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Aboriginal Health Practitioner Immuniser Project

​ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health is leading an Aboriginal Health Practitioner immuniser project to support more authorised Aboriginal Health Practitioners to provide influenza vaccinations in ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health settings. This is part of an initiative to enhance integration of the role within multidisciplinary teams and grow the profession as a priority.

In June 2024, the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health Chief Health Officer authorised Aboriginal Health Practitioner’s to administer the influenza vaccine under specific conditions. More information on the Authority can be found at HESA approved immunisation courses.​

The project is also expected to benefit patients, which aligns with the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health Immunisation Strategy, to improve vaccine access and uptake and reduce the impact of vaccine preventable disease, especially in the Aboriginal population.​

Aboriginal Health Practitioners

To celebrate the National Day of Recognition for Aboriginal Health Workers and Aboriginal Health Practitioners on 7 August 2024, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health has released a video highlighting the work the profession does in connecting Aboriginal people to culturally safe clinical care.

The Decision Making Framework for Aboriginal Health Practitioners supports the understanding of clinical scope of practice and safe practice considerations through supervision.​

​Further information

The Aboriginal Health Worker Guidelines are currently being reviewed. Until such time that this is complete, or for further advice, please contact the Aboriginal Workforce team at MOH-AboriginalWorkforce@health.nsw.gov.au​.​

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Aboriginal Workforce in ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health: The overarching term that refers to all Aboriginal staff, irrespective of their role, working within ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health.

Aboriginal Health Worker Workforce: The umbrella term for Aboriginal Health Workers (AHWs) and Aboriginal Health Practitioners (AHPs). â€‹

• Aboriginal Health Workers (AHW) provide non-clinical services such as advocacy, support, liaison, and health promotion in community and hospital​ settings. An AHW has undertaken, or is willing to undertake, a minimum Certificate III Aboriginal Primary Health Care. Role titles include Aboriginal Community Health Workers, Aboriginal Hospital​ Liaison Officer. 
  
• Aboriginal Health Practitioners (AHP) provide direct clinical services to local Aboriginal communities. AHPs hold a Certificate IV in Aboriginal Primary Health Care Practice and are registered with supported by . â€‹
  

Aboriginal Health Worker and Aboriginal Health Practitioner activities

​Aboriginal Health Worker activities can include cultural navigation, social and emotional wellbeing support, patient advocacy, health promotion, and case coordination. ​

Aboriginal Health Practitioners can provide the cultural lens in conjunction with clinical activities. Clinical activities may include supporting discharge planning, clinical procedures, assessments and observations , pre-admission assessments and implementation care according to patient plans and protocols.

Aboriginal Health Practitioners in multi-​disciplinary teams

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​The above diagram represents the implementation of the Aboriginal Health Practitioner workforce into the multi-disciplinary team as its own defined clinical profession. Integration of Aboriginal Health Practitioners into the clinical multi-disciplinary team will strengthen the delivery of culturally safe clinical care to Aboriginal clients. 

Healthy Deadly Feet is an exemplar project on how Aboriginal Health Practitioners and/or Aboriginal Health Workers and/or Allied Health Assistants can be incorporated into a multi-disciplinary team. For more information, visit Hea​â¶Ä‹lthy Deadly Feet.

The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Board of Australia (ATSIHPBA) have developed the following ​â¶Ä‹