Michelle Loustau
Clinical Nurse Consultant Grade 2
Cronulla,NSW
Summary
Compassionate and highly skilled nurse with over 16 years of experience in healthcare, specializing in the assessment, treatment, and management of patients with substance use disorders and mental health conditions. A collaborative team player with a proven track record of enhancing service delivery through evidence-based interventions, coordinating multi-disciplinary care, and implementing harm reduction strategies across various clinical settings. Recognized for strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities, with expertise in mentoring staff and developing educational programs to advance knowledge, improve patient care, and streamline clinical processes. Dedicated to improving patient outcomes with a trauma-informed, patient-centered approach that promotes recovery and supports ongoing drug and alcohol and mental health treatment.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Mental Health Registered Nurse
Justice Health & Forensic Mental Health Network
Malabar, NSW
02.2022 - Current
- Conduct comprehensive mental health assessments, provide clinical care and therapeutic interventions for patients with mental health disorders in a forensic setting
- Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to develop and implement treatment plans, ensuring the safety and security of patients and staff
- Monitor and manage medication regimens, ensuring adherence and addressing side effects, complications or compliance issues
- Participate in risk assessments and assist in the development of risk management strategies for individuals with aggressive or high-risk behaviors
- Respond to emergency situations with speed, expertise and level-headed approaches to provide optimal care, support and life-saving interventions.
Clinical Nurse Consultant Grade 2
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District
, NSW
01.2016 - Current
- Commenced as a CNC 1 in 2016 and was the successful applicant for the position of CNC 2 in 2022
- Responsible for providing expert nursing consultancy services to clients, carers and other health professionals in the acute hospital setting
- Conduct thorough assessments of individuals with drug and alcohol use concerns to understand the scope of their substance use in order to formulate appropriate diagnoses, develop, implement, and review individualized care plans for clients with substance use concerns
- Administer and monitor pharmacological treatments, such as detoxification or opiate substitution therapy for substance use disorders
- Implement harm reduction strategies and evidence-based practices in care delivery
- Demonstrate clinical expertise in client-centered consultancy with the ability to work autonomously and collaborate with multi-disciplinary team to ensure comprehensive care provision
- Provide education, training and mentoring to healthcare staff on the identification, assessment, and treatment of drug and alcohol disorders
- Participate in research to advance the understanding of drug and alcohol use and contribute to the development of evidence-based practices
- Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures related to substance use care within the healthcare system
- Successfully acted as the Senior Nurse Manager to cover periods of leave or absence
Clinical Nurse Consultant
St George Hospital Inpatient Mental Health Services
Kogarah, NSW
01.2013 - Current
- Responsible for providing a mental health consultancy service to clients, carers and other healthcare professionals in the ED setting
- Assess, treat and manage clients with a range of chronic, acute and non-acute mental health disorders
- Demonstrate autonomous decision making when determining a clients need for treatment, admission or discharge
- Formulated discharge safety plans to effectively manage a client’s level of risk
- Demonstrated clinical expertise in client-centered consultancy with the ability to work independently and as part of the multidisciplinary team
Registered Nurse – Secondment
NSW Public Health Unit
Randwick, NSW
07.2021 - 12.2021
- Responsible for contact tracing consumers diagnosed with COVID-19
- Case management of clients diagnosed with COVID-19 and their associated contacts
- Efficient triage of phone calls directed to the Public Health Unit seeking information that relates to COVID-19 or other public health related enquiries
- Knowledgeable in community risk assessment and guidelines to manage the spread of disease
- Expert knowledge of COVID-19 response protocols
Registered Nurse – Casual Role
NSW Community Health Centre
Hurstville
03.2020 - 12.2021
- Responsible for the assessment, testing and education of clients with COVID-19 symptoms
- Competent in the collection and storage of respiratory viral swabs
- Competent in pathology data collection and entry into Electronic Medical Records
- Efficient in infection prevention and control practices, adhering to all relevant policies
- Excellent knowledge of COVID-19 outbreak response services and protocols
Clinical Nurse Specialist
St George Hospital Drug & Alcohol Services
Kogarah, NSW
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Responsible for the assessment, treatment and case management of clients with drug & alcohol concerns in accordance with best practice case management models
- Efficiently coordinated and facilitated the Outpatient Withdrawal Management Clinic
- Provided risk assessment and crisis intervention to clients at acute risk of harm
- Engaged in collaboration and communication with community stakeholder involved in the clients' treatment
- Worked in the Intake officer role completing phone and face to face assessments in order to refer clients to the most appropriate treatment options available
Registered Nurse
St George Inpatient Mental Health Services
Kogarah, NSW
01.2010 - 12.2013
- Assessed, treated and managed clients with a range of acute and chronic mental illnesses
- Participated in psychiatric case management reviews of clients and ensured all referrals to appropriate support services were made
- Acted in Nursing Unit Manager role to cover periods of staff leave or absence for 3-6 month periods
- Completed trainer course on prevention and management of aggression and implemented these skills in the inpatient setting
- Coordinated seminars and provided skills training to all staff on the prevention and management of aggression
Registered Nurse Case Manager
St George Community Mental Health Services
Hurstville, NSW
01.2009 - 12.2010
- Case managed over 30 clients in the community setting and provided appropriate care as part of a multidisciplinary team approach
- Participated in case review meetings to plan the assessment, treatment and management of clients with a range of chronic mental illnesses
- Engaged with General Practitioners, allied health professionals and non-government organisations to provide optimum care for clients
- Created treatment plans and reports for the Mental Health Tribunal to apply for least restrictive care for clients on Community Treatment Orders
Assistant Manager
Ultimate Hair Design
Carlton, NSW
01.2006 - 12.2009
- Washing, colouring, blow-drying and styling hair
- General administrative duties including: filing, co-ordinating appointments and book keeping
- Recording levels of stock and initiating reorders
- Appropriately addressed and solved customer complaints
Tutor
Sydney Home Tutoring
Sydney, NSW
01.2004 - 12.2006
- Facilitated learning and provided assistance with the education of 14 students from various schools in primary and secondary (HSC level) subjects including English, Mathematics and Science
Education
Graduate Certificate - Addiction Studies
The University of Tasmania
12-2025
Clinical Reflective Supervision Workshop -
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District
01-2023
Immunisation for Health Practitioners Course -
Australian College of Nursing
01-2021
NSW Involuntary Drug and Alcohol Treatment Program: Referral, Assessment and Aftercare Training -
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District
01-2019
Child Protection and Domestic Violence Training Course -
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District
01-2019
Masters of Health Science - Primary Healthcare
The University of Newcastle
01-2017
Ending HIV Training Course -
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District
01-2015
Developing Curriculum “Safety for All” Program -
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District
01-2013
DETECT Workshop -
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District
01-2012
Interpersonal Prevention and Management of Aggression Train-the-Trainer Program -
South Eastern Sydney Area Health Service
01-2011
Drug and Alcohol Assessment Workshop -
South Eastern Sydney Area Health Service
01-2010
Mental Health Outcomes Training Course -
South Eastern Sydney Area Health Service
01-2009
Skills
- Outgoing and gregarious with effective people-oriented qualities
- Tactical, analytical thinker with strong prioritization skills
- Excellent written communication and strong interpersonal skills
- Experienced leader with the ability to manage a multi-disciplinary team
- Effective in planning, developing and implementing education programs
- Assertive and creative in problem solving strategies
- Self-directed and able to demonstrate initiative & resilience under pressure
- Very organised and thorough with particular attention to detail
- Passionate about healthcare delivery and improving health outcomes for consumers
- Proficient in eMR, iPM, MS Windows operating systems, MS Office and Apple Mac experience
Current Relevant Industry Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Masters of Health Science specialising in Primary Health Care
- HESA Accredited Immunisation for Health Practitioners
- Current Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) Authority to Practice
- Unrestricted Class C NSW Drivers Licence
References
- Lynsey McKendrick, D&A District HCL Manager, 0428 315 870
- Dr Peter Gottlieb, D&A Senior Staff Specialist, 0412 969 439
- Matthew Burdess, D&A Community Service Manager, 0420 485 623
- Churchill Sibanda, MH After Hours Inpatient Manager, 0449 055 282
- Chris Hay, Mental Health Service Director, 9113 2447
Timeline
Mental Health Registered Nurse
Justice Health & Forensic Mental Health Network
02.2022 - Current
Registered Nurse – Secondment
NSW Public Health Unit
07.2021 - 12.2021
Registered Nurse – Casual Role
NSW Community Health Centre
03.2020 - 12.2021
Clinical Nurse Consultant Grade 2
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District
01.2016 - Current
Clinical Nurse Specialist
St George Hospital Drug & Alcohol Services
01.2014 - 01.2016
Clinical Nurse Consultant
St George Hospital Inpatient Mental Health Services
01.2013 - Current
Registered Nurse
St George Inpatient Mental Health Services
01.2010 - 12.2013
Registered Nurse Case Manager
St George Community Mental Health Services
01.2009 - 12.2010
Assistant Manager
Ultimate Hair Design
01.2006 - 12.2009
Tutor
Sydney Home Tutoring
01.2004 - 12.2006
Graduate Certificate - Addiction Studies
The University of Tasmania
Clinical Reflective Supervision Workshop -
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District
Immunisation for Health Practitioners Course -
Australian College of Nursing
NSW Involuntary Drug and Alcohol Treatment Program: Referral, Assessment and Aftercare Training -
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District
Child Protection and Domestic Violence Training Course -
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District
Masters of Health Science - Primary Healthcare
The University of Newcastle
Ending HIV Training Course -
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District
Developing Curriculum “Safety for All” Program -
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District
DETECT Workshop -
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District
Interpersonal Prevention and Management of Aggression Train-the-Trainer Program -
South Eastern Sydney Area Health Service
Drug and Alcohol Assessment Workshop -
South Eastern Sydney Area Health Service
Mental Health Outcomes Training Course -
South Eastern Sydney Area Health Service
Similar Profiles
Cephas ChidukuCephas Chiduku
Director of Nursing at Justice Health & Forensic Mental Health NetworkDirector of Nursing at Justice Health & Forensic Mental Health Network
Adriane ProtheroAdriane Prothero
Connections Transition Coordinator at Justice Health & Forensic Mental Health NetworkConnections Transition Coordinator at Justice Health & Forensic Mental Health Network
Clodagh CarberyClodagh Carbery
Registered Nurse at Justice Health Forensic Mental Health NetworkRegistered Nurse at Justice Health Forensic Mental Health Network