Biography
Natisha Sands has been a mental health nurse since 1986, and completed her training at the Eastern and Metropolitan School of Nursing, Royal Park Hospital, Melbourne. Natisha worked in a wide variety of clinical roles before completing a PhD in 2003 that involved a state-wide investigation of mental health triage nursing in Victoria. Since completing her doctoral studies Natisha has been committed to developing curricular to expand the mental health triage theoretical knowledge base, developing evidence-based frameworks for practice, and clinical education programs to support clinicians in improving the quality and consistency of mental health triage. Natisha's research program and consultancy work focuses on mental health triage clinical practice, triage service delivery, mental health in the emergency department, competency assessment, consumer perspectives, and risk assessment.
Read more on Natisha's profileBiography summary
Natisha Sands RPN BN (Hons) PhD. Natisha's research program investigates mental health triage clinical practice, triage service delivery, mental health in the emergency department, competency assessment, consumer perspectives, and risk assessment.
Career highlights
MENTAL HEALTH TRIAGE EDUCATION PROGRAM
The Mental Health Triage Education Program is a cross disciplinary clinical education program that provides an evidenced-based framework for conducting mental health triage assessment.
Since 2007 the program has been delivered to more than 1500 clinicians across Australia, including Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory, and New South Wales.
In 2008 the program won the University of Melbourne Vice Chancellor's Knowledge Transfer Excellence Award, High Commendation.
Research interests
Natisha has led a focused program of research in Mental Health Triage and emergency mental health care since 2003. Areas of research include:
- mental health triage practice
- models for mental triage service delivery
- mental health in the emergency department
- risk assessment
- mental health triage competency assessment
- tele mental health triage
- emergency mental health care
- Handover in psychiatric settings
- decision-making
Affiliations
HONORARY APPOINTMENTS
2009 - 2016 Centre for Psychiatric Nursing, University of Melbourne
Honorary Principal Research Fellow
2014 - 2016 Barwon Health
Honorary Principal Research Fellow
2015 - 2016 Alfred Health
Honorary Principal Research Fellow
Teaching interests
UNIVERSITY TEACHING
Natisha has a wide range of experience and expertise in university curriculum design, development, administration and teaching for formal award courses and subjects at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Natisha uses a broad range of student-centered teaching and learning methods and technologies. Following is a summary of Natisha's teaching areas:
Bachelor of Nursing
Understanding Research Evidence
Mental Health Nursing
Nursing theory
Culture and health
Assessment in mental health and Illness
Communication in health
Post Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing
Master of Advanced Nursing Practice
Evidence for practice (research methods)
Consumer perspectives and participation
Mental health triage and emergency psychiatry
Mental health assessment/diagnosis/intervention
Foundations in Mental Health Nursing
Community mental health nursing
Units taught
HNN222 Mental Health and Illness
Knowledge areas
- Mental Health Nursing
- Mental Health Triage
- Emergency Department mental health
- Risk assessment
- Emergency mental health care
- Violence in healthcare settings
- Mental health promotion
- Handover in psychiatric settings
Expertise
- Nursing
Conferences
RECENT KEYNOTES AND INVITED ADDRESSES
Sands, N.(2018). Keynote Address: Townsville Research Showcase.
Sands, N., & Elsom, S. (2018). Invited Workshop: Using observational research designs in vulnerable populations. Townsville Research Showcase.
Sands, N., & Elsom, S. (2015). Keynote Address: The UK Mental Health Triage Scale Project. Presented at Bridgend Psychiatry Symposium, Princess of Wales Hospital, Cardiff, Wales. March 2015.
Sands, N. (2015). Keynote Address: International Nurses Day The use of film to research, record and teach nursing. Barwon Health.
Sands, N. (2015). Invited Speaker: Safety & Quality in Emergency Mental Health Care: What Have We Learnt? Emergency Department Management Conference, Sydney.
Sands, N., & Elsom, S. (2010). Keynote Address: Mental health triage: evidence, practice and future directions. Presented at All Wales Mental Health Leadership Forum, Princess of Wales Hospital, Cardiff, Wales. 3 November 2010.
Sands, N., & Elsom, S. (2010). Keynote Address: Mental health triage: A model for improving access and outcomes in mental health services. Presented at Consultant Psychiatrists Wales Network Meeting, Swansea, Wales. 4 November 2010.
