Dynamic Aboriginal Health Worker with extensive experience at Queensland Health, excelling in cultural advocacy and program development. Proven track record in enhancing community health access and implementing culturally safe practices. Skilled in crisis intervention and stakeholder engagement, fostering strong relationships to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients.
Established and maintained strong links with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members to promote health initiatives.
Collaborate with individuals, families, and community leaders to implement culturally sensitive engagement strategies addressing identified barriers to health care access
Support Mothers and families in their birth journey, prenatal, antenatal and postnatal.
Partner with hospital wards, departments, and community services to facilitate advocacy and mediation for indigenous clients through culturally competent strategies aimed at increasing accessibility to health care services and practical support.
Advocated for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients in relevant meetings like Tula, Midwifery Group Practice, Antenatal.
Advocated for indigenous patients, promoting their representation in discussions, meetings.
Collaborated with healthcare providers to address specific needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Knowledge of current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and cultural issues and pertinent policies and frameworks.
Develop patient care plans, monitor and coordinate care to improve access and utilisation of services.
Facilitated advocacy and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and families through home visits, case management, follow-up conferencing, and referrals to health services.
Lead and implement continuous health promotion and education sessions targeting individuals and families from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.
community.
Empower clients to make informed health care decisions through consultation, education and information sharing.
Participate in cultural events promoting and educating on the importance of these days.
Role model the values of Darling Downs health and create a positive workplace culture.
contribute to working environment fostering human resources management practices including employment equality workplace health safety ethical conduct.
Advanced Aboriginal Health Worker - Child Advocate
Queensland Health
Hervey Bay, Queensland
07.2023 - 04.2026
Establish and maintain strong links with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and with relevant organisations.
Work in collaboration with individuals, families, and community leaders, implementing culturally sensitive engagement methods to address identified barriers to health care access and follow-up.
Supported Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients in WBHHS clinical settings, followed up with those who did not wait for treatment, were discharged against medical advice, or failed to attend specialist appointments to ensure continuity of care.
Collaborated with hospital wards, departments, and community services to advocate and mediate on behalf of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, employing culturally effective strategies to enhance access to health services and practical support.
Advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients/patients in meetings: EIRC, SCAN, TULA, UCHRA, Handover and any other relevant stakeholder meetings.
Provided support for individuals experiencing mental or emotional distress due to loss, homelessness, mental health, domestic and family violence, financial issues etc.
Educated patients about preventive measures such as proper nutrition habits and exercise routines.
Participated in community outreach programs to promote health awareness.
Assisted with health assessments and screenings for diverse populations.
Develop, implement and participate in quality improvement activities and outcomes.
Maintained current knowledge of health care legislation that impacts the delivery of services within the organisation.
Analyse, plan and prioritise and organise work effectively, problem solve and schedule work to meet deadline and commitments.
Participate in a working environment supporting human resource management practices including employment equality, anti-discrimination, workplace health and safety, work and ethical behavior.
Family Group Meeting Convenor
Department of Child Safety
Toowoomba, QLD
07.2019 - 05.2023
Coordinated follow-up activities to ensure implementation of actions agreed upon during the meeting.
Adhered to laws and regulations regarding confidentiality of information shared at meetings.
Facilitated clear communication among parents, students, school personnel, community partners, and other stakeholders to enhance collaborative support.
Created a safe space for participants to openly express their thoughts and feelings during the meeting.
Provided targeted resources and referrals to empower families in addressing specific identified needs.
Maintained accurate records of all interactions with families, staff, and service providers.
Assessed individual needs of Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander children within their current environment.
Assisted in developing an action plan to address concerns raised by the family team members.
Referred clients to community resources for services, such as job placement, debt counseling, legal aid, housing, medical treatment, and financial assistance, and provided concrete information, such as where to go and how to apply.
Provided, found, and arranged for support services, such as child care, homemaker service, prenatal care, substance abuse treatment, job training, counseling, and parenting classes to prevent more serious problems from developing.
Worked with cross-functional teams to achieve goals.
Cultural Consultant
Queensland Health
Toowoomba, QLD
12.2020 - 07.2021
Educated staff on cultural understanding to enhance planning, treatment, and discharge processes for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander clients.
Advocated for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by facilitating access to health care services and bridging gaps between community and health professionals.
Facilitated workshops on Indigenous health practices and cultural awareness.
Provided mentorship to staff on integrating cultural perspectives into healthcare delivery.
Recommended workplace system changes to improve cultural sensitivity in healthcare delivery.
Delivered cultural support services to inpatients, outpatients, and their families. for inpatients/outpatients and their families, including counseling and cultural mentoring.
Managed cases for clients to ensure comprehensive support upon discharge. and support clients on discharge with medication, appointments and referrals to specialists, employment, education/training, NDIS, social & emotional well being as outline in their plan with follow up and review.
Provided guidance and advice on how to navigate complex cultural issues.
Remained calm and professional in stressful circumstances and effectively diffused tense situations.
Delegated work to staff, setting priorities and goals.
Provided leadership, insight and mentoring to newly hired employees to supply knowledge of various company programs.
Senior Social & Emotional Wellbeing Officer
Jaydon Adams Memorial Foundation
Toowoomba, QLD
07.2020 - 07.2021
Created and maintained strong relationships with staff, clients, community and stakeholders.
Built strong relationships within the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander community by participating in local events and activities.
Support clients to access culturally safe and sensitive services for D&FV, Mental Health, NDIS, Employment, Housing etc.
