Reports to: Senior Medical Officer

Supervision of: Visiting GP Registrars and students

Position Summary:

• To provide comprehensive primary health care in the Kutjungka communities, of Balgo, Mulan and Billiluna in line with accepted best practice standards and KAMS agreed Model of Care
• In conjunction with the multidisciplinary team, assist in the development and maintenance of high-quality health services, ensuring continuous monitoring, quality improvement and innovation in the delivery of comprehensive primary health services
• Support the education, training and on-site up-skilling of the Kutjungka primary health care workforce
• Contribute to KAMSC health program initiatives in line with identified needs

Duty Statement and Key Responsibilities:

• Provide clinical primary health care services to clients in the Kutjungka community of Balgo, Mulan and Billiluna as part of the regular GP Roster, in keeping with accepted best practice standards.
• Provide emergency assessment, stabilisation and care during hours, and after-hours whilst on site in the Kutjungka as back-up for the registered nurses and Senior Aboriginal Health Workers covering the first on-call roster. Where required, liaise with the Royal Flying Doctor Service for timely evacuation of clients requiring hospitalisation and/or more advanced care.
• Support active use of the electronic Patient Information and Recall System to assist in the provision of prompted opportunistic care for all clients, ensuring widespread population screening, early detection, monitoring and appropriate management of chronic disease
• Throughout your clinical practice, work with colleagues and clients in a framework of cultural safety which respects local cultural beliefs and practices
• Maintain strong linkages with other health providers in the area to ensure optimum coordination of care and advocacy for the client base

Selection Criteria:

• Eligible for registration in WA
• Minimum of 5 years general practice / primary health care experience
• Commitment to the Aboriginal Community Control Health Service Model of Care and its application in remote community clinics
• Competent to manage emergencies in remote setting
• Competent and committed to manage systems focusing on chronic disease management
• Ability to act as an effective member of a multidisciplinary health team
• Ability to travel by air and/ or road on a regular basis
• Ability to maintain confidentiality at all levels
• Effective interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
• Sound knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture
• Proven ability to communicate and work effectively with Aboriginal people
• “C” class driver’s license
• Must be able to drive a 4WD
• Federal Police Clearance
• Current GP Supervisor accreditation (or eligible to undergo training for this)

About Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services:

KAMS (Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Ltd) is a regional Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (ACCHS), providing a collective voice and support for a network of member ACCHS from towns and remote communities across the Kimberley region of Western Australia.

KAMS was first established in 1986 as a cooperative between the Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service (BRAMS) and the East Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service (EKAMS) now the Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Service (OVAHS) with membership expanding to Halls Creek health service committee and Fitzroy Crossing community representatives. These communities saw the benefit of sharing pooled resources and collective effort in the region

KAMS provides a wide range of services including Financial and accounting; Regional population health programs; Social and Emotional Well Being Support; Health Promotion; Information Communication Technology Support; Corporate Services; Accredited health training and education and Research.

While the major role is in regional advocacy and support for member services, KAMS also provides comprehensive primary health care services in the remote communities of Beagle Bay, Bidyadanga, Balgo, Mulan and Billiluna. In 2014 KAMS established Kimberley Renal Services Pty Ltd to manage the provision of regional renal support and dialysis services in Broome, Derby, Kununurra and Fitzroy Crossing.

KAMS is a member of the Aboriginal Health Council of WA (AHCWA – www.ahcwa.org) and of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO – www.naccho.org.au).

For more information please see the job description in the Additional Information section below