Pippa Blackburn

Qualifications
Ass Dip Health Science (Nursing), TAFE Kalgoorlie, WA
Ba Social Work, Edith Cowan University, WA.
Post Graduate Certificate Grief and Palliative Care Counselling, University of Adelaide, SA.

Short Professional Biography
Pippa worked as a nurse for nine years in Kalgoorlie and Bunbury in the areas of medical, palliative, mental health and aged care nursing prior to obtaining her social work degree.
Pippa has practiced in the areas of hospital and community based social work; oncology and palliative care; grief, loss and bereavement; mental health; child protection; forensic social work; counselling; international social work; programme and service development; domestic violence; substance misuse; fostering and adoption; working with migrants; aboriginal aged care; family group conferencing; community development; group work (new mums; post natal depression, volunteers, pain management clinic); consultancy; training and education and policy.
In 2004, Pippa established the Outreach Support Service based at the South West Regional College of TAFE – a joint initiative between St John of God Hospital and Bunbury TAFE.
In 2008/2009, Pippa participated in a national pilot program, the National Standards Assessment Programme (NSAP) as the Liaison Officer for St John of God Hospital, Bunbury.  The NSAP programme was launched nationally in March 2009 by Palliative Care Australia and aims to support Palliative Care to move towards best practice (as outlined in the National Standards - Palliative Care Australia). 
Pippa has worked with the Cancer Council of WA in providing professional development training for nursing and allied health staff in the areas of grief and loss and spirituality.  Pippa provides training and education modules in the areas of communication, and grief and loss to palliative care volunteers with SJOG Hospital, Bunbury.
Pippa’s practice interests include grief and loss, End of Life care, spirituality, bereavement, working with children and families, counselling, mental health and programme development. 
Pippa is currently undertaking a post graduate Certificate in Paediatric Palliative Care with Flinders University.