Senior Implementation Scientist
CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation)
June 2022- Current
In this role, I manage digital health intervention implementation projects from conception to finalisation. Most projects are commissioned by small-medium to large enterprises wishing to evaluate the implementation of their intervention, but I also work with Government to improve healthcare delivery. My research is also focused on translating novel and new interventions developed by CSIRO into practice, e.g. algorithms that can detect patient deterioration. I also develop robust implementation research approaches so that all the work is building on the science as well as improving health care. To succeed in this role, I draw upon high level organisational, communication and leadership skills.
Hospital Quality and Safety Manager
Mater Hospital Brisbane (Cancer Care and Outpatients)
Feb 2021 - May 2022
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Provide leadership and direction across multiple health services (outpatients, rehab, cancer care, mental health, hospital in the home) in relation to the provision of safe and quality healthcare.
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Leverage available digital technologies to enhance collaboration and communication e.g. developed online quizzes in preparation for accreditation and implemented virtual meetings to enhance efficiency and increase attendance of key stakeholders.
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Development and review of health policy using multidisciplinary networks.
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Regular reporting and investigation of critical incidents, including liaising with staff involved which requires high-level interpersonal skills.
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Use digital health technologies to collect and synthesise data including Verdi, iPM, PowerBI, Qualitrics Analytics and Performance dashboards.
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Oversight of adherence to accreditation requirements and ongoing improvements.
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Act as a senior contact person/advisor about patient complaint escalation, deliver excellent service to patients and staff.
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Undertake regular audit and provide feedback in an engaging way.
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Create and lead teams through significant changes to process in safety and quality.
Quality Coordinator - Blood Management and Apheresis
Mater Hospital
Mar 2018 - Jan 2021
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Maintain awareness of current evidence-based practice to provide an accurate review of policy procedures and clinical forms.
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Write and publish policy and procedure that includes input from multidisciplinary stakeholders.
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Identify gaps in practice through audit and develop improvement plans to address them.
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Undertake a routine gap analysis of accreditation needs (NSQHS and NATA), identify areas of need to develop and deliver improvements that are acceptable to key stakeholders.
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Develop stakeholder relationships to ensure open and frequent communication between the clinical facing clinicians and the safety and quality unit.
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High-level data collection, analysis and synthesis required.
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Compilation of high-quality, detailed reports suitable for executive submission.
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Educate clinical staff on current evidence-based practice.
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Oversight of the Haemovigilance program and responsible for addressing clinical incidents promptly.
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Understanding of NATA accreditation requirements for Apheresis and Stem Cell Laboratory.
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Development of reporting culture that values opportunities to improve.
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Development of strategic plans that address ongoing risks.
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Advanced computing skills as well as excellent written and oral communication skills.
Implementation research scientist
Mater-UQ Research Institute (fractional funded appointment)
Feb 2020 - Jun 2022
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Funded fractional appointment to undertake implementation research, using novel methods to improve evidence-based blood management.
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Application of strong knowledge and understanding of implementation frameworks to develop and test solutions to health services research problems.
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Develop a scientific research program that aligns with organisational goals and improves patient care.
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Work collaboratively and use strong multidisciplinary relationships to better understand barriers to the uptake of evidence, process map new interventions and ensure ongoing effectiveness through cyclical evaluation.
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Able to carefully navigate changing political environments using emotional intelligence and influence to gain support for contentious proposals/ideas.
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Deliver audit findings, information and research results using persuasive oral presentations, supplemented by effective PowerPoint slides that assist in fostering engagement with key stakeholders to encourage change.
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Leverage social media and digital technologies to disseminate research and communicate to a wide audience, e.g. Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
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The utilisation of qualitative and quantitative methodologies to answer research questions.
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Use of RedCap, MARS, Survey Monkey and Microsoft forms to develop data collection instruments.
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Development and submission of research ethics applications.
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Development and submission of internal and external research grant proposals.
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Ensure and maintain confidentiality and security of all data records collected.
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Publication of all research work, including protocols.
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Presentation of all research work at relevant conferences.
PhD student and researcher
Jan 2018- May 2022
My primary research interests at present are in implementation science and health services research. I am uniquely positioned in my role as Quality Coordinator at Mater to undertake research related to my PhD subject, in addition to working on multidisciplinary and collaborative research projects.
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Projects:
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- Implementation of patient blood management guidelines (PhD)
This project draws upon implementation theory and aims to identify local barriers to implementing patient blood management guidelines. Contemporary frameworks and theories will be used to develop appropriate interventions to address identified problems. In recent times, there has been a plethora of frameworks and theories developed to try and guide implementation, but few of these have been rigorously tested and reported on. This project aims to evaluate chosen methodologies and advance the understanding of how and if they work in a unique context.
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- Understanding the barriers to implementing perioperative hypothermia guidelines
This project called upon an implementation framework to understand local barriers to implementation of well recognised, and easy to apply guidelines. The results have been accepted for publication.
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- Understanding the uptake of the ACORN standards in the Australian perioperative context
This project required advanced skills in the development of surveys to collect data from perioperative nurses, nationwide. I was required to generate a large volume database of key contacts in the perioperative industry which required the use of excellent communication skills and resourcefulness. The results will further the understanding of how the standards are applied in practice, and what current perceptions are, of their value.
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- Anaemia identification and treatment in major colorectal surgery patients.
Strategies to identify anaemic patients and provide appropriate treatment are well researched but poorly applied. This retrospective observational study in collaboration with hospital pharmacy department aims to understand current practice so that relevant key stakeholders can be engaged to develop new methods to ensure that patients are receiving consistent care, that addresses the issue of anaemia and improves their outcomes.
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- The impact of antenatal intravenous iron supplementation on maternal haemoglobin levels
This project aims to add a large body of evidence using a retrospective observational methodology to understand the impact of intravenous iron supplementation on maternal haemoglobin levels at multiple times points until birth. This project is being undertaken collaboratively with obstetric and gynaecological physicians.
Sessional lecturer and student supervisory roles
Mar 2018- Current
I have been fortunate to teach into both undergraduate and postgraduate subject across multiple universities, within schools of nursing. I have experience in:
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- Delivering face to face and online content
- Facilitation of student workshops
- Supervision of Masters and Honours level project students
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Facilities:
The Queensland University of Technology (Jan 2019 - Current)
The University of Tasmania (Jun 2018 - Current)
The University of Southern Queensland (Mar 2018 - Current)
Perioperative scrub/scout
Feb 2014- June 2021
I have significant experience within the speciality of neurosurgical and orthopaedic spine surgery as a scrub/scout and continue to maintain currency by undertaking casual shifts at the Wesley. I believe it is vitally important to maintain this experience in order to understand the perceptions of stakeholders who influence all other aspects of my work as outlined above. My experience in this area also extends to clinical coaching and floor coordinat
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Facilities:
The Wesley Hospital (Feb 2014 - June 2021)
The Mater Hospital (Aug 2016 - Mar 2018)