Midwifery Education

Approximately 2,200 babies are born every year at St Vincent's Private Hospital. Located in Fitzroy, the maternity unit has 9 birth suites, 42 ante/postnatal beds, a Breastfeeding Support Clinic, a Perinatal well-being Midwife and a 12 cot Special Care Nursery with high flow oxygen & CPAP.

The 6 month accelerated program gives you the opportunity to explore and consolidate your midwifery skills in Birth Suite and the Ante/Postnatal ward. 
The 12 month program will include a 3 month rotation into the Special Care Nursery.
The 6 month accelerated program gives you the opportunity to explore and consolidate your midwifery skills in Birth Suite and the Ante/Postnatal ward.
The 12 month program will include a 3 month rotation into the Special Care Nursery.

Who is Eligible?

The Midwifery Graduate Program is run at the Fitzroy campus of St Vincent’s Private Hospital Melbourne and is offered to midwifery graduates who have:

• Completed a Post Graduate Diploma of Midwifery, a  Bachelor of Midwifery or a double degree Midwifery/Nursing  (please note, only those that have completed a  Post Graduate Diploma of Midwifery are eligible for the accelerated Graduate program)
• Who have completed the above program no earlier than February 28, 2021
• Who have less than 6 months experience working as a Registered Midwife in Australia or overseas
• Eligible to gain registration as a Midwife with AHPRA (www.ahpra.gov.au)

Program Commencement

The 2021 program is expected to commence August 23rd 2021.

Aims of the Program

The overall aim of the program is to facilitate your transition from student to Registered Midwife. We are completely committed to developing your career and ensuring that your graduate year will be an exciting and rewarding experience. Our Program has been designed to:

• Provide rotations in all midwifery areas to facilitate a comprehensive clinical experience
• Enable you to use your knowledge to achieve quality patient outcomes
• Increase your confidence and strengthen your skills base
• Develop your ability to work independently and as a team member
• Enhance your decision making and critical thinking skills
• Allow you to enjoy your midwifery career

Rotations

Graduates will have rotations in Birth Suite, Ante/postnatal ward. If you preference is for a 12 month Graduate program you will have a 3 month Special Care Nursery rotation.
Your rotations will enable you to develop decision making and critical thinking skills across a broad clinical mix.

Clinical Support

The Education & Development team at St Vincent’s Private Hospital Melbourne is an industry leader and plays a significant role in the success of the organisation.

Our graduates receive extensive clinical support on each rotation. You will be allocated a preceptor/s on each of your rotations and our clinical coaches are willing to assist you and provide hands-on bedside clinical support and education in a friendly and supportive manner.

We believe that the combination of supernumerary time and a graduated work load for our graduates assists to ease the transition from student to graduate. We understand that commencing a graduate program has the added pressure of orientating to a new unit, consolidating skills and improving ones proficiency of time management. We are acutely aware that each individual will progress at a different pace and accommodate the work load according to level of need.

We offer an extensive education program, including 3-4 paid study days, access to ward based education, twilight seminars, short courses and fetal surveillance education.

Application Details

We welcome applications from all universities throughout Australia. You don’t have to have completed a clinical placement with us to apply.

* Please note, you must apply via the St Vincent’s Private Hospital website, under “Work for us”, “Positions Vacant”, “Job listings”, “Midwifery Graduate- Midyear intake”  
You will be required to upload you cover letter and CV to complete the registration process.
** You must still supply all of your application documents in HARD COPY. No emailed or electronic applications will be accepted.

Applications for the 2021 program will open on Monday May 4th & close on Friday June 4th at 1200
Eligible applicants must have completed a Post Graduate Diploma of Midwifery Program or equivalent no earlier than February 28th 2021.

The Midwifery Graduate Program – Mid Year Intake will commence August 23rd 2021, we offer full time and part time positions (minimum of 7 shifts a fortnight).

Applications must include:

• Passport sized photo
• A covering letter
• A succinct CV (no more than 3 pages)
• A CERTIFIED copy of academic transcript with legend.
• Please send CERTIFIED copies of all  your midwifery clinical appraisals tools to date
• The names, positions, phone numbers and email addresses of two Professional midwifery referees (one must be a midwifery clinical educator or preceptor)
• Proof of identity- CERTIFIED copy of passport OR CERTIFIED copy of Australian birth certificate AND CERTIFIED copy of an Australian drivers licence.
• Your email address.

Please address applications to:

Gabrielle Poulton
Midwifery Education Consultant
St Vincent’s Private Hospital
59 Victoria Pde,
Fitzroy, VIC, 3065

Robynne Klyne
Midwifery Education Consultant
St Vincent’s Private Hospital 
59 Victoria Pde
Fitzroy, 3065

Certification of Documents

Documents that have been certified by your university must have the following:
The official university stamp identifying the university, and must be signed by a representative from the clinical school.

Documents certified outside the university such as your proof of identity must follow the AHPRA guidelines which can be found on the website below: 
http://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registration-Process/Certifying-Documents.aspx

PLEASE DO NOT SEND PHOTOCOPIED OR SCANNED COPIES OF CERTIFED DOCUMENTS. EACH INDIVIDUAL DOCUMENT MUST SHOW THE ORIGINAL STAMP/SIGNATURE OF CERTIFICATION.

We offer four options:

12 month Combined Midwifery & Nursing Graduate Program (Bachelor of Midwifery & Bachelor of Nursing)

- Option of either a medical/surgical rotation OR a Special Care Nursery

12 month Midwifery Graduate Program (Bachelor of Midwifery)

- Option of a Special Care Nursery Program

12 month Midwifery Graduate Program with Special Care Nursery (Graduate Diploma of Midwifery)

6 month accelerated Midwifery Graduate Program (Graduate Diploma of Midwifery)

Who is eligible for the 2022 program?

The 2022 Midwifery Graduate programs are offered to midwifery Graduates who:

• have completed their midwifery qualification no earlier than
  • 1st of June 2021 for the February program
  • 1st of December for the August program
• are eligible to gain registration as a Midwife (and Registered Nurse where applicable) with AHPRA (www.aphra.gov.au)
• Have less than six months experience working as a Registered Midwife and be available to commence on Monday 7th of February 2022 or August 2022.

Aims of the Program

The overall aim of the program is to facilitate your transition from student to Registered Midwife. We are completely committed to developing your career and ensuring that your graduate year will be an exciting and rewarding experience.
Our Program has been designed to:

• Provide rotations to facilitate a comprehensive midwifery experience
• Enable you to use your knowledge to achieve quality outcomes
• Increase your confidence and strengthen your skills base
• Develop your ability to work independently and as a team member
• Enhance your decision making and critical thinking skills
• Allow you to enjoy your midwifery career

Clinical Support

The Education & Development team at St Vincent’s Private Hospital Melbourne is an industry leader and plays a significant role in the success of the organisation.

We are proud to offer one of the highest graduate to educator ratios in the state, so you can be confident that you will have the support you need to achieve your goals.  

Our graduates receive extensive clinical support on each rotation. You will be allocated a preceptor/s on each of your rotations and all of our clinical coaches are willing to assist you and provide hands-on bedside clinical support and education in a friendly and supportive manner.

We believe that the combination of supernumerary time and a graduated work load for our graduates assists to ease the transition from student to graduate. We understand that commencing a graduate program has the added pressure of orientating to a new unit, consolidating skills and improving ones proficiency of time management. We are acutely aware that each individual will progress at a different pace and accommodate the work load according to level of need.

We offer an extensive education program, including paid study days as well as access to department based education, twilight seminars, short courses and fetal surveillance education.

Application Details

We welcome applications from all universities throughout Australia. You don’t have to have completed a clinical placement with us to apply.

2022 Programs

Important Dates:

Applications open: Monday 7th June 2021
Applications close: Midday Friday 9th July 2021
Interviews: mid August 2021 via Microsoft Teams
Intake Commences: 7th February 2022 or 22nd August 2022

Eligible applicants must have completed a Bachelor of Nursing Program or equivalent no earlier

• 1st June 2021 for the February program
• 1st December 2021 for the August program

• Local (Victorian) applicants need to register and apply via the Allocations & Placement Service (previously known as Computer Match) – for information regarding this service, please contact PMCV: https.//allocations.pmcv.com.au/
• Interstate applicants are welcome to apply directly to the hospital.
• We offer full and part time positions (minimum 7 shifts per fortnight)

Application Requirements:

• Passport sized photo
• An application letter (please include your preference for February or August program)
• A succinct CV (no more than three pages)
• A CERTIFIED copy of your academic transcript
• CERTIFIED copies of your midwifery clinical assessment tools (from your last two placements), and if you are applying for the combined program, a CERTIFIED copy of you last medical or surgical ward placement (not ICU, Emergency, Paediatrics, Theatre or Mental Health)
• The names, positions and contact details of two referees- one midwifery clinical referee and one professional referee (if applying for the combined program, the second referee needs to be a clinical referee from an acute medical or surgical placement)
• Your email address
• PMCV number if eligible
• Registration on Workday https://svha.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/SVHA_SVPHM

Please address applications to:
Gabrielle Poulton and Robynne Klyne
Midwifery Education Consultants
St Vincent's Private Hospital Fitzroy
59 Victoria Pde
Fitzroy 3065

Workday will require you to upload your application letter and CV to complete the registration process. You must still supply all of your application documents in HARD COPY. No emailed or electronic applications will be accepted. You can post (express and registered post recommended) your application or hand deliver to the drop box located at the entrance to the hospital between the two sets of glass doors. You will not have to enter the hospital or be COVID screened.

