Aboriginal Health Worker/Practitioner

Armajun Aboriginal Health Service; Armidale; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Armajun Aboriginal Health Service in NSW seeks a community‑minded role to improve access to primary health care for Aboriginal people and families in Inverell district. The role includes advocacy, health promotion and linking clients to a range of services with a focus on social and emotional wellbeing.

You will support engagement with health service providers, assist in assessments, referrals and education, and work with a collaborative team to deliver culturally safe care in the community.

Responsibilities

• Provide practical assistance to Aboriginal people so they can gain greater access to health and related services
• Provide advocacy, personal development, family relationship supports and pathways to improve health and lifestyle opportunities for Aboriginal people in the Inverell and district community
• Assist to improve population health outcomes by participating in screening, health assessments, client recall and education
• Support the GPs in providing early intervention and preventative services
• Provide opportunities, support and services to clients to develop and redevelop skills, build confidence and reconnect with the community
• Make referrals and facilitate access to relevant services such as housing, vocational services, early childhood, drug and alcohol services, clinical, mental health and allied health services
• Support strategies that reduces the long-term risks of the client's chronic disease or other health condition and improves their quality of life
• Provide education and understanding to members of the community through delivery of relevant and culturally appropriate education and information
• Undertake consultations with clients, including listening to their story, providing a basic physical examination and consulting with more experienced clinical staff as necessary, and to advise on the treatment and management of a client's health problems
• Record in the clinic notes details of client consultations, including history, examination and management offered and any follow-up organised

Job description

This position aims to increase opportunities for Aboriginal people where health, behavioural, social and emotional wellbeing issues is effecting their capacity to manage and/or improve their health and life opportunities. This role will provide direct support to Aboriginal community members and their families, improving and facilitating their access to services, including primary health care, as well as enabling best practice care to be delivered by relevant service providers. This role will also assist to identify health and social determinants contributing to clients developing chronic health conditions and support strategies developed to improve health and life outcomes. This is a clinical role.

About us

Armajun Aboriginal Health Service (AHS) is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (ACCHS) and provides culturally appropriate primary health care services to Aboriginal people and communities living in the Inverell (including the towns of Tingha and Ashford), Glen Innes, Tenterfield, Armidale and surrounding districts in north east rural NSW. The Armajun service commenced in 2005 and the service has been established by and is managed by members of the local Aboriginal communities from the region in which the service is located. The services provided are based on needs and priorities of the community as determined by the community. Armajun Aboriginal Health Services is accredited with Australian General Practice Accreditation Limited (AGPAL). The service is actively conducting continuous improvement activities to ensure continued and enhanced compliance with the RACGP Standards for General Practices and is working towards meeting the Quality Improvement Council (QIC) Standards.

Key responsibilities

Provide practical assistance to Aboriginal people so that they can gain greater access to health and related services

Provide advocacy, personal development, family relationship supports and pathways to improve health and lifestyle opportunities for Aboriginal people in the Inverell and district community

Assist to improve population health outcomes by participating in screening, health assessments, client recall and education

Support the GPs in providing early intervention and preventative services

Provide opportunities, support and services to clients to develop and redevelop skills, build confidence and reconnect with the community

Make referrals and facilitate access to relevant services such as housing, vocational services, early childhood, drug and alcohol services, clinical, mental health and allied health services

Support strategies that reduces the long-term risks of the client's chronic disease or other health condition and improves their quality of life

Provide education and understanding to members of the community through delivery of relevant and culturally appropriate education and information

Undertake consultations with clients, including listening to their story, providing a basic physical examination and consulting with more experienced clinical staff as necessary, and to advise on the treatment and management of a client's health problems

Record in the clinic notes details of client consultations, including history, examination and management offered and any follow-up organised

About you

Identify as being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and be an active member within your community

Have a demonstrated understanding of issues affecting Aboriginal people and their health

Have a demonstrated ability to communicate sensitively with and to effectively engage with Aboriginal people and communities

Ability to build rapport with clients and to advocate on their behalf

Good organisational skills and the ability to prioritise tasks

Commitment to learning and willingness to undertake training as required

Computer literacy, able to keep statistics and to write reports

Demonstrated ability to be self-motivated and to work with minimal supervision, as well as the capacity to work positively and co-operatively within a diverse team environment

Experience working with health service agencies, non-government organisations and community groups (desirable)