HSV Clinical Product Advisors continue to educate sector on procurement operations

Continuing the professional development that began with last year’s inaugural symposium, HSV’s Clinical Product Advisors (CPAs) have provided a series of induction sessions for new Victorian hospital CPAs. 

In March the CPA team hosted Northern Health CPA, Avon Ong for a series of orientation sessions to build her knowledge and understanding of HSV’s procurement operations.

Clinical Product Manager Diana Skratulja says it’s important to educate CPAs who are new to the role and may have little knowledge of health purchasing.

“It’s important that they understand the role HSV plays in getting the right product to hospitals.”

Diana says the team can help build CPAs’ understanding of the commercial aspects of their work.

“There’s no professional development or training for CPAs – you learn once you’re in the role.

This training is important not just for education purposes, but also as a way for us to build relationships,” she says.

Northern Health Clinical Product Advisor Avon Ong, who started in her role in February 2024, says the induction gave her a better understanding of HSV’s responsibilities and how she can work with the CPA team.

“The contracts were one of the biggest challenges for me. I feel more confident in navigating them now. I also have an appreciation for the work that goes into them behind the scenes,” she says.

Procurement Director Rebecca Prior says the onsite inductions help to support CPAs and are a great way for the team to share useful insights and information.

“It also helps us to get really creative about problem solving.”

The CPA team ran tailored sessions for Northern Health on contracts, pricing schedules, and the Victorian Product Catalogue System.

Late last year, Diana ran a similar but more in-depth week-long session for a CPA at The Royal Women’s Hospital.

“CPAs working at a clinical site are very time poor. It’s important to provide them with that knowledge so they understand what we do and what our remit is under the Department of Health.”

Diana says she hopes to expand on the education offered to CPAs in the future by drawing on HSV’s contacts and stakeholders to run a professional development program.

The six members of HSV’s CPA team have a combined 120 years of nursing experience in specialities across theatre, cardiac, paediatric, respiratory and critical care within multiple health services including Mercy Health, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Barwon Health and The Royal Women’s Hospital.

They have extensive knowledge and understanding of health service supply chains and can provide guidance for health services on areas such as surety, procurement and logistics at HSV.