Victorian Aboriginal Health Service

Did you see our post earlier today that GPs working at ACCHOs are happier than others in Australia? 🤔 Well, we don’t have any GP positions (at the moment) but we do have two openings ⤵️ 🧑⚕️We’re on the lookout for a caring, empathetic Maternal Child Health Nurse to provide culturally sensitive care to Indigenous families, to improve maternal and child health outcomes in Aboriginal Communities. 🫱🏽🫲🏿We are also hiring a Local Partnership – Social and Emotional Wellbeing Worker who understands the philosophy and principles of Aboriginal Community Control and transforming it into practice, with demonstrated experience working with Community on mental health, alcohol and other drug, and other social issues. #vahs #werehiring #mobjobs

It’s official – Australia’s happiest GPs work at Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations! (And doesn't Dr Mick's smile show it?)😀 The The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Health of the Nation 2024 report found that GPs working at ACCHOs have a job satisfaction rate of 88 per cent, compared with 73 per cent for GPs overall🧑⚕️ They also have the best work-life balance, lowest rate of burnout and 68 per cent would recommend general practice as a career, compared with 44 per cent overall🥳 This is just another way that healthcare by community for community works🙌 If you want to see what all the fuss is about, head to the link in the comments for VAHS’ current vacancies 🔗

VAHS received recognition in Parliament from Nathan Lambert MP this week, following his visit to VAHS Preston on Monday 🏛️ The Member for Preston and Parliamentary Secretary for Children spoke about how visiting VAHS and yarning with Aunty Lynette Briggs, Uncle Alan Brown, Sue Hedges, Carolyn Dunn, Margie Davidson, Dr Mick Creati and Tanya Saunders will help to inform the government's broader work in the children's sector. It is fantastic to see the efforts of our Women's and Children's Unit recognised at this high level 👏

The peak representative body for the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria has launched a new model for Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations. At an event on Monday at Victoria's Parliament and hosted by Sheena Watt MLC, the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) celebrated the groundbreaking work undertaken by Victorian Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) for over 50 years. The holistic ACCO model has been developed through the fifty plus years of supporting Aboriginal communities in Victoria. It is integrated, strength-based and trauma-informed, and offers culturally safe healthcare - combined with wrap-around social services - to best address the disparities in health and wellbeing experienced by Aboriginal Victorians. ACCOs are an Indigenous-led response to the long-term, intergenerational impacts brought on from colonisation as well as the policies of assimilation and dispossession, which still cause significant damage to the health of First Nations people in Victoria, and across the country. VACCHO chief executive Dr Jill Gallagher said since the first ACCO was established in 1973, they had played a pivotal role in communities by developing and operating a service model which continues to meet the unique needs of Aboriginal Victorians. "Our communities have built ACCOs to rebuild our health, wellbeing, connectedness and prosperity,' she said. Arguing they still play a crucial role in advocating for the rights of Indigenous people, Ms Gallagher said of ACCOs: "They provide a wide range of essential services including healthcare, social support, legal and financial assistance, housing education and aged care. https://lnkd.in/ggVwP8K7 Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) Michael Graham Nerita Waight Sheena Watt MP Victorian Aboriginal Health Service

VAHS CEO Michael Graham and VAHS Women’s and Children’s Unit welcomed the Honorary Lizzie Blandthorn MP and Mr Nathan Lambert MP to our Preston clinic on Monday to yarn about Aboriginal maternal and child health 🩺 Aunty Lynette Briggs and Uncle Alan Brown spoke about the importance of Community Control in ensuring that VAHS continues to deliver holistic, integrated services and supports for Aboriginal mothers and children in Victoria 🏥 The team shared some of the great work that VAHS’ Women’s and Children’s Unit does in community, acting as a village hub, to keep mothers and children healthy and thriving 👩🍼 VAHS has deep connections with Aboriginal families, some of which have been coming to VAHS for up to six generations. This means we understand the strengths of each family, the challenges they face and can provide tailored support and care 🙏 We look forward to continuing to work alongside the government to close the gap and improve health outcomes for Aboriginal Victorians 🖤💛❤️ #vahs #communitycontrol #closingthegap #firstnationshealth

