Megan Smith
Hobart
Summary
Experienced health policy professional who utilizes strategic thinking and effective communication to analyse, develop and improve policy frameworks and engage key stakeholders.
Combines interactive learning environments, modern teaching methods and real world experience to providing relevant learning situations that engage and inspires students.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Adjunct Lecturer
University of Tasmania
02.2024 - Current
- Collaborating with fellow faculty members to improve current teaching content, by creating a dynamic learning environment that facilitates student's applying an economic lens to core health topics and challenges.
- Demonstrated commitment to lifelong learning by staying current on industry trends and research developments in the subject area.
- Collaborating with colleagues to generate and translate valuable insights for publication in platforms that facilitate public discussion and debate focusing on economic challenges of health system sustainability.
Principal Policy Officer
Department of Health
01.2024 - Current
- Through an organisation wide audit of core safeguarding policies and procedures, provided a thorough analysis of current health system policy gaps and potential risks.
- Developed short-term goals and long-term strategic plans to improve risk control and mitigation.
- Guided senior management in decision-making processes with risk-based insights, leading to more informed strategic choices.
- Established productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, fostering partnerships to inform policymaking efforts.
- Monitor and evaluate current policy effectiveness, providing Health Executive with clear strategic argument for actioning significant changes across high risk policy documents.
- Manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks for timely completion of policy objectives.
- Enhance policy implementation by conducting thorough research and analysis on various issues.
- Streamlined internal processes for improved efficiency in policy development and execution.
- Developed clear communication materials to convey complex policy concepts to diverse audiences.
Unit Co-ordinator and Lecturer in Public Health
University of Tasmania
01.2020 - 01.2024
- Unit Coordinator for Health Economics (CAM628) from January 2020 to December 2023.
- Developed, wrote core content, and delivered the Health Policy, Economics and Advocacy (CAM638) subject in its inaugural year.
- Guest Lecturer and co-tutorial facilitator for Systems Thinking in Public Health (CAM530), providing real world examples of systems thinking in a health system setting.
- Assessor/ marker for Health Research Methods (CAM720).
- Provided students with a solid foundation in the core economic principles underpinning health economics.
- Explained and linked economic evaluations of healthcare to policy development and healthcare system design.
- Assessed and provided constructive feedback to students to support their understanding and application of core economic concepts to their healthcare work environment.
- Crafted effective assessment tools to monitor student progress and provide valuable feedback for improvement.
- Developed strong rapport with students through approachable demeanour, creating a supportive learning atmosphere for all participants.
- Utilized multimedia presentations to effectively convey complex economic concepts, increasing student comprehension rates.
- Promoted critical thinking skills by encouraging open-ended discussions on complex economic topics during class time.
- Conducted regular evaluations of course content effectiveness by seeking feedback from students and adjusting as necessary.
- Provided individualized support to struggling students through targeted tutoring sessions, improving overall academic performance.
- Enhanced student understanding of economic principles by incorporating real-world examples and case studies into lectures.
- Maintained a strong commitment to academic integrity by educating students on proper citation methods and plagiarism prevention techniques.
Policy and Project Officer
Tasmanian Department of Health
01.2023 - 11.2023
- Applied an OILLs (Observation, Insight, Lessons Learnt) disaster management approach to the review the effectiveness of Tasmania's Department of Health policy and legislative response to the recent COIVD-19 pandemic
- Contributed to the design, administration, and thematic interpretation of core data collection mechanisms, semi-structured interviews and organisational wide staff survey
- Undertook a comprehensive academic and grey literature review to distil key learnings across international and national healthcare systems experiences of COVID-19 pandemic responses
- Key contributor in the preparation of comprehensive interim and final reports for Health Executive, including analysing organisational risk and drafting recommendations for remedial emergency management actions
Professional Officer
Allied Health Strategy and Research Unit (AHSRU), RHH, THS-South
01.2019 - 01.2023
- Designed system solutions to complex health care challenges in an acute health care setting.
- Analysed and interpreted data to identify healthcare trends and challenges.
- Successfully managed multiple projects simultaneously by prioritizing tasks according to urgency, resource availability, and alignment with organizational goals.
