Community Liaison Officer (Identified)

Full Time Permanent

Based in Cairns

Salary: Wuchopperen Health Service Limited Enterprise Agreement (2023)

Administrative Grade 6

$98,402.92 - $103,771.03

Wuchopperen Health Service

'Keeping Our Generations Growing Strong'

Wuchopperen is a Community Controlled Aboriginal Health Organisation providing holistic health care services to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Cairns.

Benefits of working with Wuchopperen:

We provide a positive work culture and a diverse and inclusive environment. Our people matter to us, and we are committed to supporting them:

• Competitive Salary + 12% Super + Salary Sacrifice (up to $15,899 for tax free benefits and $2,650 p/a for entertainment benefits).
• 5 weeks annual leave and 15 days personal leave pro rata.
• Commitment to professional development.
• EAP for employees and family members.

About the role:

The purpose of this position is to facilitate and support clients accessing both Wuchopperen Health and Social services and services within the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service. This position plays a pivotal role in building and maintaining communication pathways conducive to the holistic health and well-being of our clients and creating new opportunities to provide quality service and optimal health care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from Far North Queensland communities.

The Community Liaison Officer provides practical assistance, support, and advocacy for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and their families whilst patients of Wuchopperen Health Service who has been referred to the Community Liaison Officer Service. This role is responsible for co-ordinating and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients to ensure continued quality care and improvements to better health care outcomes.

The Community Liaison Officer is supervised by the Director, Health Services and the position has no supervisory responsibilities.

This position works closely with other members of the Wuchopperen and Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service teams and maintains regular contact with other program staff to ensure effective outcomes for clients.

Key responsibilities:

1. Advocate for clients’ healthcare rights and holistic wellbeing by supporting informed decision-making, explaining medical information, attending appointments, and ensuring culturally safe and responsive care.
2. Support care planning and coordination through co-designed care plans, participation in case conferences, and facilitating internal and external referrals to meet client needs.
3. Contribute to quality clinical services by promoting access to ATSICCHO programs, assisting with informed consent, and working with the multidisciplinary team to ensure safe, high-quality care.
4. Build and maintain strong partnerships and networks with community members, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, government services, and mainstream agencies to improve access, understanding, and service integration.
5. Liaise and collaborate effectively between clients, staff, health professionals, and external agencies to strengthen communication pathways and culturally appropriate service delivery.
6. Promote Wuchopperen programs and services through representation at community events, meetings, forums, and partnerships that raise awareness and engagement.
7. Maintain accurate reporting and documentation including mandatory organisational reports, client records, service statistics, and contributions to program development activities.
8. Complete monthly reporting for the Community Liaison Officer Service and work closely with the Primary Health Care Leadership team on attending forums and working groups linked to the program.
9. Contribute to continuous improvement processes and participate in quality assurance activities to ensure compliance with relevant standards and safe, effective service delivery.
10. Gather and record statistical data relevant to measuring performance against agreed indicators and participate in review and evaluation activities.
11. Participate in organisational and community activities to advance the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
12. Work within Wuchopperen’s Policies and Procedures including the Staff Code of Conduct and the Work Health and Safety requirements and contribute to continuous improvement processes to ensure compliance with relevant standards and safe, effective service delivery.
13. Other duties as required, within your skills, experience and capacity.

Core Capabilities:

For applicants to be successful in this role, they should demonstrate:

• Demonstrated experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in health or community settings, with a focus on supporting access to culturally safe clinical services.
• Knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander societies and cultures from an historical and contemporary perspective, including the ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Demonstrated experience working as a client advocate and support skills to assist individuals and families in navigating health systems, ensuring their rights, informed decision-making, and holistic wellbeing.
• Extensively developed interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to liaise with a range of stakeholders as well as effectively advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a multi-disciplinary team environment, prioritise and meet deadlines, deal with matters of a sensitive and confidential nature.
• Demonstrated ability to meet and work within the core values and behaviours of Wuchopperen.

Qualifications and experience:

• Qualification of Certificate IV in Community Services and/or Certificate IV in Primary Health Care is highly desirable.
• A minimum of three years’ experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in a similar role.

Requirements:

• Hold a current Blue Card (for suitability to work with children and young people).
• Proof of qualifications is required to be provided prior to the commencement of duty.
• Possess a current driver’s licence.
• A commitment to adhere to Wuchopperen’s policies and procedures.
• It is a condition of employment in this role for the employee to be, and remain, vaccinated against measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), pertussis (whooping cough) and hepatitis B.
• It is recommended for the employee to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Note: Revised legislation requires applicants to hold a blue card prior to commencement. Refer to Qld Government’s Blue Card Services website for more information.

How to apply:

To be eligible for interview, applicants must submit a cover letter (no more than two pages), addressing the Core Capabilities and an up-to-date Resume including two referees and complete the screening questions provided from Employment Hero.

For more information contact Korrie, A/Director Health Services on ‪07 4080 1158‬

The above is an Identified position. It is a genuine occupational requirement that an Identified position be filled by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person, as permitted by and arguable under section 25, 104 and 105 of the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act (1991).

Wuchopperen is a Child Safe Organisation and the safety and wellbeing of children is of utmost importance.

Closing date for applications: 5pm on Monday October 13th 2025