This is an Identified position in accordance with Section 13(1) of the Public Sector Management Standards 1996 and is only open to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural identity is considered essential and therefore confirmation of cultural identity may be requested.

Canberra Health Services (CHS) has a strong commitment to the provision of holistic, person and family-centred care service, focusing on culturally safe, trauma-informed, and connected care to Aboriginal communities, families and individuals from the ACT and region. CHS is leading reform designed to improve the health and wellbeing of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in accordance with the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan, Close the Gap initiatives and the CHS Together, Forward 2023-2025 report.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing Service (AHW Service) provides the cultural emotional and wellbeing support to patients and their family. The AHW Service also provides Mental Health, Justice Health and Alcohol and Drug Services support to youth and adults via inpatient and outpatient settings, community health centres, justice health facilities and other community settings, including people’s homes. Under the limited supervision of the Deputy Director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing, the Manager, AHW Service will be responsible for day-to-day leadership, planning and service delivery, ensuring CHS AHW Service provides practical, social and wellbeing support, to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people accessing services across the Canberra Hospital network.

The successful candidate will work within a small team environment as well as participate in multidisciplinary teams and will be expected to provide high-quality customer service to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers as well as staff of CHS.
This position will also participate in quality initiatives that enhance service delivery for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities both locally and southern NSW.

This position is required to work flexibly across a wide range of services and locations.

Cultural capability and safety

The ACT Public Service (ACTPS) is committed to putting the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at the center of care decisions and being guided by their unique and valuable lived experiences. This position has a strong focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health outcomes and requires a demonstrated understanding of historical and contemporary cultural contexts, specifically regarding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing.

You will demonstrate cultural capability when engaging with community, Elders and Traditional Custodians and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We acknowledge that this role may result in an increased cultural load, and we are committed to ensuring a culturally and psychologically safe environment. The ACTPS has a range of culturally safe supports in place including mob led staff networks, designated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander support through our Employee Assistance Program and access to cultural debriefing as required.

Under limited direction of the Manager Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Hub you will:

• Provide high level, culturally informed support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, their families and community by:
  • assisting with identifying goals and care planning,
  • facilitating, advocating for and supporting cultural security and safety, and
  • providing cultural and/or clinical translation/ interpretation for consumers, family and staff
  • facilitate access to transport services.
• Assist in the development of policies and procedures relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing.
• Liaise effectively with local communities and other service providers on general service matters.

Provide high level advice on training requirements.

• Develop and participate in quality improvement activities, including annual performance appraisal and assist in the development and provision of appropriate health promotion activities.
• Provide input into reports, complete statistics and produce documentation as required by the Manager.
• Undertaking other duties appropriate to this level of classification which contribute to the operation of the section with the delivery of high-quality person and family centred, safe and high-quality patient care.

Undertake other duties appropriate to this level of classification which contribute to the operation of the organisation.

• Knowledge and understanding of the historical and contemporary issues that impact Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities and a demonstrated awareness of cultural protocols and processes.
• Inclusive and engaging of Aboriginal people and issues; and maintains cultural integrity at a systemic and personal/professional level.
• Organisational skills and drive with a strong work ethic and an appreciation of the clinical domain.
• Recognition of the role of change and the impacts of the responsiveness of services to meet clients’ needs.
• Strong work ethic and adaptability and flexibility to accommodate changein a constantly changing environment.
• Commitment to achieving positive results for the department.
• Ability to apply judgement, critical thinking and common sense.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to develop and maintain networks across Canberra Health Services and with key stakeholders.
• A demonstrated ability to drive, communicate and direct in a team environment.
• A demonstrated ability to manage confidential and sensitive information.

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the following.

Essential

• This is a designated position and only open to Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander People. Confirmation of Aboriginality will be required before appointment to this position.
• Qualifications/skills in a relevant area or willingness to undertake studies such as Certificate III Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care and/or Certificate IV Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice.
• Cultural knowledge and competency of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community organisations is required.
• Current drivers licence.

Desirable

• Relevant qualifications and a minimum of 3 years’ experience working professionally in a health and/or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander setting.

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the following.

Essential

• Experience working with clients that may present with drug, alcohol, mental health, or physical health issues within a variety of settings such as hospitals, within community or in a custodial setting.
• The successful applicant will need to be available for occasional weekend and after-hours work, with access to flex time.

Desirable

• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.
• Fulfil the responsibilities of this role in alignment to the CHS Exceptional Care Framework and all other related frameworks.

• Undergo a pre-employment National Police Check.
• Comply with Canberra Health Services Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination policy.
• Current registration issued under the Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act 2011 is required.
• Provide Confirmation of Aboriginality.

All employees are required to:

• Adhere to the Canberra Health Services Values and the ACT Public Service Code of Conduct
• Act in accordance and comply with all relevant Safety and Quality policies and procedures.
• Comply with all relevant clinical and/or competency standards.

CHS is leading the drive to digitally transform health service delivery in Australia through the implementation of a territory wide Digital Health Record. Computer literacy skills are required which are relevant to this role as you will be responsible for completing required documentation and becoming a proficient user of the Digital Health Record and/or other Information Technology systems; once proficient, you will need to remain current with changes, updates, and contingencies.

These are the key selection criteria for how you will be assessed in conjunction with your resumé and experience.

1. Proven experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the understanding of their health issues and barriers faced when accessing quality health care.
2. Proven communication skills with an ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from various communities across ACT and the surrounding region.
3. Demonstrated leadership skills, initiative and an ability to provide a high level of responsive and confidential client services, without judgement.
4. Experience in working as part of a small team and meeting deadlines with minimal supervision, with a proven ability to write reports and policies, and to develop and deliver culturally informed content to staff and stakeholders.
5. Demonstrates understanding of, and adherence to, safety and quality standards, work, health and safety (WH&S) and the positive patient experience. Displays behaviour consistent with CHS’s values of reliable, progressive, respectful and kind.

The following work environment description outlines the inherent requirements of the role and indicates how frequently each of these requirements would need to be performed. Please note that the ACT Public Service is committed to providing reasonable adjustments and ensuring all individuals have equal opportunities in the workplace.

Administrative	Frequency
Telephone use	Frequently
General computer use	Frequently
Extensive keying/data entry	Occasionally
Graphical/analytical based	Occasionally
Sitting at a desk	Frequently
Standing for long periods	Frequently

Psychosocial demands	Frequency
Distressed People e.g. Emergency or grief situations	Frequently
Aggressive & Uncooperative People e.g. drug / alcohol, dementia, mental illness	Frequently
Unpredictable People e.g. Dementia, mental illness, head injuries	Frequently
Restraining e.g. involvement in physical containment of clients/consumers	Never
Exposure to Distressing Situations e.g. Child abuse, viewing dead / mutilated bodies; verbal abuse; domestic violence; suicide	Frequently

Physical demands	Frequency
Distance walking (large buildings or inter-building transit)	Frequently
Working outdoors	Occasionally

Manual handling	Frequency
Lifting 0 - 9kg	Occasionally
Lifting 10 - 15kg	Occasionally
Lifting 16kg+	Occasionally
Climbing	Never
Running	Never
Reaching	Occasionally
Kneeling	Occasionally
Foot and leg movement	Frequently
Hand, arm and grasping movements	Frequently
Bending/squatting	Frequently
Bend/Lean Forward from Waist/Trunk twisting	Occasionally
Push/pull	Occasionally
Sequential repetitive movements in a short amount of time	Never

Travel	Frequency
Frequent travel – multiple work sites	Occasionally
Frequent travel – driving	Occasionally

Specific hazards	Frequency
Working at heights	Never
Exposure to extreme temperatures	Never
Operation of heavy machinery e.g. forklift	Never
Confined spaces	Never
Excessive noise	Never
Low lighting	Never
Handling of dangerous goods/equipment e.g. gases; liquids; biological.	Never
Slippery or uneven surfaces	Never