Health Professionals

Health Professionals on Camp

Diabetes Camps Victoria (DCV) runs five camps throughout the year and one day activity for children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Some may have other conditions as well such as coeliac disease, autism, asthma or epilepsy.

The camp age groups and numbers are as follow:

JUNIOR camp (10-11 years old) - 65 campers
TEENAGE camp (15-17 years old) - 50 campers
AUTUMN camp (8-9 years old) - 50 campers
FAMILY camp (4-7 years old) - 25 campers and 25 parents
SENIOR camp (12-14 years old) - 65 campers
Day activity (8-17 years old) - 80 children ( for those who missed out on attending camp )

Each camp is staffed by a team of health professionals including diabetes nurse educators, dietitians, medical officers as well as a group of dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers.

The following medical staff attend camp:

A doctor who participates in activities during the day and is on call if needed overnight

1-2 lead diabetes nurse educators (DNE) to coordinate the smooth-running of the camp

A number of DNEs during the day who have a group assigned to them. They are responsible for that group for the duration of that camp. The DNEs supervise or administer insulin, administer any extra medication needed and generally oversee the day to day diabetes management of campers. Recently graduated DNEs ( or student DNEs ) are invited to apply as supernumerary DNEs ( 1-2 per camp ) as volunteers

Night shift DNEs who work overnight to ensure that all campers who need follow up and continued management are attended to (For Junior, Autumn and Senior camps only)

A lead dietitian ensures that a camp menu is planned according to appropriate guidelines and meets the core food group requirements. The dietitian also provides dietary guidance and support throughout camp along with carbohydrate counting

A dietitian assistant to assist the lead dietitian in everyday meal planning and preparation (For Junior, Autumn and Senior camps only)

All medical staff must hold a Working with Children Check. You can obtain an application guide and form from a participating Australia Post outlet. There is a tax-deductable fee for applying for a Working with Children Check.

For more information go to Obtaining a Working with Children check general information sheet.

Diabetes Educators (RN Div 1)

We are looking for enthusiastic diabetes educators (RN Div 1) to provide their skills and knowledge, and share the camp experience with other dedicated diabetes educators, volunteers and children with type 1 diabetes.

If you have never been to a diabetes camp, this is your opportunity to learn and teach at the same time. You will be surrounded and supported by experienced diabetes educators who have attended camps in the past. You don’t need paediatric experience to attend, you just need drive, energy and the willingness to be part of a team.

Diabetes Educator – RN must:

Be a registered nurse - Division 1 with a graduate certificate or diploma in diabetes education
Be employed in diabetes education (or have attended camp as a volunteer or student diabetes educator)

Hold a Working with Children Check
Have proof of indemnity
Have proof of nurses’ registration ( AHPRA )
Have proof of CPR (annually updated)

Benefits of attending camp:

You will gain invaluable experience and knowledge in the day-to-day management of young people with type 1 diabetes
You can impart your knowledge and expertise to children and adolescents, volunteers and other health professionals
You will be working in a team environment where you can share experiences in diabetes management
You will have the opportunity to learn about insulin pumps on a practical level
You will accumulate two credentialing points for every day that you are at camp and extra points when you attend the pre-camp training programs
Diabetes Camps Victoria provides a compulsory half day pump training day workshop delivered by experienced paediatric DEs prior to attending a camp. There is the added benefit of meeting your peers prior to your allocated camp. You will receive a letter of attendance
You can develop networks with other diabetes educators
You will be paid for your services (payment is dependent on the camp – information on request)

Other health professionals

We are also looking for the following health professionals to be involved with our camps.

Dietitian assistant for Junior, Autumn and Senior camps

The person must be studying or completed study in Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics or Master of Dietetics (no other degree accepted). The dietitian assistant will work closely with the lead dietitian who is part of the DCV consortium and be up-skilled in the role.

Dates and venues for 2012

Camp	Age group	Dates	Location	Status
Junior Camp	Ages 10 - 11 years	Saturday 7 - Thursday 12 January 2012	YMCA Anglesea	Applications closed
Teenage Camp	Ages 15 - 17 years	Saturday 14 - Friday 20 January 2012	Somers Holiday Village, Mornington Peninsula	Applications closed
Autumn Camp	Ages 8 - 9 years	Saturday 31 March - Wednesday 4 April 2012	Arrabri Lodge, Warburton East	Applications are still open
Family Camp	Ages 4 - 7 years (one parent and one child)	Friday 6 ( PM ) - Monday 9 July 2012	YMCA Anglesea	Applications are still open
Day Activities	Ages 8 - 17 years	Wednesday 11 July 2012	Ice Skating, Medibank Icehouse, Docklands	Applications are still open
Senior Camp	Ages 12 - 14 years	Saturday 22 - Thursday 27 September 2012	YMCA Camp Manyung, Mount Eliza	Applications are still open

How to apply

Please complete the Expression of Interest form below.

Completion of this form does not guarantee a position on a Diabetes Camps Victoria camp. You will be notified as to whether your application has been successful.