Speciality Area Programs - Cardiac Care Unit (CCU)

The Introduction to Cardiology Program is designed to commence your career journey in Cardiac Nursing. The program combines theoretical knowledge, clinical support and clinical experience in a supported and dynamic environment over a 12-month period. There are 2 intakes per year and participants will be employed at 0.84 EFT.

NOTE: To be eligible to participate in the program, it is a requirement that you must apply for a position of employment within the CCU at Footscray or Sunshine campus. One year of experience in acute settings is required.

Western Health CCU (wards at both Footscray and Sunshine Hospitals) are integrated units supported by a 24-hour acute angioplasty service. You will be involved in the clinical management of the acute STEMI patient as well as patients with acute/chronic heart failure and arrhythmias with haemodynamic instability.

Course Structure:

Comprehensive orientation to the cardiac care environment
2 supernumerary days to the ward
Clinical, educational and professional support from specialist Clinical Educators, Preceptors, and CCU ward staff
6 study days (in addition to the EBA professional development entitlement)
Opportunity to gain clinical experience in the Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory to further enrich development.
3-4 week supported rotation to Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory

Course content covered includes:

Complex patient assessment
Basic ECG interpretation
Cardiac pacing
Non-invasive ventilation (CPAP and BiPAP)
Arterial blood gas monitoring
Cardiac Monitoring

On completion, the knowledge and clinical skills developed will allow for safe and effective cardiology practice and the opportunity to continue further education in this exciting field by enrolling into the La Trobe University Masters of Cardiac Nursing with the option to complete at Post Graduate Diploma level.

Master of Cardiac Nursing / Post Graduate studies

After completion of the Introduction to Cardiology Program you will be considered eligible to apply for the Master of Cardiac Nursing with La Trobe University (Western Health’s Cardiac University Partner).

Western Health and Department of Health scholarships are available for learners enrolled in a post graduate course with Western Health’s affiliated university.

How to apply

All job applications are to be submitted via the Western Health E-recruit portal using the current job vacancies. This can be found at the following link: Careers at Western Health