- Collaborated closely with senior management to align project objectives with strategic company initiatives, ensuring that efforts contributed to overall business growth.
- Built and maintained core stakeholder relationships within the Health service, across partner organisations and with consumer groups and representatives, throughout the implementation of complex projects.
- Managed risk assessments and implemented mitigation strategies to minimize potential issues during project execution.
- Ensured projects aligned with strategic objectives, working closely with senior management to refine project goals.
- Developed comprehensive project plans that clearly outlined objectives, timelines, budgets, risks, and success metrics for all stakeholders.
- Prepared detailed reports on project status for stakeholders, ensuring transparency and alignment with objectives.
- Effectively managed scope creep by establishing clear boundaries on requested changes while keeping projects aligned with original objectives and budgets.
- Contributed to professional discourse on health system sustainability through participation in research ideas within the health care space.
- Provided mentoring and support to allied health and nursing colleagues across other research and projects as required.
Design Consultant
Primary Health Tasmania
01.2018 - 12.2018
- Project coordinator of a place based response to regional suicide in partnership with local community stakeholders.
- Conducted analysis of community needs and resources to support place-based project aims.
- Maintained existing and established new partnerships with local businesses, schools, and nonprofits to support localised engagement efforts.
- Monitored, and reported against, project outcomes for funding requirements
- Contributed to the design of innovative state-wide youth mental health services in response to commonwealth funding parameters.
Facilitator & Consultant
Murawin Pty. Ltd
01.2015 - 12.2018
- Co-designer of culturally competent training modules: Motivational Interviewing, Professional and Ethical Practice, Trauma Informed Practice.
- Developed comprehensive workshop materials to improve participant understanding and engagement.
- Co-trainer of above modules with first nations workforces in regional and remote communities across Queensland.
- Delivered high-quality engaging training sessions, ensuring participants developed a thorough understanding of the subject matter to foster learning.
- Fostered collaborative environment, encouraging open dialogue and shared real world professional experiences with participants.
- Facilitated breakthrough moments for participants with carefully crafted group activities and discussions.
- Conducted post-event evaluations to gather feedback and implement improvements for future sessions.
Thinker, Collaborator, Facilitator
The Unusual Suspects
01.2013 - 12.2017
- Designed and facilitated internal capacity building workshops with regionally based non-government agencies (NGOs).
- Designed, wrote content and delivered high-quality training sessions providing a thorough understanding Motivational Interviewing skills for participants by providing real world examples of the skill set across NGOs in regional Queensland.
- In response to historic child sexual abuse designed and co-led a series of workshops introducing a strength-based trauma informed practise framework for the Catholic Church Diocese in Rockhampton.
- Co-facilitated Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) review and NAIDOC 'privilege' workshops for Country Health South Australia in collaboration with key local Aboriginal Elders and indigenous stakeholder groups.
Professional Supervisor
Self Employed
01.2011 - 12.2014
- Wide Bay Burnett Stand-By Suicide Response Team supervisor; provided professional support, debriefing and reflection to the Wide Bay team
- Professional Social Work supervision with an emphasis on defining and exploring ethical in practice, aligning personal, professional and organisation values, embedding critical reflection
Homelessness Planning and Coordination Officer (HPCO)
Queensland Council of Social Services (QCOSS)
01.2010 - 01.2014
- Built collaborative place-based strategies focused on addressing homelessness across the Fraser Coast community in regional Queensland
- Engaged a wide variety of stakeholders, including all levels of government, not-for-profit organisations, local community groups, business, and regional development organisations.
- Led innovative and creative responses to systemic challenges including; strategies to better utilise current housing stock and scoping long term economic resilience strategies to address underlying systemic causes of homelessness in the region.
Special Needs Assistant
Falmouth Community School
01.1997 - 01.1998
- Provide assistance to children with special needs in a classroom situation
Hospital Social Worker
Royal Darwin Hospital
01.1993 - 01.1995
- Navigated complex healthcare systems to coordinate optimal care for patients with multiple co-morbidities.
- Delivered culturally competent care by adapting interventions to meet the unique needs of diverse populations.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for improved patient care and outcomes.
- Worked with medical teams, patients and families to implement effective treatment plans.
- Contributed to quality improvement initiatives within the social work department by participating in training workshops.
- Collaborated with healthcare providers to drive continuity of care.
Hospital Social Worker
Alice Springs Hospital
01.1992 - 01.1993
- Provide adult hospital social work services, including trauma support and advocacy
- Strengthened interdepartmental collaboration through regular consultation meetings regarding shared cases.
- Maintained detailed case notes and documentation, ensuring accurate representation of patient progress.
- Developed trusting relationships with local service providers, streamlining the referral process and ensuring continuity of care for patients.
- Coordinated patient discharge planning and follow-up care.
- Participated in interdisciplinary care conferences to discuss patient care plans and referrals.
Education
Graduate Certificate - Clinical Redesign
University of Tasmania
01.2022
Master of Economics & Regional Development -
University of New England
Armidale, NSW04-2018
Graduate Diploma - Human Services (Counselling)
Curtin University
01.2003
Bachelor of Social Work -
University of South Australia
01.1991
Skills
- Critical and analytical thinking
- Stakeholder engagement
- Relationship building
- Communication skills
- Organizational skills
- Student engagement
- Online teaching
- Course design
- Public speaking
- Research and analysis
Conference Presentations and Publications
- 2024, 'A timely investigation of Tudor Hart's inverse care law', Croakey Health Media (Publication)
- 2023, 'Systems Thinking in Health Care: A systems tool case study', Australian Public Health Conference, Hobart (Presentation)
- 2023, 'Understanding the Impacts of the Inverse Care Law on the Australian Health Care System', Australian Public Health Conference, Hobart (Presentation)
- 2020, 'Expanding allied health workforce capacity through the implementation of an Allied Health Assistant (AHA) Governance Framework', Redesigning the Future of Health Conference, UTAS, Hobart (Presentation)
- 2019, 'Responding to economic disempowerment: strategies that strengthen collective efficacy in community', Challenging Inequality: working together for a just society AASW National Symposium, Adelaide (Presentation)
- 2019, 'Understanding Economics as a Tool for Social Justice', AASW Tasmanian Branch (Presentation)
- 2018, 'Making sense of the Budget', AASW Tasmanian Branch, Hobart (Presentation)
- 2017, 'Designing economically sustainable and inclusive communities', AASW State-wide conference, Tasmania (Presentation)
- 2015, 'The Challenge of Transitioning Developed Economies into the 21st Century and why Social Work is an integral part of the discussion', AASW National Symposium, Sydney (Presentation)
- 2013, 'From Tired to Wired: what would it take to build sustainable economic regional growth', Fraser Coast Networking Conference, Fraser Coast, QLD (Presentation)
- 2013, 'Regional Economic Development - what's it got to do with us?', Redefining the Roadmap: positioning community services for the future Conference, QCOSS, Brisbane (Presentation)
Timeline
Adjunct Lecturer
University of Tasmania
02.2024 - Current
Principal Policy Officer
Department of Health
01.2024 - Current
Policy and Project Officer
Tasmanian Department of Health
01.2023 - 11.2023
Unit Co-ordinator and Lecturer in Public Health
University of Tasmania
01.2020 - 01.2024
Professional Officer
Allied Health Strategy and Research Unit (AHSRU), RHH, THS-South
01.2019 - 01.2023
Design Consultant
Primary Health Tasmania
01.2018 - 12.2018
Facilitator & Consultant
Murawin Pty. Ltd
01.2015 - 12.2018
Thinker, Collaborator, Facilitator
The Unusual Suspects
01.2013 - 12.2017
Professional Supervisor
Self Employed
01.2011 - 12.2014
Homelessness Planning and Coordination Officer (HPCO)
Queensland Council of Social Services (QCOSS)
01.2010 - 01.2014
Special Needs Assistant
Falmouth Community School
01.1997 - 01.1998
Hospital Social Worker
Royal Darwin Hospital
01.1993 - 01.1995
Hospital Social Worker
Alice Springs Hospital
01.1992 - 01.1993
Bachelor of Social Work -
University of South Australia
Graduate Certificate - Clinical Redesign
University of Tasmania
Master of Economics & Regional Development -
University of New England
Graduate Diploma - Human Services (Counselling)
Curtin University
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