomy, single anastomosis bypass and reux-en-y bypass primary and revision/conversion)

Obstetric surgery mainly LSCS

Gynaecological surgery (open, laparoscopic, vaginal and robotic - Da Vinci.)

Breast surgery including mastectomy (both nipple sparing and non-nipple sparing), localised lesion excision, sentinel lymph node biopsy, expander and implant insertion.

Endocrine surgery (thyroid and parathyroid)

Colorectal surgery (haemorrhoid excision, delorme's procedure, rectocele repair, laparoscopic bowel resections)

Upper GI (laparoscopic hiatus hernia repair, Heller myotomy, liver resection)

I have assisted in orthopaedic, plastics theatres previously but have stepped away from these in the last few years to focus on the above specialties. I have also assisted with a radical prostatectomy via the robot when the regular assistant was on leave.

My duties vary depending on the theatre but can include, checking the patient details, answering questions from the patient, positioning the patient, attaching equipment such as diathermy and sequential compression devices, IV insertion as requested by the anaesthetist, assistance with intubation if needed, suturing, patient transfer, cleaning of theatre in between cases.

• First medical contact in labour ward responsible for admissions, initial assessment working under the supervision of the registrar. Skills included VE to assess progress, ARM, repair of tears and management of PPH.
• Admitting officer for inductions, initiated induction with cervidil or prostin insertion when appropriate.
• Medical officer for pregnancy assessment centre. Additional skills included CTG interpretation and antenatal USS.
• Administrative role included creating rosters for the interns and RMOs, supervision of medical students and interns.
• Weekend RMO cover of general gynaecology and gynae oncology patients.

• Worked as a general practitioner in a community health centre. This involved the consultation with both booked and emergency patients. I worked as part of a well supported practice team and provided support to the team as required. I performed minor office procedures including biopsy and removal of skin lesions, removal and insertion of implanon, and plaster application.
• I provided an educational session for the young females at the local primary school regarding medical issues in people at their stage of development. This was at the request of the school and was very well received.
• I provided preliminary education of the nursing staff regarding ECG interpretation, provided supervision and teaching of FRACGP registrars, medical students and overseas trained doctors.
• Examiner for the RACGP from 2006 to 2018.

• Directed and coordinated patient care activities of nursing and Aboriginal Health Workers, working as part of a multidisciplinary team. I was a resource for the Health Workers, supervising their daily duties and consultations.
• Completed patient referrals to other medical specialists, liaising regularly with health care professionals at Nhulunbuy Hospital and Darwin Base Hospital.
• Provided outreach general practice services to surrounding small communities
• Was responsible for ordering medication into the clinic pharmacy, and dispensing the medication to patients.
• Provided "in-house" education sessions at Miwatj on topics of interest including hepatitis c, ECG interpretation.
• Provided supervision of, and education to rural medical students and FRACGP registrars. Coordinated the external education sessions for the medical officers in Nhulunbuy, including hosting the RHEF educational sessions.

• Worked in a small rural practice as one of 3 rural GPs. Attended both booked and emergency patients and liaised with specialists and paramedical staff.
• Admitted and cared for patients to the local community hospital. Through this, I was able to care for patients who were palliative and wanted to stay close to their family, and those patients who required a higher level of care that was available at home but did not need to be admitted to the Royal Hobart Hospital.
• Performed home visits
• Supervised medical students.
• Performed minor procedures.

• Worked throughout rural Tasmania as the fulltime rural locum, allowing GPs to take leave. I would consult with both booked and emergency patients.
• I was required to attend after hours emergency cases, stabilizing the patients then letting them return home, admitting them to the local rural hospital or transferring them to the tertiary hospital as their condition required.
• Conducted clinical assessment and evaluation of patients in the local aged care facilities.
• Worked with a variety of medical software packages.

• Worked as part of the multidisciplinary health team in the general clinic to provide general medical care for both routine ane emergency presentations.
• Cared for patients in the surrounding aged care facilities in Katherine.
• Provided outreach clinics to the surrounding communities.
• Coordinated the women's health programme.
• Coordinated the STD programme.
• Contributed to the committee which introduced the computer recall system to the clinic.
• supervised medical students
• Provided support to the nursing and Aboriginal Health Workers at the centre.

• Worked as part of a team for "careworks" which was a government initiative striving to support patients in the community and prevent the need for admission
• Performed general practice consultations including minor office procedures.
• Was nominated for GP of the year
• Achieved my FRACGP 1998.

• Worked as part of a multidisciplinary team in a community health centre providing general medical care for booked and emergency cases.
• Worked on devising and implementing an immunization strategy aimed at improving the immunization rates within the centre's catchment area.

• Worked as part of a multidisciplinary team providing medical care to patients who presented to the main clinic.
• Was part of an outreach team who attended patients in smaller clinics in the outer suburbs of Brisbane.

• Worked in a busy bulk billing general practice located in a large shopping centre. Because of this attended a large number of "walk in" and emergency patients.

• Worked primarily in adult casualty. Rotated through gynaecology, obstetrics, ENT, Ophthalmology, Paediatric casualty and orthopaedics.

• Rotated through general casualty, general medicine, general surgery.
• Worked in both surgical and general practice outpatient's clinics.
• Assisted in theatre and was present for the first laparoscopic procedures.
• Was able to book my own patients for removal of skin lesions in theatre as well as performed supervised haemorrhoidecotmies.

• Rotated through general medicine, general surgery, obstetrics, adult casualty and anaesthetics. Obstetrics involved many night shifts where I was able to be involved in interventions including emergency LSCS and assisted deliveries.