❗Content warning: This post discusses topics that may be distressing to readers, including racism. Please read with care and remember, we are here to help if you need it. Contact Yarning Safe N Strong on 1800 959 563 for confidential, judgement-free help 24/7. Today marks one year since the failed referendum to elect a constitutionally enshrined Indigenous Voice to Parliament. We know that the referendum and the debate that surrounded it caused, and continues to cause much distress to First Nations communities, and as we reflect, we remind you that VAHS stands with Community today and every day 🖤💛❤️

GPs thrive in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services !! 🩺✨ The 2024 RACGP Health of the Nation report reveals that GPs working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services, especially within Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs), are Australia's most satisfied healthcare professionals. 🙌🏿 Pat Turner AM, CEO of NACCHO, highlighted that this outcome reflects the strength of culturally grounded care models within ACCHOs. "The consistently high levels of job satisfaction among GPs working in ACCHOs reflect the strong, culturally grounded care models that are vital to the health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples." Our ongoing advocacy is critical to building a dedicated workforce that is central to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The report highlights how ACCHOs not only provide exceptional patient care but also foster a supportive environment for healthcare professionals who are closely connected to the communities they serve. https://lnkd.in/g22hyF3b #OurHealthinOurHands #ACCHOs #AboriginalHealth #IndigenousHealth #PatTurner #NACCHO Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Services AH&MRC of NSW Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC) AHCWA (Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia) Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia AMSANT Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre

Happy hump day 🐪 Are you feeling the midweek slump and dreaming of a new role? It's your lucky day, because VAHS has seven up for grabs! 😱 🧑💻 VAHS Fitzroy is on the lookout for a Medical Reception Team Lead and Medical Receptionist. Both roles are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander identified positions, and are the first point of call for new and existing patients visiting Fitzroy. Team Lead: https://bit.ly/4gVKqkK Receptionist: https://bit.ly/4eAGCDI 🧑⚕️VAHS Fitzroy is also hiring a qualified registered nurse division 1 with current AHPRA registration: https://bit.ly/3zTX9nf and an Aboriginal Health Worker/Practitioner (Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander identified position) to provide high quality, culturally safe care to patients: https://bit.ly/4h0CdLZ 🤝VAHS Preston is recruiting a Therapeutic Family Violence Practitioner, to provide comprehensive therapeutic intervention services to individuals and families post family violence: https://bit.ly/4ezfxkh 🧮VAHS Preston is also on the hunt for a Koori Families as First Educators Support Worker (Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander identified position) to support learning and development of parenting skills and children aged 0-5 development: https://bit.ly/3ZRDfE4 🚭Last but not least, our Tackling Indigenous Smoking team is looking for a Community Health Promotion Officer based in Traralgon, to implement local activities, particularly around anti-tobacco and anti-vaping: https://bit.ly/3XyeV8Q For more information about each role, including application closing dates, head to each role's link 🔗 📧 You can also reach out to employment@vahs.org.au if you have other questions about the roles.

Psst! Are you a VAHS member yet? No? That’s okay, your secret is safe with us, but it’s time to sign yourself up! 🤫 For less than the price of a coffee (just $1!) you can join voices from all over Victoria influencing the future of our organisation, as we proudly continue to care for Community 🖤💛❤️ The best part is, the only prerequisites to be a VAHS member are to be Mob living in Victoria and be over 18 years of age. If this sounds like you, email ea@vahs.org.au to get involved 🤲 If you’re an existing member, please update your contact details (these are NOT the same as your patient records, which we cannot access for membership for privacy reasons) by reaching out to the above email address 📧 We can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the future of VAHS! 🩺

This Meet Us Monday we’re yarning with one of our northside GPs, affectionately known to his patients as Dr Raj 👨⚕️ Name and job title: My name is Dr Anthony Rubert Raj, but people call me “Anthony” or “Dr Raj”. I’m a GP. Which clinic do you work at?: I work at the South Morang clinic on Wednesdays and Thursdays 🏨 How long have you been working at VAHS and what brought you here?: I have been at VAHS since 2020, after I moved to Melbourne from Northern Territory, where I completed my GP training, in 2019. Eagerness to learn about Aboriginal people and their Culture is what brought me here. How would you summarise your role at VAHS?: I am a GP. I myself am non-Indigenous, but I like working with Aboriginal people to understand what healing means for them, and help them in their journey of social and emotional wellbeing. What health advice do you have for Mob?: VAHS is a safe space to yarn about your everyday life. We are interested in hearing about so much more than illness or injury, but also about your happiness. Also, one should always remember the saying “prevention is better than cure”, get a health check and get involved in preventative health.