Medical Liaison Nurse

The Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM) provides world-leading independent forensic medical and scientific expertise to the justice system, tissue for transplantation, and conducts teaching and research in forensic medicine and science.

We provide the justice system with the crucial evidence that underpins safe convictions and appropriate acquittals. Our doctors and scientists investigate deaths reported to the coroner, examine alleged offenders and medically assess and support victims of crime.

The Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria supports patients and their families by providing safe tissues to medical specialists and Victorian hospitals for transplantation and medical research, benefitting many patients every year.

Our medical and scientific staff members undertake research that benefits public health and safety, and the functioning of our legal system.

At the VIFM, we believe in creating a supportive, collaborative, and inclusive work environment guided by our core values of respect, openness, service, integrity, and innovation.

While our work is unique and rewarding, it can at times be challenging.  We put the wellbeing of our people first through dedicated and proactive support programs, while ensuring each person has the tools to succeed in their role. At the VIFM we are committed to building a thriving workforce, and we share responsibility with our people to make it happen.

Along with the opportunity to do meaningful work, we provide a suite of programs and benefits that support ongoing learning, career development, work-life balance, engagement, and diversity and inclusion.

The 24-hour Coronial Admissions and Enquiries (CA&E) office is operated by the VIFM. Our nursing and administrative staff who form this office directly support coroners, forensic pathologists, police, medical practitioners, funeral directors, and families in the early stages of the death investigation. This includes coordinating the initial stages of the coronial investigation and the collection of accurate legal and medical information.

A key CA&E role is to respond to medical enquiries from doctors and police providing advice as to whether a death is reportable. CA&E staff also work closely with families providing them with information and support throughout the initial investigation, particularly for those families who need to attend the VIFM the view the body of their family member for identification and therapeutic purposes. The CA&E team works closely with forensic mortuary staff, administrative staff, forensic odontologists and forensic anthropologists.

Primary responsibilities of CA&E include:

• receiving reports of death and admitting and releasing deceased persons;
• supporting coroners in fulfilling their statutory responsibilities including establishment of identity of the deceased and cause of death;
• coordinating forensic medical examinations and collating other investigative material required by coroners and pathologists during the initial part of investigations;
• providing authorised information and advice to bereaved families.

About the Role

Are you an experienced critical care registered nurse looking for a challenging and rewarding role? This is a unique opportunity within the Coronial Admissions & Enquiries Office to apply your high-level clinical knowledge in a fast-paced, phone-based environment, where no two shifts are the same. You will handle complex medical inquiries related to a person's death, engage in critical thinking, provide expert guidance and advice, liaise with family members, and provide assistance to coroners and forensic pathologists - all while being part of a close-knit, supportive, and highly skilled team.

This role operates 24/7 and you will be rostered for three shifts per week, with flexibility around shift preferences. It is a demanding but fascinating position where continuous learning is encouraged, and clinical relevance is paramount. You will be working on-site, in Southbank, surrounded by experienced colleagues and approachable leaders who provide supervision and mentorship.

If you thrive in high-pressure environments, possess exceptional communication skills, and are passionate about delivering expert advice with warmth, empathy, compassion, and professionalism, we want to hear from you

Education and training are provided as part of our comprehensive onboarding process to prepare you for the unique and rewarding work that we do in the CA&E.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert clinical guidance over the phone to manage complex medical enquiries to ascertain if a person's death is reportable to the coroner.
• Apply critical care nursing expertise to assess the elements of a person's death, provide recommendations to various stakeholders, and escalate as needed.
• Commence the investigation of a reportable death to the coroner.
• Liaise with families, mostly over the phone but also in person, whilst a deceased person is in the care of the coroner.
• Work in a fast-paced, high-volume environment where phone communication is constant.
• Utilise active listening and strong emotional intelligence to provide empathetic and accurate responses to families.
• Collaborate with a collegiate team, contributing to a culture of support, respect, and shared learning.
• Maintain attention to detail, ensuring thorough, accountable, and clinically sound decision-making and documentation.
• Understand and work within own scope of practice, knowing when to seek clarification and escalate concerns.
• Engage in continuous professional development, embracing feedback and refining clinical knowledge and abilities.
• Utilise IT systems efficiently to document, upload, and retrieve information and reports accurately.

About You

You are an experienced critical care registered nurse who thrives in a fast-paced, intellectually stimulating environment. You have a thorough understanding of complex medical conditions across the lifespan and their treatments, interventions, and procedures, and you're confident in your ability to apply that knowledge to a situation where a patient has died to ascertain if the death is reportable to the coroner.

You are a critical thinker and reflective practitioner who remains calm under pressure, communicates clearly, and listens actively. You understand the power of warmth and empathy and bring those qualities into every interaction.

You enjoy being part of a high-functioning, supportive team and you value collaboration and humility, possessing the ability to ask for assistance when needed. You embrace the challenge of working in an evolving environment where you're always learning and refining your skills.

Key Qualifications and Attributes

• Current registration with AHPRA as a registered nurse.
• Recent extensive experience in critical care nursing (ICU and/or Emergency Department).
• A postgraduate qualification in critical care nursing is highly desirable
• Comprehensive medical knowledge with the ability to think critically and efficiently problem-solve.
• Excellent verbal communication with active listening skills.
• Strong IT proficiency and ability to navigate clinical systems effectively.
• High level of emotional intelligence.
• Demonstrated ability to stay within own scope of practice and seek guidance when needed.
• Strong attention to detail and accountability in clinical decision-making.

What we offer

Working at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM) offers meaningful experiences and the chance to do exceptional work. It's more than a job, it's a place where you can make a real difference. We take pride in our diverse team and inclusive culture, and we're committed to acting responsibly and ethically in everything we do.

Join us to help shape the future of Forensic Medicine in an environment that encourages creativity, welcomes fresh ideas, and thrives on collaboration.

Our Recruitment Process

The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which will include reference checks, national police checks, working with children check, and misconduct screening. Dependent on the role, other checks may include VicRoads checks, drivers license checks, and Declaration of Private Interests (for executive and responsible officer roles).

If you feel comfortable, please let us know if you have any accessibility requirements or require an alternative format to any of the application material upon application, so we can make any adjustments required to support you throughout our recruitment process.