The Federal Government committed to provide $12.2 million to support 30 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) melanoma nurses by 2025-26 as part of the Melanoma Nurses Program.
The National Melanoma Nurses Program aims to support the recruitment and training of 30FTE Specialist Melanoma Nurses across Australia.
Specialist Melanoma Nurses are advanced practice clinicians and work as an embedded part of multidisciplinary care teams. Specialist Melanoma Nurses will operate within Australian health care settings providing care to patients undergoing treatment for high-risk melanoma. The nurses will be embedded within melanoma cancer multidisciplinary services as part of the treatment care team.
The Specialist Melanoma Nurse is an advanced practice nurse with specialist knowledge and skills in melanoma care – related to disease processes, surgical treatment, and or medical management. It is the responsibility of the nurse to utilise these skills to minimise the impact of disease and treatment complications and assist in the provision of patient-centred care consistent with the melanoma treatment guidelines to optimise patient outcomes.
What is the National Melanoma Nurses Program?
The National Melanoma Nurses Program is an initiative aimed at improving care and outcome for melanoma patients in Australia through expert nursing care as part of the multidisciplinary team. Nurses will be recruited in hospitals across Australia and receive training to provide specialised nursing care, education and support to patients with high-risk or advanced melanoma.
Where are the Specialist Melanoma Nurses placed?
Specialist Melanoma Nurses are typically placed in hospitals across Australia, working closely with multidisciplinary teams to provide targeted care for melanoma patients. We recognise that 30.0 FTE is not enough to place Specialist Melanoma Nurses in all areas of need. Need will be assessed considering melanoma incidence, access to established melanoma multidisciplinary teams and other available melanoma services. Specialist Melanoma Nurses will be recruited in all states and territories.
How does the program support melanoma patients?
The program is focused on developing nursing skill and capability to provide expert nursing care to patients with complex clinical care needs. Patients will be able to receive personalised nursing care, education on melanoma and treatment options and support throughout the pre- and post-surgical period, neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy, radiotherapy, and advanced melanoma therapy. Each Specialist Melanoma Nurse may have different referral criteria, depending on other local services already established and available.
The Specialist Melanoma nurse is expected to work within the local melanoma model of care. Recommendations for nursing practice are available here.
The Program recognises that the nursing workforce is limited to 30 nurses, and for melanoma patients receiving specialist surgical and medical care. Components of the National Cancer Nursing and Navigation Program, including patient tele-support and a cancer navigation service through Cancer Council, is available for all Australians. See more here Australian Cancer Nursing and Navigation Program | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
How do I contact the local Specialist Melanoma Nurse?
Ask your treating Medical Oncologist or Surgical Oncologist if there is a Specialist Melanoma Nurse as part of the care team.
Who can participate in the program?
The program is designed for registered nurses with an interest in melanoma care, who wish to pursue a career in nursing at an advanced level. Keep an eye out for advertised positions in your local area. If you want to be notified when positions become available, please contact nursingprogram@melanoma.org.au.
If you have a particular interest in melanoma, see the Melanoma Education Portal, and register for free access to melanoma podcasts, webinars, resources and much more!
For further information, contact nursingprogram@melanoma.org.au