How the nurse-melanographer model is reshaping skin cancer care

How the nurse-melanographer model is reshaping skin cancer care

As demand for skin cancer services continues to grow, many clinics are exploring collaborative models that support efficient, patient-centred care. One approach gaining traction is the nurse-melanographer model, where trained nurses work alongside GPs to support skin cancer assessment and management. In this episode of Focused Practice Conversations, practice operations expert Matt Woollard is joined by experienced melanographer Lynette Hooper to discuss what this model looks like in a real clinical setting. Lynette shares her journey into melanography, what a typical day in the role involves, and how nurse–melanographers collaborate with GPs to support comprehensive skin checks. In this episode, Matt and Lynette discuss: * What the nurse-melanographer role involves in day-to-day clinical practice * How melanographers structure skin checks, document findings and communicate with GPs * How effective nurse-GP collaboration can improve clinic workflow and patient care * The challenges involved in developing confidence with dermoscopy and skin cancer assessment * Advice for nurses considering melanography and GPs looking to introduce this model into their practice The conversation highlights the importance of structured training, clear clinical pathways and ongoing skill development when implementing a nurse-melanographer model. Whether you are a nurse interested in expanding your role in skin cancer medicine, or a GP considering how a melanographer could fit into your practice, this episode provides insights into the opportunities and considerations involved. Prefer a visual format? Watch this episode on the HealthCert Education YouTube channel [https://youtu.be/X--e0ulmaQw].   Next steps in your learning journey 🎓 Short Courses in Skin Cancer Explore single-topic CPD courses for focused learning in skin cancer medicine. Complete in less than 10 hours from $195. https://shop-au.healthcert.com/products/dermatoscopy-in-skin-of-colour?_pos=1&_psq=skin+of+colour&_ss=e&_v=1.0➡️ Browse Short Courses for GPs > [https://shop-au.healthcert.com/collections/skin-cancer-medicine] ➡️ Browse Short Courses for nurses > [https://www.healthcert.com/nurses#Skin_cancer_courses] 🎓 Certificate Courses in Skin Cancer & Melanography Dive deeper with HealthCert's university-assured, structured pathway from foundation to subspecialisation to elevate your skin cancer knowledge. ➡️ Explore GP skin cancer program > [https://www.healthcert.com/certificate-diploma-program-in-skin-cancer-medicine] ➡️ Explore nurse melanography program > [https://www.healthcert.com/professional-certificate-of-melanography] 🎓 HealthCert 365 subscription Prefer flexible learning across many topics? Access 4,000+ CPD hours on-demand with HealthCert 365 — anytime, any topic, one flat annual fee. ➡️ Discover HealthCert 365 > [https://www.healthcert.com/365] Focused Practice Conversations series HealthCert Education's Focused Practice Conversations podcast series explores how GPs build focused areas of practice, why they chose that path, what changed in their clinic, and whether going deeper into one niche was ultimately worth it. Hosted by Matt Woollard.

What to know before starting a cosmetic clinic

Starting your own cosmetic clinic can be an exciting step, but clinical expertise is only one part of the equation. Building a safe, compliant and sustainable practice also means navigating regulations, understanding your professional responsibilities, establishing robust systems, and making informed business decisions from day one. In this first instalment of a two-part episode on The Aesthetic Shift podcast, HealthCert educator, nurse practitioner and clinic owner Kelly Beasy shares real-world insights drawn from her own experience of building an aesthetic practice from the ground up. Rather than focusing on treatments, this episode explores the foundations that support a successful clinic, including scope of practice, legislation, documentation, insurance, patient records, consent, and the operational considerations that are easy to overlook. Whether you're planning to start out providing aesthetic services, launch your first clinic, or simply exploring what's involved, this episode offers valuable perspective on the work that happens behind the scenes before the doors even open. Prefer a visual format? Watch this podcast here [https://youtu.be/Worr-YWKd6A]. Next steps in your learning journey 🎓 Short Courses in Aesthetic Medicine Explore single-topic CPD courses in focused areas of cosmetic medicine for GPs and nurses. Complete in less than 10 hours, from $195. ➡️ Browse Short Courses > [https://shop-au.healthcert.com/collections/aesthetic-medicine] 🎓 Certificate Courses in Aesthetic Medicine Dive deeper with our university-assured, structured Professional Diploma pathway to elevate your skills in primary care aesthetic medicine. ➡️  Explore Certificate program > [https://www.healthcert.com/certificate-and-diploma-program-in-aesthetic-medicine]  🎓 HealthCert 365 subscription Prefer flexible learning across many topics? Access 4,000+ CPD hours on-demand with HealthCert 365 — anytime, any topic, one flat annual fee. ➡️ Discover HealthCert 365 > [https://www.healthcert.com/365]

