About the position
The Research and Education Lead (R&E Lead) - Cancer Nursing will drive the strategic direction of Cancer Nursing initiatives within all five goals of the VCCC Alliance 2024-2029 Strategy (Collaborative Leadership, Data and Intelligence, Patient-powered, Health Equity, Leadership and Learning). The Cancer Nursing R&E Lead will be an integral member of the Collaborative Leadership, a multidisciplinary and cross functional program incorporating 10 tumour stream and four cross cutting theme Research and Education (R&E) Leads, whose purpose is to facilitate the more rapid translation of research derived evidence into clinical care. They will be accountable for identifying and driving the ongoing development and implementation of a stream of work that contributes to achieving a range of targeted and strategic outcomes.
The Research and Education Lead - Cancer Nursing will provide leadership and support to build capability and capacity of cancer nurses in alignment with the VCCC Alliance 2024-2029 Strategy, the Victorian Cancer Plan and the Australian Cancer Plan. The role will also assist in the coordination and facilitation of activities that contribute to, build upon and collaborate with others, particularly consumers, to enable change across the cancer pathway.
This role requires a pro-active and highly motivated individual with significant experience in developing and implementing complex cancer-related initiatives, and who can establish strong collaborative relationships with staff across the VCCC Alliance, within member organisations, and with external stakeholders.
Key responsibilities
- The Research and Education Lead - Cancer Nursing will provide strategic leadership across the VCCC Alliance in the development and implementation of key initiatives to facilitate change across the continuum of the cancer pathway. This will include:
- Build internal and external networks and partnerships to develop and support initiatives to accelerate the pace of accepting new research evidence into widespread routine practice
- provide strategic leadership for the research and education/training across relevant tumour streams and other strategic program areas
- facilitate the VCCC Alliance members working together more effectively to address inequities in cancer outcomes.
- Provide expert advice on Cancer Nursing needs, to inform programming and contribute to the VCCC Alliance’s strategic planning processes.
- Continue to assess the Cancer Nursing landscape across the VCCC Alliance to gain an understanding of where the VCCC Alliance can add value with consideration for the following areas:
- linkage and sharing of health, clinical and patient experience data as an enabler for research;
- personalised cancer care;
- systems and processes that increase access to clinical trials;
- innovations to improve cancer outcomes in regional Victoria;
- research and research-enabling infrastructure;
- education, training (including research training) and professional development;
- evidence for best practice across the continuum of care.
- Act as an ambassador for the VCCC Alliance by:
- increasing awareness of the role of the VCCC Alliance;
- identifying key opportunities for VCCC Alliance engagement;
- speaking publicly about VCCC Alliance programs in the media, scientific and clinical communities;
- contributing content to the VCCC Alliance newsletter and annual report as appropriate;
- other communication activities as and when appropriate.
- From time to time, the VCCC Alliance may also call on the Lead’s expertise to have input into other related activities. Such input will be discussed and agreed in association with the VCCC Alliance CEO.
- With support from the VCCC Alliance program staff, participate in the development of the evaluation of the collaborative model of leadership to inform future planning, with the aim of continuing to drive impactful synergistic initiatives toward improved patient outcomes.
Key selection criteria
Skills and Experience
- Significant experience in oncology nursing with a demonstrated track record in research and education leadership
- Informed understanding of and commitment to the vision of VCCC Alliance
- Significant research profile in Cancer Nursing initiatives
- Proven experience in contributing to a collaborative enterprise and enabling collective impact
- Experience in developing and/or delivering post-graduate education/training for health and/or research professionals
- Demonstrated success in building research capability in a complex environment
- Demonstrated involvement in, and support for, evidence-based processes that improve patient outcomes
- Significant experience effectively managing the requirements of a wide range of stakeholders, including organisations working with or representing the interests of cancer patients.
Qualifications
- Current nursing qualification and registration
- A University affiliation
- PhD or equivalent research experience
Term and Time Commitment
Availability to commit to responsibilities of the role until 30 June 2025 (option to extend pending funding).
Funding Arrangement
The funding agreement offered for this appointment will provide funds to be held by the R&E Lead’s substantive (current) employer for the purposes of backfilling for their position, including any support, for the period.
Further information
Download Position description
For further information about VCCC Alliance, please go to our website.
For confidential enquiries regarding applying for this role, please contact
Head of Research, Dr Mark Buzza +61 407 553 501 and/or [email protected].
To express your interest
In the interests of finding a candidate with the most relevant expertise and experience, this position will be advertised both within and outside the VCCC Alliance member network. A secondment opportunity will be considered for candidates from VCCC Alliance members.
To express your interest in this role, please send your CV and covering letter outlining the key reasons for your interest in the role, specifically addressing the key selection criteria in this EOI document to Dr Mark Buzza ([email protected]), no later than Monday 5 August 2024.
