Education and training

Silver Chain offers a comprehensive range of training and education programs to support our staff, clients and partners.
 
As a registered training organisation we are committed to the ongoing professional development of our staff, and all employees are encouraged to attend relevant training sessions which provide a great platform for career progression and internal promotion.
 
In 2006 Silver Chain established a centre of excellence for training at our Stirling Service Centre.  This facility provides the bulk of our training capabilities.  We have also established satellite training facilities in Mandurah and Bunbury with plans to extend this to other Silver Chain services centres.
 
Training programs are offered in the following areas:
The Disability Health Training Team provides training, guidance and education to carers and family members of people who have multiple or severe disabilities or complex health care requirements.  The training team comprises clinical nurses with extensive community experience.

Competency based training and assessment is provided to carers and family members.  Skills which are taught include:  medication administration, blood sugar monitoring, pressure area and skin care, oxygen therapy, oral suctioning, elimination including suppository and microlax enema administration and nutrition including gastrostomy feeding. 

Training is provided by Silver Chain in partnership with the Disability Services Commission (DSC) and is available free of charge to any organisation or client who is funded by or registered with DSC.  However, a fee can be negotiated with organisations or individuals that do not fall into these categories.

The team accepts referrals from medical practitioners, DSC and associated agencies, allied health care professionals and any carer or person with a disability.  They then assess the health care needs of the person and identify present or potential health care problems.  Following this, a care plan is developed, in collaboration with the person who has disabilities and their carer, to meet their needs and personal goals.
 
Silver Chain’s Mental Health Training Team consists of registered nurses who offer a statewide advisory, support and education service.

Training is available to all clients, primary carers, family, friends and staff of Silver Chain to effectively maintain the mental health consumer in the community.  A mental health consumer is a person with a mental health disorder or problem.
 
The Mental Health Training Team's objectives are to support all people experiencing the effects of mental illness and to provide specialist education and support to enhance the quality of life of people with mental health illness and their carers, family and friends.

They achieve their objectives by:
  • Assisting people experiencing the effects of mental illness to identify the appropriate services to decrease the impact mental health may have on their lives.
  • Enhancing the quality of life for the mental health consumer, their carers, family and friends.
  • Services and resources, advice and care planning.
  • Identifying appropriate mental health services.
  • Advocating for the mental health consumer and/or carer.
  • Liaison with mental health professionals and general practitioners.
  • Resourcing carer support and respite. 
  • Advice relating to mental health disorders, associated treatments, problems and behaviours. 

Mental health awareness sessions
Mental health awareness sessions are available to groups or individuals on a statewide basis.  They are targeted at supporting all Silver Chain staff, primary carers, community groups and health and community service providers who support mental health consumers.

The following resources are available:

  • Brochures
  • Pamphlets
  • Video tapes
  • Audio cassettes
  • Text books
  • Journal articles
  • Extensive community resource files.

Graduate Nurse Program
Silver Chain invests in a Training and Research department to support nurses in achieving best practice.  We have a twice yearly intake in February and August each year.  If you have any questions, our program co-ordinator, Jackie Pennington RN STN can be contacted on (08) 9242 0242. 

Our Graduate Nurse Program aims to:

  • Offer new graduate registered nurses and enrolled nurses the opportunity to choose domiciliary nursing as a career
  • Provide experience in a supported environment to enable consolidation of the undergraduate program
  • Provide an opportunity for new graduates to experience the diversity of care offered by Silver Chain
  • Produce knowledgeable and skilled domiciliary nurses.

Rotations are available in the following areas:

  • Clinical metropolitan/hospital@home program
  • Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
  • Palliative care services
  • Independence programs
  • Remote area nursing
  • Residential care
  • Liaison service/hospital to community interface.

The Graduate Nurse Program offers you the opportunity to:

  • Consolidate your knowledge and skills
  • Work in a one-to-one environment and initially in a supernumerary capacity
  • Apply health models of care in practice
  • Engage in an educational and clinical 12 month, preceptor supported program
  • Work holistically as opposed to being individually task focussed
  • Achieve the qualifications and experience required for a career in domiciliary nursing.

The following support is also made available:

  • Program co-ordinator
  • Preceptor
  • Orientation program
  • Additional study days/clinical skills workshops.
  • Individual learning objectives.
  • Professional portfolio
  • Reflective practice groups.

For more information about our training programs, please contact our Customer Centre on (08) 9242 0242 or country callers on 1300 650 803 (for the cost of a local call).

Wound Care Manual
The Wound Care Manual (5th edition), written by Silver Chain Clinical Nurse Consultant Keryln Carville, is over 200 pages of easy to follow information that is an important and essential reference for a hospital, nursing home or a practice nurse or doctor who is involved in surgery or providing post operative care.
 
It is an up to date practical guide for the management of all types of wounds.  Aspects covered include:
  • Anatomy
  • Physiology and healing of the skin
  • General wound assessment and management
  • Specific advice on the management of leg ulcers, cancerous wounds, draining wounds and pressure ulcers
  • Technical advice on drains and percutaneous tubes
  • Wound cleansing agents and all types of dressings.

The manual published by Silver Chain also includes a current index of Australian Manufacturers and their products.

The Wound Care Manual costs (AUD) $49.50 each and includes GST and postage and handling in Australia.  Please add $10.00 for postage and handling to New Zealand and $15.00 for postage and handling to all other countries. 

Click to order a copy of the Wound Care Manual.