Ms Galer has just qualified as just the fourth nurse colposcopist in New Zealand - a job in which she identifies cancer-causing cell changes, and then treats patients.
''It's challenging but it's really rewarding,'' she said.
''You get to meet the patient, assess the patient, formulate a plan, undertake the plan, and then follow up and discharge ... you can pick up cervical cancer as a pre-cancer, treat it, and almost eliminate their chances of getting a cancer.
''You are preventing cancer in women who could otherwise go on and get cancer.''
A colposcopist uses a colposcope to examine the cervix, vagina, and vulva. As well as assessing women with abnormal smears and symptoms, they can treat lesions under local anaesthesia and carry out follow-up treatments.
The role is common overseas, but rare in New Zealand.
Ms Galer - who has worked in the oncology department and also as a clinical nurse specialist in Women's Health - trained under the supervision of University of Otago senior obstetrics and gynaecology lecturer Helen Paterson for a year.
Having an experienced mentor teaching her techniques normally performed by doctors was a privilege, Ms Galer - who performed more than 200 colposcopies as part of her training - said.
''She was a fantastic teacher, very skilled,'' Ms Galer said.
''It's not difficult but it was a bit frightening because you are undertaking a minor piece of surgery.
Before I treated anyone, Helen and I came in one evening with precooked sausages and I practised treatment on those.
''I probably did about 30 treatments on sausages before I started on a human.''
Ms Galer knew what she was getting into with her role: as lead colposcopy nurse for many years she knew the process well, and a visiting British specialist had encouraged her to undertake the training.
However, steering the machine herself was still a milestone.
''It is a different perspective for a nurse and there is a stage of transition into that - I am going into a doctor-orientated part of the profession - but so far so good, I have been welcomed with open arms.''
Details of Ms Galer's new role were still being finalised, but she was likely to hold three clinics a week, with six patients per clinic.
''With each of those women I will also have an administrative session to go through their results.''
There was also a possibility Ms Galer might take her new skills to the more remote areas of the SDHB region, but that is to be confirmed.
''It is a sensitive area and everyone is different: you have to take the patient as you see them when they come through the door, but you very quickly work out what approach to take.''
