Title: Clinical Nurse / Midwife Consultants - List of Domains and Functions
Author: Ministry of Health, NSW
About
This information bulletin, issued by the Ministry of Health in New South Wales (NSW), provides detailed information about the roles and responsibilities of Clinical Nurse and Midwife Consultants (CNCs) across three grades. It serves as a guide to the specific domains and functions expected at each grade level.
The document outlines five key domains: Clinical Service and Consultancy, Clinical Leadership, Research, Education, and Clinical Services Planning and Management. These domains are further broken down into specific functions, varying in complexity and responsibility across the three CNC grades.
Author
The Ministry of Health, NSW, is responsible for this informative bulletin. The Ministry oversees health policy, planning, and regulation in New South Wales, including the management and development of the health workforce. This document reflects their commitment to providing clear guidelines and standards for nursing and midwifery professionals within the state.
Key Takeaways
- The document categorises CNC roles into three grades, each with increasing complexity and responsibility.
- It covers five domains: Clinical Service and Consultancy, Clinical Leadership, Research, Education, and Clinical Services Planning and Management.
- Grade 1 CNCs focus on direct patient care and education on complex clinical issues.
- Grade 2 CNCs undertake more complex consultancy practices and are responsible for clinical supervision and leadership in research projects.
- Grade 3 CNCs engage in extensive strategic planning, act as principal researchers in significant or large-scale research studies, and contribute to advanced clinical education and system-level service delivery.
The NSW Health bulletin notes that these domains and functions are not intended to describe the full range of duties undertaken by Clinical Nurse or Midwife Consultants. Higher-grade CNC/CMC roles are also expected to demonstrate the capabilities and functions of lower-grade positions.
Clinical Nurse / Midwife Consultants
In New South Wales, Clinical Nurse Consultants (CNCs) and Clinical Midwife Consultants (CMCs) are senior registered nurses and registered midwives respectively, providing expert clinical consultancy within their specialty areas.
- Grade 1: Emphasis is on providing direct nursing care, educating clients and carers on complex clinical issues, and participating in quality improvement initiatives.
- Grade 2: Expands to encompass broader clinical consultancy responsibilities, including primary responsibility for establishing and maintaining formalised clinical supervision processes for Registered Nurses (RNs), Enrolled Nurses (ENs), and relevant support staff, as well as consultancy across more complex or mixed service environments.
- Grade 3: Involves extensive strategic planning and project management across various service areas, including managing complex projects for significant practice changes and contributing to expansive education programs.
This structure ensures a comprehensive approach to nursing and midwifery care, integrating clinical expertise with education, research, and leadership at all levels.