The CNO also represents Queensland Health on a number of key national committees including the Australian Health Workforce Advisory Committee (AHWAC), and is currently Chair of the Australian and New Zealand Chief Nurses Group.

The Office of the Chief Nursing Officer consists of:

Manager – Performance & Reporting

The Manager works with the Chief Nursing Officer to provide strategic direction for nurses at a corporate and state level.  The officer in this position also assists the Chief Nursing Officer to provide expert advice on a diverse range of issues as they relate to nursing and health services, such as workforce planning, workforce development, education and practice, to Corporate Office Executives, Area and District Managers, Directors of Nursing and the Minister.  Also monitors state level reporting on workforce and other issues.

Nursing Director – Education & Training

The Nursing Director – Education & Training leads the development of clinical education and training of Registered Nurses, Enrolled Nurses and Midwives. The focus of the role is to ensure strategies and policies are in place to govern the direction of undergraduate, postgraduate and vocational training programs, refresher/re-entry programs, preceptorships, competency programs and scholarships.

Nursing Director – Profession & Practice

This position will lead the continuous improvement of the quality of the nursing/midwifery profession, promoting nursing research, evidence-based practice and the development of innovative strategies across Queensland. The focus of the role is to ensure strategies and policies are in place to improve professional practice through research, quality benchmarks, innovative models of care, advanced practice roles, and leadership development and mentoring programs.

Nursing Director – Workforce & Careers

The Nursing Director, Workforce & Careers develops workforce strategies management and will manage the risks associated with the supply and demand of the nursing workforce.  The key outcome is to ensure Queensland has a highly skilled and sustainable nursing workforce which meets current and future needs. A critical focus of the role is to ensure strategies and policies are in place to ensure appropriate resourcing, including skill mix and development, recruitment activity, and identifying opportunities for the improvement of nursing workplaces.

Nursing Advisor – Indigenous

The Indigenous Nursing Advisor assists the Chief Nursing Officer to provide strategic direction for Indigenous nurses and will provide expert advice and lead and coordinate strategies for increasing the Indigenous nursing and midwifery workforce throughout Queensland.  This will involve reviewing current cadetships, developing a support structure for the Indigenous nursing and midwifery workforce and having close working relationships with the Universities and Colleges across Queensland.

Nursing Advisor – Mental Health

The Mental Health Nursing Advisor is responsible for managing and promoting mental health nursing policies and strategies in relation to the mental health priority areas.  This position will work closely with the following departments:

• Australian and New Zealand College of Mental Health Nurses
• Queensland Nursing Council
• Queensland Nurses Union
• Area Health Services & Districts
• Mental Health Branch
• Other government Departments

Midwifery Advisor

This position leads and coordinates the whole of Queensland Health and cross government liaison on maternity developments.  It has a pivotal role in coordinating the planning and implementation of maternity services in Queensland Health in line with the Government’s response to Re-birthing: Report of the Review of Maternity Services in Queensland. It will also interact closely with initiatives developed under the Government’s Best Start Strategy for early childhood.  The position will establish the linkages between Queensland Health and the Maternity Services Steering Committee which reports directly to the Minister for Health, clinical networks, consumers and other stakeholders.

Senior Administration & Communications Officer

The Senior Administration & Communications Officer provides secretariat support for the Office and assists the Chief Nursing Officer in dissemination of information and communication to nurses and midwives across Queensland. The Senior Administration & Communications Officer is also responsible for cost centre management of the Office including the coordination of transfer of funds to Districts for specific purposes such as graduate nurse funding. The Senior Administration & Communication Officer provides support to the Team and specifically looks after the following: the OCNO Intranet and Internet website, Re-Entry Scholarships and Graduate Nurse Online Recruitment

Administration Officer

The Administration Officer provides high levels of secretarial, keyboard and administrative support to the Chief Nursing Officer and the Office.  This officer is responsible for scheduling appointments and managing the CNO’s diary and assisting the Nursing Directors and Advisors in organising meeting requirements.