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.

Listen to the podcast

Prefer a visual format? Watch this episode on the HealthCert Education YouTube channel.

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.
➡️ Browse Short Courses for GPs >
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🎓 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 >
➡️ Explore nurse melanography program >

🎓 HealthCert 365 subscription
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Podcast playlist

Listen to all episodes in the Focused Practice Conversations series.

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

Healthcare Entrepreneur & Business Development Consultant

Born and educated in Adelaide, Matt Woollard is a seasoned healthcare entrepreneur with over two decades of experience building, scaling, and transforming healthcare businesses across Australia.

Matt began his healthcare career in 2000 as the second employee of Skin Alert Skin Cancer Clinics, where he worked alongside founder Paul Elmslie to grow the business from the ground up to a network of 14 clinics nationwide over seven years. As Chief Executive Officer of National Skin Cancer Centres, established in 2016, Matt led the business through a period of significant expansion before its successful acquisition by Sonic Clinic Services.

With a deep knowledge of skin cancer medicine, Medicare frameworks, and the operational realities of primary care, Matt's core expertise lies in business development, identifying, structuring, and growing healthcare assets in an increasingly complex and competitive landscape. Today, Matt consults across the broader healthcare sector, partnering with large corporates and private equity firms to develop and de-risk healthcare assets. He remains active in skin cancer medicine and brings the same sharp commercial lens to emerging opportunities in women's and mental health.

Guest: Lynette Hooper

Lynette’s wealth of knowledge and experience spans an impressive career of 35 + years.

She is an experienced Melanographer / Dermoscopist and skin cancer awareness educator who has worked extensively across different aspects of the cosmetic and skin cancer professions. This has enabled her to master an in-depth understanding of the skin and its functions. She has translated that expertise into her current practice and is dedicated to conducting thorough skin screening to help identify melanoma and other skin cancers at an early stage.

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