Ellen Catherine Cross
Deniliquin,New South Wales
Summary
Dynamic mental health professional with extensive experience in Community Adult Mental Health Recovery Rehabilitation, specializing in interdisciplinary collaboration and care coordination. Demonstrated success in developing individualized care plans and mentoring staff, utilizing strong skills in risk management and ethical leadership to improve patient outcomes and enhance team performance.
Overview
55
55
years of professional experience
Work History
District Clinical Leader
Community Adult Mental Health Recovery Rehabilitation
01.2019 - 01.2025
- Coordinated multidisciplinary team meetings to ensure cohesive patient care.
- Mentored staff in therapeutic techniques and treatment methodologies.
- Developed individualized care plans based on patient assessments and needs.
- Led clinical team in providing comprehensive mental health rehabilitation services.
Clinical Nurse Consultant (grade2)
Mental Health Emergency Department Liaison
01.2012 - 01.2019
- Cooperated with emergency department personnel to deliver mental health evaluations.
- Developed care plans for patients experiencing mental health crises.
- Educated staff on best practices for managing psychiatric emergencies.
- Facilitated communication between patients and healthcare providers effectively.
State wide Clinical Nurse Consultant
Workforce Development Unit Statewide & Mental Health Services Tasmania
01.2009 - 01.2012
- Provided expert consultation on mental health policies and procedures.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to enhance patient care strategies.
- Developed and implemented evidence-based practice guidelines for nursing staff.
- Led clinical assessments and evaluations for mental health services statewide.
Manager
Workforce Development Unit Statewide & Mental Health Services Tasmania
01.2007 - 01.2009
- Developed strategic plans to address workforce challenges in mental health services.
- Coordinated training programs to improve staff skills and service effectiveness.
- Managed team performance and provided guidance to enhance service delivery.
- Led workforce development initiatives for mental health services across Tasmania.
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Greater Southern Area Mental Health Service
Temora, Australia
01.2004 - 01.2007
- Developed and implemented personalized care plans for diverse patient populations.
- Assessed patient mental health needs through clinical evaluations and interviews.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to coordinate patient treatment strategies.
- Educated patients and families on coping mechanisms and mental health resources.
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Greater Murray Mental Health Service
Deniliquin, Australia
01.2004 - 01.2005
- Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
- Contributed innovative ideas and solutions to enhance team performance and outcomes.
- Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Promoted high customer satisfaction by resolving problems with knowledgeable and friendly service.
R.N/ Clinical Nurse Specialist
Southern Area Mental Health Services
Goulburn, Australia
01.1998 - 01.2004
- Provided expert guidance on psychiatric nursing practices for interdisciplinary teams.
- Developed and implemented care plans tailored to individual patient needs.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments to evaluate mental health conditions effectively.
- Educated patients and families on treatment options and coping strategies.
- Led training sessions for nursing staff on best practice protocols.
- Reviewed and updated clinical policies to ensure compliance with standards.
- Participated in case management meetings to discuss patient progress and challenges.
- Analyzed data from patient records and surveys to identify areas for improvement in nursing processes or protocols.
Team Leader and Clinical Nurse Consultant
South Western Sydney Area Health Service
Wingecarribee, Australia
01.1993 - 01.1998
- Led team meetings to coordinate patient care and service delivery.
- Developed and implemented operational policies for improved healthcare processes.
- Mentored junior staff to enhance skills and promote teamwork.
- Managed workflow to ensure efficient clinic operations and resource allocation.
Registered Psychiatric Nurse Clinical Nurse Specialist/Psychiatric Rehab Unit Manager/Consumer Consultant and Mental Health Educator
Bloomfield Hospital
Orange, Australia
01.1983 - 01.1993
- Implemented safety protocols such as suicide prevention measures when necessary.
- Initiated crisis intervention techniques to de-escalate potentially dangerous situations.
- Provided emotional support to patients who were struggling with personal issues or traumatic events.
- Responded promptly and professionally to emergency situations involving psychiatric patients.
