Indigenous Primary Health Practitioner (MDHS)

Job no: 0059125
Location: Parkville
Role type: Part time (0.8 FTE); Fixed-term for 3 years
Faculty: Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
Department/School: Melbourne Medical School
Salary: UOM 8 – $110,709 – $119,829 p.a. plus 17% super

Only Indigenous Australians are eligible to apply as this position is exempt under the Special Measure Provision, Section 12 (1) of the Equal Opportunity Act 2011 (Vic).

The University of Melbourne would like to acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Owners of the lands upon which our campuses are situated, the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung Peoples, the Yorta Yorta Nation, the Dja Dja Wurrung People. We acknowledge that the land on which we meet and learn was the place of age-old ceremonies, of celebration, initiation and renewal, and that the local Aboriginal Peoples have had and continue to have a unique role in the life of these lands.

About – Melbourne Medical School

Established in 1862, the Melbourne Medical School was the first school to graduate doctors in Australia. It is internationally renowned for global leadership in teaching and training, health research, policy and practice. The School is ranked 14th in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022 for clinical, pre-clinical and health), has strong academic partnerships and ground-breaking collaborative research programs with leading public and private health services, as well as leading medical research institutes and centres in Australia and internationally.

The School spans all major fields of medicine and is comprised of 13 departments. These departments are embedded within clinical health services throughout metropolitan Melbourne and rural Victoria. The school comprises almost 1000 academic and professional staff as well as more than 2725 honorary appointees from the health sector who contribute their time, knowledge, research and clinical expertise to the education of our students.

About the Role
This position will be based in the Melbourne Medical School (MMS) within a small group of Health and Wellbeing Practitioners and will work collaboratively in supporting Melbourne Medical School and other Faculty Schools in the development and implementation of resources and procedures related to student health and wellbeing.

The Indigenous Primary Health Practitioner role will have a particular focus to Indigenous medical students across the breadth of the Faculty, (ranging from coursework and research higher degree students), to support the students learning and practice in the health education community.

While the position is one within a group of Health and Wellbeing Practitioners, the responsibility is to support the health, wellbeing and cultural safety of students across all the faculty schools who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Australians.

Responsibilities include:

• Design, deliver and assess programs promoting Indigenous student health and wellbeing.
• Proactively engage with Indigenous students across both the Faculty and newly admitted to the Melbourne MD course and throughout the Faculty to maintain contact as appropriate during any periods of their leave.
• Manage and strengthen partnerships between local resources and external service providers to offer a coordinated welfare response to students in need.
• Develop innovative ways to integrate new knowledge in health and wellbeing for effective long-term student support and development.

About You

You are enthusiastic, self-motivated and flexible with your approach to undertaking tasks and helping others. You also have excellent interpersonal and communication skills which provide you with the ability to convey information effectively and efficiently within a diverse work environment. You have demonstrated cultural awareness, with an ability to work positively and productively with individuals from a variety of international, racial and religious backgrounds.

You will also have:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in psychology, counselling and/ or social work.
• Experience working with Indigenous tertiary students.
• Demonstrated understanding and knowledge of the challenges confronting Indigenous students and practitioners in the health training environment.
• Proven experience with the design, implementation and provision of wellbeing and support activities.

To ensure the University continues to provide a safe environment for everyone, this position requires the incumbent to hold a current and valid Working with Children Check.

Please note: To be considered for this role you must have current valid work rights for Australia.

About the University
The University of Melbourne is consistently ranked amongst the leading universities in the world. We are proud of our people, our commitment to research and teaching excellence, and our global engagement.

Benefits for Indigenous staff  

• Cultural leave: Indigenous staff members are entitled to up to five days non-cumulative paid leave per calendar year for the purpose of attending NAIDOC, community, cultural and ceremonial activities. 
• University policies: Indigenous staff are supported by the University’s Reconciliation Action Plan and Indigenous Employment Framework, with the commitment to improving the employment, retention and career progression outcomes for Indigenous staff members 
• Indigenous Staff Network: Employees who have identified themselves as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander will have access to the Indigenous Staff Network (ISN)
• Cultural events: The University hosts annual cultural events such as the Wominjeka to begin the Academic Year and the Narrm Oration, and recognises significant times throughout the year such as, Reconciliation Week, Mabo Day and NAIDOC Week. 
• Employee Assistance Program: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Support Line available free for you and your immediate family members.

Be Yourself
We value the unique backgrounds, experiences and contributions that each person brings to our community and encourage and celebrate diversity.  First Nations people, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, females, people of all ages, with disabilities and culturally and linguistically diverse people are encouraged to apply. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the community in which we live.

Join Us!
If you feel this role is right for you, please apply with your CV and cover letter outlining your interest and experience.  Please note that you are not required to provide responses against the selection criteria in the Position Description.

We are dedicated to ensuring barrier free and inclusive practices to recruit the most talented candidates. If you require any reasonable adjustments with the recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected] .

Position Description