Terms for hopital staff?

Farkinott, RN · Feb 20, 2004

Hopefully by now you have obtained the info you need. I would just like to add that the OSO'S (Operational Service Officers) may have the least glamourous tasks written into their job description so I reckon it is vital that you include him/her as one of the team. I work with so many people that refer to the OSO as "What is the OSO'S pager number?". I say learn your OSO'sw name and treat them as a valuable part of the team.

emmy · Feb 20, 2004

Hi

Thanks for your reply.

No I haven't received the info so I guess I'm going to have to work out the terms when I go on my clinicals in October.

I haven't heard the term OSO, what do they do?

Emmy :)

Farkinott, RN · Feb 21, 2004

Hi
Thanks for your reply.
No I haven't received the info so I guess I'm going to have to work out the terms when I go on my clinicals in October.
I haven't heard the term OSO, what do they do?
Emmy :)

OSO's main duty is cleaning but they will also transport patients for you and run errands eg. picking up blood from pathology and that sort of thing.

emmy · Feb 21, 2004

Thanks for the reply.

Sounds similar to the ward assistant position in the UK only the ward assistant wouldn't get blood etc. but they would give the patients/clients food etc.

Thanks again

Emmy :)

ceridwyn · Feb 22, 2004

Thanks for the reply.
Sounds similar to the ward assistant position in the UK only the ward assistant wouldn't get blood etc. but they would give the patients/clients food etc.
Thanks again
Emmy :)

I have never heard of the term OSO at all, until now. At all hospitals the term wardsperson, orderly, ward assistant, have been the title of the person.

Orderly, at the hospital I am at now and they are mostly women.

ceridwyn · Feb 22, 2004

I have never heard of the term OSO at all, until now. At all hospitals the term wardsperson, orderly, ward assistant, have been the title of the person.
Orderly, at the hospital I am at now and they are mostly women.

House keeping staff deliver meals and clean floors, panroom, curtains etc. So I suppose they are the housekeepers!!!!! (I call them by first name and vice a versa)

Registered Nurses or Registered Nurses Division 1 are the ones with the degree.

Registered Nurses Division 2 or Enrolled Nurses (depending on the state you live in) are the ones with the Cert 1V in nursing from tafe or private provider.

emmy · Feb 22, 2004

Thanks Ceridwyn

Does that mean that the equivalent of the UK's auxillary nurse (give bed baths etc,) is the care/personal assistant. Or do you not have help in the ward with bathing, I was told that nurses these days are responsible for every aspect of care for their clients whereas previously there would be people who would take care of changing beds and bathing etc?

Emmy :)

ceridwyn · Feb 22, 2004

Thanks Ceridwyn
Does that mean that the equivalent of the UK's auxillary nurse (give bed baths etc,) is the care/personal assistant. Or do you not have help in the ward with bathing, I was told that nurses these days are responsible for every aspect of care for their clients whereas previously there would be people who would take care of changing beds and bathing etc?
Emmy :)

I have not worked in an acute hospital that allows someone to wash another without a nursing qualification. 'sponges' as they are referred to here are seen as part of the care a nurse provides, so therefore if you were under the care of a Rn or En they would tend to the sponge, bed bath, whatever you want to call it. It is part of the wholistic way of nursing. Providing hygiene needs is a part of nursing. Mind you sometimes it does not get done just "top and tail" because other care takes priority. C

joannep · Feb 22, 2004

Emmy, I work in an acute medical ward in a major public hospital in Melbourne. On my ward we have mostly RN Div 1 (degree qualified) and RN Div 2 (used to be called EN's, are tafe qualified). Both Div 1 and Div 2 are responsible for meeting all their patient's needs, ie hygiene, bed making, however the Div 2 cannot care for intravenous infusions and give medications. As I am always in charge, I never allocate a patient with IV therepy to a div 2 and I always take on the responsibilty of any Div 2's patients meds. While I work with many competent Div 2's who would like to take on more responsiblity and are frustrated they can't, they have to accept that they can only practice within their clinical scope. I don't write the rules, I just enforce them.

Joanne

ceridwyn · Feb 23, 2004

Emmy, I work in an acute medical ward in a major public hospital in Melbourne. On my ward we have mostly RN Div 1 (degree qualified) and RN Div 2 (used to be called EN's, are tafe qualified). Both Div 1 and Div 2 are responsible for meeting all their patient's needs, ie hygiene, bed making, however the Div 2 cannot care for intravenous infusions and give medications. As I am always in charge, I never allocate a patient with IV therepy to a div 2 and I always take on the responsibilty of any Div 2's patients meds. While I work with many competent Div 2's who would like to take on more responsiblity and are frustrated they can't, they have to accept that they can only practice within their clinical scope. I don't write the rules, I just enforce them.
Joanne

Sorry Emmy, forgot that you may not know the different nursing roles of RNS and ENS.

RN is responsible for the holistic care within the scope of experience and quals for patient care. This includes meds, ivs, technical stuff.

ENS (depending on the state you live in but here in Vic) do not administer any meds or care for intravenous therapy. They do not check drugs as well.

In some Australian states, I think Queensland ENs obtain a Diploma and can then administer some medications. I think SA is similiar and Tassie.

They care for patients along with the RN that is supervising them. They report to the RN if any of their patients is unwell requires pain relief . They practise within their education. They still attend some dressings. As a former En (Div 2) I understand the frustration but never put my patients at risk by performing duties that were not mine.

I forgot to mention last time that there are personal assistants that work in hostels and nursing homes. They sometimes have studied for a cert. in aged care, but I don't think this is a requirement. C

emmy · Feb 23, 2004

Thanks for all the replies.

I was curious as to what all the terms were for people working on the ward as being from the UK the terms are different here in Australia. My curiosity was heightened after visting this BB and seeing all the different terms there are in America eg LPN's

So thanks again, I think I have it sorted.

Cheers

Emmy