Category: EOI – Community Representative Positions

Population Genomics – closing Friday 27 January 2023

The Office of Population Genomics, on behalf of the WA Department of Health, is seeking expressions of interest for consumer representatives with lived experience (patient or carer) of a genetic condition or the Genetics Services of Western Australia (GSWA) for the:

  • WA Genomics Strategy Implementation Committee
  • GSWA Clinical Service Plan Co-Design Team and Working Group

These consumer representatives will have an important role in providing a consumer perspective and information about relevant issues affecting consumers and carers in relation to genomic healthcare services and contribute to projects that support the future genomic healthcare needs of WA.

For more detail on the projects, roles, selection criteria and how to respond, please see https://ww2.health.wa.gov.au/Articles/N_R/Office-of-population-health-genomics

Reproductive Technology Council of WA – consumer position – closing Sunday 12 February 2023

The Minister for Health has approached the Health Consumers Council for two nominations for the Reproductive Technology Council (RTC) Member Deputy position.

The RTC has a central role in the regulation of assisted reproductive technology and related research in Western Australia. The RTC was established as part of the Human Reproductive Technology Act 1991 (HRT Act).
 
The HRT Act regulates all assisted reproductive technology practices in Western Australia (WA). The HRT Act:
– Helps promote the safe and beneficial treatment of those who require access to reproductive technology in order to have a child.
– Ensures people accessing reproductive technology have adequate counselling and objective information to guide their decision-making.
– Ensures that the wider community is kept informed and involved as the policies relating to the regulation of these technologies continue to evolve.

The general functions of the RTC are covered in section 14 of the Human Reproductive Technology Act 1991, and in effect set its Terms of Reference.

The main functions of Council are to:

  • Formulate and review a Code of Practice to govern the use of artificial fertilisation and storage procedures carried on by licensees;
  • Advise the Commissioner of Health on the suitability of applicants, and compliance of licensees with conditions of their licences;
  • Make sure that any research carried out by or on behalf of a licensee on eggs, sperm, or participants, has general or specific approval of Council;
  • Advise the Minister for Health on matters related to reproductive technology;
  • Encourage and facilitate research into the causes and prevention of all types of human infertility and on the social and public health implications of reproductive technology; and
  • To promote informed public debate and education on these issues.

The Review of the Human Reproductive Act 1991 undertaken by Sonia Allen (published January 2019 and available on the WA Health website here) has recommended the RTC be abolished in favour of a different advisory group.   However, at this stage the RTC still exits and meets monthly (third Tuesday of the month).   

We would be grateful if you could complete the documentation in the survey here which meets the requirements of the application as provided by the Minister’s Office.  The closing date for this Expression of Interest is Sunday 12 February 2023. 

Health Consumers’ Council will select the most suitable two candidates and recommend to the Minister’s Office and RTC who will choose one. 

Emergency Access Reform working group

In collaboration with Clinical Excellence WA, HCC is supporting a central consumer working group dedicated to Emergency Access Reform. This working group will consist of up to 20 participants and be funded to meet for one-year of monthly, two-hour meetings.

You can express your interest here.

Consumer Representative for the Speech Pathology Australia – Associations Ethics Board

Speech Pathology Australia (the Association) is looking for two (2) community representatives to join their Associations Ethics Board. The position is a three-year term.

Background

In 2000, the Association established the Ethics Board to manage and, when necessary, enforce the Code of Ethics for the speech pathology professional membership. From 2023, the Ethics Board will have up to 16 members, including the Chair of the Board, five senior speech pathology members, five elected speech pathology members and five community representatives. One community representative position is currently vacant, a second position will be vacant from January 2023.

Consumer role

The objectives of the community representative positions are to represent community interests and views within Ethics Board activities and to ensure that community perspectives are appropriately considered.
A community representative Ethics Board member:

  • must not be a member of the Association
  • must not be a speech pathologist
  • is required to be capable of fairly representing the views of the community
  • can represent a consumer group or an individual
  • is required to contribute meaningfully to confidential investigations that consider formal complaints
  • is required to contribute to the development of published articles, education material etc regarding ethical issues in professional practice
  • is required to provide a letter of endorsement from a consumer organisation (if they are being endorsed by one)

Meetings and Travel

  • Ethics Board members must have capacity to attend three videoconferences of approximately one hour each per year
  • Ethics Board members must have capacity to attend an annual training weekend at the Association’s national office (Melbourne)
  • participate in investigation panels as required.