Workday registration must be completed by midnight Thursday 6th of July.

Your full hard copy application must be received by 1200hrs (midday) Friday 7th of July.

Certification of Documents

Documents that have been certified by your university must have the following:

The official university stamp identifying the university, and must be signed by a representative from the clinical school.

Documents certified outside the university such as your proof of identity must follow the AHPRA guidelines for document certification which can be found on the AHPRA website. https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registration-Process/Certifying-Documents.aspx

Do not provide photocopies of certified documents as this is not in line with AHPRA Guidelines.

Interview Process

We endeavour to respond to your application within in 48hrs of receiving it. All applications will be opened and reviewed by the Midwifery Education Consultant.

If you have been selected for an interview you will be contacted via phone. If you have not been selected for an interview you will receive a letter via email. You will have some choice and flexibility when selecting an interview time, the earlier your application is received the more flexibility you will have in selecting a suitable interview time.

We don’t ask in depth clinical scenario questions and there are no drug calculation tests or essays.  

Interviews will be conducted in mid August 2021 via Microsoft TEAMS

For further information:

We are also happy to discuss our program via a TEAMS meeting, email or by phone.

Gabrielle Poulton
(Mon, Wednesday, Thursday and alternate Tuesday)
Phone: (03) 9411 7111 pager 551
Email: gabrielle.poulton@svha.org.au

Robynne Klyne
(Tuesday & Friday)
Phone: (03) 9411 7111 pager 613
Email: Robynne.klyne@svha.org.au

Working in collaboration with Latrobe University (Melbourne), Deakin University and Federation University (Gippsland & Ballarat), St Vincent's Private Hospital Melbourne provides you with the clinical experience required by AHPRA in order to become a Registered Midwife.

Who is eligible?

The Post Graduate Diploma of Midwifery - Supernumerary model is offered to Registered Nurses who:

• Have had at least 12 months working experience as a Registered Nurse prior to the commencement of the program (experience needs to be at least 2-3 shifts per week in a medical/surgical unit or equivalent over the previous 6 months)
• Have successfully enrolled in a Post Graduate Diploma of Midwifery course at Federation University, Deakin University or Latrobe University in time for commencement  of the program. Please contact the Midwifery Education consultants regarding options for length of course.
• Must be available to commence the program in February 2022 (date TBA).

Aims of the Program

The overall aim of the program is to enable you to achieve the clinical requirements by AHPRA to become a Registered Midwife. We are completely committed to developing your career and ensuring that your clinical experience will be exciting and rewarding.

Our Program has been designed to:

• Provide rotations in all midwifery areas to ensure you meet the requirements  by AHPRA
• Enable you to use your knowledge  to achieve quality patient outcomes
• Increase your confidence and strengthen  your skills base
• Develop your ability to work independently  and as a team member
• Enhance your decision making  and critical thinking  skills
• Foster the beginnings  of your midwifery  career

Clinical Experience

In order to achieve the clinical component of your post graduate diploma, students rotate through Birth Suite, Ante/Postnatal  ward and Special Care Nursery. To gain your antenatal and community experience, students are allocated days to work with our Obstetricians in their rooms as well as days in the breastfeeding clinic, pre admission clinic – including the Embrace program and days with maternal child health nurses.

All of your rotations will allow you to enhance decision making skills and critical thinking skills across a broad clinical mix.

The Supernumerary Model

Post graduate midwifery students are in a supernumerary (unpaid) model for 3 days per week for the duration of their program.

Clinical Support

The Education & Development team at St Vincent’s Private Hospital Melbourne is an industry leader and plays a significant role in the success of the organisation.

We are proud to offer one of the highest student to midwifery educator ratios in the state, so you can be confident that you will have the support you need to achieve your goals.  

Our students receive extensive clinical support on each rotation. You will be allocated a preceptor/s on each of your rotations and our clinical coaches are willing to assist you and provide hands-on bedside clinical support and education in a friendly and supportive manner.

We understand that commencing a Post Graduate Diploma program has the added pressure of orientating to a new unit, consolidating skills and improving ones proficiency of time management. We are acutely aware that each individual will progress at a different pace and accommodate the work load according to level of need.

We offer extensive education programs and we encourage our students to attend our regular sessions.

