Cherise Matthews
371 Chatswood Road, Shailer Park,Australia
Summary
A highly effective and experienced nursing professional with tested competencies in delivering excellent outcomes in aged care & management, palliative care, and the provision of holistic nursing services to diverse patients. Empathic, ethical, and with a keen regard for instilling safeguards to protect the welfare and well-being of patients. Strong awareness of nursing procedures, policies, best practices, and industry standards. With strong leadership and governance skills in managing cross-functional activities, and in executing complex initiatives and tasks with tight timeframes and critical outputs. Adept at producing positive outcomes in high-pressure and demanding scenarios. Focussed on the success of functions in aged and palliative care, residential nursing, RAC funding assessment and other similar areas of focus. A competent and dedicated individual aiming to engage in fulfilling and enriching roles within the aged care nursing field.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered Nurse
Queensland Health
09.2019 - Current
- Assumed accountability and responsibility for own actions and delegation of care to enrolled nurses, assistants in nursing and healthcare workers.
- Assessed, planned, implemented and evaluated nursing care in collaboration with individuals, peers and the healthcare team to achieve goals and health outcomes.
- Made appropriate referral to, and consulted with peers, other relevant health professionals, service providers, and community and support services.
- Participated in developing, reviewing and evaluating clinical/nursing standards, guidelines, protocols, pathways, procedures, standards and systems of work.
- Adhered to established guidelines, protocols, procedures, standards and systems of work as set out by the organisation.
- Maintained the safety of recipients of healthcare services by identifying risk and underlining safe work activities within the clinical practice environment.
- Participated in incident investigation and quality improvements to promote safe and/or rectify unsafe practice.
AN-ACC Assessor
Access Care Network Australia/Australian Healthcare Associates
03.2021 - 06.2025
- Company Overview: on behalf of the Department of Health
- Conducting assessments of individuals using designated assessment tool/s in residential aged care facilities.
- Applying clinical judgment to a range of specified tools and assessment instruments in line with my scope of practice and specific program training producing sound quality assessments that can be relied upon by ACNA and the Commonwealth Department of Health.
- Escalating complex issues or scope-of-practice concerns to the Senior Clinical Assessor or Clinical Director as appropriate.
- Submitting accurate and timely documentation (via digital tools) using ACNA and external systems.
- Working with autonomy and independence whilst also working as part of a wider team of assessors.
- Contributing to the ACNA team and positive practice; through team meetings, multidisciplinary practice discussions, case conferences and community of practice meetings.
- Engaging in learning activities that support continuous professional development.
- Following guidance and sharing information as outlined on the organisational chart reporting structure.
- Contributing to the broader quality focus of ACNA.
Clinical Nurse
Dementia Outreach Service Queensland Health
11.2021 - 12.2022
- Delegated to and supervised Enrolled Nurses (EN’s), Registered Nurse and undergraduate students as required.
- Provided expert clinical leadership in patient’s/resident’s/client’s assessment, care planning and practice and role model to and collaborate with the healthcare team.
- Adhered to established guidelines, protocols, procedures, standards, and systems of work as set out by the Dementia Outreach Service unit, MSH and Department of Health, Queensland.
- Demonstrated participation in developing, evaluating and updating clinical service procedures, protocols, standards and guidelines.
- Lead a team in conjunction with the Nurse Practitioner to assist and support with the following activities: team shift coordination, performance management/review, change management, rostering/staffing and workplace culture.
- Demonstrated effective co-ordination of staff and utilisation of unit resources to optimise service delivery and compliance with the Business Planning Framework.
- Responsible for completing required documentation and becoming a proficient user of the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) and other Information Technology systems; once proficient remain current with changes, updates and contingencies.
- Assisted in clinical facilitation and nursing education to promote a learning culture by encouraging reflection and professional development, providing clinical teaching, in-service education, and assisting/supporting others to maintain portfolios/records of learning.
- Contributed to the support of undergraduate students-USIN’s and post graduate students.
- Integrated advanced theoretical knowledge, evidence from a range of sources and own experience to devise and achieve agreed care outcomes for patients/residents/clients in line with organisational priorities.
- Participated in developing and undertaking quality initiatives, clinical audits, clinical trials and research.
- Proactively engaged with the nurse leaders and healthcare team to achieve best practice outcomes within the work unit environment.
Aged Care Campaign Advisor
Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union
04.2018 - 05.2019
- Company Overview: West End, Brisbane
- Demonstrate proactive concern for the welfare and wellbeing of nurses under the Union by providing advice to QNMU concerning current standards of care in the aged care environment.
- Establish and maintain strong liaison and professional relationships with MPs concerning Aged Care Campaign to advocate safe staffing ratios in aged care.
- Speak at various aged care forums to influence positive change in policies, procedures, standards and community guidelines.
- Successfully launch ANMF Ratios for Aged Care campaign to foster a more effective care environment for aged patients.
- Attend various pledge signings with MPs, Senators, and Candidates and receive ceremonial nominations for outstanding delegate and activist for the year.
