Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Council Membership – Vacancies

08/09/2023

The Health Professional Councils Authority (HPCA) is inviting applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners interested in becoming a member of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Council of NSW (the Council).

The Council is an independent body established under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (NSW) (the Law). There are 15 health professional councils in NSW. The Governor of NSW appoints members recommended by the Minister for Health.

The Council’s main responsibility is to protect the health and safety of the public. The Council does this by working in partnership with the Health Care Complaints Commission to manage complaints about the health, performance and/or conduct of registered practitioners in NSW.
 

Positions available      

We are looking for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners to join the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Council of NSW.
 

Further information

For more information about the roles click here. If you would like more information about being a Council member you contact:

Name:             Peter Lang

Phone:            0427 919 187

Email:             Peter.Lang@health.nsw.gov.au

Peter is a Council member and Deputy President of the Paramedicine Council. He is also a member of the joint NSW Health Professional Councils and HPCA Aboriginal Cultural Safety Working Group.

For questions about the application and selection process, you can contact:

Name:             Fiona Hanley, Senior Policy and Program Advisor, HPCA

Phone:            02 9879 2238

Email:             hpca-ps-appointments@health.nsw.gov.au

You can find more information about the Council here and see the Council’s latest annual report here. For information about the NSW Health Professional Councils and HPCA Aboriginal Cultural Safety Strategy click here.
 

Am I eligible to apply?

To be a practitioner member of the Council you need to be:

  • a registered Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner
  • available to attend monthly Council meetings, held in person or virtually
  • fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine (two doses) unless medically contraindicated

To be the President of the Council, you need to be a member of the Council and a registered Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner.

To be the Deputy President of the Council, you need to be a member of the Council. The Deputy President may be a practitioner or non-practitioner member of Council.
 

How long is the term of appointment?

  • Council members are appointed for a term of up to three years and are eligible for reappointment for a maximum period of nine years.
  • Deputy President and President positions are also appointed for a term of up three years.
  • We anticipate the term for each position to commence once approved by the Governor. This process may take several months.
     

How do I apply?

Please email the following documents to hpca-ps-appointments@health.nsw.gov.au:

  • expression of interest form, including the name and contact details of two referees
  • a covering letter or brief statement addressing each of the selection criteria (no more than three pages)
  • an up-to-date curriculum vitae (no more than five pages)

Your application cannot not be considered if you do not include the above three documents.
 

Selection criteria

Applications must address each of the following selection criteria:

  1. Experienced as a registered Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner.
  2. The ability to actively participate as a Council member by: 
  • reading, reviewing and discussing complaints with fellow Council members
  • discussing and coming to a mutually agreed outcome where opinions may differ
  • making decisions with honesty, independence, fairness, without bias, exercising good judgement, and being aware of how their own culture, values, attitudes, assumptions and beliefs influence their decision making.
  1. Good oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
  2. Demonstrated experience or ability to work collaboratively and productively as a member of a multidisciplinary team.

Referee reports

Please include the name and contact details of two referees. Your referees should be able to discuss your skills, qualifications and fit with responsibilities of a Council member.