Allied Health Assistant

Role Purpose

This position reports to the Occupational Therapist/Team Leader on Thursday Island. The role of this position is to support the delivery of allied health services to individuals living with disability arising from mental health and other chronic health conditions and rehabilitation needs within the communities of the Torres Strait region.    Working under the guidance of qualified health professionals, the Allied Health Assistant will assist in implementing therapeutic programs, facilitating client engagement, and promoting culturally safe care practices that reflect the unique needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This position is embedded within a structured mentoring and supervision framework designed to build clinical capability, cultural competence, and professional confidence in delivering allied health support across diverse community contexts.

Position Expected Tasks

Clinical and Therapeutic Support

• Assist mental health clinicians and occupational therapists in the delivery of individual and group-based therapeutic interventions aligned with NDIS goals and participant plans

• Support implementation of functional capacity-building activities, including emotional regulation, daily living skills, and community participation

• Prepare and maintain therapy spaces and materials to ensure safe, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed environments

• Facilitate client engagement during sessions, including use of visual aids, sensory tools, and communication supports

• Record participant observations and session notes under supervision, contributing to progress tracking and outcome reporting

• Working within a team and with support and supervision and in collaboration with other services and community members, enhance the delivery of culturally appropriate, safe and responsive mental health/social and emotional wellbeing services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Assessment Clinic Operations

• Set up and pack down clinic environments in partner organisations for scheduled assessments, ensuring accessibility and adherence to infection control and other protocols

• Monitor appointment flow and assist with scheduling, follow-ups, and basic administrative tasks

• Organize and prepare assessment tools, forms, and equipment in accordance with clinician instructions and NDIS documentation standards

• Greet participants and families, provide orientation to the clinic process, and support informed consent procedures

• Assist clinicians during assessments by managing materials, recording observational data, and supporting participant transitions

NDIS Compliance and Documentation

• Support accurate documentation of service delivery activities in line with NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators

• Assist with preparation of participant progress summaries, therapy logs, and goal tracking templates

• Maintain confidentiality and uphold ethical standards in all interactions with participants, families, and service providers

• Participate in internal audits, supervision, and quality improvement processes to ensure compliance with NDIS requirements

Professional Development and Team Collaboration

• Engage in structured supervision and mentoring to build clinical capability and cultural competence

• Participate in ongoing training related to psychosocial disability, trauma-informed care, and culturally safe practice

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to support integrated, person-centred service delivery

• Represent WWH as required in networking, promotion and education activities;

• Support WWH to develop and deliver mental health/social and emotional wellbeing promotion, prevention, early intervention and relapse prevention programmes within the community; and

• Other duties as required and negotiated.

Position Expected Skills

The successful applicant is expected to possess the following skills;

1. Completion of Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (or be enrolled and close to completing this qualification) or commensurate qualifications.

2. Students completing Bachelor of Occupational Therapy or similar qualifications are also encouraged to apply. 

1. Ability to effectively use a variety of technologies including, Mobile Phones, computers, computer-based programs, and internet Applications.

2. Ability to manage and prioritise multiple tasks within time constraints.

3. Effective verbal and written communication skills (experience writing case notes would be highly valued);

4. Understanding of recovery focused principles, undertake diverse community engagement in a culturally safe and respectful manner.

5. Ability to connect with new and existing programs to deliver a joined-up approach for activities like social and emotional wellbeing support, suicide prevention and alcohol and other drug services.

6. Co-ordinate and provide linking services for carers and family of consumers.

7. Understand cultural forms of healing or be willing to undertake professional development activities to develop this; and

8. Awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture within Australia’s history, knowledge of cultural sensitivities and current issues affecting the lives of Aboriginal people in conjunction with a willingness to incorporate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values into clinical practice and service delivery.

Essential Requirements

Successful applicants are expected to possess the following.