Registered Nurse/Clinical Nurse
Blue Care- Residential and Palliative Care
06.2003 - 07.2017
- Effectively assumed more senior roles, administering managerial and supervisory functions such as clinical nursing and team liaisons in service of Metro South Health.
- Attended and completed the PEPA program which was geared towards the implementation of strategies in providing more education and in enhancing skills amongst staff within the workplace.
- Participated in information drive to promote the PEPA program, alongside other training drives to maximise automation and digitisation initiatives such as the use of the Residential Management Computer System (RMS).
- Exhibited awareness of evidence-based practices and administered highest quality care to patients.
- Attended to various cases and diseases, with specialisation in various areas such as medication administration, wound care, dementia, and palliative care.
- Specialised and focussed on pain management, diabetic management, oral care, care planning, admissions, and assessments.
Registered Nurse
Greenslopes Private Hospital
01.2009 - 10.2009
- Committed to the delivery of top-quality care to patients, attending to their daily needs such as personal hygiene and pre- and post-operative care.
- Administered oral and IV medications as appropriate, liaising with prescribers and interpreting doctors’ orders to maintain the schedule of therapeutic interventions for patients.
- Maintained logs of client vitals and other areas for documentation and filed them appropriately in compliance with records keeping standards and best practices.
- Developed, established, and maintained liaisons with doctors regarding patient condition, and maintained assistance for health care professionals working within the group.
- Participated in carrying out highly impactful duties in accordance with company policies and procedures, including various OH&S processes.
Personal Care Worker
Blue Care
06.2003 - 12.2008
- Developed strong experience and competencies in providing attentive support to patients in all aspects of their personal care, including assisting residents with their daily living needs, including personal hygiene and nourishments.
- Provided support to residents in their recreational activities and assisted them in their pursuit of worthwhile diversions.
- Reached out to the residents’ families and provided general information, education, and counselling.
- Shared advice with residents’ families within scope of and limitations of care.
- Performed complete handover and review of caseloads to ensure the continuity of resident care.
- Ensured that all residents’ progress notes and documentation were completed in a timely and accurate manner.
- Coordinated with the Facilities supervisor to ensure that all equipment allocated to the residents were operational and safe.
- Assessed incidents and liaised with other healthcare professionals with regards to resident conditions.
- Carried out various tasks and duties in accordance with company policies and procedures.
- Maintained close adherence to Occupational Health and Safety processes, standards, and guidelines.
Education
AN-ACC Accreditation -
Department of Health
03.2021
PEPA Program - undefined
Queensland Government
11.2014
Graduate Nursing Program - undefined
Greenslopes Private Hospital
10.2009
Bachelor of Nursing - undefined
Griffith University
12.2008
Certificate III in Aged Care - undefined
Morton Bay TAFE
09.2005
Skills
- Strong patient care and case management expertise
- Excellent clinical decision making and coordination
- Outstanding team communications and interpersonal relations
- Exceptional regard for evidence-based nursing and care practices
- Team leadership, motivation, and delegation
- Awareness of regulatory compliance frameworks
- Excellent technical competence in documentation and files management
- Experience in campaigns and advocacy
Affiliations
Member // Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Perceptive and able to anticipate needs; empathetic and accommodating to clients and customers.
- Adaptability and resilience in updates in training; able to adapt quickly with newly introduced policies and standard operating procedures.
- Hardworking and able to multitask; can handle different jobs in various areas for timely and effective completion of day-to-day tasks as well as special ad hoc responsibilities.
- Reliable and trustworthy, with proven track record in upholding integrity and honesty as core values for ethics and professionalism in the workplace.
CORE COMPETENCIES CONT'D
- Demonstrated effectiveness and passion in identifying patient care issues that must be addressed by providing effective information and implementing physician directives.
- Ability to carefully assess patient health by interviewing patients and performing physical examinations.
- Focussed on health promotion and maintenance, thoroughly dispensing with care and patient management skills.
- Participate in interdisciplinary and multi-departmental teamwork with other care providers, healthcare professionals and specialists.
- Meticulous and orderly, with keen attention to efficient filing and organisation.
- With a problem-solving mentality and with innovation to provide solutions for issues and concerns within the organisation.
Timeline
Clinical Nurse
Dementia Outreach Service Queensland Health
11.2021 - 12.2022
AN-ACC Assessor
Access Care Network Australia/Australian Healthcare Associates
03.2021 - 06.2025
Registered Nurse
Queensland Health
09.2019 - Current
Aged Care Campaign Advisor
Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union
04.2018 - 05.2019
Registered Nurse
Greenslopes Private Hospital
01.2009 - 10.2009
Registered Nurse/Clinical Nurse
Blue Care- Residential and Palliative Care
06.2003 - 07.2017
Personal Care Worker
Blue Care
06.2003 - 12.2008
PEPA Program - undefined
Queensland Government
Graduate Nursing Program - undefined
Greenslopes Private Hospital
Bachelor of Nursing - undefined
Griffith University
Certificate III in Aged Care - undefined
Morton Bay TAFE
AN-ACC Accreditation -
Department of Health