Our client, the Health Consumers' Council (HCC), is seeking a skilled and passionate SCHADS Level 5 Health Advocate to join their individual advocacy team on a part-time basis (three days per week) for a 12-month fixed-term contract, with the possibility of extension.

It can be difficult for consumers and patients to navigate the Western Australian health system, or to give feedback if they are unhappy with any aspect of their healthcare experience. This role supports health consumers in having their voice heard within the WA health system, while assisting individuals to navigate the health system and assert their rights and provides assistance through the complaints process when needed.

The role offers:

• The ability to make an impact in individuals’ health journeys, and their experiences of the WA health system
• The opportunity to be a part of a workplace that is driven by championing consumer health rights
• A welcoming, inclusive and supportive workplace, where everyone is encouraged to bring all of themselves
• Externally facilitated team supervision
• A competitive not-for-profit annual base salary with salary packaging
• Flexible working arrangements including the opportunity to work from home
• Additional leave entitlements

About you:

• You're looking for an opportunity to apply your advocacy and health rights expertise to work that matters to you.
• You’re interested in the health system and care about how peoples experiences.
• You’re comfortable responding to people “where they are”, including when people are expressing distress about their experiences.

Position Overview

This role sits within the individual advocacy team, and although the role functions quite independently, it is well supported by the Senior Advocates and the Advocacy Manager, as well as all other team members. In this role, most of the contact with consumers will be either on the telephone or through e-mail, however, attendance at appointments in the community with consumers is another important facet of this role.

A typical week might see you doing a range of tasks including:

• Contacting consumers from the advocacy waitlist or being the first point of contact with consumers seeking support
• Building advocacy plans with consumers within HCC’s scope and referring consumers to external agencies for issues that fall outside of HCC’s support
• Attending consumer appointments in hospitals, GP practices or at community mental health sites
• Liaising with hospital staff to advocate for consumers in relation to current health needs or retrospective complaints
• Writing letters of complaints addressed to health service providers, in conjunction with consumers
• Writing case notes within our Customer Relation Management system
• Attending team meetings and supervision

For a complete list of responsibilities for this role, please refer to the job description available on the HCC employment page.

To apply for the position, please submit a cover letter of no more than two pages addressing the selection criteria, along with a current resume of no more than two pages outlining your work experience, skills and any relevant education or training.

Applications that do not address the criteria may not be considered.

HCC strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and LGBTI+ people.

Selection criteria

Essential

• Understanding of the value of individual advocacy for consumers experiencing issues within the health system and the levers available to achieve advocacy outcomes
• Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills to be able to confidently advocate, negotiate, influence, mediate, de-escalate, and develop effective workplace relationships with consumers and other stakeholders
• An understanding of the social determinants of health, systemic barriers and complex trauma when working with people experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage, and the ability to operate with a trauma informed lens
• Ability to work autonomously with strong organisational skills to manage competing priorities simultaneously, in order to meet deadlines
• Highly developed analysis and report writing and computer skills
• Good working knowledge of the WA health system, community service organisations and referral pathways

Desirable

• Previous experiencing providing individual advocacy
• Tertiary qualification in social or behavioural science (e.g., social work, psychology, sociology), or previous advocacy experience or lived experience in navigating the health system
• Understanding of the Mental Health Act 2014

Applications close Monday 31 March 5:00 pm

If you require any adjustments to submit your application or wish to have a confidential discussion about the role, please contact Tania Harris, Engagement & Advocacy Manager on (08) 9221 3422 (Ext 1) or email [email protected]