What is an Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander Health Worker?
What is an Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander Health Worker?
Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander Health Workers provide clinical and primary health care for individuals, families and community groups. They deal with patients, clients and visitors to hospitals and health clinics and assist in arranging, coordinating and providing health care in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community health clinics.
Roles of an Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander Health Worker
- Treat diseases or injuries
- Maintain health records and statistics
- Act as a communicator and interpreter on behalf of clients and other health workers
- Provide health education to individual clients and health staff
- Provide cultural education to people outside the cultural community and life skills education to the community they serve
- Provide input to the planning, development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all health programs in the community
Career Opportunities
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers are employed in hospitals and other health services in metropolitan and rural areas. They work in health care teams with doctors, nurses and other health care professionals.
Qualifications Required
Certificate III in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care
Personal skills required of an Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander Health Worker
- Good communication and negotiation skills
- Organisational ability
- Cultural awareness and sensitivity
- Able to work independently and as part of a team
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