- Provided direct care to psychiatric patients in an acute inpatient setting.
- Observed behavior of patients to assess their mental state and identify potential risks or safety concerns.
- Maintained accurate records of patient progress, treatments, medications, and any changes in condition.
- Assisted with admission paperwork including gathering medical histories from new patients.
- Monitored vital signs regularly to detect changes in patient condition that require immediate attention.
- Educated patients on self-care strategies such as stress management techniques and lifestyle modifications.
- Monitored patients prescribed psychotropic medications to assess medications' effectiveness and side effects.
- Handled vital sign monitoring, medication administration and patient behavior assessments.
- Organized recreational activities to provide therapeutic outlets for patients' emotional expression.
- Tracked client movement on and off unit by documenting times and destinations of clients.
- Administered medication, monitored effectiveness, and adjusted dosages as needed.
- Recorded comprehensive patient histories and coordinated treatment plans with multi-disciplinary team members.
- Developed appropriate policies for identification of medically-related social and emotional needs of clients.
- Engaged in regular continuing education courses related to mental health best practices.
- Met patient needs by devising and coordinating highly tailored care plans for each individual.
- Assessed patient needs and developed individualized treatment plans accordingly.
- Performed administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments or ordering supplies.
- Collaborated with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
- Conducted group therapy sessions for patients with various mental health issues.
- Collaborated with prescribing professionals to get patients necessary medications.
- Developed discharge plans that included referrals for community services such as housing or job training programs.
- Discussed non-medical techniques such as yoga and meditation to help patients alleviate depression and anxiety.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive patient care.
- Conducted specified laboratory tests to help detect conditions and determine diagnosis.
- Achieved departmental goals and objectives by instituting new processes and standards for in-patient care.
- Interpreted and evaluated diagnostic tests to identify and assess patient's condition.
- Referred patients to specialized health resources or community agencies to furnish additional assistance.
- Advocated for patient needs with interdisciplinary team and implemented outlined treatment plans.
Registered Psychiatric Nurse, Program Director, Night supervisor
Gladesville Hospital
Sydney, Australia
01.1980 - 01.1983
- Initiated crisis intervention techniques to de-escalate potentially dangerous situations.
- Responded promptly and professionally to emergency situations involving psychiatric patients.
- Provided emotional support to patients who were struggling with personal issues or traumatic events.
- Provided direct care to psychiatric patients in an acute inpatient setting.
- Observed behavior of patients to assess their mental state and identify potential risks or safety concerns.
- Assisted with admission paperwork including gathering medical histories from new patients.
- Educated patients on self-care strategies such as stress management techniques and lifestyle modifications.
- Monitored patients prescribed psychotropic medications to assess medications' effectiveness and side effects.
- Organized recreational activities to provide therapeutic outlets for patients' emotional expression.
- Recorded comprehensive patient histories and coordinated treatment plans with multi-disciplinary team members.
- Developed appropriate policies for identification of medically-related social and emotional needs of clients.
- Engaged in regular continuing education courses related to mental health best practices.
- Assessed patient needs and developed individualized treatment plans accordingly.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive patient care.
Registered Psychiatric Nurse
Bloomfield Hospital
Orange, Australia
01.1973 - 01.1980
- Responded promptly and professionally to emergency situations involving psychiatric patients.
- Provided emotional support to patients who were struggling with personal issues or traumatic events.
- Maintained accurate records of patient progress, treatments, medications, and any changes in condition.
- Observed behavior of patients to assess their mental state and identify potential risks or safety concerns.
- Provided direct care to psychiatric patients in an acute inpatient setting.
- Educated patients on self-care strategies such as stress management techniques and lifestyle modifications.
- Organized recreational activities to provide therapeutic outlets for patients' emotional expression.
- Recorded comprehensive patient histories and coordinated treatment plans with multi-disciplinary team members.
- Engaged in regular continuing education courses related to mental health best practices.
Student Nurse
Bloomfield Psychiatric Nurse Training School
Orange, Australia
01.1970 - 01.1973
- Provided patient care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse.
