MAARI MA HEALTH ABORIGINAL CORPORATION Improving Aboriginal health and closing the gap POSITION DESCRIPTION Position Title Employment Type Program Location Chronic Care Link Worker Fixed term (as per employment contract) Marrabinya (Indigenous Health Support Service) As per employment contract Date November 2016 About Our Organisation: Maari Ma is an Aboriginal community controlled regional health service, led and governed by an all Aboriginal Board of Directors. Our values are community, compassion, culture, empowerment, quality and respect. We work to improve the health and well-being of Aboriginal people, families and communities. We do this through: Healthy Start and Keeping Well programs of the Chronic Disease Strategy focussing on prevention, early intervention and care. Social and Community Programs to promote individual and community wellbeing, supporting young people to enjoy life, realise their potential and be all they can be. Joining research projects about community safety, chronic disease and quality outcomes. Working in partnerships with other organisations in our region including Far West Local Health District and Western NSW Primary Health Network. Facilitating services that improve the care provided to Aboriginal people with a chronic disease across western and far west NSW through the Commonwealth Government s Integrated Team Care program. Maari Ma has a Regional Primary Health Care Service with a multidisciplinary general practice in Broken Hill and delivers services and programs collaboratively with local health service staff in communities within the Far West region of New South Wales. Our service approaches are grounded in the Aboriginal concept of health which takes a holistic view incorporating the physical, social, emotional and cultural well-being of individuals, their families and their communities. Maari Ma also provides secretariat and administration support to the Murdi Paaki Regional Assembly which is the peak representative structure that represents the interest of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in 16 communities across Western NSW. Page 1 of 5
Program Information Marrabinya (Indigenous Health Support Service) Maari Ma, on behalf of a Maari Ma and Bila Muuji Aboriginal Health Services Inc. consortium, is contracted by Western NSW Primary Health Network (PHN) to deliver activities of the Integrated Team Care program which we have named Marrabinya (Indigenous Health Support Service). Marrabinya supports Indigenous people to achieve better treatment and management of chronic conditions through improved access to multidisciplinary care. It also aims to provide access to supplementary services for Indigenous people across the Western PHN region including, medical aids, specialist appointments, transport and accommodation to attend health appointments. This includes provision of support to general practice. Purpose of the Position: The Chronic Care Link Worker is responsible for engaging general practice (mainstream and Aboriginal Medical Services) in the regional cluster and implementing the Marrabinya program in that cluster. The position is responsible for accepting client referrals, brokering the services required to address the client referral and communicating the outcome back to the referring doctor. Reporting/Working Relationships: The position reports to the Manager, Marrabinya. Employment Conditions: Continued employment is subject to ongoing funding. Terms and conditions as outlined in the Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation Enterprise Agreement. Appointment and continued employment is subject to a satisfactory National Police History Check and Working with Children Check. Regular travel to towns within the designated region and cluster towns. Current Driver s License and willing to drive in the course of work activities. Key Responsibilities Client services / support Accept incoming referrals transferred to your cluster. Vouch the client s Aboriginality where appropriate. Liaise with the clients referring doctor/practice to confirm details and any specific requirements. This includes preferred service provider (where multiple services are involved for one client) and seeking advice from referring doctor/practice regarding the order and timing of services and appointments. Engage providers and/or suppliers as required to complete each client request. Client liaison including confirming referral accepted and communicating arrangements made (equipment purchased, appointment date, transport and accommodation details). Provide practical support to assist clients to complete documentation relating to their referral (IPTASS forms, Enable, Transport Disadvantaged, bank account and electronic funds transfer details). Provide practical support to assist client to take up the services arranged. Page 2 of 5
Client services / support Administration Activities Team/Program & Organisational Activities Liaise with providers/suppliers and referring doctor/practice to communicate client access issues as they arise (including clients failing to take up arranged services, logistical issues and changed arrangements. Liaise with referring doctor / practice to communicate outcome of referral. Ensure IPTAAS documentation is completed and submitted to Maari Ma s finance office. Liaise with providers to ensure report/documentation regarding the outcome of the service provided to the client is sent to the referring doctor to enable the doctor to provide post intervention follow-up. Liaise with the Manager in relation to progress of referrals and any issues, complaints or feedback that need resolving in your cluster. Liaise with the Manager to confirm approval for all services purchased. Liaise with the Finance Officer to ensure purchase orders are completed and submit necessary documentation required to acquit purchase and payment of services. Liaise with the Manager to utilise the program credit card when required. Complete data entry including client registration and update client information to track services completed, upcoming services. Provide reports to the Manager as required. Ensure the secure management of client and organisational confidential information and compliance with privacy policies and legislation. Actively and regularly participate in program planning activities and meetings. Actively develop and maintain effective internal and external networks in a professional manner. Work collaboratively with and support other Maari Ma colleagues where required. Participate in and support a culture of continuous quality improvement activities. Participate in working groups, committees and organisational activities where requested. Contribute to and support positive team morale. Promote and present a positive image of Maari Ma and the consortium to other staff, clients and the community in general. Page 3 of 5
Qualifications, Skills, Experience and Knowledge Essential Criteria Ability to work with Aboriginal staff and communities in a way that fosters mutual respect. Demonstrated understanding about the Closing the Gap cycle of care, role of general practice and role of the GP management plan in chronic disease management. Demonstrated understating about the range of supplementary services required to support people living with a diagnosed chronic disease. Demonstrated understanding of existing programs that are available to support people living in rural and remote communities to access health care. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, liaise and network with a range of health services and GP s. Computing skills relevant to the position and competent in the use of information and communication technology including Microsoft Word, email and internet applications and the ability to quickly acquire skills in other applications. Desirable Criteria Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person. Previous experience in working with or managing clients with chronic disease. Experience in working with Aboriginal clients and communities. Compliance Responsibilities All Staff Workplace Health and Safety Arrive Safe, Work Safe and Go Home Safe. Make sure you keep your safety and others safety in mind at all times. If you notice someone doing something unsafe care enough about them to ask them to stop or find a safer way. If you notice something that is a potential risk or hazard to your safety or others safety report it. Watch out for spills, things in the way of people, and/or equipment that isn t working. If you need equipment to do your job safely make sure you use it. It s there to keep you safe. If equipment isn t working properly tell everyone around you (a sign is often good) and then tell us so we can fix it. If you are involved in an incident or are injured tell us straight away. Professional Development/Performance Review/Feedback Participate in learning and development activities to maintain professional knowledge and skills. Participate in performance reviews, feedback and information sharing discussions in relation to job satisfaction and communication, continuous improvement, learning and development, innovation, and improving performance. Modelling Healthy Workplace Behaviour Maari Ma has a Smoke Free Workplace Policy and a Workplace Nutrition Policy. All staff have a responsibility to model healthy behaviour and lifestyle at work. Page 4 of 5
Immunisation Status This position is Category A employees who have contact with clients or contact with blood, body substances or infectious material. Other Responsibilities Behave in a manner consistent with personal and professional workplace standards outlined in the Code of Conduct, human resource policies (including Equal Opportunity, Workplace Bullying and Discrimination & Harassment Policies) and other relevant legislation. Abide by the policies and procedures of Maari Ma. These policies and procedures are subject to change and it is the responsibility of each staff member to maintain an awareness and understanding of all policies and procedures. Duties and responsibilities for this position should not be considered definitive. Duties may be added, deleted or modified, in consultation with employees as required, and within the scope of skills, experience, knowledge and competencies. Employee Statement I have read and understood the information contained in this Position Description. Name Signature Date Page 5 of 5