• Highly regarded national organisation
• Empowering culture with WFH flexibility
• Seeking a part-time (three days a week) Hospital Liaison Officer
• $42,000 for 0.6 FTE role plus superannuation and salary packaging

Eating Disorders Families Australia (EDFA) is a national not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting families and carers of individuals experiencing eating disorders. Through advocacy, education, and support, we empower families to navigate the challenges of caring for a loved one with an eating disorder.

The National Support Program (NSP) provides online support groups, and the Australian private Facebook forum. The NSP aims to provide a caring and compassionate space for carers to learn together and from each other as they navigate the recovery journey with the person they care for.

The Hospital Liaison Officer plays a crucial role in supporting families and carers while their loved one is admitted to hospital for eating disorder treatment. This support is provided through direct contact with families and carers, offering education about the treatment process, what to expect upon discharge, and information on available support services. The role focuses on providing guidance and ensuring families feel informed and supported throughout their hospital journey.

Additionally, the officer will oversee and manage volunteers who support carers across multiple Brisbane hospitals.

As a national organisation, the majority of EDFA programs are delivered remotely. The responsibilities of this position will located within Brisbane, but will require coordination remotely with the broader EDFA team. The National Support Program Manager is based in Brisbane and will be available to provide one-on-one support and supervision.

This is initially a 12-month contract, funded through a philanthropic donation. Continuation beyond the 12-month period is possible.

Duties include:

Family Support

• Provide information and support to families regarding hospital services, treatment options, and care plans.

• Act as a point of contact for families, ensuring they understand procedures, rights, and available support networks.

• Offer emotional support and guidance to families navigating complex healthcare challenges.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Build and maintain strong relationships with hospital staff, including medical teams, allied health professionals, and administrative personnel.

• Liaise with external organisations, community services, and advocacy groups to ensure comprehensive carer support.

• Represent EDFA in community forums, outreach initiatives, and partnership meetings.

Coordination of Care and Discharge Planning

• Support discharge planning by connecting families with community resources, home care services, and follow-up care providers.

• Identify barriers to discharge and work collaboratively to develop solutions that will assist families in their role as frontline carers.

Volunteer Management

• Recruit and support volunteers who will support carers across multiple hospitals.
• Ensure volunteers are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide effective support.
• Monitor volunteer performance and provide ongoing feedback to the National Support Program Manager.
• Coordinate volunteer schedules and assignments to ensure adequate support for carers.

Program Development and Quality Improvement

• With support from the National Support Program Manager, develop and implement initiatives to improve family experiences within the hospital setting.

• Collect and analyse feedback from families and volunteers to enhance EDFA’s services.

Governance, Compliance and Policy

• Adhere to hospital policies, confidentiality protocols, and patient privacy regulations.
• Maintain accurate records of carer interactions and referrals.
• Adhere to strict confidentiality protocols and carer privacy requirements.
• Safeguard sensitive information, records, and documents appropriately.
• Continuous improvement – read and comply with all EDFA policies and procedures and understand any new or updated policies as issued from time to time. Input into continuous improvement initiatives for the betterment of EDFA, carers, and EDFA employees and volunteers.
• Promote and adhere to EDFA’s Vision, Mission, Values, behaviours, and expectations.

Quality and Safety

• Ensure all services and interactions adhere to best practice guidelines, professional standards, and EDFA’s commitment to providing safe, high-quality support to families.

• Identify and report any risks or incidents that may impact the safety, wellbeing, or quality of services delivered to EDFA members.

• Adhere to Commonwealth Child Safe Standards.

• WHS – Demonstrate commitment to the care, safety, and wellbeing of self, carers, and others in the work environment. Comply with safety in the workplace / remote working area and take reasonable steps to prevent risks to health and safety.

Autonomy and Teamwork

• Work independently to manage responsibilities while collaborating effectively with the National Support Program Manager, hospital staff, and external stakeholders.
• Participate in EDFA team meetings, supervision with the National Support Program Manager, hospital meetings, training sessions, and professional development opportunities, as required.

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

Essential:

• Lived experience as a carer of someone living with an eating disorder.
• Experience in a hospital, healthcare, or carer advocacy role.
• Experience in volunteer recruitment, training, and supervision.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage empathetically with families and carers.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement and relationship management.
• Proficiency in using digital platforms such as Teams and other online communication tools.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team both in-person and remotely, as required.
• Willingness to work flexibly including evenings and occasional weekends to accommodate carer needs.
• Experience in peer support, advocacy, or health education.

Desirable:

• Relevant qualifications or experience in social work, psychology, counselling, community development, or a related field.
• Experience in peer work and/or training.
• Knowledge of the healthcare and community services landscape in Queensland.
• Familiarity with community health services and post-discharge support options.