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Winter 2006

Theatre Support Workers Get Reclassification

After five years of fighting theatre support officers at the Launceston General Hospital (LGH) have won a reclassification of their work from the Department.

With increasing technology the job performed by the theatre support workers had become more complex. Reclassifications had also taken place for theatre support workers interstate.

Theatre support officer Joel Tomlin said, "We were getting paid the same rate as hospital aides but the work we were required to do was more complex and we had to operate a lot of technical equipment."

Theatre support workers undertake such tasks as operating video equipment in theatre, setting up for operations and direct patient care, such as positioning the patient for the anaesthetist or helping with epidurals.

"We're stoked that the reclass has gone through, it finally gives us some recognition for the work that we do," Joel said.

James Harris, another theatre support worker at the LGH, added, "Through the reclassification we will have to do some additional training, which will help with health and safety."

Joel said, "James deserves credit for his constant hounding of the Department, and we'd also like to thank Julie Tolputt from HACSU and the LGH theatre nursing staff for their support."