Seeking an Advocate / Senior Advocate for either 1 full-time role, or 2 part-time roles, fixed term for 2 years with the possibility of extension.

SCHADS L5-L6, depending on experience $49.28-$53.84 plus super.

Can you help us champion health rights for everyone in the WA community?

Our client, Health Consumers Council, are seeking a skilled and passionate health advocate to join our individual advocacy team on fixed-term contract for 2 years. We are looking to appoint either one person to a full-time role, or two people to part-time roles. There is a possibility these roles could be extended, subject to funding.

It can be difficult for consumers and patients to navigate the Western Australian health system, or to give feedback if they are unhappy with any aspect of their healthcare experience. This role supports health consumers in having their voice heard within the WA health system, while assisting individuals to navigate the health system and assert their rights, and provides assistance through the complaints process when needed.

The role offers:

• The ability to make an impact in individuals’ health journeys, and their experiences of the WA health system
• The opportunity to be a part of a workplace that is driven by championing consumer health rights
• A welcoming, inclusive and supportive workplace, where everyone is encouraged to bring all of themselves
• Externally facilitated team supervision
• A competitive not-for-profit annual base salary with salary packaging
• Flexible working arrangements including the opportunity to work from home sometimes
• Additional leave entitlements

About you:

• You’re looking for a role where you can apply your skills in advocacy and health rights to work that you care about
• You’re interested in the health system and care about people’s experiences of it
• You’re comfortable responding to people “where they are”, including when people are expressing distress about their experiences.

Position Overview

This role sits within the individual advocacy team, and although the role functions quite independently, it is well supported by colleagues and the Advocacy Manager.

In this role, most of the contact with consumers will be either on the telephone or through e-mail, however, attendance at appointments in the community or in hospitals with consumers is another important facet of this role.

A typical week might see you doing a range of tasks including:

• Contacting consumers from the advocacy waitlist or being the first point of contact with consumers seeking support
• Building advocacy plans with consumers within HCC’s scope and referring consumers to external agencies for issues that fall outside of HCC’s support
• Attending consumer appointments in hospitals, GP practices or at community mental health sites
• Liaising with hospital staff to advocate for consumers in relation to current health needs or retrospective complaints
• Writing letters of complaint addressed to health service providers, in conjunction with consumers
• Writing case notes within our Customer Relation Management system
• Attending team meetings and supervision

See the Advocate Job Description for a full outline of responsibilities for the role.

Diversity and inclusion

At Health Consumers’ Council we know that strength comes from diverse perspectives being at the table. We particularly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally diverse backgrounds and identities, people with disability and LGBTIQA+ community members.

Selection criteria

Essential

1. Previous experience providing individual advocacy and an understanding of the value of individual advocacy for consumers experiencing issues within the health system and the levers available to achieve advocacy outcomes (if applying as a Senior Advocate, at least 5 years’ experience is required)
2. Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills to be able to confidently advocate, negotiate, influence, mediate, de-escalate, and develop effective workplace relationships with consumers and other stakeholders
3. An understanding of the social determinants of health, systemic barriers and complex trauma when working with people experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage, and the ability to operate with a trauma informed lens
4. Ability to work autonomously with strong organisational skills to manage competing priorities simultaneously, in order to meet deadlines
5. Highly developed analysis and report writing and computer skills
6. Good working knowledge of the WA health system, community service organisations and referral pathways

Desirable

1. Tertiary qualification in social or behavioural science (e.g., social work, psychology, sociology), or previous advocacy experience or lived experience in navigating the health system
2. Understanding of the Mental Health Act 2014

next steps

Please click Apply Now to submit your application.