Join the Workforce Taskforce, new Vascular Access SIG and a new RSA member benefit
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RSA CommuniquéPlus
1 September 2023
Tēnā Koutou Katoa – G’day and hello to you all,
Welcome to the first day of Spring! Last month, we held our Annual General Meeting, where we made the necessary changes to the constitution to ensure that we are operating with the best governance model possible. All amendments were passed with majority, thank you to everyone that attended virtually.
I'm happy to announce that I will be returning for another year as RSA President, I am so pleased for the opportunity to finish out my term and complete a few more exciting projects we have on the horizon for RSA members. Rounding out the Executive, Lenny Jacoby was appointed as Vice President. Lynn Brown was appointed as the Chair of the Governance, Nominations and Remunerations Committee and Debbie Fortnum was appointed as the Chair of Finance, Audit and Risk Committee.
Lee Hayes, Andrew Phillips, Sarah Russo and Edward Zimbudzi round out the Board of Directors for 2023/24. Edward has also taken on the position as Conference Chair for 2024. I would like to take this opportunity to thank outgoing Board members, Prof. Paul Bennett and Dr. Leanne Brown for their truly wonderful contribution and commitment to RSA.
Dates have been announced for upcoming Branch Symposiums in Victoria and Queensland. Check out the events calendar and book your seat today!
We are also trialing a new member benefit to the RSA offering: Evidence Corner. Make sure you check it out, we hope you love it as much as we do.
Kind regards,
Jon Hosking
President
Renal Society of Australasia
Latest News
RSA Workforce Taskforce Meeting
We are starting a Workforce Taskforce to provide input and develop solutions to the challenges facing the nephrology nursing workforce.
All members are invited to join this meeting to have their say in developing our plans and to hear about how you can get involved.
Can't attend the meeting but want to give your perspective? Click here to complete a quick survey.
New Member Benefit - Evidence Corner
Have you noticed a new member benefit in your inbox every Wednesday? RSA is trialling a new publication for members called, 'Evidence Corner'. Your weekly digest of recently published papers of interest to RSA members. Links to article source are provided. Click here to see some examples of this new publication.
Want to subscribe? Join RSA today!
CKD SIG - Feltman Working Group
Diabetes Australia – Victoria developed ‘Feltman’, a life-sized felt body showing the main organs involved in the digestion and metabolism of food, and the main parts of the body affected by diabetes.
RSA's CKD SIG is looking for members interested in adapting this tool for CKD – to provide an education resource for health professionals to be utilised across all renal modalities. Interested in getting involved? Please email sonya.coleman@health.qld.gov.au or lucy@renalsociety.org to join the working party.
Latest Research Initiatives
Clinical Practice Pattern survey - Hepatitis B vaccination in CKD and dialysis patients
An RSA member is currently investigating the efficacy of hepatitis B vaccination in stage 4 & 5 CKD and HD patients. The aim is to explore and understand the professional practice patterns; timing of commencing the vaccination and to identify barriers, if any, to the implementation of the hepatitis B vaccination management.
Your participation and the outcome of the survey, as well as additional comments, will
provide important information on availability of clinical practice guidelines or identify barriers to overcome, as well as adding robustness to the research.
Click here to view the survey information induction letter.
Click here to complete the survey.
Time-limited trial of dialysis survey
Time-limited trials of dialysis are mutually agreed-upon care plans that propose the use of dialysis for a set period of time in patients where there is a genuine clinical equipoise about prognosis and uncertain benefit of dialysis. Dr Kirsten Hepburn and colleagues are looking to understand the current practice of time-limited trials of dialysis for adult patients in Australia and New Zealand through a brief online survey of Nephrologists, Renal Advanced Trainees and Renal Nurses.
Click here to complete the survey.
The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete and closed on Sunday 10th September 2023.
Australian Nephrology Research Review (Issue 67 – 2023)
The latest issue includes clinical studies, expert commentary on expert commentary on some groundbreaking basic science kidney research from Professors John Bertram and David Nikolic-Paterson.
Click here to read it!
ISN Kidney Health Professionals Working Group Webinar: The Role of Nurses in Vascular Access
This free webinar aims to shed light on the crucial role that nurses play in ensuring effective vascular access for people living with kidney disease, including the use of ultrasound in a dialysis unit.
Learning objectives:
- To describe the role of the nurse in vascular access
- To discuss the use of the ultrasound in the dialysis unit
Click here to view the webinar.
Key Stakeholder & Partner Update
Join the ANZSN Policy and Quality committee
ANZSN is looking for an RSA representative to join their Policy and Quality Committee. If you have an interest in advocacy, equity and quality improvement in kidney care and would like to join this passionate group - please apply below!
APSDA 2023 - Early Bird closing soon!
ANZSN is delighted to have been selected to host the annual APSDA Congress at the Pullman Cairns International, Cairns, in 2023.
The mission of the Asian Pacific Society of Dialysis Access (APSDA) is to improve the quality of dialysis patient care by the advancement of research, education, collaboration, and clinical practice standards regarding dialysis access.
ANZOD Reporting Survey
ANZOD are requesting individuals from the donation and transplant community to share their perspective on the monthly summaries and annual reports. This will provide them with insights on the reports usability and effectiveness. To help them make these reports more engaging and user-friendly.
Special Interest Groups
EOI Vascular Access SIG
We are launching a new special interest group for members interested in developing resources and best practice guidelines for Vascular Access. Register now to be added to the group. A meeting will be set at a future date still to be determined.
RSA 2023 Education Calendar
The following events are available for registration:
RSA Kidney HealthCare Workforce Taskforce Town Hall Meeting
Date: Thursday, 7 September 2023
Location: Online
Cost: Members and Non-members: Free
Webinar: Two or three times a week...how do you know? (Incremental hemodialysis)
Date: Wednesday, 20 September 2023
Location: Online
Cost: Members: Free | Non-members: $25
Webinar: Chronic Kidney Disease - Early Detection and Screening SIG Meeting
Date: Wednesday, 27 September 2023
Location: Online
Cost: Members only: Free
RSA Branch Event: Victoria Branch Regional Symposium
Date: Sunday, 8 October 2023
Location: Traralgon VIC
Cost: Members: $115 | Non-members: $215
Webinar: Conference Abstract Writing Made Easy
Date: Monday, 30 October 2023
Location: Online
Cost: Members: Free | Non-members: $25
RSA Branch Event: Queensland Branch Symposium
Date: Sunday, 5 November 2023
Location: Sunshine Coast, QLD
Cost: Members: $115 | Non-members: $215
Webinar: Validation of a Phosphorus Food Frequency Questionnaire in Patients with Kidney Failure Undertaking Dialysis
Date: Monday, 20 November 2023
Location: Online
Cost: Members: Free | Non-members: $25
Employment Opportunities
- Clinical Nurse Consultant, Hemodialysis Vascular Access, Hobart Hospital, TAS
Clinical Coordinator, Renal Transplant, Clinical Coordinator, TAS
- Clinical Nurse Consultant - Renal Vascular Access, NW Renal Satellite Unit, Launceston General Hospital, TAS
Clinical Nurse Specialist - Renal Home Therapies, Multiple Vacancies, Launceston General Hospital, TAS
