Help improve skin health outcomes for Aboriginal children across Western Australia.

These positions are identified positions under Section 50(d) of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984, and applicants must identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.

Perth Children's Hospital's (PCH) Dermatology Department is seeking applications for the position below. These are full time, fixed-term appointments for two years with the possibility of extension and/or permanency. Part-time arrangements will be considered. Applicants assessed as suitable through this process will be considered for other vacancies within the team (within the next 12 months).

• Aboriginal Health Practitioner (Level 1)
• Senior Aboriginal Health Practitioner (Level 2)

Applicants must be registered with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Board of Australia.

VCID No. 739231

About the Role

Perth Children's Hospital's (PCH) Dermatology Department is seeking Senior / Aboriginal Health Practitioners to join our Healthy Skin Team as part of Moorditj Marp (Strong Skin).

This is an exciting opportunity to help deliver an innovative, culturally safe model of specialist dermatology care for Aboriginal children and their families across Western Australia, and contribute to nationally funded research.

Working within a supportive multidisciplinary team alongside Consultant Dermatologists, Clinical Nurse Specialist and Allied Health Professionals, you will provide holistic, family-centred care across inpatient and outpatient settings.

You will play an important role in improving access to specialist dermatology services through prevention, early intervention and culturally responsive care, while strengthening engagement with Aboriginal children, families and communities.

Role responsibilities may include:

• Undertaking healthy skin assessments for Aboriginal children admitted to Perth Children's Hospital.
• Conducting health interviews, physical assessments and skin examinations within your scope of practice.
• Supporting management of common skin conditions through activities such as wound care, dressing management and specimen collection (including skin and wound swabs).
• Providing health education on skin health, skin care, treatment and prevention of common skin infections.
• Working closely with consultant dermatologists during outpatient clinics and procedure sessions.
• Liaising with families to identify health needs and improve engagement with ongoing care.
• Coordinating culturally secure, wrap-around support to improve attendance and continuity of care.
• Building strong partnerships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services and other health providers to support seamless care.

The Senior Aboriginal Health Practitioner (Level 2) role also includes mentoring junior practitioners, providing cultural leadership and contributing to service development, quality improvement and workforce capability.

About you

If you are passionate about improving health outcomes for Aboriginal children and families and are committed to delivering culturally safe, family-centred care, we encourage you to apply.

About the Project

Moorditj Marp (Strong Skin) is an innovative initiative that improves equity in skin health outcomes for Aboriginal children across Western Australia. Funded through the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the WA Child Research Fund (WACRF), these positions will play a key role in delivering a culturally safe, Aboriginal Health Practitioner-led model of care that aims to improve early identification, treatment and prevention of skin conditions and skin infections in Aboriginal children.

Skin infections such as impetigo, scabies, tinea and head lice remain a significant health issue for Aboriginal children and can contribute to serious complications including sepsis, osteomyelitis and acute rheumatic fever.

Aboriginal children are under-represented in dermatology outpatient services and experience significantly higher rates of missed appointments compared with non-Aboriginal children. Moorditj Marp has been established to address these inequities through a culturally secure, family-centred model of care embedded within the PCH Dermatology Department.

How to Apply

Applicants are requested to apply online (www.jobs.health.wa.gov.au). Please note, applicants must have a current, valid email address in order to apply online. This email address will be used for communication with applicants.  

Your ability to meet the work-related requirements will be assessed throughout the recruitment process.

For your written application please provide the following:

• A current resume which summarises your experience, qualifications and how you can meet the position requirements.
• Please provide the name, email, and contact details of two referees who can be contacted to provide a reference. Referees should include at least one individual who has been or is your direct Line Manager/Supervisor. (We will contact you to seek your confirmation prior to contacting your listed referees).

Within the application system you will be presented with the following four (4) questions designed to assess your suitability against the Essential and Desirable Selection Criteria outlined in the attached Job Description Form. Please review the Criteria carefully when preparing your responses. There is a word limit of 500 words per question. 

