Kakadu Health Service Djabulukgu Association PO Box 721 Jabiru NT 0886 Ph: 08 8979 9999 Fax: 08 8979 3770 Dear Applicant, Thank you for your interest in a position with Kakadu Health Service. We hope you give serious consideration to working with the health service. Kakadu Health Service is a young and innovative provider of health care services in the region. Our service area is primarily within the boundaries of Kakadu National Park although we do provide an increasing range of services to Gunbalanya Community (Oenpelli) in Western Arnhemland. The health service is particularly interested in health service reform in the region as we believe this offers great scope for improved services to our clients. A West Arnhem Health Board is envisaged in the future. The following pages provide general information about health service operations and the recruitment process to assist you in the preparation of your application. There are many compelling reasons to consider working with Kakadu Health Service including but not limited to: Relaxed tropical lifestyle Spectacular beauty of Kakadu National Park and Arnhem Land Vibrant local Aboriginal culture Wide range of sporting, social and recreational opportunities including magnificent fishing Excellent local facilities in Jabiru including restaurants, bakery, an area school, library, art galleries and sports / social clubs as well as all basic services such as banking and supermarket. Close proximity to Darwin and all weather access by sealed road Opportunity to play a role in health service reform in the region working with an organisation committed to collaboration and grass-roots community development We look forward to receiving your application. Yours truly, The Kakadu Health Service Management Team KHS_Recruitment Information Package Mar 2008 1
KAKADU HEALTH SERVICE OVERVIEW Kakadu Health Service is a developing community-controlled primary health care provider based in Jabiru established primarily to service the Aboriginal population of Kakadu National Park and surrounding areas. It is currently auspiced by Djabulukgu Association Incorporated but actively encourages input from all Bininj within the region. The Djabulukgu Association committee has realised the demands of managing a regional health service require a dedicated health board and strongly supports efforts to create an independent health body. At present Kakadu Health Service is in the process of making the first stage of this transition. The health service is committed to a process of integrated community development. This is in acknowledgment of the fact that health gains will be driven largely by social, economic, cultural, environmental, political and personal changes in the local population with specific health services supporting this process of change. At present the service area is that of Kakadu National Park with healthcare provided in Jabiru and at the 13 surrounding outstations although partnerships with Gunbalanya and other Western Arnhemland communities are being strengthened all the time. Kakadu Health Service is co-located within the Department of Health & Community Service in both Jabiru and Gunbalanya Community Health Centres and seeks to work in close cooperation with their staff. At regular intervals the two organisations have looked at ways they can work together more effectively and efficiently. The development of one community controlled organisation is the long term goal for the region. At present Kakadu Health Service provides the following services to our clients within the Kakadu National Park area: PRIMARY HEALTH CARE BRANCH Primary Health Care - provision of primary health care services to the 13 surrounding outstations through a visiting team of health professionals. At present the team consists of two doctors and two Aboriginal Health Workers. Services provided include clinical care, preventative health programs and education sessions. A GP Registrar and Junior Doctor program is also maintained subject to availability of doctors for placement. Women s and Children s Health- the health service has a dedicated Women s & Children s Health AHW to focus on the growth of infants and young children implementing action plans where growth falters and facilitating population health initiatives such as immunisation and nutrition programs. Working with mothers and grandmothers is another key element to improve other health factors nutrition, exercise, smoke-free environments and healthy houses. This program also seeks to facilitate better access to specialist services in the region. A Women s & Children s Health Coordinator is also employed to help support the Women s and Children s Health program and develop both health service and community capacity to address this critical area. Stronger Women, Stronger Babies, Stronger Culture Program - this program is currently being established to assist in the provision of culturally appropriate antenatal, women s and children s health, and education programs to the community. A particular focus will be on reducing the risk of low birth eight babies in the region. Health & Lifestyle Education and Promotion - this innovative aspect of health service operations seeks to develop a range of health education tools in to facilitate better understanding of non-traditional health concepts and assist other staff in health education activities. The primary focus is on improving chronic disease outcomes by reducing risk factors including poor diet, inadequate exercise, smoking and other drug use and environmental health factors. Education is a team-based process with all KHS staff involved in this aspect with support and coordination from the educator. KHS_Recruitment Information Package Mar 2008 2
