| Description |
Aboriginal Health Practitioner |
Coonabarabran Maaruma - Li Aboriginal Corporation Aboriginal
Medical Service Part Time | $49.86 per hour | 2 days per week| 8 hrs
per day| Potential to be F/T
AHP will commence work from the 2 March 26
onwards
The Aboriginal Health Practitioner (AHP) role is
an Aboriginal Identified position and is only open to applicants who identify as
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
This is a genuine occupational requirement of
the position and is permitted under section 14 (d) of the Anti-Discrimination
Act 1977 (NSW). What you will do: The Aboriginal Health
Practitioner (AHP) position is a professional front-line health position. The
AHP will work mainly with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and
communities, blending clinical care with Cultural knowledge and practices
supporting a Culturally safe environment. Support Doctor, Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander staff, patients and community Improve access to healthcare Reduce mistrust and barriers Help close the health gap Strengthen community controlled,
community-led care and self determination Clinical care - Actively maintain knowledge of the application of the MBS
relevant to your job role and ensure information about completed MBS items is
effectively captured for accurate processing of claims.
- Collect and record data from clients which assist in the
diagnosis and management of common medical problems and medical
emergencies.
- Collect and prepare reports and statistics as required by
the Practice Manager and other service reporting requirements (e.g.
Operational Plan Development).
- Undertake regular Information Technology (IT) training to
ensure useful and accurate data entry relevant to whole of service reporting
requirements.
- Collect and prepare reports and statistics as required by
the Practice Manager.
- Participate in quality improvement processes to improve
patient and Centre outcomes.
- Take vital signs (BP, blood sugar, weight,
etc.)
- Help manage chronic conditions like diabetes, heart
disease, kidney disease
- Assist with medications and treatment plans
- Provide basic assessments and follow-ups
Health education &
prevention - Participate in relevant projects and groups that aim to
increase general health awareness.
- Conduct opportunistic and scheduled health assessments,
immunisations and treatment of clients within own scope of practice and
delegation of clinical authority at home visit/clinic or group.
- Safely and proficiently undertake a range of simple
clinical assessments (Health Checks, GPMP and TCA), tests and procedures as a
member of a primary health care team.
- Actively encourage client/family/community to engage in
practices conducive to optimising health.
- Take proactive steps to prevent illness, educate
individuals and families to maintain their health
- Support smoking cessation, nutrition, and exercise
programs
- Promote maternal, child, and men’s/women’s
health
Cultural safety & advocacy - Provide culturally appropriate health care to meet the
needs of the community.
- Liaise with Indigenous agencies, health clinics,
hospitals and welfare providers, and other staff members (particularly the
Program Team) to ensure clients have access to information and are referred to
relevant services and programs as required.
- Help
non-Indigenous health staff understand Intellectual property
(IP), Indigenous Data Sovereignty (IDS), Indigenous Cultural Intellectual
Property (ICIP) & Aboriginal Cultural Intellectual Property (ACIP),
cultural safety, protocols and obligations
- Support patients and families to feel safe, heard, and
respected in the health system
- Explain medical information in culturally appropriate
ways
- Advocate for patients when navigating diagnosis, testing,
treatment, hospitals , services and programs
Care coordination - Provide flexible support, guidance and advice to
individuals, families, and carers to assist address their social, emotional
and physical needs.
- Contribute to the effective management of the patient
care plan systems, including participating in-patient care conferences,
managing patient follow-up procedures, and maintaining appropriate and
adequate documentation in accordance with established guidelines.
- Link patients with doctors, nurses, specialists, and
community services
- Follow up missed appointments
- Support people during hospital stays and
discharges
- Conduct health promotion, encourage and support
Culturally safe access to primary health care.
- Management of acute and chronic conditions, delivery of
Culturally safe and trauma informed primary health care, health promotion and
preventative care
- This role forms part of a multidisciplinary team
including Nurses, Aboriginal Health Workers, Cultural Health Practitioners,
Domestic and family Violence, Drug and Alcohol and Mental Health, Allied
health specialists, outreach services and establishing Dental
Services.
