Director – Health and Ageing

  • Base/Location:Echuca
  • Reports To:Chief Executive Officer
  • Hours:Full-time (37.5 hour week)
  • Award:Salary Negotiable depending on skills and experience
  • Position Scope:

    Njernda Aboriginal Corporation is an independent not-for-profit Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service, governed by a Board of five Directors. Our primary population catchment is the Echuca and Moama Murray River region with services reaching out to the Loddon Mallee region.
    Njernda is recognised for leadership in Aboriginal health in partnership with its other services related to family, childcare and education, aged care and youth and youth cultural healing. Njernda’s health service provides quality health care with AGPAL accreditation.
    We have a strong history of successfully planning, implementing, and evaluating a range of health and ageing programs across the life course, including chronic health care programs. Njernda employs approx. 150 staff.

**This is an “Indigenous Only” role under Special Measures of the EEO Act 2010, Section 12.

This position of Director Primary Health Care Services provides an opportunity for an experienced and successful leader to provide evidence informed models of primary health care service directed toward achieving greater client empowerment and breaking cycles of health inequity.

Programs under this role include:
HEALTH
GP
Maternal Child Health
Nursing
Aboriginal Health Practitioner
Health Assessment
Outreach Work
Transport
Chronic Disease Management
Health Promotion

SPECIALISTS SERVICES
Psychology
Optometry
Maternal And Child Health Nursing
Audiologist
Podiatry
Diabetes Education
Australian Hearing
Endocrinologist
Paediatrics

AGED AND DISABILITY
Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)
Home and Community Care Program (HACC)

Organizational Values

Respect
Establishing relationships based on respect and trust
Accountability
Taking ownership and initiative of Njernda values to ensure trusted collaborations are formed
Resilience
Encouraging cultural and spiritual growth to enable personal growth
Advocacy
Working to transform the disadvantage and challenge that causes impact on our community
Cultural Sensitivity
Welcoming and serving our community with understanding and without judgement

Key Responsibilities

This position will, under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer lead the operational management of the health and ageing programs with the support of team managers and their teams. It is an expectation that the incumbent will contribute to a constructive workplace culture which engages and develops the talents of staff and provides an excellent health service to the Aboriginal community.
• The position requires leadership capabilities to foster a culture of growth and development.
• The director ensures the organisational culture, image and branding is maintained by strong corporate ethics, personally and professionally throughout the organisation. And the director should ensure managers operate in accordance with the vision and philosophy of the organisation and develop policy and programs to that end.
• Directors take a top level view of workflows, budgets, and regulating expenses, and is responsible for monitoring the operations and enhancing productivity.
• The director is responsible for ensuring the operation has the funds, equipment, and other resources necessary to deliver the operational outcomes.
• Directors are responsible for future looking responsibilities like research and development keeping a pulse on trends and advancement in health & ageing programming.
• The position requires hiring, supervising, and reviewing managers, as well as motivating staff.
• Assist the CEO in developing policies and programs, and developing briefings, according to best practice for primary health care service system for ATSI population.
• Prepare submissions to Federal and State governments and other bodies.
• Assist managers to develop, manage, analyse data and programs, and continually improve their programs and services.
• Provide a structure that ensures managers conduct professional supervision and support for staff to include ongoing training and development.
• Foster a strong team spirit within the organization.
• Organize with the CEO, community meetings to gain feedback from the community on programs and services.
• Represent the organization and/or community in forums outside the agency (e.g. on panels, on Committees etc.).
• Other duties as directed by the CEO.

The responsibilities of the position are:

• Provide expert level advice to the Executive on strategic planning and business opportunities, risk management, program operations, health needs of the Aboriginal community and continuous quality improvement.
• Lead the development, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of work plans to achieve positive consumer outcomes, Njernda’ strategic directions and operational requirements, and take corrective action where necessary.
• Engage team managers and clinicians to ensure delivery of high quality clinical services.
• Ensure the safe and effective operation of the general practice which complies with all relevant legislation and accreditation requirements.
• Create a culture and systems that support learning, including clinical placements and registrar rotations.
• Maximise consumer outcomes and available revenue by operating primary care services in a manner consistent with government policy, quality imperatives and incentive payments.
• Working with the Murray Primary Health Network to understand their local priorities and collaboratively develop responses as appropriate.
• Ensure a robust system of clinical governance, including clinical support, incident reporting, risk management and consumer feedback and engagement.
• Ensure service delivery is compliant with clinical governance requirements, risk management policies and business sustainability.
• Provide accurate, on time reporting against responsibilities, and ensure achievement of organisational budget, data requirements and service agreements.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, regulations, standards and policies.
• Provide expert opinion in the leadership team to inform continuous process improvement of operational systems, procedures and policies, information flow and organisational planning.
• Lead and manage key program area functions to ensure effective use of resources, cross program collaboration to benefit consumer experience and outcomes, and staff support, engagement, and development.
• Commitment to the use of evidence, consumer-focussed care, and the principles of co-design.
• An understanding of MBS items and collection.
• Effectively communicate with and educate internal and external stakeholders in a way that demonstrates a clear understanding of critical issues and inspires commitment from others to achieve organisational strategic directions.

Key Selection Criteria

Applicants must possess:
• Awareness and appreciation of Aboriginal societies and understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal people in contemporary Australia and the circumstances of Aboriginal people.
• Mandatory qualification at a degree level in health administration, management, field or 5 years or more experience in the field.
• Previous leadership success, including demonstrated commitment to use of evidence, achievement through influence and the fostering of innovation.
• Extensive knowledge of strategies to maximise operational performance for long term sustainability in a Primary Health Care Service and demonstrated capacity to implement them.
• Comprehensive understanding of relevant funding, policies, regulations, and reforms, including consumer-led funding models and their implications.
• High level conceptual thinking demonstrated through analysis of complex issues and implementation of effective solutions.
• High level written and verbal communication skills including preparation of proposals and grants, and the capacity to influence others to achieve organisational outcomes.
• Demonstrated excellence in collaborating with others, team building, communication, leading through influence and execution of multifaceted decisions.
• Proven ability to meet deadlines in a busy working environment.
• Sound understanding of information, communications, and information technology as it relates to health services management.

A Commitment to Safety All children have the right to be children and live free of abuse and neglect, so they can grow, learn, and develop. Everyone within Njernda is responsible for ensuring a culture of child safety, preventing child abuse, and abiding by the Child Safety Principles

Qualifications & Experience

Staff are required to:
• Complete a satisfactory police check before employment is confirmed, the police check will be initiated and paid for by Njernda.
• Sign the pre-existing Injury / Disease Declaration.
• Present a copy of your original professional qualifications document or registration
• Present a Working with Children ID card.
• Hold and present a current driver’s licence.
• Receive and comply with the Njernda Code of Conduct.
• Comply with Njernda Privacy Policy and all other organisational Policies and Procedures.
• Co-operate with and contribute to Njernda Health and Safety procedures and participate in appropriate safety information and education activities as required.
• Co-operate with and contribute to Njernda Occupational Health and Safety procedures and participate in appropriate safety information and education activities as required. Njernda believes that “Quality is everyone’s business, safety is my responsibility”

• Commitment to equal opportunity and occupational health and safety principles and practices is required
• You will need to disclose any pre-existing illness or injury you know about which could be affected by the described work duties. Under section 82 (7) of the Accident Compensation Act, failure to disclose such a pre-existing illness or injury will mean that, if employed, you will not be paid compensation for that condition.

Other Information

• Njernda is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
• All Njernda sites are smoke free workplaces.
• Njernda- is committed to employing people from diverse backgrounds and providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment.
• Njernda has a commitment to environmental sustainability

To be Eligible for an Interview

The Applicant MUST address the Key Selection Criteria and include a recent resume.
Address your application marked: “Private & Confidential”
To: Corporate Services Manager
Njernda Aboriginal Corporation
P.O. Box 21 Echuca Vic 3564
Email trishaw@njernda.com.au
All applications close: 16th August 2022

➢ Written applications should include a covering letter. Please include the names and telephone contacts of at least two referees.
➢ Please check the closing date to ensure your application is received within the specified time. Applications may be posted, emailed, hand delivered or faxed (provided that a hard copy is posted on the same day).

All applications close: 16th Aug 2022