Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer

Position Title: Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer
Classification: HS3
Department: Operations

Applications Open: 24/6/2025

What We Offer
At Bass Coast Health, we value and support our staff. As part of our team, you'll enjoy a range of employee benefits, including:

Access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Free onsite parking

Petrol discounts at a local station

Onsite accommodation (where applicable)

Health and wellbeing initiatives

Discounted gym memberships at a local fitness centre

About the Role: Permanent Part Time 38 Hours Per Fortnight

The role of the Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer is to provide culturally safe support to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander patients and families by empowering them to participate fully in their health care management, to achieve better health outcomes.

Bass Coast Health and Gippsland Southern Health Service (part of the soon to be Bayside Local Health Service Network - working title) are committed to closing the gap and improving health outcomes and experiences for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer(s) will work across the Bass Coast Health and Gippsland Southern Health Service catchment.

Support for patients and families can include:

Internal services:

Provide social and cultural support with empathy

Be a conduit between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients and staff

Advocate for clients

Providing a culturally safe place for clients and families

Attend multi-disciplinary team or committee meetings as invited

Attend to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander email inbox each day and provide support in Emergency Department/Urgent Care Centres as/when required

Facilitate timely, appropriate and effective access to culturally appropriate health care

Participate in cultural safety education under the cultural safety plan

Liaise, advocate with and on behalf of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients who are hospitalised or are receiving outpatient services

Educate patients around Close the Gap resources and refer to Clinical Nurse Consultant for linking patients with Closing the Gap.

Arrange referrals and coordination of services to BCH, GSHS or external services to and for clients and families

Complete accurate and timely documentation of all patient involvement

Enter timely and accurate data into data management system

External Services:

Escort clients to medical appointments (when requested and able)

Participate in health promotion activities for community members where relevant

Partner with other health services to provide coordinated care for patients and community

Work together with Alfred Health, Peninsula Health, Kooweerup Regional Health Service and Gippsland Southern Health Service as part of the new merged entity providing care and support to Aboriginal patients and community

In relation to Indigenous Health Team:

Collaborate with Aboriginal Clinical Nurse Consultant and Aboriginal Health Nurse in client case management

Attend Aboriginal Health Team staff and muster meetings

Attend First Peoples Advisory Committee meetings

Attend Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group

Attend Regional Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer network

Attend annual state-wide Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer conference

Participate in Professional Development

Attend Cultural supervision meeting with Elder-in-Residence

The AHLO liaises with other stakeholders in the service delivery of excellent culturally safe and holistic care. The goal of this work is to arrange referrals and ensure that the patient journey is well coordinated, effective and efficient.

The AHLO works closely with the Aboriginal Health Clinical Nurse Consultant and participates in Team meetings and makes referrals for social work services to the Social Work team.

This role supports the development and implementation of the Reconciliation Action Plan and Cultural Safety Plan and key Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander initiatives internally and with our partners.

Mandatory Requirements:

Must identify as an Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

Demonstrate: − Moderate level of English literacy, numeracy skills and computer literacy, demonstrating an ability to contribute to and prepare submissions or reports through the competent use of Microsoft office and other platforms

An organised approach to work; effectively managing responsibilities and own priorities

High level teamwork and communication skills; demonstrating strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills and an ability to liaise with the Executive team and staff

A proven reliable and relevant work history

Understands the importance of confidentiality and privacy and demonstrates this in their everyday practice

Commitment to professional development/up skilling

Commitment to the care and support to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community, demonstrating experience with helping clients with cultural safety in a health setting

Local community knowledge

An understanding of culturally safe holistic approach to health care

Experience of working with knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture and how to effectively communicate with Aboriginal people is essential

Experience working effectively and sensitively with Aboriginal young people, families, communities and service providers

Undertake Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Management (MARAM) framework training as appropriate to your position and adhere to related policies

Relationship management skills and the ability to deal with a diverse, and often competing, range of community needs

A valid Police Check

Healthcare to whom the mandatory vaccination (influenza vaccination) directions apply, will be required to be vaccinated annually

Desirable

Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice, Health Work (or equivalent) through an accredited education provider, or be willing to attain it.

Minimum of 3 years’ experience in the provision of Aboriginal primary health care

Demonstrated experienced with disease prevention and health promotion activities

Position Description:

How To Apply:

A cover letter & Resume outlining your suitability for the role Via Seek

📅 Applications close on 8/7/2025

For further information, please refer to the Position Description or contact the HR department at (03) 5671 3151