About the organisation:

Dandenong & District Aborigines Co-operative Ltd (DDACL) is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) which is governed by a community elected Board of Directors. It is committed to the provision of a range of high-quality services which will foster and support positive and fulfilling lifestyles for individuals and families within our community. These services are delivered in a professional and efficient manner and in keeping with our culture, traditions and heritage.

DDACL is a family friendly, flexible, supportive workplace that supports staff and encourages training and development.  This position provides a great opportunity to work with the Aboriginal community in southern metropolitan Melbourne.

The DDACL provide a range of services including Primary Health Care through Bunurong Aboriginal Health Service (BHS).

Summary of Position:

We are currently seeking a Koori Maternity Services Support Worker to join our team on a full time basis. 

The successful applicant will work as part of a team under the supervision of the Coordinator Koori Maternal Services and GPs to facilitate holistic care to Koori Maternity Service clients and female patients attending the Bunurong Health Service. This will include antenatal and postnatal care, health promotion and health education activities.

Duties:

The position is a non-clinical role working directly with expecting women, babies and families and community in the delivery of the KMS. 

Key duties include (but not limited to) the following:

• Provide practical, emotional and cultural support to women in the KMS by:
  • assisting with making appointments, transporting patients and any other practical support to ensure timely access and attendance at health services
  • providing patient advocacy and support accompanying the GP or midwife on outreach or home visits to clients; or accompanying patients to attend their maternity and specialist appointments, including transport
  • supporting women who have care planning and health assessments by monitoring health problems and needs 
  • supporting women with welfare, social and emergency needs through linkages and access to appropriate support services
• In accordance with the annual workplan, engage in a range of activities including:
  • Participating in preventative and health promotion / education activities and with DDACL and external health promotion programs 
  • Providing community and health education to individual women or in collaboration with other health promotion activities in the Community
  • Collecting health related statistics and data as required and providing these to the KMS Coordinator for reporting
  • Attend communities of practice and/or networks meetings as required
  • Under the guidance of Coordinator, KMS develop referral pathways for vulnerable women to get the right support, at the right time
• Participating in ongoing professional development including training and supervision.
  • Where a Support Worker is a qualified Aboriginal Health Worker, work with the Bunurong Health Services clinical team to enhance care and support to women in the program. This can include, but is not limited to:

• • engaging in clinical practice as an Aboriginal Health Worker as required  by the Manager, Health Clinic
  • providing continuity of care for women in the KMS as the lynchpin support  for women engaged in a range of services and programs
  • supporting the Women’s Health Clinic at Bunurong Health Service and/or  other ACCHO’s

Key Selection Criteria:

• Ability to communicate effectively with Koori people and to handle cultural issues in a sensitive manner.
• Demonstrates a good understanding of the local health and community services system; access, linkages and referral pathways to maternity and child health services; community and welfare service system
• Proven record of well developed interpersonal, written and communication skills
• Ability and/or experience in working with expecting women, families and babies
• Ability and/or experience in health and service promotion, preferably in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the south-east
• Ability and/or experience in communicating and working constructively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
• Demonstrates an understanding of the social determinants of health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, children and families

Desired Skills and Experience:

Essential Qualifications and Requirements

• Certificate III or Certificate IV in Aboriginal Health or working towards the qualification.
• Previous experience in as health worker or similar role in a health care setting.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples are strongly encouraged to apply.

If working for an Aboriginal not for profit organisation where you can make a real difference to the community and working with a supportive experienced team who are purpose driven and focused on continuous improvement sounds appealing, apply now!

DDACL is committed to building a culture that values diversity and includes the unique contributions of all people. We encourage applications from individuals of all ages, backgrounds and identities, especially those from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds.