Clinical Nurse Consultant – Melanoma

• Multi-disciplinary team 
• Support departments – imaging, pharmacy 
• Specialist Clinics Team 
• Patient Navigators 
• Other Specialist Nurses, Nurse Consultants and Nurse Practitioners 
• Nurse Unit Managers 
• Inpatient nurses 

External

• General practitioners 
• Specialist services 
• Community services 
• Precinct partners 
• University Sector

•  Registered Nurse 
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in oncology nursing at a senior level 
• An understanding of and experience with developing evidence-based practice 
• A post graduate qualification in Melanoma, Oncology or related field.
• Demonstrated involvement in professional activities and organisations e.g., Australian College of Nursing, Cancer Nursing Society of Australia, Haematology Society of Australia and New Zealand 

• A Masters in Nursing or a relevant field
• Experience in managing toxicities from immunotherapy
• Experience in conducting tumour stream or nursing-based quality improvement activities or research. 

1.Clinical Practice 

1.1 Ensure the delivery of high standard of evidence-based nursing care to patients. 
1.2 In the clinical setting, conduct comprehensive screening, assessment planning implementation and evaluation. 
1.3 Establish and maintain effective communication with other health professional and support staff, patients’ families, the community and external care providers. 
1.4 Collaborate with other health   professionals to ensure the patient’s safe and effective transition across the care continuum and facilitate access and referrals to appropriate health resources and services. 
1.5 Lead and facilitate the development of systems and processes to support the planning and coordination of treatment, education and support needs for patients with cancer, and their families across the disease trajectory. 
1.6 Support the ongoing development of the clinical services model and provide support and information to nurses in the preceptorship program allocated to the clinical service. 
1.7 Provide expert clinical advice and support to outpatients, nurses and other health professionals. 
1.8 Contribute to the development of local, national and international evidence-based care guidelines, policies and procedures and patient resources. 

• The Nurse Consultant contributes to the MDT meetings. 
• Peter Mac Nursing is represented and contributes to the development of evidence-based position statement or papers, recommendations and guidelines where appropriate both nationally and internationally.  
• Stay up to date in evidence based best practice to include latest diagnosis, treatment and toxicity management in melanoma.
• Have an Ability to assess, interpret and instigate nursing interventions for patients with symptoms from their disease and / or treatment.
• Patients, their significant others, associated health professionals understand the patients’ current condition and feel adequately supported. 
• Patients and significant others utilise the nursing services appropriately. 
• Patients feel involved in decisions regarding their health care. 
• Patients are discharged/referred to appropriate services in a timely fashion. 
• Interventions/recommendations are documented. 
• Adherence to optimal care pathways 

• Referrals are triaged within 72 hours of receipt.  
• Demonstrates expertise in clinical assessment skills and care planning for patients with complex physical and psychosocial needs. 
• Conduct thorough patient assessment and needs assessments, including comprehensive physical examinations, psychological and distress screening and patient reported outcome and experience measures. 
• Provide expert assessment/ recommendations/ interventions to maximise health outcomes for patients. 
• Evaluate nursing intervention Follow up patient to assess effectiveness of recommendations/ interventions (including post discharge from hospital). 
• Document recommendations / interventions in approved format
• Supports other nurses to develop expert clinical assessment skills and develop individualised care plans

3. Improving Quality and Safety of our services 

3.1 Ensure relevant education material for patients and other nurses is evidence based and up to date. 
3.2 Deliver evidence-based nursing care where possible. 
3.3 Participate in and facilitate nursing research. 
3.4 Foster an environment that promotes education and research within the nursing division. 
3.5 Participate in continuing education sessions, committees, special projects and relevant professional groups. 
3.6Educates the health care team regarding the concept and role of the Nurse Consultant 
3.7 Collects and monitors relevant nurse sensitive KPI’s for your stream. 
3.8 Demonstrates flexibility and creativity in identifying resources to meet patient care needs. 
3.9 Ensures the vision, purpose and values of the organization are understood and integrated into daily practice. 
3.10 Assists with the submission of proposals for grants/special projects funding. 

• Evidence of involvement in the development and/or recognition and/or evaluation of evidence-based patient education resources 
• Evidence of delivery of high-quality education  
• Contribute to the development and delivery of specialty related education programs. 
• Develop education resources for nurses and other health professionals.
• Inform Nursing Administration/Clinical Educators of any new or changed aspect of 
• nursing care which may require staff education and/or development or revision of policies, practices or standards.
• Evidence of participation in committees and relevant professional groups. 
• Collection of nurses sensitive KPI data that can be used to inform practice change.  

Examples may include the following: 

• Percentage of new patients screened for supportive care needs at initial consult  
• Number of phone calls received regarding symptom management 
• Number of patients who receive a survivorship consult at the end of treatment. 
• Evidence of or working towards contributing to/being involved in at least one research/QA project per year. 
• Evidence of or working toward submitting an abstract for conference presentation or manuscript for publication, minimum 1 submission every 2 years. 
• Utilise virtual care and digital technologies (where appropriate)