Who we are: Maaruma - Li AMS is an
establishing Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation located on
beautiful Gamilaraay/Gomeroi/Kamilaroi Country in Coonabarabran. We are dedicated to delivering tailored, Culturally
grounded, trauma informed and inclusive care that strengthens the Cultural,
physical and spiritual wellbeing of Aboriginal people, families and communities
across the Warrumbungle LGA. Our practice is shaped by Cultural knowledge, community
connection, and Aboriginal ways of being, knowing, and doing. We support healing
through Culturally safe, trauma informed and strengths - based approaches,
advocating for Elders, families, community control, self-determination and
inclusion. We specialise in comprehensive primary health care, social
and emotional wellbeing services, community and Cultural Health programs and
Integrated Domestic Family Violence Services (IDFVS) for Aboriginal people
residing in the Warrumbungle LGA. Why are we unique? Our community has a very strong Cultural history, with
strong family lineage and family connections imbedded across
Gamilaraay/Gomeroi/Kamilaroi Country for well over two Centuries dating
pre-colonisation. We are surrounded by remnants of ancient volcanic rock
formations protected by the Warrumbungle National Park and local Elders;
Cultural water and springs; Traditional Country; Protected natural resources,
sacred fauna and flora; and Aboriginal Artefacts both living and
historical. The Siding Spring Observatory is located on the edge of Warrumbungle National
Park and is home to Australia’s largest optical telescopes. These
provide access to clear skies and views of the Milky Way and stars,
which holds many traditional stories of the Gamilaraay, Gomeroi, and Kamilaroi
ancestors. The landscapes on Country provide a memorable backdrop for
colourful sunrise and sunsets that can only be seen by locals in certain places.
The Castlereagh River known in Gamilaraay, Gomeroi and Kamilaroi language as
‘Gunimaa’ (Mother Earth) is of profound spiritual Cultural and economic
importance to Gamilaraay, Gomeroi and Kamilaroi people. The river holds spirits
and Dreamtime Stories which are held within local families. It has provided for
local Aboriginal people and animals for centuries. and is known as an ‘upside
down river’ in local LORE. It rises in rugged country in the Warrumbungle Ranges
with a unique sandy bed. It holds many secrets and these are protected by LORE
holders and Elders. Why we are establishing: We are establishing because our Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people and families have been disadvantaged for long enough, and we
must improve access to primary health care to improve the Cultural, physical and
spiritual health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
living within the Warrumbungle Shire LGA. To bridge the Gaps and meet targets within the National
Agreement and CTG To improve life expectancy so Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people can live parity to the life expectancy of Non – Indigenous
people. Why we need your help, and why you should work for
us: For generations Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander families
in the Warrumbungle region have faced chronic underinvestment in primary
healthcare and transport with long travel to hospitals, delayed diagnostics and
limited culturally safe options. Mission era controls, segregation in care and later policy
settings that favoured mainstream services, left service cliff gaps in
prevention, screening, disability navigation, mental health supports and primary
health care. Recent evidence shows persistent low SEIFA deciles in SA2
and pockets of IRSD decile 1 in SA1 which signal very high disadvantage and
unmet need. Workforce shortages in MM5 towns reduce care continuity and
force avoidable hospital admissions. Our community would provide mixed MBS items, high clinical
through put and great teaching case mix for aspiring ruralists, locums and
registrars. Community reports confirm barriers in access to GPs, Allied
health, Perinatal, child health, and disability pathways including psychosocial
support. There is no Aboriginal Medical Service within the
Warrumbungle Shire LGA Culturally safe access to bulk billing Medicare services
is not available for all our mob We have a very young population in addition to an aging
population, with both in need of immediate access to primary health
care We are 40 years behind Suburbs and Locations (SALs),
Indigenous Locations (ILOCs), Indigenous Areas (IAREs) of neighbouring
SALs. If you choose to work for us, you will become a part of the
local Aboriginal Community and history. Essential Criteria - Current registration with AHPRA
- Certificate IV or Diploma in Primary Health Care or
equivalent industry experience.
- Certificate in Pathology Collection or the equivalent or
willingness to obtain.
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience in working with
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities (or
genuine willingness, interest and compassion to participate)
- Demonstrated knowledge in the principles of primary
health and the associated skills to perform assessments, plan and implement
health care strategies.
- Demonstrated interpersonal skills in dealing with
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, community, patients, and staff
members.
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience in using computers
and particularly the Microsoft Office Suite and a demonstrated understanding
of medical software (or willingness to learn)
- Knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander societies and cultures and an understanding of the issues,
particularly in the health area which are affecting Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander people
- Demonstrated ability to communicate sensitively and
effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- Current NSW Drivers Licence
- Current Criminal History check
- Current Working with Children check.
Desirable Criteria - Willing to undertake further studies.
- A local understanding of the Aboriginal or Torres Strait
Islander communities in the area
To apply: Applications should include: - A cover letter or video outlining your interest and
suitability
- Your current resume
- Response to criteria
Please send your application to: info@maarumaliams.org.au If you have any further enquiries, please call 1300
153 634 Closing Date: 10 February 2026 Maaruma - Li AMS is committed to cultural safety, diversity,
and inclusion. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants are strongly encouraged to
apply.
|