• Location: Dubbo
• Full Time maximum term contract until 30 June 2023

About US

The Western NSW PHN (WNSW PHN) is one of 31 Primary Health Networks across Australia. We are an independent, not-for-profit organisation funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health, established to support frontline health and wellbeing services. Our focus is to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of primary health care, ensuring people receive the right care in the right place at the right time.

WNSW PHN is an agile and high performing organisation that responds to the identified needs of the community, Commonwealth and State health policy, and the development needs of primary health care providers.  We work closely with general practice, Aboriginal Medical Services and other health care providers, Local Health Districts, non-government organisations and the broader community to plan and fund programs that support local health services to meet the health needs of our communities.

the role

Western NSW Primary Health Network (WNSW PHN) is currently seeking a motivated individual who has a passion for primary healthcare and community wellbeing to join our Primary Healthcare & Integration Team as Practice Support & Improvement Officer.

This is an exciting opportunity to work collaboratively with primary health care professionals and general practices within the Western NSW Primary Health Network (WNSW PHN) region to:

• Support a sustainable and highly skilled primary care workforce that is well supported and professionally engaged;
• Identify needs and support the delivery of appropriate initiatives, which improve efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of primary healthcare. 
• Provide education, support and advice to primary health care providers and consumers to increase digital health awareness and usage.
• Supports General Practice (GP) and Primary Care service providers and systems improvements within the WNSW PHN region.

This role works closely with other teams in the WNSW PHN to support GPs, general practice teams and broader Primary Health Care services to improve and better coordinate care through:

• More efficient and innovative models of funding and/or co-commissioning which develop cost-effective frontline services, medical training, and regionally consistent and professionally recognised standards of clinical care, and;
• Supported access to regional/local information systems and various other enablers such as clinical pathways, and emerging shared care and clinical information tools and processes.  

Practice Support and Improvement Officers will implement tiered practice visit and support model based on best practice customer relations management principles. Engagement with practice GPs and clinical teams will be supported by an individual practice support plan developed in conjunction with the practice and informed by key local, regional and national priorities. Practice Support & Improvement Officers will also be expected to take on a specialist role in relation to a number of the core activities.

The PSIO will develop advanced skills and expertise in these nominated areas and they will act as a specialist resource consultant for the Practice Support & Improvement team and providers in the assigned areas. The PSIO will be responsible for providing training and mentoring to other team members on the specific area of expertise and focus.

Externally, Practice Support and Improvement Officers work closely with a broad range of primary health care professionals, general practice and Aboriginal Health Services (Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations & Aboriginal Medical Services).

Internally, Practice Support and Improvement Officers work closely with other members of the Primary Healthcare and Integration Team and the Commissioned Services and Strategic Projects team to build stronger integration between general practice and commissioned services, as well as with members of the Strategy, Engagement and Performance team in relation to engagement and performance data, and with the Corporate Services team as required.

If you have any questions about this position after you have read this document, please contact Fallon Gray on 0413 739 193.

Selection Criteria

Essential

• Tertiary qualifications in health, business or similar; or equivalent relevant work experience.
• Understanding of primary health care in a regional, rural and remote setting.
• Substantial experience working in a General Practice or Aboriginal Medical Services in a practice management or similar role, or other relevant experience.
• Demonstrated understanding of Aboriginal culture including a commitment to cultural safety
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills, relationship management skills, including the ability to effectively liaise and negotiate in a culturally diverse environment (both internally and externally).
• Demonstrated high-level communication skills and competence using information communication technology.
• Demonstrated understanding of My Health Record.
• Demonstrated knowledge of practice management and health information systems, and ability to learn new software application.

 Desirable

• Knowledge and experience related to Health Care Homes.
• Demonstrated understanding of quality improvement models in General Practice.
• Experience providing on the job coaching and support to development workplace capability.
• Experience in working with Aboriginal people, organisations and communities in view of planning and implementing services and achieving outcomes for Aboriginal people.

Benefits to working with WHAL

We pride ourselves on being supportive and flexible and offer a great range of benefits including:

• Generous salary packaging options up to $18,450 per year
• Professional development allowance and leave
• Family friendly and flexible working arrangements
• Collaboration with passionate likeminded professionals
• 5 weeks annual leave 
• Option to purchase an additional 2 weeks leave or cash out 2 weeks
• Additional leave between the Christmas and New Year period
• 6 weeks paid parental leave
• Free Employment Assistance Program

Guidelines for applicants

These guidelines aim to assist you in submitting applications for advertised vacancies with the Western NSW PHN. 

For an outline of responsibilities, position description, selection criteria and information on how to apply, please refer to the Employment tab in the ‘About Us’ section of our website.

WNSW PHN is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

As part of your application, you must provide a separate statement addressing each of the selection criteria as well as your resume. If you do not provide these two documents, your application will automatically not be accepted.  

Please refer to the attached Information Pack for a thorough outline of the role requirements and responsibilities.