1. Please indicate in your application whether you are applying for the Level 1, Level 2, or both positions.
2. Are you registered with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Board of Australia.
3. Describe your experience working with Aboriginal clients and community members.

• How did you communicate in a way that made people feel comfortable and encouraged them to engage with you.
• What kind of records did you keep (such as meeting notes, emails or application forms).

1. Describe a time when you have worked as part of a team. What is important to you in order for teamwork to be successful.

These questions will be assessed against Essential Criteria 4,5 and 6 from the Job Description Form (JDF) for Aboriginal Health Practitioner (Level 1). (View the applicant information package and Job Description Form (JDF) attached for more information).

Suitability Criteria: Suitability recognises that there is a range of factors - along with having the skills, knowledge and abilities - that constitute merit. These factors included a person's eligibility, ability to demonstrate the right behaviours, ethical alignment and cultural fit. In addition to the Essential Criteria and Desirable Criteria outlined in the attached Job Description Form, these requirements will also be considered to determine your suitability for the role. 

These documents should be complete and ready to attach prior to applying online. Please ensure you allow sufficient time to complete the online application process as you will be required to answer various questions and attach your documentation.

Selection Criteria: Please see the attached Job Description Form. 

For Further Job Related Information: We encourage you to contact Jennifer Irvine, Clinical Nurse Specialist jennifer.irvine@health.wa.gov.au or on 08 6456 4978 for any questions related to this role and opportunity.

Help in submitting your application: If you experience technical difficulties while applying online, please contact Employee Services on 13 44 77 for immediate assistance during business hours.

Eligibility to Apply: To be eligible for appointment, applicants must have valid Australian work rights. This includes visa holders. Permanent appointments may be made to individuals who hold citizenship, permanent residency, or visas that enable ongoing employment in Australia.

Sponsorship is not currently available for this position.

Other Conditions: WA Health engages staff in positions of trust and responsibility. WA Health policies require applicants to undertake criminal records screening and integrity checking as part of the appointment process. Referees may also be asked to comment on an applicant’s integrity and past demonstration of ethical behaviour.

WA Health is committed to eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of our service. We embrace diversity and strongly encourage applications from people from culturally diverse backgrounds and people with disabilities.

Whilst this selection process will initially be used to fill the above vacancy, it may also be used to fill other "similar" vacancies throughout the health service. In addition to this, should the successful applicant decline or vacate the advertised vacancy, then the next most suitable applicant may also be selected from this process. Both of these options remain valid for a period of twelve (12) months from when the authorised delegate endorses the recruitment decision.

This position is subject to a Western Australian Working with Children (WWC) Check. For further information please refer to the WWC website at: https://workingwithchildren.wa.gov.au

About CAHS 

The Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS) is proud to be the leading service provider for paediatric healthcare in Western Australia, as the State’s only dedicated health service for infants, children, and young people. CAHS comprises three service areas: Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH) and Neonatology, Community Health, and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).  

With over 7000 employees, our services are delivered at PCH and King Edward Memorial Hospitals (KEMH), as well as across a network of more than 160 community clinics across the Perth metropolitan area. 

For further information about the benefits of working for CAHS, please click here and for further information regarding CAHS’ services, please click here 

CAHS values: To achieve our vision of healthy kids, healthy communities, CAHS is committed to providing a workplace culture that is driven and shaped by our values of Compassion, Collaboration, Equity, Respect, Excellence and Accountability. During the selection process you may be assessed on your ability to fulfil the responsibilities of this position in accordance with the values. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact the person named in this advert. 

Support for your interview process

CAHS is committed to ensuring that our interview process meets the access needs of all applicants. If you require any reasonable adjustments to accommodate a disability, enhance access, or support your inclusion and success during the interview, please contact the CAHS Talent Acquisition Team prior to your interview. 

You can reach the team via CAHS.talentacquisition@health.wa.gov.au or by calling 08 6456 0321. All enquiries will be treated confidentially. 

Lodgement is system generated. Any submissions on, or after, 4:00pm on the closing date will not be accepted. 

LATE OR EMAIL APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.