Hundreds of clinical and administrative support staff are being recruited from next month as preparations ramp up for the rollout of the statewide COVID-19 vaccination program.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said the safe and effective roll out of the COVID-19 vaccines is one of the highest priorities for the Marshall Liberal Government for 2021.
"As part of our strong plan to protect South Australians from the spread of COVID-19, we are building the capacity of our workforce to put in place the vaccine shield to protect South Australians," Minister Wade said.
"Every step of the way, our strong response to the pandemic has been guided by and delivered by our dedicated and courageous frontline health staff.
"The vaccine will not be a silver bullet in the fight against COVID-19 but it will add another layer of protection against its attacks.
"We are about to embark on the state's biggest ever peacetime operation. We are facing a virus about which we still have a lot to learn. Given the scale and complexity of the operation in front of us, we know that there will be road bumps, but we are determined to ensure the safe, efficient and timely delivery of vaccines to the general population in a prioritised order.
"While timeframes and priority groups are determined by the Commonwealth Government, significant planning has been underway for some time, working with the Commonwealth to determine how and where the vaccine will be distributed and administered locally.
"Nurses, midwives, doctors, pharmacists, paramedics and administration staff will form multidisciplinary teams to deliver COVID-19 vaccinations across the state, initially at dedicated vaccination hubs within our Local Health Networks."
Minister Wade said the COVID-19 vaccination rollout will be complex and differs from how vaccination roll outs are normally managed, ensuring the vaccine is available for every single South Australian who wants it.
"A qualified COVID-19 vaccination-trained surge workforce is required to deliver the program over the rollout period of up to 11 months.
"Two doses of vaccine are required for each person, extending the time it will take for every South Australian to be adequately immunised against the virus.
"Clinical and non-clinical staff with relevant qualifications and experience are now able to register through an Expression of Interest to be a part of our vaccination program, as we move to this next phase of our strong plan to keep South Australians safe and our economy strong.
"Staff will be required to undertake roles across a number of tailored areas from pre-screening and booking, data and digital, storage and administering the vaccine, and post-vaccination and observation."
Chief Nurse and Midwifery Officer, Adjunct Associate Professor Jenny Hurley, said nurses and midwives have played a pivotal role in the COVID-19 response to date, and this is another valuable opportunity for nurses and midwives to expand their clinical experience and skill set.
"We are seeking registered nurses and midwives who hold a current practising certificate with recent experience in the delivery of immunisations to undertake immuniser roles," Professor Hurley said.
"Eligible staff who choose to register as part of the Expression of Interest will be included in recruitment pools, which we will look to draw from over the coming months.
"All COVID-19 vaccination workforce including administrative staff will be required to undertake training and induction programs to support the rapid upskilling and surge capacity requirements, including areas such as infection prevention and control, vaccine distribution, and cold chain management."
The first phase of South Australia's COVID-19 vaccination program will include residents and staff of aged and disability care facilities, medi-hotel and airport staff, and health care workers working in high risk exposure and transmission areas, such as COVID-19 testing clinics and emergency departments.
The Expression of Interest is now open and can be found on the SA Health website.
