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Employment

Aboriginal Health Education Officer

Name of Facility	51 -Grafton
Position Number	0771/08
Basis	Permanent Full Time
Salary	$41,972 to $71,589 per annum
Closing Date	13 November, 2009

Position Description

Purpose of Role:
To increase the wellbeing for Mothers and babies from within Aboriginal community, within the Clarence Vally.

Role Responsibilites:

Work in partnership with the AMIHS midwife, government and non-government health services and other relevant agencies to achieve the primary objectives of the program.
Work with health service and relevant stakeholders to develop and assist in delivering a coordinated, holistic preconception, antenatal and postnatal program which will provide, culturally sensitive services to Aboriginal women, their families and communities.
Ensure there is a planned and smooth transition to C&FH Nurse services at 6 weeks post partum. This can be achieved by building effective working relationships including shared PN visits.
Develop service partnerships with General Practitioners and Obstetricians, and The Aboriginal Liaison Officer at GBH to facilitate the engagement of Aboriginal women in appropriate antenatal care and to implement a range of strategies to effectively manage high-risk pregnancies.
Establish and maintain collaborative service partnerships which include: Aboriginal women, their families and communities; Aboriginal community controlled organisations; Aboriginal Health staff; including the Aboriginal Liaison Officer, GBH, Maternity Services; and relevant non-government agencies, ie Community Programs and Brighter Futures.
Facilitate maternal and infant health related education by assisting to design, deliver and evaluate prevention and health promotion programs for Aboriginal women and their communities.
Act as an advocate for Aboriginal consumers for the needs of Aboriginal clients of the health system on culturally appropriate ways to provide services.
Provide support, care, education and referral for Aboriginal clients, their families, friends and carers and act as a liaison between the Aboriginal community and the NCAHS.
Identify and use a range of culturally appropriate distribution systems for the dissemination of information and education.
Contribute to the quality of service provision through the evaluation, monitoring and review of service provision.
Establish and maintain collaborative service partnerships with the midwife, other health professionals and other community agencies.
Development of Women’s reference groups or other culturally appropriate consultation processes to guide community development activities.
Actively participate in the planning and implementation of health promotion and community development initiatives relating to Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Health.
Establish a collaborative service partnership with the DoCS Brighter Futures program to ensure appropriate and timely referrals where women & families can utilise optional early intervention programs.
Establish a collaborative service partnership with the Aboriginal Family Worker funded through Families NSW.
Work in partnership with the midwife to implement a range of strategies to engage community members in project planning and decision-making.
Provide reports to the Nurse Unit Manager as required.
Develop and maintain an annual work plan in consultation with the midwife and the Nurse Unit Manager.
Maintain appropriate clerical procedures and systems, including an intake system and clinical information tracking system.
Monitor, record and report activities and statistics utilising the AMIHS data base relating to the Aboriginal Midwifery and Infant Health Strategy Funding Performance Agreement.
Maintain client health records in line with NSW Health policy.
Actively participate in AMIH meetings at a State, Area Health Service and network level as appropriate.
Undertake education as required by the position in relation to the objectives of the AMIH program.
Maintain networks with Aboriginal Health and Aboriginal Health Education Officers fulfilling similar positions within the Area and in other Area Health Services.
Active contribution to continuing education and development of other staff and students where applicable.
Ensure practice is in accordance with current legislation and professional standards.
Make an ongoing commitment to reflective practice and self development processes through attendance at regular supervision.

Essential Criteria

Female (designated specifically as a female position under section 31 of the Anti-Discrimination Act).
This is a designated Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander Position. Applicants for this position must be of Aboriginal descent through parentage, identification as being Aboriginal and being accepted in the community as such. Exemption is claimed under Section 14 of the Anti Discrimination Act. North Coast Areas Health Service deems it appropriate to seek confirmation of Aboriginality status from applicants applying for Aboriginal identified positions or targeted positions either during the interview process or after commencement of the position.
Demonstrated understanding of Aboriginal culture and current issues in Aboriginal Women’s Health, specifically relating to pregnancy, childbirth and infant health.
Demonstrated experience in health promotion, community development and experience working with Aboriginal people within a community setting.
Demonstrated effective verbal and written communication skills.
Experience and understanding of how to apply Primary Health Care principles in a community health setting.
Demonstrated ability to effectively use a computer keyboard; work with a word-processing and an e-mail software application. (N.B the preferred applications are Microsoft Word and Outlook, however experience with other applications is considered relevant).
Current NSW Drivers Licence.

Enquiries

Kerry Harman Phone: 02 6640 2298
Email: kerry.harman@ncahs.health.nsw.gov.au

How to Apply

Please Note: Our preferred method for submitting job applications is online.

Application Package

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Or Contact: Recruitment Services
Phone: 02 4926 7626
Email: hss-nc-jobs@hss.health.nsw.gov.au

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