Job Description
The Experienced Orthopaedic Practice Nurse provides senior clinical coordination, education and continuity of care for patients across the pre-operative, perioperative and post-operative journey.
The position combines advanced patient assessment and clinical judgement with proactive care coordination, timely escalation, high-quality documentation and service improvement.
The role is central to delivering a consistent, safe and reassuring patient experience while ensuring that the surgeon, practice team, physicians, hospitals and other providers receive the information needed to support each patient's care.
Key responsibilities
Meet with patients following surgical consultation to coordinate the next stages of their surgical journey, including coordinating proposed surgery dates and providing pre-operative information packs, wash instructions, and surgeon brochures
Prepare and issue Surgical Confirmation documentation, including anaesthetist details, post-operative appointment details and admission or fasting instructions
Deliver consistent education regarding preparation for surgery, medication instructions, fasting, hospital admission, expected recovery, pain management, mobilisation, precautions and exercises
Assess relevant medical history, allergies, medications, home supports and potential barriers to discharge, escalating identified risks to the surgeon or appropriate provider
Send physician referrals through Medical Objects in accordance with current hospital allocation pathways and review incoming physician pre-operative assessment letters
Work with the Practice Manager and administration team to ensure theatre bookings and equipment bookings are submitted accurately and within required timeframes
Complete structured post-operative telephone reviews at agreed intervals, assessing pain, medication use, mobilisation, wound status and symptoms indicating potential complications




Conduct scheduled nursing reviews approximately 7-10 days after surgery, including structured wound assessment, dressing management, review of post-operative imaging and arrangement of required follow-up imaging and appointments
Participate in management of the nursing mobile phone and respond to post-operative patient concerns within service hours, using clinical judgement to distinguish routine recovery questions from issues requiring same-day medical review or emergency assessment
Review pathology and radiology results in Xestro and promptly flag abnormal or clinically concerning findings to the doctor, managing results and correspondence in accordance with approved results-management policy
About you
Current unrestricted registration as a Registered Nurse with AHPRA
Substantial recent clinical nursing experience, including demonstrated experience in orthopaedics, perioperative care, surgical nursing, musculoskeletal care or a closely related field
Demonstrated competence in wound assessment, dressing management and recognition of post-operative complications
Robust clinical assessment, triage, documentation and escalation capability
Demonstrated ability to work independently while seeking timely medical input when required
High-level written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
Competence using clinical software and secure health communication systems, or the ability to rapidly learn Xestro, Medical Objects and related platforms
Postgraduate qualifications or formal education in orthopaedics, perioperative nursing, wound management or a related specialty (desirable)
Experience in private specialist practice, joint-replacement pathways, enhanced recovery or short-stay surgical programs (desirable)
About us
Bend Orthopaedics is an orthopaedic surgical practice.
The role operates across Bend Orthopaedics consulting locations and associated hospitals, including Mater Private, Westside Private, North West Private and Rockhampton, as required.
The position reports to the Business Manager, with clinical oversight from doctor.

📌 Orthopaedic Practice Nurse (Queensland)
🏢 CJ Cooke Medical
📍 Queensland