- Assisted in administering medications and treatments to patients.
- Maintained safe and comfortable environment for each patient.
- Demonstrated knowledge of pharmacology principles when preparing medications for administration.
- Interacted with patients in a professional manner while providing compassionate care.
- Observed changes in patient conditions and reported them to supervising nurse or physician.
- Completed clinical work in different units to achieve degree standards and build nursing knowledge.
- Developed individualized nursing plans based on assessment findings for assigned patients.
- Participated in interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss treatment plans for complex cases.
- Engaged in reflective practice and sought feedback to improve nursing competencies.
Education
Masters of Rural Community Mental Health Nursing -
Wollongong University
Orange, Australia01.1983
Bachelor of Science - Mental Health Nursing
NSW Health Psychiatric Training School
Orange, NSW02-1973
Skills
- Fellow of The Australian College of Mental Health Nurses
- Credentialed Mental health Nurse
- Peer Reviewer for the Credential for practice Program
- Registered Psychiatric Nurse
- Certificate IV Assessment & Training in the Workplace
- Post Graduate Certificate Program Officer (Mental Health)
- Trainer Certificate: Recovery Process
- Trainer Certificate Managing Aggression and Personal Safety
- First Episode Psychosis training
- Family management training in the treatment of schizophrenia
- Guest Lecturer Bachelor of Nursing
- Clinical supervision trainer
- Advanced triage training
- Disaster mental health response training
- Project Management Training
- International Practice Development Collaboration co-facilitator
- COPMI online resource accredited educator
- Management and Leadership Foundation Course
- Mental health/Psychiatric nursing course advisory committee
- Co-author e-learning package 'Co-existing mental health and substance use disorders'
- People management skills program
- NSW Rural and Remote Clinical Team Leadership Program
- Facilitation Development Program core skills
- Collaborative assessment and management of suicide trained certificate
- Collaborative assessment and management of suicide
Internal trainer certificate
- Innovation management
- Ethical leadership
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Rehabilitation care
- Care coordination
- Team collaboration
- Risk management
- Counseling and therapy
- In-service training
- Teamwork and collaboration
Accomplishments
Co authored · Co Author E- Learning package ‘Co-Existing mental health and substance use disorders’ on DHHS Tas Website
· Trainer Certificate: Recovery Process (endorsed by Ron Coleman Recovery Inc.)World Leader and author in Mental Health Recovery & Hearing Voices
Timeline
District Clinical Leader
Community Adult Mental Health Recovery Rehabilitation
01.2019 - 01.2025
Clinical Nurse Consultant (grade2)
Mental Health Emergency Department Liaison
01.2012 - 01.2019
State wide Clinical Nurse Consultant
Workforce Development Unit Statewide & Mental Health Services Tasmania
01.2009 - 01.2012
Manager
Workforce Development Unit Statewide & Mental Health Services Tasmania
01.2007 - 01.2009
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Greater Southern Area Mental Health Service
01.2004 - 01.2007
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Greater Murray Mental Health Service
01.2004 - 01.2005
R.N/ Clinical Nurse Specialist
Southern Area Mental Health Services
01.1998 - 01.2004
Team Leader and Clinical Nurse Consultant
South Western Sydney Area Health Service
01.1993 - 01.1998
Registered Psychiatric Nurse Clinical Nurse Specialist/Psychiatric Rehab Unit Manager/Consumer Consultant and Mental Health Educator
Bloomfield Hospital
01.1983 - 01.1993
Registered Psychiatric Nurse, Program Director, Night supervisor
Gladesville Hospital
01.1980 - 01.1983
Registered Psychiatric Nurse
Bloomfield Hospital
01.1973 - 01.1980
Masters of Rural Community Mental Health Nursing -
Wollongong University
Bachelor of Science - Mental Health Nursing
NSW Health Psychiatric Training School
Student Nurse
Bloomfield Psychiatric Nurse Training School
01.1970 - 01.1973
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