Gunbalanya GP Services Kakadu Health Services employs the Gunbalanya doctor. This provides better support to the region s medical staff and delivers real benefits through staff rotation and collaboration. A GP Registrar and Junior Doctor program is also maintained subject to availability of doctors for placement AGED CARE BRANCH Community Aged Care Services - a combination of Commonwealth and Northern Territory aged care funding allows the provision of services aimed at supporting elderly and disabled clients to continue living at home as they become less independent. Services include provision of meals, home cleaning and basic maintenance, laundry, shopping, cultural support and respite for carers. Respite Program options are currently being considered to re-establish respite care in the region Transport Services - the program seeks to enable clients to access a wider range of health services both within the Kakadu region and the secondary / tertiary education systems. As a result we have been able to increase client access to both local services and specialist care in Darwin. SOCIAL SERVICES BRANCH Family Support & Assistance - this program seeks to provide client assessment, counselling, case management and family support services to victims of family crisis, including family violence. Other aspects include liaison and referral with the police and legal system as well as the social security system. Drug and Alcohol Counselling & Support this aspect of operations seeks to support the Bininj communities of the Kakadu and West Arnhem regions in developing appropriate local responses to the problems of alcohol and other drug misuse. This involves providing assistance at both an individual and a community level. Individual support services are built around assessment, counselling and case management while at the community level the emphasis is on community development, capacity building and regional coordination. Community Patrol - options are currently being considered to re-establish respite care in the region AERF Gunbang An-bang Project this innovative regional program focuses on reducing harm associated with licit substance use in the region ie alcohol, tobacco and solvents. It focuses on youth and families and seeks to introduce change to the prevailing social norms around use of these substances. Helping Everyone Homelessness Project this exciting new program will work with the Aboriginal population of Kakadu who are already homeless or who are susceptible to homelessness by providing integrated and effective access to social support services in a cultural appropriate manner. The program aims to increase collaborative working partnerships between local agencies, services providers and organisation within the local region thus decreasing service gaps and providing efficient client referral pathways and client interventions and or programs. The Helping Everyone program also aims to address the contributing factors of homelessness, such as substance misuse and family violence by providing programs and enhanced community based approaches. Two Worlds Youth Life Program this new project aims to increase positive social health practices in Aboriginal communities within the Kakadu region. The program aims to increase resilience factors while decreasing risk factors for young Aboriginal youth residing in the region. The Two Worlds Youth Life Program also seeks to increase safety levels for all Aboriginal community members by adopting a broad community responsibility approach. KHS_Recruitment Information Package Mar 2008 3
CORPORATE SERVICES BRANCH The corporate services section with Kakadu Health Service employs an Administration Officer, an Office Manager and General Manager to oversee the management of health service activity including recruitment, staff support and development, procurement of supplies and services, financial management and strategic planning. Health service reform is a particular focus of the overall strategic direction of KHS with the key goal of improving service delivery to the region. KHS_Recruitment Information Package Mar 2008 4
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GENERAL INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS Kakadu Health Services provides the following information as a guide to assist potential applicants in preparing an application for employment with the health service. APPLICATIONS Applicants must address the provided selection criteria in order to be considered for a position. The health service is not necessarily seeking lengthy responses to every selection criterion. Consider the relative importance of each question. Job applications are to be provided by the due date unless otherwise authorised in writing by the Office Manager or General Manager. Two copies of your curriculum vitae and selection criteria response are requested. Applications may be submitted electronically or by facsimile on the due date with originals to follow in the mail. REFEREES The names and contact details of three referees are required including a current supervisor wherever possible. Referees from previous employment in Aboriginal organisations are of particular relevance. Professional references are sought rather than personal ones. Generally the association with the referee should be relatively recent and have worked with the applicant for a reasonable period (ideally more than twelve months) although it is acknowledged this may not always be possible. Kakadu Health Service reserves the right to contact referees other than nominated persons to double-check any area considered to require further inquiry or validation. VALIDATION OF ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS Kakadu Health Service may make necessary investigations to validate the qualifications of potential employees. KHS_Recruitment Information Package Mar 2008 6
SUMMARY OF GENERAL RECRUITMENT PROCESS The following information is extracted from the current Kakadu Health Service recruitment policy and may be subject to unavoidable delays in particular circumstances. 1. Applications will be acknowledged with 3 business days of receipt by return mail 2. Applicants will be short-listed for further assessment within 2 weeks of closing date and all individuals will be advised of the status of their application at this time. 3. Short-listed applicants will be subjected to a series of pre-assessment checks. This will normally occur within two weeks of short-listing. 4. Pre-assessment checks include the completion of an online personal traits assessment tool (Trimetrix System Personal Talent Report). 5. The formal assessment process will occur within four weeks of close of applications wherever possible. This process may be face-to-face, by videoconferencing or by teleconference. 6. The selection panel will consist of Aboriginal community representatives and health service staff and have up to eight people on it. 7. A successful applicant may be subject to further post-assessment checks as determined by the panel. 8. Any selection based on assessment by telephone or video-conference may be provisional until the applicant visits the region in person to determine final suitability for the position. 9. Appointment to the position is then made within two weeks of formal assessment process or six weeks after the close of applications. 10. The successful applicant will be subject to a criminal history check. 11. A probation period of at least three months will apply to the successful applicant. KHS_Recruitment Information Package Mar 2008 7