Sands, N. (2009). Invited Speaker: Victorian Dual Diagnosis Annual Conference, Melbourne. Assessing the risk of associated with mental illness and substance use.
Sands, N. (2012). Invited Speaker: Victorian Department of Health State-wide Mental Health Triage Forum.
Sands, N. (2008). Invited Speaker: Australian Practice Nurses Association Conference.
Sands, N. (2006). Invited Speaker: Australian Practice Nurses Association Conference.
SELECTED CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
Sands, N. Elsom, S., Colgate, R. & Haylor, H. (2015). Development and testing of the UK Mental Health Triage Scale: leading change on an international scale. 41st Australian College of Mental Health Nurses. International Mental Health Nursing Conference. Brisbane.
Sands, N. (2015). In full focus: Using film to record, research, and teach mental health nursing. 41st Australian College of Mental Health Nurses. International Mental Health Nursing Conference. Brisbane.
Sands, N. & Elsom, S. (2015). Mental Health Nursing: This is our story (documentary). 41st Australian College of Mental Health Nurses. International Mental Health Nursing Conference. Brisbane.
Sands, N. & Elsom, S. (2014). Telephone-based mental health triage: What do consumers in crisis say they want? 40th Australian College of Mental Health Nurses. International Mental Health Nursing Conference. Melbourne.
Sands, N & Vokoun, J. (2014). Round the bend: A history of psychiatric nursing in Victoria, Australia (documentary). 40th Australian College of Mental Health Nurses. International Mental Health Nursing Conference. Melbourne.
Sands, N. & Elsom, S. (2013). An interactive computer program for assessing competency in telephone-based Mental Health Triage. 14th Victorian Collaborative Psychiatric Nursing Conference, Centre for Psychiatric Nursing, The University of Melbourne.
Sands, N. & Elsom, S. (2013). Promoting consumer collaboration in telephone based mental health triage. A pilot study. Australian College of Mental Health Nurses 39th International Mental Health Nursing Conference.
Sands, N. (2012). Mental health telephone triage: defining a competency framework for practice, in NPNR 2012: International Network for Psychiatric Nursing Research, Royal College of Nursing, Oxford, UK.
Sands, N & Vokoun, J. (2012). Round the bend: a history of psychiatric nursing in Victoria (film documentary) NPNR 2012: International Network for Psychiatric Nursing Research, Royal College of Nursing, Oxford, UK.
Professional activities
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
- Editorial Board, Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences
- Reviewer, International Journal of Mental Health Nursing
- Reviewer, Australasian Emergency Nurses Journal
- Reviewer, Perspectives in Psychiatric Care
- Reviewer, Archives of Psychiatric Nursing
- Expert Panel, Nurses Board of Victoria, Nurse Practitioner 2008
- Curriculum Reviewer, Nurses Board of Victoria, 2007
- Conference organiser: National Mental Health Triage Forum, University of Melbourne 2006; Victorian Mental Health Triage Forum, Alfred Health 2004.
- Australian College of Mental Health Nursing
Nursing Registration: NMW0001071337
CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT
Code Grey Online Violence Prevention Program (2014) Deakin University
Mental Health Tele Triage Competency Assessment Tool (2013) Deakin University
Mental Health Triage and Emergency Psychiatry (2012) Post Graduate Unit, Deakin University
Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Practice, Mental Health. University of Melbourne. (2007). Curriculum accreditation Nurses Board Victoria.
Mental Health Triage and Intake Practice (2007) University of Melbourne, Post Graduate Diploma in Advanced Clinical Nursing subject
Mental Health Triage Education Program. (2007) University of Melbourne
Mental Health Triage Clinical Education Program (2005) The Alfred Hospital
Complex Therapies: Managing Dementia in Home and Community Settings (2003) Distance Education Program, Royal District Nursing Service
Advanced Communication in Home Based Care (2003). Distance Education Program, Royal District Nursing Service
Legalities and ethics of healthcare practice for vocational trainees (1998). Modules 1 -5. Care Skills Australia
Healthcare industry policy for vocational trainees (1999) Modules 1 -5. Care Skills Australia
