Clinical Nurse Specialist – Vascular Access Specialist Team

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

  • Melbourne, VIC
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 22 hours ago
At Peter Mac we aim to continuously improve cancer care, research and education across all cancers and for all people affected by cancer: changing lives, breaking new ground. Everything we do is underpinned by our core values, Excellence, Compassion and Innovation. Welcoming people from a wide variety of different backgrounds and experiences is critical to fostering innovation, cultivating compassion, attracting and retaining top talent and providing the best possible cancer care for our patients.YOUR ROLE IN OUR FUTUREFixed Term Full Time Role
  • Job Share Considered
  • Fixed Term Until 2026
  • Salary $107,338.4k (1.0 EFT) + salary packaging + super + 5 weeks annual leave (pro-rata)
About the Role:This is a unique and exciting opportunity to be part of a new initiative at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. As the Clinical Nurse Specialist - Vascular Access Specialist Team (VAST), you will be at the forefront of developing a nurse-led vascular access service, the first of its kind at Peter Mac. You will play a critical role in shaping and implementing this innovative service, ensuring high-quality care and optimal outcomes for patients. Your leadership and expertise will guide the team in establishing best practices and improving vascular access care across the Centre.In this role, you will manage complex venous access needs, including providing expertise in ultrasound-guided Peripheral Intravenous Cannulation (PIVC) and Central Venous Access Device (CVAD) management. As a clinical leader, you will implement and champion the Difficult Intravenous Access (DIVA) clinical escalation pathway, ensuring the best possible patient outcomes. By working closely with multidisciplinary teams, you will continue to drive excellence in patient care, education, and support. This role is Fixed Term until June 2026Key Responsibilities:Lead the development and implementation of vascular access initiatives, including the DIVA escalation pathway.
Perform vascular assessments, create individualised vascular access plans, and develop strategies to improve patient outcomes.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to provide evidence-based care for patients with complex venous access needs.
Educate patients, families, and healthcare teams on best practices in vascular access and care.
Ensure timely referrals, effective interventions, and maintain high standards of practice.
Contribute to the ongoing review and improvement of clinical procedures and guidelines.
Support clinical units in the assessment and selection of vascular access devices.
Demonstrate excellent communication and collaboration skills, fostering a patient-centred environment.What You Bring:Registered Nurse with current AHPRA registration.
Minimum of five years of clinical experience
Expertise in ultrasound guided PIVC insertion and management of CVADs.
Postgraduate qualification in Oncology Nursing, Advanced Practice Nursing, or a related clinical specialty
High level of interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills.
A commitment to continuous improvement and evidence-based practice.What We Offer You:Competitive salary (Clinical Nurse Specialist YS9) with salary packaging options.
Access to postgraduate study support and professional development opportunities.
A dynamic, innovative team environment where your contributions are valued.
Opportunities to lead and shape patient care at a world-class cancer centre.
Ongoing support and mentorship to develop your leadership and clinical skills.Applicants to this role should provide a covering letter outlining relative key skills and experience to assist us with our assessment.For further information about this opportunity, click Apply to be redirected to the Peter Mac Careers page where you can review the position summary. Alternatively, please contact us using the information below for a confidential discussion.Hiring Manager: Jenny Marcen, Deputy Director Of Nursing-Ambulatory
Contact Number: 0406 486 762
Email: Jenny.Marcen@petermac.orgApplications Close:11:59PM Thursday 18 September 2025Position SummaryThe Clinical Nurse Specialist - VAST will report to CNC - VAST and as part of Peter Mac Callum Cancer Centre (Peter Mac) VAST. The post holder will work with clinical units and departments at Peter Mac providing vein assessment and vascular access. The position will lead and implement the Difficult Intravenous Access (DIVA) clinical escalation pathway. The role is dedicated to reducing complications, enhancing staff education and
championing a patient centred approach to all aspects of peripheral intravenous (PIVC) care and Central Venous Access Device (CVAD) management.
