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
• 2 x FAMILY camps (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 ( primarily for those who missed out on attending camp in 2013 )

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.

Camps, dates and venues for 2013 for Health Professionals

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.

• DCV 2013 - DNE, DNE Student EOI Form.
• 2013 DNE Position Description

• 2013 - Dietitian Assistant - Expression of Interest Form.
• 2013 Dietitian Assistant Position Description
• 2013 - Doctor / Endocrinologist - Application Form.

Contact us

For more information and enquiries about camps, please email us – camp@diabetesvic.org.au or call us on 03) 9667 1746

• DCV Program Leader - Elizabeth Dlugosz RN-CDE
• DCV administration officer – Jane Cheney