Case manage clients in a culturally supportive way in a safe cultural environment.
Engaged with Elders and community leaders to strengthen informal support networks for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Developed educational materials for community workshops and presentations.
Supported individual growth of team members with professional feedback and continuous reviews.
Guided and mentored junior personnel in skillset development, fostering professional growth and confidence.
Developed and implemented strategies that enhanced operational effectiveness and service delivery.
Conducted intake of referrals from other services for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people. from other services for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people.
Managed emergency situations calmly by coordinating resources effectively.
Followed policy and procedure according to organization guidelines.
Followed work health and safety regulations to ensure a safe workplace environment. EEO, Anti discrimination and all other laws as outlined in the organisation.
Implemented best practices for program evaluation and feedback collection.
Provided guidance to team members on how to effectively complete tasks within established timelines.
Conducted performance evaluations and provided constructive feedback.
Oversaw the development and implementation of operational procedures.
Indigenous Mental Health Coordinator
Queensland Health
Toowoomba, QLD
01.2017 - 12.2020
Establish and maintain relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and communities to help build trust and rapport with the community to strengthen health outcomes.
Assist in the development and implementation of initiatives that support the social and emotional well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Ensure services are culturally safe and responsive to the needs of the community.
Supported initiatives to eliminate racial discrimination and institutional racism within health services.
Conducted individual assessments using QH Cultural Information Gathering Tool to determine the best course of treatment and discharge plan for each client.
Collaborated closely with families and guardians of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander inpatients. With consent of client to ensure a comprehensive approach to care.
Educated staff on current mental health care trends, enhancing service delivery to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients.
Liaise meeting between health professional and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and clients and be an advocate and support for the patient/client.
Provide strategic advice in relation to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander social and emotional well being to management and health service board.
Oversaw service delivery, ensuring quality management, professional development, and effective staff management.
Manage and supervise staff operationally including leave, rosters, PDP.
Provide leadership and supervision for staff in the team.
Facilitated conflict resolution among staff to enhance team dynamics.
Financial delegation-manage budget, monitoring expenditure and ensuring accountability.
Provide cultural education and awareness through facilitation cultural awareness program and facilitating Aboriginal first aid mental health.
Performed crisis interventions with Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander clients.
Coordinated or directed employee workshops, courses, or training about mental health issues.
Developed and implemented care plans for clients with complex needs.
Monitored compliance with health policies and regulations in service delivery.
Collaborated with external agencies for resource sharing and referrals.
Advanced Aboriginal Mental Health Worker
Queensland Health
Toowoomba, QLD
03.2014 - 12.2016
Deliver mental health services that are tailored to the specific cultural experiences and needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people including the understanding of the impact of historical trauma and social determinants of health.
Conduct assessments that incorporate cultural considerations to accurately understand the presenting issues.
Recognising the potential impact of historical trauma and incorporating trauma informed practices into their work.
Navigate the complex systems within health advocating for the client needs, and referring to appropriate services.
Built and maintained strong relationships within the community to identify mental health needs, provide outreach, and encourage help-seeking behaviours.
Engaged family members to provide support and education on mental health concerns, enhancing family involvement in care.
Conducted community workshops that raised awareness about mental health issues, fostering community understanding and support.
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Coordinator
Queensland Health
Roma, Queensland
01.2005 - 10.2013
Ensure health programs and services provide culturally appropriate care
Identify gaps in health access for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people and community.
Ensured appropriate referrals and advocated for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, improving access to vital health services.
Developed and implemented best practice programs, monitoring and reviewing outcomes to enhance community health.
Implemented health promotion initiatives to enhance community engagement and awareness.
Led a team of health workers including rural health workers in operational activities and professionally.
Provide leadership, instruction and supervision for health workers in my team.
Conducted performance appraisals for health workers to assess their contributions and development.
Train team members, setting strategies in line with frameworks and monitoring toward goals.
Resolved conflicts within the team by facilitating discussions and finding common ground.
Managed budget requirements by ensuring timely acquittals and annual monitoring.
Manage and monitor financial expenditure within a designated budget allocated to my department.
Adhered to all outlined policies and procedures to ensure compliance and effective operations.
Organized and facilitated training sessions for staff on new policies and procedures, enhancing team knowledge and compliance.
Supported data collection and reporting for quality improvement projects in healthcare settings.
Aboriginal Health Worker
QLD Health
Roma, Queensland
01.2001 - 05.2013
Developed health programs and information that were culturally appropriate, enhancing client engagement and understanding.
Advocate for Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander people to better access healthcare facilities and programs
Ensure identify gaps in health access for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people and the community
Educated patients about preventive measures such as proper nutrition habits and exercise routines.
Educated patients on health management and wellness practices.
Participated in community health outreach programs, increasing awareness and utilization of health services.
Assisted with health assessments and monitoring of patient conditions.
Develop, implement, monitor and review programs using best practice.
Maintained and collaborated with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Counsellling Practice
UniSQ
Toowoomba, QLD
03-2028
Skills
Cultural advocacy
Culturally safe practices
Program development
Care coordination
Stakeholder engagement
Community outreach
Crisis intervention techniques
Risk assessment
Data management tools
Time management
Communication strategies
Team collaboration
Conflict resolution
Interpersonal communication
Certification
Diploma Human Services. USQ Toowoomba
Diploma Community Services - Mental Health. Health Industry Training
Producer, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander at Museum Of Contemporary Art, AustraliaProducer, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander at Museum Of Contemporary Art, Australia