Position title: Aboriginal Health Navigator
Award: Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010
Classification: Level 4
Reports to: CEO
Status: Full-time, 38 hours per week - fixed for 6 months, subject to ongoing renewal.
Job Purpose
The Aboriginal Health Navigator role aims to achieve improved access and advocacy for Indigenous clients through existing models of care. This role will increase episodes of care and direct supports to enable patients with access barriers to attend appointments, adhere to treatment plans, and coordinate follow up care and lifestyle changes. The organisation will facilitate and increase the availability of appointments with Aboriginal Health Practitioners, General Practitioners and Allied Health Professionals.
Program Background
This program will deliver improved chronic disease management with the goal of reducing presentations to emergency departments. Aboriginal people in Victoria are 2.3 times more likely to present to an Emergency Department for a potentially preventable condition compared to non-Aboriginal people. The Urgent Care Pathways funding is intended to significantly improve the health and wellbeing of Victorian Aboriginal people and alleviate the demand on Victorian hospitals and acute services. This will be done by redirecting treatment for Potentially Preventable Hospitalisations (PPHs) among Aboriginal people into holistic, culturally-safe primary healthcare settings.
Key Responsibilities
• Promote and increase Indigenous community participation in primary health care services programs within the EMR.
• Maintain current knowledge of the local service system and develop effective links and establish respectful relationships with Indigenous community members, ACCHOs and health care sector agencies within the EMR.
• Liaise closely with the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs), community health services, the Department of Health (Vic & Commonwealth), Indigenous health peak bodies and other agencies to meet the needs of community members and participants.
• Coordinate activities that support delivery of the Urgent Care Pathways program in line with the funding outcomes which includes but is not limited to:
? Patient transport - Drive community members to and from appointments at FPHW, supporting additional trips e.g. to the pharmacy as required in the company provided vehicle.
? Patient support and service navigation by:
a) Ensuring community members are aware of FPHW and other relevant ACCHOs services.
b) Assist community in understanding importance of the Medicare Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 715 health checks.
c) Assisting community members to navigate the healthcare system and access FPHW services.
d) Improving access and advocacy for Aboriginal community members to FPHW’s primary health services at key stages of care.
e) Provide emotional support, guidance for community members through the healthcare system and facilitate access to programs that support community members across the spectrum of supports they need in order to focus on chronic conditions.
f) Building community members’ understanding of chronic disease, the need for early intervention, and healthy lifestyles.
• Promote and strengthen Aboriginal cultural identity in the EMR by working collaboratively to develop programs and processes that meet the health and social emotional wellbeing needs of Aboriginal community.
• Use an early intervention/assertive approach to consult, engage, build rapport, identify barriers and actively seek feedback from individuals to inform service responses.
• Maintain current knowledge of the local service system, actively develop and maintain links with other service providers through networking and work proactively and collaboratively.
• Develop, implement and monitor health access programs and outcomes to ensure they meet expectations.
• Maintain a confidential register of participants which includes detailed and accurate client records and contact details.
• Work collaboratively with Leadership Team and staff, community groups and other stakeholders in order to meet the needs of the Access and Support clients.
• Ensure that all required documentation is completed within designated timeframes, is of a high professional standard and meets legislative and organisational requirements.
• Comply with all organisational policies, code of conduct, procedures and practices, external funding body requirements and legislation.
• Apply and uphold principles of equity and anti-discrimination in the workplace and adhere to organisational and legislative Health, Safety and Environment requirements.
• Any other duties as directed by the CEO where required.
Key Selection Criteria
Essential• Demonstrated understanding of the Victorian Aboriginal community with specific understanding of the cultural and historical issues that impact on Aboriginal clients, particularly in response to intergenerational trauma and the Stolen Generations.
• Previous experience in a primary health care setting either in work or study.
• Ability to resolve conflict, solve problems and negotiate outcomes.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and verbally, and with a wide range of people.
• Demonstrated liaison and networking skills and ability to work with other organisations and services.
• Ability to advocacy on behalf of clients by providing sound advice and assistance based on knowledge and experience.
• Demonstrate proficient computer skills and IT knowledge.
• Availability to work flexible hours including afterhours where required.
Desirable• Certificate IV in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice (ATSIPHC).
• Experience in undertaking health assessments, care plans and cycles of care.
• A current first aid certificate or willingness to obtain once employed.
Mandatory checks
• National police check
• Current Victorian Driver’s license
• Current Working with Children’s Check
• Two current referees
Personal Attributes
• Client and Community focused.
• Culturally aware and inclusive.
• Self-motivated, respectful, and committed to achieving great health outcomes for clients.
• Strong time management skills.
• Understand the importance of confidentiality and privacy.
• Strong team player with effective interpersonal skills with the ability to work autonomously when required.
• Ability to make sound and timely decisions.
• Emotionally intelligent with a strong work ethic.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication at all levels.
• Attention to detail and results oriented.
• Problem solving and solutions outlook with self-initiative.
Only Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply for this position. This action constitutes a special measure under section 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic)