We are seeking expressions of interest from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples from different locations across Australia for  contracted engagement with Ahpra.

We are looking for candidates with cultural expertise and knowledge of the context in which healthcare is provided to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in Australia.

This may include candidates from a range of backgrounds including:

• Health professions
• Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs)
• Social work
• Legal or other regulatory decision-making or investigations roles  
• Academia
• Experience in community leadership  

Background

Ahpra and the National Board register and regulate health practitioners and students in 16 different health professions across Australia.  

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners

• Chinese Medicine Practitioners

• Chiropractors

• Dentists

• Doctors

• Medical Radiation Therapists

• Midwives

• Nurses

• Occupational Health Therapists

• Optometrists

• Osteopaths

• Paramedics

• Pharmacists

• Physiotherapists

• Podiatrists

• Psychologists

Our work includes managing concerns (sometimes called “notifications”) raised about a health practitioner’s conduct, performance, or a possible health impairment. This involves assessing the ways in which a health practitioner’s practice may cause risks to the community and how those risks may be addressed. 

We also investigate allegations of unprofessional conduct and professional misconduct, which may be referred to panels or tribunals for further decision-making.

Ahpra engages in the assessment and investigation of notifications and prepares recommendations to decision-makers about the actions that may be taken under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (the National Law).

Cultural safety at Ahpra

Ahpra and the National Boards are committed to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Cultural Safety Strategy 2020-2025. The vision of the Strategy is that patient safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples is the norm. This includes recognising that patient safety includes the inextricably linked elements of clinical safety and cultural safety, and this link must be defined by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

As part of the Strategy, the National Boards developed standards for culturally safe health care for all professions, which are embedded in the relevant Codes of Conduct and include a shared definition of cultural safety.

In addition, recent amendments to the National Law include a new Scheme objective to facilitate the capacity of the Australian health workforce to provide culturally safe health services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. A new guiding principle has been included that requires the Scheme to ensure the development of a culturally safe and respectful workforce that:

• Is responsive to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and their health; and
• Contributes to the elimination of racism in the provision of health services.

In accordance with these obligations, Ahpra and the National Boards have responsibilities to protect patient safety and enhance the health care quality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

Ahpra has a Culturally Safe Notifications Working Group comprised of Indigenous Scheme and community members and Regulatory Operations leaders to support the Culturally Safe Notifications Project to improve the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples when they engage with our health practitioner complaints processes.

Cultural safety advice for notifications

It is Ahpra’s intention that every recommendation made by Ahpra in response to a notification involving Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples includes cultural safety advice.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples are best placed to provide cultural safety advice, providing expert knowledge about culture, an understanding of how the social and historical determinants of health continue to affect health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in Australia, and knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ lived experience, including experiences of racism and discrimination.   

Cultural safety advice may include:

• Providing advice on the collection and interpretation of relevant evidence, including how to manage notifiers, witnesses and health practitioners in a trauma informed, culturally safe way,
• Contributing to risk analysis and decisions about appropriate processes,
• Providing opinions on the standard of care expected of a health practitioner – including whether health care provided to an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander patient was provided with appropriate regard to cultural safety in the specific context of the notification,
• Assisting with the identification of independent experts and providing advice on briefs to expert opinion providers,
• Assisting with recommendations about appropriate education, support, or training for health practitioners to address sub-standard behaviour or practice.

To date, cultural safety advice has been provided by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Board members and staff of Ahpra’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Strategy Unit. This model is not sustainable and options for longer term resources for providing case-specific cultural safety advice are being progressed.

Culturally safe service delivery model

Cultural safety advice may be provided in different ways and our process will involve a structure that provides cultural safety for advisors. This includes:

• Ability to meet as a conclave to reflect, consult and provide advice as a group of two or more advisors,
• Support of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Strategy Unit and Culturally Safe Notifications Working Group
• Access to EAP
• Induction training in notifications at Ahpra and the National Law
• Commitment to Ahpra’s Culturally Safe Ways of Working

To apply

• Click ‘Apply Now’ to submit your application.
• Your application must include a current resume and brief covering letter addressing your suitability for the position.
• For any queries or a confidential discussion regarding this position, please contact via email at [email protected], using the subject line: Cultural Safety Advisors enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Ahpra is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. We strongly encourage people of all abilities to apply, particularly people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, and those who may experience diversity or disability related barriers in securing employment.  If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at time of application.

With respect, no agencies please.