Clinical Nurse Consultant - Specialist Dementia Care Program

• Location: Sunshine Hospital
• Employment Type: Fixed Term, Part Time 
• Salary: Grade 5 NP51

About the role 

The Specialist Dementia Care Program (SDCP) is an initiative of the Commonwealth Department of Health, delivered through a partnership agreement between the Australian Government and the State and Territory governments. Clinical support for the program is provided by relevant state services, in this case Western Health Older Adult Mental Health and Wellbeing Division. Approved residential aged care providers can apply for program grants to establish dedicated SDCP units within their facility.

The Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC) is a Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN5) who provides expert clinical support within a participating aged care facility, working directly with individuals experiencing severe BPSD (typically behaviours consistent with Tier 6 of the Brodaty et al. model).

These individuals:

• Cannot be appropriately supported within standard aged care settings, and
• Do not require care more appropriately provided in acute or specialist health services.

The CNC's role focuses on delivering intensive support, with an emphasis on stabilising and reducing symptoms over time to facilitate the individual’s transition to a less intensive setting. Key responsibilities include:

• Demonstrating advanced clinical skills and delivering evidence-based, best-practice care.
• Applying a person-centred, life-story-informed approach to understand and respond to behavioural expressions.
• Upholding a restraint-free care philosophy, minimising restrictive practices in line with aged care standards.

Maintaining an up-to-date understanding of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Standards, ensuring that all care aligns with national expectations and regulatory requirements

Key responsibilities: 

• The CNC will exercise a high degree of personal and professional autonomy, have an ability to reach complex and critical judgements and have decision making skills to satisfy the expectations and demands of the job.
• Demonstrate competency in applying relevant areas of nursing expertise strategically. This will include the use of analytical thinking, decision making, leadership and other specialist skills to work with others towards the goal of improving the quality of the experience of people with dementia and their family/ carer’s.
• Evidence of knowledge and application of theories and techniques of practice that underlie behaviour management in dementia care.
• Deliver complex evidence based therapeutic interventions to people with BPSD and their family/carers in a manner which they will understand and relate to.

About you: 

• Current registration with AHPRA as a Registered Nurse
• Bachelor Degree in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing or equivalent, or, Bachelor Degree in Nursing plus a Postgraduate diploma or masters degree in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing
• Minimum of 5 years mental health nursing experience
• Current drivers licence
• The CNC will exercise a high degree of personal and professional autonomy, have an ability to reach complex and critical judgements and have decision making skills to satisfy the expectations and demands of the job.

Position Description

About Western Health 

Western Health is one of the largest healthcare providers in Victoria, caring for a vibrant, diverse and rapidly growing community of one million people in Melbourne’s western suburbs.   

With more than 13,000 staff, Western Health delivers 800,000+ occasions of care every year, providing high-quality, person-centred care across every life stage.  

We provide a combination of hospital, community-based, at-home and in-reach services to aged, adult and paediatric patients and newborn babies. Specialties include oncology, renal, mental health, women’s health and maternity, chronic diseases, geriatrics and cardiology.  

We have remarkable strengths in chronic disease, complex care and developing innovative and sustainable healthcare solutions. Our experience at the coalface of healthcare delivery for some of Australia’s most culturally and socioeconomically diverse and vulnerable populations provides us with unique insights into the most pressing health challenges.

Western Health operates four acute public hospitals: Sunshine Hospital (including Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s), Footscray Hospital, Williamstown Hospital and Bacchus Marsh Hospital. We also operate Sunbury Community Hospital, Sunshine Mental Health and Wellbeing Centre, Melton Health and Community Services, Bacchus Marsh Community Health Centre, Caroline Springs Community Health Centre and Grant Lodge Residential Aged Care in Bacchus Marsh. Western Health also provides the primary healthcare service at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, a women’s prison located in Ravenhall. 

Why join us?

Compensation and benefits

• Competitive salary packages aligned with market standards.
• Health and wellbeing programs, including flexible work arrangements.
• Scholarships and grants to support your continuous learning journey.

Learning and development opportunities

• Access the Western Health Learning Academy (WHA) for personalised learning pathways.
• Professional growth programs, including postgraduate studies and clinical education.
• Mentorship and career support.

Community impact and inclusion

• Make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives through compassionate care.
• Join a workforce that champions diversity and inclusion.
• Engage in community wellbeing initiatives and groundbreaking healthcare research.

Organisational culture and environment

• Thrive in a collaborative, compassionate and innovative team environment.
• Be part of a culture that celebrates continuous improvement and excellence in healthcare.

Ready to make an impact? 

If you’re passionate about delivering complex evidence based therapeutic interventions to people with BPSD and their family/carers, and have an interest in providing education and consultation within the broader MHWS, we’d love to hear from you. Simply click on the “apply” button and follow the prompts. 

If you are currently employed at Western Health, please ensure you sign in through the 'Employee Login' via the external Careers Page or access the Careers Page via the intranet before applying.  

Closing date: 11:59pm on 14 August 2025.

Enquiries: For further information about this role, contact Suzi Kindler 0401 432 470 or Melinda Radonich on 9057 4150.

Western Health is an equal opportunity employer committed to attracting and retaining diversity in our workforce. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 

Western Health is committed to providing a safe environment for the children and young people who are involved in our services, sites and operations. We follow and abide by all legislative requirements to keep children and young people safe. 

All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory Police Record Check, an Immunisation Status Clearance and a Working with Children Check (if applicable). 

Western Health does not accept unsolicited resumes/applications from recruitment agencies.