CREATIVE WORKS
2012 Sands, N. & Vokoun, J. (Documentary film) Round the bend: A history of psychiatric nursing in Victoria
2015 Sands, N. & Elsom, S. (Documentary film) Mental Health Nursing: This is our story.
SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP
In the course of my career I have lead teaching and research teams, clinical teams, and have served on numerous committees, steering groups and panels in my leadership role. Examples not listed below include 2 faculty ethics advisory groups (6 years), and post graduate and undergraduate course monitoring committees. Below is a summary of my current portfolio:
- Campus Leader, School of Nursing and Midwifery Waterfront Geelong
- School of Nursing and Midwifery Executive Committee
- Quality and Patient Safety Research Centre Committee
- Student Research and Research Training Committee
- Teaching and Learning Committee
- Academic Programs Committee
- Unit Chair Leadership Network
- Chair, Mental Health and Illness
- Barwon Health Consumer Centred Care Committee
- Eastern Health Reducing Restrictive Interventions Committee
Awards
2014 - Vice Chancellor’s Values Award, Deakin University
2014 - Philippa Moore Publication Prize, College of Emergency Nursing
2012 - KB Smith Nursing Publication Award, Alfred Health
2009 - Vice Chancellor’s Knowledge Transfer Excellence Award, Commendation, University of Melbourne
2003 - Excellence in Health Research, Commendation, Ballarat Health Awards
2002 - Publication Award, University of Ballarat
2001 - Stan Alchin Presenters Award. Australian and New Zealand College of Mental Health Nurses 27th Annual International Conference, Melbourne
1999 - Australian Post Graduate Award
Projects
GRANTS
Sands, N., Considine, J., Elsom, S., Keppich-Arnold, S., Corbett, R & Berk, M. (2014). Identifying predictors for clinical deterioration in telephone-based mental health triage. Deakin University Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research. $23,905.
Considine, J., Sands, N., Berry, D., Johnson, R. (2014). Vital signs As Predictors for Aggression in hospital patients (VAPA). Deakin University Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research. $21,000.
Sands, N. & Elsom, S. (2012). An interactive computer program for assessing competency in telephone-based mental health triage: A pilot study. Telematics Trust Grant. $28,500.
Sands, N., Forbes, H., Brown, R. & Mielnik, L. (2012). The Mental Health and Wellbeing Portal. HEPPP Deakin Grant. $29,744.
Sands, N., Elsom, S., Gerdtz, M., Hosking, J. & Berk, M. (2010). Validating the clinical descriptors of the Australasian Triage Scale, mental health triage sub-scale. Clinical Care and Quality Risk Management Centre, Deakin University. $20,000.
Sands, N., Gerdtz, M. & Elsom, S. (2007). Developing Clinical Guidelines for violence risk assessment in mental health triage. Mona Menzies Post Doctoral Grant. Nurses Board of Victoria. $50,000.
SELECTED CONSULTANCIES
Sands, N & Elsom, S. (2018). Mental Health Tele-Triage Competency Assessment Tool (MHTT-CAT) implementation, St Patricks Mental Health Service Dublin, Ireland and Deakin University.
Sands, N & Elsom, S. (2018). Mental Health Tele-Triage Competency Assessment Tool (MHTT-CAT) implementation, South West Mental Health Service and Deakin University.
Sands, N & Elsom, S. (2018). Mental Health Tele-Triage Competency Assessment Tool (MHTT-CAT) implementation, Eastern Health and Deakin University.
Sands, N & Elsom, S. (2018). Mental Health Tele-Triage Competency Assessment Tool (MHTT-CAT) implementation, Top End Mental Health Service, Darwin and Deakin University.
Sands, N & Elsom, S. (2018). Mental Health Tele-Triage Competency Assessment Tool (MHTT-CAT) implementation, Central Australian Health Service, Alice Springs and Deakin University.
Sands, N & Elsom, S. (2017). Mental Health Tele-Triage Competency Assessment Tool (MHTT-CAT) implementation, Te Haika Mental Health Services Capital & Coast District Health Board, New Zealand and Deakin University.
Sands, N. & Elsom, S. (2017). Mental Health Tele-Triage Competency Assessment Tool (MHTT-CAT) implementation, Te Haika Mental Health Services Capital & Coast District Health Board, New Zealand/ Deakin University.
Sands, N. & Elsom, S. (2016). Mental Health Tele-Triage Competency Assessment Tool (MHTT-CAT) implementation, statewide QLD. Queensland Health/Deakin University.