Who should be doing skin checks? Rethinking roles in skin health

Skin cancer prevention and early detection continue to place increasing pressure on primary care and allied health teams. At the same time, the workforce involved in “skin health” is expanding and evolving, raising important questions about roles, scope, and collaboration in everyday practice. In this episode of Focused Practice Conversations, practice operations expert Matt Woollard speaks with dermatology nurse Jennifer Hookham about how skin health roles are changing in real-world settings. With experience spanning primary care and corporate environments, Jennifer offers a grounded perspective on where the system is heading and what it means for clinicians on the ground. Rather than focusing on fixed job titles, the conversation explores how skills, training, and demand are reshaping who does what in skin checks, prevention, and early detection. The episode unpacks: * How Jennifer’s career path into skin health has evolved over time * What a modern, prevention-focused skin health role looks like in practice * How nurses, dermal clinicians, and GPs are working in overlapping spaces * Where collaboration works well, and where it can break down * What patients are now expecting from skin health services * How training and standards are keeping pace with workforce changes * Where the skin health space may be heading over the next 5–10 years   As demand grows, understanding how roles fit together is becoming increasingly important for clinics looking to deliver safe, efficient, and patient-centred skin care. The discussion touches on practical realities, emerging models of care, and what effective teamwork can look like. Prefer a visual format? Watch here [https://youtu.be/HQhVRIeNnKk].   About Jennifer Hookham MACN Founder of The Dermal Health Alliance Pty Ltd & Skin Rehab™  Grad Cert Medicine (Skin Cancer), Grad Cert Ed (Tertiary), BHSc (Dermal Therapies), Dip Nursing (Div 2), Dip Dermoscopy, Adv Cert Dermoscopy, Prof Cert Dermsocopy, Adv Cert Dermoscopy (ACCO), Dip BTh (ITEC), Cert IV TAE, Cert III (Pathology Collection) With 34 years of experience as a skin health professional, Jennifer is a Dermatology Nurse incorporating the qualifications of Dermal Clinician, Dermatoscopist, Melanographer, Enrolled Nurse, Phlebotomist & Educator.   Next steps in your learning journey 🎓 Certificate Courses Deep-dive into a university-assured, structured pathway from foundation to subspecialisation in 20+ special interest fields. ➡️  Explore Certificate Courses > [https://www.healthcert.com/courses] 🎓 Short Courses Explore 400 short, online CPD modules in focused topics — and learn exactly what you need, when you need it. Complete in less than 10 hours from $95. ➡️ Browse single-topic courses > [https://shop-au.healthcert.com/collections]  🎓 HealthCert 365 subscription Prefer flexible learning across many topics? Access 4,000+ CPD hours on-demand with HealthCert 365 — anytime, any topic, one flat annual fee. ➡️ Discover HealthCert 365 > [https://www.healthcert.com/365] Focused Practice Conversations series HealthCert Education's Focused Practice Conversations podcast series explores how GPs build focused areas of practice, why they chose that path, what changed in their clinic, and whether going deeper into one niche was ultimately worth it. Hosted by Matt Woollard.

