Aged and Community Care Transition to Professional Practice Program (ACC-TPPP)
Compassionate nursing that makes a difference in the lives of older people.
The newly developed Aged and Community Care Transition to Professional Practice Program (ACC-TPPP) provides an exciting opportunity to specialise in this fast-growing industry while making a real difference in people’s lives.
This pilot program aims to establish a supported entry pathway for early career registered nurses (RN) in the residential and community aged care setting, ensuring they receive the necessary guidance and support to begin a career in the sector.
There are many opportunities for career progression and development, practising of clinical skills, leadership development and lifelong learning in aged and community care.
You will have an opportunity to work with the most empathetic and compassionate people while building strong relationships with GPs, specialists and other medical professions who truly rely on your experience with the resident.
This is a unique program being offered by all regional Local Health Networks with limited places available.
Key dates
- Monday, 3 June 2024 - Applications open
- Friday, 21 June 2024 - Applications close
- Monday, 1 July 2024 - Application assessment period commences
- Mid-September, 2024 - First round of provisional offers
- September/October, 2024 - Second round of provisional offers, if required
Eligibility
You must meet the following criteria at the time of application:
- complete your nursing studies between December 2022 and February 2025 that will lead to initial registration as a registered nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA)
- complete no more than 912 hours (6 months full time equivalent) of paid experience as a registered nurse in any setting in Australia and/or New Zealand
- hours of paid experience completed outside of Australia/New Zealand are not counted if the applicant is required to retrain in Australia to obtain Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) registration
- complete no more than 3 months of a graduate nurse program (or equivalent) previously in any setting and in any country
- apply outside the ‘employment exclusion period’ after taking a targeted voluntary separation package (TVSP) from the SA Government
Program structure
The ACC-TPPP includes:
- Permanent employment inclusive of an 18-month TPPP made up of:
- A 12-month placement into residential and community aged care services while completing the Aged and Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA) Graduate Nurse Program for early career registered nurses.
- The first and last three months allow a flexible structure to meet the needs of the hiring Local Health Network. This will be inclusive of a three-month transition into the site/orientation and selected SA Health TPPP introductory modules and may also include a rotation in acute care, supported by other relevant SA Health training modules.
- Completion of online learning modules through ACCPA Graduate Nurse Program, which provides a structured and formal education component for TPPPs guiding them through learning concepts, reflective and collaborative tasks. The ACCPA Graduate Nurse Program will commence in May 2025 and will align with the 12-month placement into residential and community aged care services.
- Coordinated clinical supernumerary time for orientation, environmental, workflow and policy familiarisation.
- Nursing Educator clinical support in the workplace and online.
- Study days to consolidate and increase clinical skills, knowledge, critical thinking and decision-making capability.
- Targeted professional performance and development planning and support, inclusive of regular performance development discussions and career planning.
- Opportunities to further develop clinical skills and knowledge through Clinical Specialisation Program Scholarships (e.g., Graduate Certificate in Nursing) offered through the Nursing and Midwifery Office.
Role description
The Registered Nurse Level 1 (RN1) Role Description (PDF 211KB) provides information about the skills, knowledge and attributes considered essential for success.
The Role Description outlines the selection criteria for the RN1 position and is used in the assessment of TPPP applications.
The Registered Nurse Job Capacity Statement (PDF 260KB) provides information about the likely demands of working as a registered nurse.
You are encouraged to read the above documents to gain an understanding of the RN1 role prior to applying for TPPP.
Site locations
ACC-TPPP positions are available at the following regional Local Health Networks:
- Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network
- Eyre and Far North Local Health Network
- Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network
- Limestone Coast Local Health Network
- Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network
- Yorke and Northern Local Health Network
See LHN site locations (PDF 357KB) available through ACC-TPPP and the statewide map (PDF 317KB) to show the boundaries for each of the regions LHNs.
Hear from nurses at our regional Local Health Networks
Hear from our nurses about the benefits of working in Aged and Community Care nursing and the amazing initiatives happening across our regional Local Health Networks:
- Join RMCLHN’s Aged Care Nursing Team
- BIRCH Team Strathalbyn and District Aged Care – winner for the 2024 Excellence in Practice – Aged Care Award
- Kara House: Yorke and Northern Local Health Network - finalist for the 2024 Excellence in Practice - Aged Care Award
Resources
- Applicant Handbook (PDF 412KB)
- SA Health’s Criteria for Priority Appointment (PDF 238KB)
- Information guide: Certifying documents (PDF 120KB), Ahpra
- English language skills, Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia
- Practice video interview
- Relocation support, SA Health
- English language skills pathway (PDF 73KB), Ahpra
Further information
For more information about TPPP, please refer to the Applicant Handbook (PDF 412KB).
If you have further questions, email healthjobs@sa.gov.au.