Employment Type -  Temporary Part Time

Hours per fortnight - 64 

Classification - Nurses and Midwives (Victorian Public Sector) (Single Interest Employers) Enterprise Agreement 2024-2028 :  RN Grade 2 

Job Category - RN Div1 / Acute

Req Id - 10035 

Entry to Speciality Programs – Registered Nurses

Duration: 12 Months

Speciality Areas: Urgent Care | Perioperative Services | Acute Ward (Medical & Surgical) | Residential Aged Care

Are you a Registered Nurse looking to build your confidence, expand your clinical capabilities and develop specialised skills in an area of nursing that interests you?

Colac Area Health is offering 12-month Entry to Speciality Programs for Registered Nurses who are interested in developing their knowledge, skills and experience within a speciality area.

The programs provide a supported transition into:

• Urgent Care

• Perioperative Services

• Acute Ward – Medical and Surgical Nursing

• Residential Aged Care

Whether you are early in your nursing career, have recently completed a Graduate Nurse Program, or are an experienced Registered Nurse looking to move into a new clinical area, the Entry to Speciality Program provides a structured and supported pathway to develop your practice.

One Application – Multiple Opportunities

Applicants only need to submit one application through this advertisement.

As part of your application, you will have the opportunity to identify one or multiple speciality areas that you are interested in.

If you are interested in more than one program, you do not need to submit separate applications. Your interests can be explored as part of the one interview process, allowing you to be considered for multiple Entry to Speciality Programs at the same time.

This provides applicants with the opportunity to discuss their career goals, areas of interest and preferred speciality while learning more about the different pathways available at Colac Area Health.

What does the program offer?

Each Entry to Speciality Program has been designed to provide a combination of supported clinical experience, structured education and workplace learning.

Tailored Education Program

Participants will receive approximately 6–7 dedicated study days throughout the 12-month program, with education specifically tailored to the clinical requirements of their chosen speciality.

Study days will combine theoretical learning, practical skills, simulation and scenario-based education relevant to the speciality area.

Education may include clinical assessment and deterioration, speciality-specific clinical skills, emergency management, communication and escalation, evidence-based practice, and other learning identified as important for developing capability within the area.

Supported Clinical Development

You will have the opportunity to consolidate new knowledge and skills while working alongside experienced clinicians in your chosen speciality.

The program provides a structured environment where you can progressively build confidence, clinical reasoning, decision-making and speciality-specific capabilities while remaining supported in your practice.

Dedicated Mentorship and Education Support

Participants will have access to experienced clinical staff and education support throughout the program.

A mentor will be appointed to support your development, provide guidance and assist you to work towards your individual learning and professional development goals.

Speciality-Specific Learning Resources

Participants will receive structured learning resources and activities designed to complement clinical experience and support ongoing development throughout the 12 months.

Develop Your Career at Colac Area Health

The Entry to Speciality Program provides an opportunity to:

• Gain experience and confidence in a new area of nursing

• Develop speciality-specific clinical knowledge and practical skills

• Learn through dedicated study days, simulation and workplace education

• Strengthen clinical assessment, critical thinking and decision-making skills

• Work alongside experienced clinicians and multidisciplinary teams

• Receive structured mentorship and education support

• Explore an area of nursing that aligns with your interests and future career goals

• Build a strong foundation for continued professional development and future postgraduate study

• Develop skills that contribute to a diverse and capable regional nursing workforce

Speciality Pathways

Urgent Care

Develop your skills in the assessment and management of patients presenting with a broad range of acute and emergency conditions. The program supports the development of clinical assessment, recognition and management of deterioration, emergency nursing skills and clinical decision-making within the Urgent Care environment.

Perioperative Services

Develop your knowledge and skills across the perioperative patient journey. Participants will have opportunities to develop capabilities within areas including:

• Scrub/Scout

• Anaesthetic Nursing

• Recovery

• Day Surgery Unit (DSU)

The program provides structured education and supported clinical exposure to build confidence and capability within perioperative nursing.

Acute Ward – Medical and Surgical

Strengthen your skills in caring for patients with a broad range of acute medical and surgical presentations. Participants will develop their capabilities in comprehensive assessment, clinical deterioration, complex care planning, prioritisation and management of acute patient care.

Residential Aged Care

Develop specialised knowledge and skills in contemporary aged care nursing, including comprehensive assessment, complex health needs, clinical deterioration, dementia care, person-centred practice, chronic disease management and supporting older people to achieve safe and meaningful care outcomes.

Who should apply?

We encourage applications from Registered Nurses who are motivated to expand their clinical capabilities and develop expertise in a speciality area.

You do not need to already be an expert in the speciality. The purpose of the program is to provide a supported pathway to develop your knowledge, confidence and capability.

Essential Requirements

• Current registration as a Registered Nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)

• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development and learning

• Ability to organise and prioritise work in a systematic, accurate and timely manner

• Ability to adapt and work effectively within a changing clinical environment

• Demonstrated communication and teamwork skills

• Commitment to safe, person-centred and evidence-based nursing practice

• Computer literacy

Desirable

• Completion of a recognised Graduate Nurse Program

How to Apply

Submit one application for the Entry to Speciality Program and identify the speciality area or areas you are interested in.

You may nominate multiple speciality programs and be considered for multiple programs through the same application and interview process.

To apply visit: https://peopleplus.swarh.vic.gov.au/CAH

This role requires you to provide evidence of the current influenza vaccination.

Applications close: Monday 9th November 2026

For further information regarding the Entry to Speciality Programs, please contact:

Phoebe Fogarty
Workforce Training and Development Coordinator
Colac Area Health
pfogarty@cah.vic.gov.au

Position Description 

Are you currently a Colac Area Health employee? If so, please log into the People Plus internal careers site here or via your applications using your network login. Here you will find the full list of jobs available to you. You can then apply though the internal portal.