This position reports to and works in collaboration with the CNC-VASTEnterprise AgreementNurses and MidwivesClassification or Salary RangeYS9Immunisation Risk CategoryCategory A: Position involving direct patient contact, potential for exposure to blood, body fluid, human tissue specimens during course of a normal working dayKey RelationshipsInternal
  • Patients and Carers
  • Infection Prevention Team
  • Cancer Imaging Team
  • Day Therapy Unit
  • Apheresis and Cellular Therapies Unit
  • Clinical Units
  • Specialist Clinics and Pathology team
  • Academic Nursing Unit
  • Clinical Nurse Consultants and Nurse Practitioners
  • Nurse Unit Managers / Nurse Managers
  • Research clinicians
  • Chief Nursing Informatics Officer
  • Clinical Product Advisor
  • Nursing staff
  • Multi-disciplinary team
  • Improvement Science Team
  • Quality Managers and Coordinators
External
  • Precinct partners
  • AVATAR group, CNSA, WoCoVA
  • Industry and clinical/professional partners
  • Relevant education provider
EducationSkillsEssential Requirements Registered Nurse (AHPRA).
Minimum five years clinical experience in acute nursing, preferably oncology nursing.
Mastery in ultrasound guided PIVC insertion
High level interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively with internal health care teams.
Nursing Experience &/or Qualifications in line with Clinical Nurse Specialist criteria as outlined in Nurses EBA (2024 - 2028).
Post Graduate qualification in Oncology Nursing, Advanced Practice Nursing, or related clinical specialty.
Expert in central venous access device (CVAD) management and vascular access
Willingness to work towards Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) line insertionCertifications, Licenses & RegistrationsKey Accountabilities1.Management of patient care continuum for patients with complex venous access requirements
  • Management of patient care continuum.
  • Management of patients including patient vascular assessment, developing vascular access plan, and implementing plan including education and discharge planning considerations.
  • Commitment to providing patient centred care and acts as a resource for patients/families and healthcare teams.
  • Patient health records show documented assessment, interventions and outcomes related to vascular access.
  • Referral Triage (as relevant) performed with agreed timeframes.
2.Vascular access clinical practice
  • Evidence of high quality, proficient patient care relating to VAST assessment and nurse led interventions.
  • Promotes a collegial working environment and works well as team member.
  • Evidence of delivery of high-quality patient care and education for patients, families and MDT.
  • Patient referrals for DIVA appropriately assessed, and interventions actioned in a time critical manner.
  • Referral information received regarding vascular access maintained, to support KPIs of VAST.
  • Commitment to ongoing professional development.
3.VAST Screening, Assessment, Intervention and CI referral
  • Supports clinical units with appropriate screening, assessment and intervention for vascular access.
  • Supports the development, implementation and ongoing review cycle of processes to enhance standardisation of vascular access assessment, device selection and insertion across clinical units.
  • Maintains and adheres to evidenced based practice related to all aspects of vascular access clinical care, guided by standards and procedures.
4. Professional Practice
  • Evidence of collaborative practice with health care team through attendance to relevant meetings and input with MDT
  • Evidence of consultation outcomes, procedural volume and outcomes, and reporting of surveillance data to Vascular Access Committee.
  • Evidence of actively managing workload of referral service and care interventions and timely reporting and action of alterations or escalation of workload.
  • Evidence of a customer focus e.g., proactive management of patient/staff complaints.
5.Communication
  • Recognises and responds appropriately to communications of patients, carers, and team members.
  • Responds promptly to complaints or concerns including Riskmans.
Key Accountabilities (Contd..)For further information about this opportunity, click Apply to be redirected to the Peter Mac Careers page where you can review the position profile. Alternatively, please contact us for a confidential discussion.Peter Mac is a child safe organisation and has a commitment to child safety and wellbeing.WHY WORK FOR PETER MAC
  • Peter Mac offer a range of benefits which support our people both personally and professionally.
  • Our staff benefits include award winning facilities, professional development and events, a health and wellbeing program, flexible work practices and policies and financial benefits such as salary packaging.
  • We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, all members of the LGBTQI community and people with a disability.

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre