Week 9-11: Online Self-directed Learning Flashcards
What provisions exist for flexible working arrangements under the Fair Work Act?
Employees can request flexible working arrangements, such as changes in hours, location, or patterns of work.
What is an enterprise agreement?
A negotiated agreement covering wages, working conditions, allowances, and entitlements for employees.
Which state in Australia, besides Victoria, has similar legislation for nurse-to-patient ratios?
Queensland
How does the Fair Work Act support parents in the workplace?
It provides parental leave entitlements and protections for both parents.
What is…
The regulatory body that ensures all nurses and midwives in Australia are registered and meet professional standards.
AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency)
How does the Fair Work Act 2009 apply to nurses and midwives?
a) It sets national nurse-to-patient ratios
b) It protects workplace rights and establishes employment standards
c) It regulates the salary of healthcare professionals
d) It determines hospital funding levels
b) It protects workplace rights and establishes employment standards
What is…
A law that mandates specific nurse-to-patient and midwife-to-patient ratios in public hospital settings in Victoria, aiming to ensure safe patient care.
Safe Patient Care Act 2015
What is…
Nurses or midwives employed with no guaranteed hours, working irregular or on-demand shifts.
Casual Employment (Nurses/Midwives)
What is the role of the Fair Work Commission in relation to the Act?
The Fair Work Commission resolves disputes, sets minimum wages, and interprets the Fair Work Act.
Define:
EBA (Enterprise Bargaining Agreement) 2020-2024
A specific enterprise agreement outlining the employment terms for Victorian public sector nurses and midwives for the period of 2020 to 2024.
How does patient complexity affect nurse/midwife-to-patient ratios?
More complex care may lead to a lower nurse-to-patient ratio to ensure adequate care is provided.
What is…
A legally binding agreement between employers and employees that outlines employment conditions such as wages, working hours, and allowances.
Enterprise Agreement
What is the Fair Work Act 2009?
A law that protects workplace and industrial rights in Australia.
What is the nurse-to-patient ratio in a Victorian public hospital maternity unit?
It is consistent across the state, though flexible based on patient needs.
What does ‘skill mix’ refer to in the context of nurse/midwife-to-patient ratios?
It refers to the combination of different levels of expertise and qualifications within the nursing/midwifery staff on duty.
What does the Fair Work Act 2009 provide in the case of redundancy for nurses and midwives?
a) Mandatory overtime
b) Redundancy pay and notice of termination
c) Guaranteed re-employment at another facility
d) Automatic transition to part-time work
b) Redundancy pay and notice of termination
In which healthcare settings does the Safe Patient Care Act 2015 apply?
It applies to public hospital acute settings in Victoria.
What are long service leave entitlements under the Fair Work Act?
Employees are entitled to take long service leave after a certain period of continuous employment.
When was enterprise bargaining introduced in Australia?
In the early 1990s by the Bob Hawke/Paul Keating Labor government.
What type of healthcare facilities are available for nursing and midwifery jobs in Victoria?
More than 80 public health services and 180 public aged care facilities.
What does the Fair Work Act say about maximum working hours?
It establishes a limit on the number of hours an employee can be required to work.
Who regulates nursing and midwifery practice in Victoria?
AHPRA regulates nursing and midwifery practice in Victoria.
What are some key national employment standards included in the Fair Work Act 2009?
Maximum working hours, flexible working arrangements, leave entitlements, and protection from unfair dismissal.
What is the employment nature of a casual nurse/midwife?
They work varying hours depending on availability and employer needs.
What is the purpose of enterprise bargaining?
To negotiate terms and conditions of employment between management and employees, resulting in an enterprise agreement.
What flexibility exists in nurse-to-patient ratios in emergency departments or birth suites?
The ratios are flexible in these high-acuity areas to provide the best care for patients based on their needs.
What are the benefits of nurse-to-patient ratios for patients?
Patients receive safer, higher-quality care, with more individualized attention from nurses/midwives.
How does hospital size affect nurse-to-patient ratios?
The ratio may vary depending on the hospital’s size and the complexity of its patients.
What are some benefits of nurse-to-patient ratios for nurses/midwives?
They allow for better workload management, reduce burnout, and improve job satisfaction.
What is the weekly work requirement for a full-time nurse/midwife?
38 hours per week, or an average of 38 hours per week.
Define:
Fair Work Act 2009
Legislation that governs workplace rights and protections in Australia, including maximum work hours, leave entitlements, and protection from unfair dismissal.
Which of the following rights is protected by the Fair Work Act 2009 for nurses and midwives?
a) Protection from unfair dismissal
b) Access to mandatory private health insurance
c) Guaranteed promotions every five years
d) Fixed shift patterns for all nurses
a) Protection from unfair dismissal
In what types of healthcare settings do nurses and midwives work?
They work across primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare in both public and private sectors, including acute care, rehabilitation, and aged care facilities.
Can nurses and midwives work in both public and private sectors in Victoria?
Yes, they can work in both public and private healthcare settings.
What is the purpose of the Safe Patient Care Act 2015?
To ensure safe patient care by establishing mandatory nurse/midwife-to-patient ratios in public hospital acute settings in Victoria.
Define:
Part-Time Employment (Nurses/Midwives)
Nurses or midwives working less than 38 hours per week, with hours that may vary.
What is community service leave under the Fair Work Act?
Leave granted for participation in voluntary emergency management activities or jury duty.
How does the Fair Work Act protect employees from unfair dismissal?
It provides protection and legal recourse for employees who are dismissed without fair reason.
Define:
AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency)
The regulatory body that ensures all nurses and midwives in Australia are registered and meet professional standards.
What is…
The number of patients assigned to one nurse or midwife, varying by hospital size and patient complexity. The standard ratio in public acute general medical/surgical wards is 1:4.
Nurse/Midwife : Patient Ratios
What is the difference between full-time and casual employment for nurses/midwives?
Full-time nurses/midwives work 38 hours per week, while casuals work varying hours based on employer needs.
What types of leave are available for employees experiencing domestic violence?
Domestic violence leave is one of the leave entitlements covered under the Fair Work Act.
How do nurse-to-patient ratios impact patient outcomes?
They improve patient outcomes by reducing errors and ensuring patients receive adequate care.
What is…
A negotiation process between employers and employees (or their representatives) to establish terms and conditions of employment, resulting in an enterprise agreement.
Enterprise Bargaining