1. Current Drivers License

2. Blue Card/Working with Children (at own expense)

3. NDIS Screening Card (at own expense)

4. National Criminal History Check

5. Some demonstrated willingness and ability to consult and collaborate with a broad range of stakeholders, inclusive of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, government and non-government agencies, and mainstream services to improve mental health and social and emotional wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

6. Some demonstrated knowledge of the causes of poor mental health/social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

7. Some demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the local health needs and priorities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders

8. Some demonstrated knowledge or willingness to learn about the key State/Territory and Federal policies and resources on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health/ social and emotional wellbeing.

9. Some demonstrated willingness and ability to develop and implement innovative solutions that are culturally sensitive.

10. Some demonstrated willingness and ability to communicate well (written and verbal) with diverse target groups and work with diverse stakeholders.

11. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.

12. Demonstrated experience in the delivery of healing focused services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and

13. Demonstrated ability to actively participate in a working environment supporting quality human resource management practices including employment equity, anti-discrimination, occupational health and safety, and ethical behaviour.

Personal attributes

Successful applicants are expected to possess the following;

1. Excellent engagement skills with a proven ability to build collaborative relationships with a wide range of internal and external partners and stakeholders;

2. Ability to work within an environment requiring cultural sensitivity;

3. The qualities of energy, initiative, commitment to teamwork, collaboration and respect for others;

4. Willingness to work well in a flexible, emerging environment and deliver innovative outcomes;

5. Good self-care practices and stress management skills to enable maintenance of personal mental health/social and emotional wellbeing and resilience;

6. Willingness to be accountable and take a proactive approach to work health and safety, specifically taking responsibility for the health and safety of self and others; and

7. Passion about enhancing the mental health/social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Other Expectations

The following are additional expectations of successful candidates;

1. Prepare written documentation including basic reports, presentations, speeches, publications and correspondence for consideration by the larger WWH organisation;

• Participate in WWH service team meetings as required;

• Productively and effectively participate in the performance of Wakai Waian Healing specific programs;

• Advocate for the needs of the Indigenous Social and Emotional Wellbeing/Mental Health workforce in a variety of forums and locations across WWH service region;

• Have demonstrated experience with working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in rural, remote and regional areas; and

• Be willing to work with males and females of a variety of ages.

Additional Requirements

The following is a list of additional requires of potential successful candidates;

1. Must be willing to fly long distances in small charter or service planes 

2. Must be willing on occasions to traveling short distances via boat; and

3. Hold a C Class, open drivers licence;

Additional Information

1. Pre-employment screening, including criminal history and discipline history checks, may be undertaken on persons recommended for employment;

2. At WWH roles providing health, counselling and support services which may include children will require a Blue Card, unless otherwise exempt;

3. Applicants may be required to disclose any pre-existing illness or injury which may impact on their ability to perform the role;

4. Employees who are permanently appointed to WWH are required to undertake a period of probation appropriate to the appointment;

5. It is a condition of employment for this role for the employee to be, and remain, vaccinated/immune against the following Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD) during their employment: measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), pertussis (whooping cough). A VPD Evidence Form must be provided to WWH prior to the commencement of duties;

6. Certified copies of the required information must be provided prior to the commencement of duties;

7. Candidates must provide certified copies of requested proof of identity documents for the purposes of general Criminal history and National Police Certificate checks; and

8. Relevant to the position, participate in the ongoing education, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of safety and quality initiatives relevant to The National Standards for Mental Health Services and the Human Services Quality Standards.

How to Apply

Please provide the following information to the Workforce Lead at WWH to assess your suitability:

1. Your current CV or resume, including referees. You must seek approval prior to nominating a person as a referee. Referees should have a thorough knowledge of your work performance and conduct, and it is preferable to include your current/immediate past supervisor. By providing the names and contact details of your referee/s you consent for these people to be contacted by the selection panel. If you do not wish for a referee to be contacted, please indicate this on your CV or resume.

2. Submit your application online via workforcelead@wakai-waian.com.au

3. Any questions or requests for additional information during the application process can be sent to workforcelead@wakai-waian.com.au, or freecall 1800 732 850.

4. Eligible submissions will be offered an opportunity to participate in a face-to-face interview either via videoconference or in person.