Sands, N. & Elsom, S. (2015) Mental Health Tele-Triage Competency Assessment Tool (MHTT-CAT) implementation, Cambridge UK.
Hamilton, B., Fletcher, J., Elsom, S., Roper, C., Sands, S. & McKenna, B. (2014-16). Evaluation of the Victorian Safewards Trial. Victorian Department of Health.
Sands, N., Gerdtz, M. & Elsom, S. (2009). Evaluation of Latrobe Regional Hospital Mental Health Triage Service. Latrobe Regional health service.
Sands, N. & Gerdtz, M. (2008). Evaluation of the Department of Human Services Victoria Draft Area Mental Health Triage Scale. Department of Human Services Victoria.
COMMERCIALISATION
Sands, N. & Eslom, S. (2016). The Mental Health Tele Triage Competency Assessment Tool (MHTT-CAT) Deakin University and University of Melbourne.
Sands, N. (2007). The Mental Health Triage Education Program. University of Melbourne.
Publications
Assessing mental health literacy of primary health care workers in Kenya: a cross-sectional survey
E Marangu, F Mansouri, N Sands, D Ndetei, P Muriithi, K Wynter, H Rawson
(2021), Vol. 15, International Journal of Mental Health Systems, England, C1
R Corbett, S Elsom, N Sands, R Prematunga
(2017), Vol. 26, pp. 160-169, International journal of mental health nursing, London, Eng., C1
N Sands, S Elsom, R Corbett, S Keppich-Arnold, R Prematunga, M Berk, J Considine
(2017), Vol. 26, pp. 226-237, International journal of mental health nursing, Milton, Qld., C1
Vital signs as predictors for aggression in hospital patients (VAPA)
J Considine, D Berry, R Johnson, N Sands
(2017), Vol. 26, pp. 2593-2604, Journal of Clinical Nursing, England, C1
N Sands, S Elsom, S Keppich-Arnold, K Henderson, P King, K Bourke-Finn, D Brunning
(2016), Vol. 85, pp. 80-86, International journal of mental health nursing, London, Eng., C1
N Sands, S Elsom, S Keppich-Arnold, K Henderson, P Thomas
(2016), Vol. 25, pp. 136-143, International journal of mental health nursing, London, Eng., C1
Development and interrater reliability of the UK Mental Health Triage Scale
N Sands, S Elsom, R Colgate, H Haylor, R Prematunga
(2016), Vol. 25, pp. 330-336, International journal of mental health nursing, London, Eng., C1
Workplace violence in mental health: a Victorian mental health workforce survey
M Tonso, R Prematunga, S Norris, L Williams, N Sands, S Elsom
(2016), Vol. 25, pp. 444-451, International journal of mental health nursing, Milton, Qld., C1
Mental health consumers' perceptions of quality of life and mental health care
E Williams, N Sands, S Elsom, R Prematunga
(2015), Vol. 17, pp. 299-306, Nursing and health sciences, North Melbourne, Vic., C1
A Waters, N Sands, S Keppich-Arnold, K Henderson
(2015), Vol. 24, pp. 193-202, International journal of mental health nursing, London, Eng., C1
Investigating the predictive validity of an emergency department mental health triage tool
N Sands, S Elsom, M Berk, J Hosking, R Prematunga, M Gerdtz
(2014), Vol. 16, pp. 11-18, Nursing and health sciences, Milton, Qld., C1
Recognising clinical deterioration in emergency department patients
J Hosking, J Considine, N Sands
(2014), Vol. 17, pp. 59-67, Australasian emergency nursing journal, London, England, C1
Factors influencing cardiometabolic monitoring practices in an adult community mental health service
F Millar, N Sands, S Elsom
(2014), Vol. 23, pp. 479-489, International journal of mental health nursing, London, Eng., C1
Mental health care in Kenya: Exploring optimal conditions for capacity building
E Marangu, N Sands, J Rolley, F Mansouri, D Ndetei
(2014), Vol. 6, African Journal of Primary Health Care and Family Medicine, Pretoria, South Africa, C1
He did what? Well that wasn't handed over! Communicating risk in mental health
R Millar, N Sands
(2013), Vol. 20, pp. 345-354, Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursing, London, Eng., C1-1
Mental health telephone triage : managing psychiatric crisis and emergency
