Busisiwe Cordelia Ramaru
Jamestown,Saint Helena Island
Summary
Clinical Oncology Nurse Specialist with extensive expertise in oncology and palliative care. Developed standard operating procedures to facilitate seamless transitions from active treatment to palliative care. Demonstrated leadership by training local nurses in St Helena and enhancing staff skills in empathy and supportive care. Actively contributed to multidisciplinary team discussions, ensuring patient wishes are communicated and respected.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Clinical Oncology Nurse Specialist
St Helena Government
01.2021 - Current
- Introduced Respect plan for early diagnosis, enabling family involvement in decision-making.
- Conducted monthly meetings with community nurses to enhance patient and family support.
- Facilitated early identification of symptoms and implemented effective management strategies.
- Developed standard operating procedures to ensure patient comfort and family assistance.
- Provided patients with information leaflets outlining symptom management and multidisciplinary care roles.
- Implemented palliative care strategies to improve the quality of life for terminal oncology patients.
- Responded promptly to emergency situations to deliver life-saving care and stabilise patients for additional treatments.
Oncology Nurse Specialist
Steve Biko Academic Hospital
South Africa
10.2020 - 12.2020
- Oversaw, trained and mentored students and junior nursing staff
- Coordinated care across large wards based on patient priorities and requests
- Ensured safe administration of SACT, blood and blood products.
- Practiced working knowledge of current policies and procedures, addressing issues of child safety.
- Oncology Nurse Specialist
Clinical Oncology consultant
Afrocentric Health
01.2014 - 09.2020
- Quickly learned new skills including ICD 10 coding and applied to daily tasks of meeting targets within turnaround time improving efficiency and productivity
- Generated key performance indicator reporting to drive better performance in training new company recruits for oncology case management and call Centre.
- Reporting outlining project progress and results which contributed to improving turnaround time in claims.
- Clinical Oncology consultant
Nurse Educator
CHOC - Childhood Cancer Foundation
10.2012 - 09.2013
Oncology Nurse Specialist
Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital
- Quickly learned new skills of SACT administration and applied to daily tasks improving oncology nursing care and support for families.
- Professionally advanced to deputy management of the pediatric oncology ward
- Provided both child and family with clear and precise information regarding treatment enabling informed decision making and planning for palliative care.
- Oncology Nurse Specialist
Education
ADVANCED DIPLOMA - NURSING EDUCATION
WITS UNIVERSITY
11.2014
DIPLOMA - ONCOLOGY NURSING SCIENCE
CHRIS HANI NURSING COLLEGE
04.2007
DIPLOMA - NURSING (GENERAL, MIDWIFERY, PSYCHIATRIC AND COMMUNITY
B.G. ALEXANDER NURSING COLLEGE
01.2000
Skills
- Leadership upskilled two local nurses, who are currently undertaking work and education in the UK
- Administration of medication, SACT, and pain management
- Employee training
- Patient and family education and support
- Resolving complaints
- Conflict resolution
- Interpretation of treatment protocols
- Computer literacy in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Custom Section
- St Helena Island – participated in round table meeting and coordinated cancer awareness sessions with Health Promotion and Local Cancer Support group
- St Helena Island – Initiated virtual consultation with overseas oncology specialist supported by the local cancer support group.
- Participated and volunteered for SIOP (international Society Paediatric Oncology) as PODC (Paediatric Oncology for Developing Countries) Co-Chair.
Languages
English
Upper Intermediate
B2
Certification
- BLS
- Respect Planning
- Light vehicle - Licence code 08
Hobbies and interests
- Singing
- walking
Timeline
Clinical Oncology Nurse Specialist
St Helena Government
01.2021 - Current
Oncology Nurse Specialist
Steve Biko Academic Hospital
10.2020 - 12.2020
Clinical Oncology consultant
Afrocentric Health
01.2014 - 09.2020
Nurse Educator
CHOC - Childhood Cancer Foundation
10.2012 - 09.2013
Oncology Nurse Specialist
Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital
ADVANCED DIPLOMA - NURSING EDUCATION
WITS UNIVERSITY
DIPLOMA - ONCOLOGY NURSING SCIENCE
CHRIS HANI NURSING COLLEGE
DIPLOMA - NURSING (GENERAL, MIDWIFERY, PSYCHIATRIC AND COMMUNITY
B.G. ALEXANDER NURSING COLLEGE