James practices clinically as a sexual health nurse in metropolitan South Australia, is a member of the Australasian Society for HIV Medicine (ASHM), and a national board member of DEFGLIS, the network that supports and represents lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex Australian Defence Force personnel and their families. James is also an experienced health services trainer, an emergency nurse practicing in a major public trauma centre, and a Nursing Officer in the Australian Army Active Reserve. He was awarded a HESTA Australian nursing award in 2010. James is involved in many aspects of nursing, health policy, advocacy, and research.