N Sands, S Elsom, E Marangu, S Keppich-Arnold, K Henderson
(2013), Vol. 49, pp. 65-72, Perspectives in psychiatric care, Hoboken, N. J., C1
Telephone survey of service-user experiences of a telephone-based mental health triage service
S Elsom, N Sands, C Roper, C Hoppner, M Gerdtz
(2013), Vol. 22, pp. 437-443, International journal of mental health nursing, London, England, C1
N Sands, S Elsom, M Gerdtz, D Khaw
(2012), Vol. 19, pp. 690-701, Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursing, Oxford, England, C1
Working around a contested diagnosis : borderline personality disorder in adolescence
K Koehne, B Hamilton, N Sands, C Humphreys
(2012), pp. 1-20, Health: an interdisciplinary journal for the social study of health, illness and medicine, London, England, C1
Identifying the core competencies of mental health telephone triage
N Sands, S Elsom, M Gerdtz, K Henderson, S Keppich-Arnold, N Droste, R Prematunga, Z Wereta
(2012), pp. 1-14, Journal of clinical nursing, Oxford, England, C1
Round the bend : a history of psychiatric nursing in Victoria
N Sands, J Vokoun
(2012), Melbourne, Vic., J1-1
Post seclusion debriefing : a core nursing intervention
H Needham, N Sands
(2010), Vol. 46, pp. 221-233, Perspectives in psychiatric care, Hoboken, N.J., C1-1
Crisis and triage clinicians' attitudes toward working with people with personality disorder
D Purves, N Sands
(2009), Vol. 45, pp. 208-215, Perspectives in psychiatric care, Oxford, England, C1-1
Round the bend : a brief history of mental health nursing in Victoria, Australia 1848 to 1950's
N Sands
(2009), Vol. 30, pp. 364-371, Issues in mental health nursing, London, England, C1-1
An exploration of clinical decision-making in mental health triage
N Sands
(2009), Vol. 23, pp. 298-308, Archives of psychiatric nursing, Maryland Heights, MO, C1-1
M Gerdtz, M Chu, M Collins, J Considine, D Crellin, N Sands, C Stewart, W Pollock
(2009), Vol. 21, pp. 277-285, Emergency medicine Australasia, Melbourne, Vic., C1
Clinical practice guideline : violence risk assessment at triage : final report
N Sands, M Gerdtz
(2009), Melbourne, Vic., A6-1
Borderline personality disorder - an overview for emergency clinicians
K Koehne, N Sands
(2008), Vol. 11, pp. 173-177, Australasian emergency nursing journal, Oxford, England, C1-1
Victorian (draft) area mental health triage scale pilot project evaluation. Final report
N Sands, M Gerdtz
(2008), [Melbourne, Vic.], A6-1
Mental health triage : towards a model for nursing practice
N Sands
(2007), Vol. 14, pp. 243-249, Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursing, New York, N. Y., C1-1
Assessing the risk of suicide at triage
N Sands
(2007), Vol. 10, pp. 161-163, Australasian emergency nursing journal, Oxford, England, C1-1
An ABC approach to assessing the risk of violence at triage
N Sands
(2007), Vol. 10, pp. 107-109, Australasian emergency nursing journal, Oxford, England, C1-1
Mental health triage nursing : an Australian perspective
N Sands
(2004), Vol. 11, pp. 150-155, Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursing, New York, N. Y., C1-1
Funded Projects at Deakin
Other Public Sector Funding
Identifying the core competencies of Mental Health Triage: An observational study
A/Prof Natisha Sands
The Alfred Hospital
- 2011: $2,000
- 2010: $8,000
Evaluation of the Victorian Trial of Safewards
A/Prof Natisha Sands, Dr Bridget Hamilton, Ms Justine Fletcher, Ms Cathy Roper, A/Prof Stephen Elsom
DH VIC - Grants Department of Health Victoria
- 2015: $5,120
Industry and Other Funding
An interactive computer program for assessing competency in telephone-based mental health triage: A Pilot Study
A/Prof Natisha Sands, A/Prof Stephen Elsom
Telematics Course Development Fund Trust Grant - Research
- 2013: $2,590
- 2012: $25,909
Supervisions
No completed student supervisions to report