Public Health Officer

Work in an environment that offers: Support for career progression and development An ability to live and work in a vibrant regional setting A strong attitude to teaching and learning The Position  Job Reference:  1712 Position Title: Public Health Officer Classification:  Registered Nurse Gr 3A Y1-2 or Allied Health Professional Gr 2 Y1-4 or Allied Services Managers & Administration HS5 or equivalent  Salary per hour (exc.
super): As per award Hours per fortnight: 76 Employment Status: Ongoing Full Time Closing date:  27/12/2024 The Loddon Mallee Public Health Unit   The Loddon Mallee Public Health Unit (LMPHU) works to keep our regional community healthy, safe and well.
We use local knowledge, community-based relationships and direct engagement to effectively tailor and deliver public health initiatives and respond to incidents and issues within the Loddon Mallee region.
First established in 2020 to manage local cases and outbreaks of COVID-19, LMPHU now has a wider range of responsibility for the prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases and health threats.
LMPHU works in partnership with primary, acute and community health services, state government agencies, local governments and local communities to promote health and wellbeing, and tackle inequalities in health, for all those living in the Loddon Mallee region.
The Position  The Public Health Officer (PHO) protects public health by helping prevent, investigate, respond and manage cases, incidents and communicable disease outbreaks in the community.
Reporting to the Manager Health Protection, and supervised by a Team Leader (Health Protection), the PHO provides the LMPHU operational response to notifiable conditions under the Public Health & Wellbeing Act 2008, including COVID-19 disease, and provide operational support in response to other health protection incidents and emergencies as directed.
They conduct investigations, including case and contact interviews establishing infectious disease acquisition links, identify high risk individuals, groups and facilities, and provide public health advice, recommendations and referrals to other service providers.
The PHO enables effective outbreak and incident management through collaborative engagement with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders and agencies.
The PHO applies motivational interviewing techniques in gathering information, demonstrating emotional intelligence, responsiveness, flexibility and cultural competence in working with others.
The PHO may also be responsible a specific health protection or communicable disease portfolio, dependent upon subject matter expertise, and for providing public health education to stakeholders and community members.
The PHO works from Bendigo or another LMPHU office location in Loddon, Murray or Mallee sub-regions.
Responsibilities and Accountabilities  Key Responsibilities  The Public Health Officer (PHO) will:  Undertake case interviews and contact tracing for people identified as confirmed or suspected cases and contacts of conditions notifiable under the Public Health & Wellbeing Act 2008  Provide public health advice, recommendations and education to cases, close contacts, clinicians, service providers and other stakeholders according to agreed service protocols, standards, legislative and regulatory requirements  Develop and maintain a high level of knowledge and comprehension of current public health policy, legislation and procedures to provide the most up-to-date relevant public health advice  Maintain accurate and complete records of work activities in accordance with legislative requirements, information security and relevant policy requirements   Appropriately obtain, document and review case demographic, location, pathology, clinical, and risk information available in Department of Health and other data and surveillance systems   Employ dynamic communication and interpersonal skills, cultural competency, tactful language, and empathetic interviewing skills to build rapport and maintain trust with people from diverse backgrounds  Provide appropriate advice to protect public health and assess the feasibility of implementing necessary actions  Escalate novel, complex or high-risk situations and concerns to a Team Leader (Health Protection) and/or other senior LMPHU staff  Participate in requisite training, regular program meetings, and quality monitoring improvement activities to ensure and enhance the quality of case, contact and outbreak management services   Adhere to privacy and confidentiality protocols  Write reports on public health information, actions and activities  Develop strategies and work plans to support the prevention of communicable and non-communicable diseases   Contribute to planning and management of portfolios of work within the public health team  Support health protection operational requirements after hours by participating in a rotating on-call roster as required  Able to travel regionally as required  Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the leadership team as appropriate  Working with Bendigo Health Bendigo Health are a leader in regional health care, combining outstanding services with a strong education, training and personal development culture.
Created by our community in the 1850s, we have a long, proud history of delivering excellent care to our community.
Our organisation is diverse, welcoming and committed to delivering our vision of Excellent Care.
Every Person, Every Time.
Bendigo Health has around 5000 staff and a catchment area covering a quarter of the size of Victoria.
The three main campuses of Bendigo Health are in Bendigo, with many services extended to regional settings including areas such as Mildura, Echuca, Swan Hill, Kyneton and Castlemaine.
We offer a fantastic range of benefits for our staff, including:  Staff health and wellbeing programs Career development and education opportunities Generous salary packaging opportunities, to increase your take-home pay each fortnight Flexible Working Arrangements Use of staff gym and pool and access to other fitness facilities through fitness passport program If successful for a position at Bendigo Health you must provide evidence of your full immunisation record as part of the on boarding process.
Your New Division The Community and Public Health Services Division has a primary focus on improving the health outcomes of the communities in our region.
With a range of local and regional programs supporting place-based health promotion, prevention, care and support, they work collaboratively with other Divisions and regional partnerships and networks to support quality outcomes.
The Division has a strong leadership role in the Loddon Mallee Region and is committed to ensuring processes are in place to deliver on our Division.
Bendigo Region Bendigo is one of Victoria's largest regional cities making it a great city to live and work in.
Bendigo provides services for the region's population of over 320,000 and so the city offers excellent schools, shopping and cultural precincts, sporting facilities and various tertiary facilities.
We can offer generous flexible working arrangements - giving you more time to enjoy the fantastic restaurants, beautiful parks, walking trails and wineries within our region.
Interested?
We'd love to hear from you!
Please ensure that you attach a cover letter and an up-to-date copy of your resume.
Need more information?
Please contact Jess Travers on 5454 9139  for a confidential discussion.
Diversity and Inclusion Bendigo Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
We embrace diversity and social inclusion and encourage people from a diverse cultural background, people with disabilities and or Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people to apply.
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