Clinical Nurse Consultant

This specialised nurse works as a coordinator of the inpatient Brain Injury Service team. The Clinical Nurse Consultant brings together the team's skills so that the child's/young person's daily timetable suits their level of recovery and that goals for going home are being reviewed. The Clinical Nurse Consultant, along with other team members, is able to provide specific education and support to families about the special needs of their child during rehabilitation. The Clinical Nurse Consultant usually arranges meetings that are held to plan each child's rehabilitation program. The Clinical Nurse Consultant also acts as a resource person to assist ward nursing staff in planning specific nursing care for the child/young person in areas such as bladder and bowel care. As discharge is being planned, the Clinical Nurse Consultant will help the family organise different services and appointments that will be needed once the child/young person leaves hospital.

This may include liaison with the child's/young person's school to assist with return to school or making a referral to a rural Brain Injury Team for follow-up.