Vitamin B12 deficiency in general practice: HealthCert GP Update, 2026

In this HealthCert GP Update, Dr Simone Gonzo guides you through how to recognise, investigate, and manage vitamin B12 deficiency in primary care, including how to interpret borderline results, when to use MMA and homocysteine testing, and how to avoid common diagnostic pitfalls — providing a clear, practical overview tailored for busy GPs. What you will learn Many patients with vitamin B12 deficiency don’t present with “classic" symptoms. Instead, they come in with fatigue, cognitive change, neuropathy, mood symptoms, or vague complaints that can easily be overlooked in everyday practice. In this HealthCert GP Update webinar, Dr Simone Gonzo guides you through: * Common causes of B12 deficiency, including pernicious anaemia, medications, malabsorption, and dietary factors * When neurological symptoms should raise concern * Oral vs intramuscular replacement strategies * Monitoring and long-term management * New Medicare item changes relevant to B12 testing  This webinar builds naturally on our previous iron deficiency session [https://www.healthcert.com/blog/iron-deficiency-healthcert-gp-update-2026] and will help GPs approach another commonly missed but clinically significant nutritional deficiency with greater confidence. Watch the webinar here [https://youtu.be/8EjNSxpVvlA].  Next steps in your learning journey 🎓 Certificate Courses Deep-dive into a university-assured, structured Certificate pathway from foundation to subspecialisation, across 20+ special interest fields. ➡️ Explore Certificate Courses > [https://www.healthcert.com/courses] 🎓 Short Courses Explore 400+ short, focused, single-topic CPD courses — and learn exactly what you need, when you need it. Complete in less than 10 hours from $195. ➡️ Browse Short Courses > [https://shop-au.healthcert.com/collections] 🎓 HealthCert 365 subscription Prefer flexible learning across many topics? Access 4,000+ CPD hours on-demand with HealthCert 365 — anytime, any topic, one flat annual fee. ➡️ Discover HealthCert 365 > [https://www.healthcert.com/365]

Atopic dermatitis in skin of colour

Are you confident diagnosing and managing eczema in patients with skin of colour (SOC)? Atopic dermatitis is one of the most common skin conditions in Australia, yet it often goes unrecognised or is underestimated in patients with SOC. The classic signs we rely on (bright erythema, flexural distribution) may look very different in patients with SOC. The result of this is missed diagnoses, delayed treatment, and real quality-of-life consequences for your patients. This webinar and Q&A with Brisbane-based specialist dermatologist Dr Stephanie Rea takes GPs beyond the textbook to explore how atopic dermatitis truly presents across all skin types. Drawing on relevant clinical cases, Dr Rea shares practical tools to sharpen your diagnostic confidence, navigate the pitfalls, and implement culturally informed management strategies you can put into practice from the very next consultation. Delivered in collaboration with CeraVe, the session teaches you how to: * Spot the clinical clues of atopic dermatitis across various skin phototypes * Recognise follicular accentuation, papular and discoid variants, and post-inflammatory pigment changes * Avoid common diagnostic pitfalls and not-to-miss differentials * Understand the role of ceramides and skin barrier repair in this patient population * Choose appropriate skin care and prescribe topical and systemic therapies for treating atopic dermatitis in SOC The webinar includes Q&A and case discussions. Prefer a visual format? Watch this podcast here [https://youtu.be/KnWmD7KpuTc].   About Dr Stephanie Rea MBBS (Hons), MPH, MMed, FACD Dr Stephanie Rea is a specialist Dermatologist and a Fellow of the Australasian College of Dermatologists. She holds dual Masters in Public Health and Sexual and Reproductive Health. Dr Rea runs a complex medical Dermatology clinic at the Princess Alexandra Hospital and is the clinical lead of the Combined Dermatology and Sexual Health Multidisciplinary Clinic at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital. She maintains an academic appointment as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Queensland and is involved in rural outreach clinics in Far North Queensland. Dr Rea has a private practice at South East Dermatology in Annerley. Dr Rea has a strong interest in medical dermatology including eczema, psoriasis, acne, genital dermatology, autoimmune related skin disorders and skin cancer.    Next steps in your learning journey 🎓 Certificate Courses in General Dermatology Deep-dive into our university-assured, structured pathway from foundation to subspecialisation in GP dermatology. ➡️ Explore program > [https://www.healthcert.com/certificate-and-diploma-program-in-general-dermatology] 🎓 Short Courses in General Dermatology Explore short, single-topic CPD courses in focused area of dermatology. Complete in less than 10 hours, from $195. ➡️ Browse Short Courses > [https://shop-au.healthcert.com/collections/general-dermatology] 🎓 HealthCert 365 subscription Prefer flexible learning across many topics? Access 4,000+ CPD hours on-demand with HealthCert 365 — any topic, any time, one flat annual fee. ➡️ Discover HealthCert 365 > [https://www.healthcert.com/365]