• Fixed term temporary, flexible full-time
• 2 year contract with the possibility of extension
• AO5 Classification

The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) is an independent statutory office established to protect the rights and interests of adults with impaired decision-making capacity, and children and young people in the child protection system and other visitable sites. Join us as we protect, support, advocate, educate and empower, to build a Queensland where our most vulnerable community members can live with dignity. Please visit the OPG website to learn more.

about the role

The responsibility of the position of Senior Guardian Inpatient is to undertake structured decision-making in personal and health care matters for adults of Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service (DDHHS) with impaired capacity where the Public Guardian is appointed as guardian or as attorney for personal matters, or acts as statutory health attorney of last resort, and to undertake representations on their behalf. In addition, the Senior Guardian Inpatient provides advocacy around client matters. Senior Guardians ensure a client’s rights, interests, views, wishes and preferences are elevated and centred in all decision making and advocacy activities.

key responsibilities

• Undertake structured decision-making for adults with impaired capacity, who are inpatients of DDHHS, where the Public Guardian is appointed as guardian or as attorney for personal matters, or acts as statutory health attorney of last resort, which includes:
  • ensuring that decision-making processes comply with OPG policy and procedure, and the legislative framework of the Powers of Attorney Act 1998, Guardianship and Administration Act 2000, Public Guardian Act 2014 and the Disability Services Act 2006;
  • performing duties on the after-hours on-call roster for health care matters.
• Advocate for Guardianship client’s rights and interests to ensure their views, wishes and preferences are elevated and centred in all decision-making activities.
• Liaise with staff of the DDHHS and the registry of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal and appear before the Tribunal as required. Guardianship activities will include travel between the DDHHS facilities (primarily Toowoomba Hospital) and Ipswich OPG.
• Provide professional level advice, information and support to the Public Guardian and her delegates, particularly in relation to positive behaviour support and restrictive practices.
• Ensure all client-related documentation and guardianship activities are appropriately recorded, accurate and up-to-date, including QCAT reports, Decision reports, Visit reports, Health Care decisions and file running notes. This includes developing appropriate key performance indicators and collecting and collating data relevant to the role.
• Work effectively as a team member and support DDHHS staff in a multi-disciplinary team to ensure the successful delivery of client services.
• Identify and escalate complex client matters to the Regional Manager, Ipswich & Western Queensland where required.
• Maintain positive relationships with people with impaired capacity, their families, service providers, advocates, government agencies and other interested stakeholders.
• Participate in education/liaison activities as a representative of the Public Guardian including providing information, advice and support to DDHHS staff regarding the Public Guardian’s role and processes.

mandatory conditions and requirements

Possession of a C class drivers’ licence is a mandatory requirement for this role, as travel is required to attend meetings, events and visits in a range of locations that are often not accessible by alternative means.

A position description is attached.