Application Details

Important dates

Applications open: Monday August 30th 2021 and
Applications close: Midday Monday September 13th 2021

Applications must include:

• Passport sized photo
• Cover letter
• Succinct CV (no more than 3 pages)
• Two professional nursing referees
• Certified copy of your AHPRA nursing  registration
• Certified copy of your working with Children’s  Check
• An email address

No emailed or electronic applications will be accepted. You can post (express and registered post recommended) your application or hand deliver to the drop box located at the entrance to the hospital between the two sets of glass doors. You will not have to enter the hospital or be COVID screened.

Please address applications to:
Gabrielle Poulton and Robynne Klyne
Midwifery Education Consultants
St Vincent's Private Hospital Fitzroy
59 Victoria Pde
Fitzroy 3065

Certification of documents

Documents that have been certified by your university must have the following:

The official university stamp identifying the university, and must be signed by a representative from the clinical school.

Documents certified outside the university such as your proof of identity must follow the AHPRA guidelines for document certification which can be found on the AHPRA website. https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registration-Process/Certifying-Documents.aspx

Do not provide photocopies of certified documents as this is not in line with AHPRA Guidelines.

We do not require you to assemble your application in a particular order and if you wish you can staple or bind your application.

Interview Process

Interviews will be conducted in mid-September 2021 via Microsoft TEAMS

For further information:
We are also happy to discuss our program via a TEAMS meeting, email or by phone.
Gabrielle Poulton
(Mon, Wednesday, Thursday and alternate Tuesday)
Phone: (03) 9411 7111 pager 551
Email: gabrielle.poulton@svha.org.au

Robynne Klyne
(Tuesday & Friday)
Phone: (03) 9411 7111 pager 613
Email: Robynne.klyne@svha.org.au

How do I improve my chances of being selected for an interview?
We know that you have put a lot of time and effort into preparing your application and we will open and review all applications. Please pay particular attention to your spelling and grammar. It is a good idea to get someone to check your application. Make sure you send in all of the required information. Aim to send in your application at least one week prior to the closing date. 
Unsuccessful applicants have often sent in incomplete applications, have made a number of spelling and grammar errors or have sent in an application intended for another hospital.  Unfortunately, we will not be able to offer unsuccessful applicants the opportunity to resubmit part or all of their application. We are happy to answer any questions you have when preparing your application via phone or email

Will I get extensive clinical experience as I have heard that opportunities are limited in a private hospital compared to a public hospital?
St Vincent’s Private Hospital caters for women who have both low risk and high risk pregnancies. With an onsite adult Intensive Care Unit, our organisation has the facilities to care for women who have additional medical needs or complexities. Additionally, the vast experience of many of our Obstetricians will enable you to have the opportunity to care for women having vaginal breech births, twins and more complicated instrumental deliveries. The extended length of stay on the postnatal ward will ensure you are able to consolidate your knowledge of breastfeeding and enable you to feel more confident with breastfeeding challenges. In 2013, high flow oxygen therapy was introduced into our Special Care Nursery, and in 2014 CPAP was commenced, allowing for babies who would have been transferred to a NICU to remain in our nursery. 

Do midwives at St Vincent's Private Hospital Melbourne receive the same entitlements as midwives at other hospitals? 
Please be reassured that midwives at St Vincent's Private Hospital Melbourne are paid the same as public hospital midwives and receive the same annual leave and superannuation entitlements. Graduate Midwives at St Vincent’s Private Hospital attend 4 graduate study days in addition to their study leave entitlements. 

What is the midwife patient ratio?
Our priority is to ensure that our women receive the highest standard of care and our midwife patient ratio is determined by the acuity and complexity of the care required. As a graduate you will generally care for 4-5 women. (Please note birth suite ratio is 1:1)

What level of Medical support is available to assist me with caring for my patients?
Our Obstetricians & Paediatricians actively liaise with the midwives looking after their women and babies. We also have medical and surgical residents/registrars and after hours onsite HMO’s who are available to assist you with patient care. Our ICU, Cardiac and HDU units are available for patients who need extensive monitoring and support. You will always have access to the support you need to provide highly quality care for your patients.

What level of allied health support is available?
Our patients have access to full allied health support such as onsite physiotherapy, dieticians, diabetes educator, social work and ante natal day stay clinic. We also have onsite x-ray departments and pathology. These services also offer great support to nursing staff and are always willing to answer any questions you have regarding their service and also patient care.

Will I have to do night duty?
Yes and the amount will be dependent on each area.

I have not completed a clinical placement with you- will this affect my application?

We welcome applications from all Australian universities and it does not matter if you have not had the opportunity to have a placement with us.  

What options are available at the end of my graduate program? 
As you are employed on an ongoing contract you have the option of applying for a position on the rotating midwifery team or with the casual resource unit.