Remuneration

  • Sitting fees in line with the AHPRA schedule of fees for board, committee and panel members.
  • Meetings/ teleconferences of less than five hours will attract a proportion of this fee.
  • All travel and accommodation expenses are covered by the Association.

Timeframes

  • Community representatives on the Ethics Board are appointed for a three-year term.

Additional Information

Expressions of Interest
When submitting a nomination, please email a CV and a brief 500-word statement outlining your interest, reasons and capabilities for serving on the Ethics Board to Samantha Price, Professional Services Officer: sprice@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

Nominations close Monday 5 December 2022 at 5 pm ADST (Melbourne).
Nominations will be considered by the Association’s Board of Directors and individuals will be notified of the outcome following the Board’s decision.

Consumer Representative for the AMA College Diploma of Nursing Course Delivery Advisory Committee

Background

AMA College is the premier education brand of the Australian Medical Association (WA) inc. Operating as a Registered Training Organisation for both domestic and international students, the organisation currently supports over 4,000 students Australia-wide in a range of studies that encompass aged cared, disability, community care, mental health and business studies.

Over the past two years AMA College has been preparing to add the delivery of nursing studies to its scope of registration, with this process now nearing completion. The addition of the HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing to scope will allow AMA College to help train up the next generation of Enrolled Nurses in Western Australia.

The AMA College campus, along with a state-of-the-art simulation ward, is located in Joondalup, with the back of office functions co-existing with the AMA at AMA House in Nedlands.

What’s involved?

Expressions of interest are welcomed from any health consumer who has an interest in providing a community view toward the training/learning needs of future nurses. Applicants from diverse backgrounds are also welcomed.

Health consumers who have current or recent experience with the WA’s acute, primary or aged care sectors are welcome to join the CDAC. The real-life feedback of health consumers is a valued addition to the deliberations around ensuring that students are trained to the highest standards in line with contemporary realities.

The health consumer representative will be paid $37.50 per hour, or part thereof for attending and contribution to the CDAC committee. Catering will also be provided. If the meeting takes place at the AMA’s Nedlands office then free parking will be provided.

The committee – Course Delivery Advisory Committee (CDAC)

As part of the ongoing quality and compliance monitoring initiatives for the Diploma of Nursing program, AMA College will launch a Course Delivery Advisory Committee (CDAC). This committee will consist of a range of stakeholders to provide oversight and advice to the running of the nursing program. This committee has a dedicated position available to an interest Health Consumer.

It is anticipated that the CDAC will meet bi-annually, at either the Nedlands or Joondalup location, with provision made for members to join remotely via MS Teams. The CDAC committee will be an ongoing committee.

The committee’s role is to provide guidance and input related to quality training and assessment of our Nursing programs in particular:

  • Monitoring evaluation outcomes and providing input to quality improvement mechanisms
  • Training and assessment strategies
  • Industry consultations and outcomes
  • Cultural sensitivity and appropriateness of strategies and curriculum materials
  • Evaluation indicators, mechanisms and outcomes
  • Quality improvements
  • Current and emerging issues in health and enrolled nursing
  • Risk assessment and procedures related to training and assessment
  • Professional experience placement
  • Validation of assessment materials, as invited
  • Trainer and assessor expertise and industry relevance
  • Input to course specific strategies and programs, such as affirmative action strategies, performance review measures, success indicators
  • Input to key course related documents, such as strategic framework documents, training and assessment strategies.
  • Review evidence of work placement/health facility holding accreditation with relevant body
  • Review its TOR and the effectiveness of the function at least annually.

What’s involved?

Meetings will be twice a year. Some pre-reading may be required, which could include reports on student satisfaction, feedback from industry stakeholders and general updates from AMA College staff. Catering will be provided.

Meetings are likely to last for about 2 to 3 hours. They are anticipated to be held during daytime hours, at either the AMA’s Nedlands or Joondalup sites, depending on the desires of the committee, with the option given for participants to join remotely via MS Teams.

Find out more/apply

If you’re interested in this position email to Jan Norberger, General Manager – Training and Recruitment, AMA College at Jan.Norberger@amawa.com.au. Jan can also be contacted on 0488 792 153 to discuss this opportunity.

There is no current closing date, so apply soon if this is of interest.

Oral Health Messages for the Australian Public (2022 Update) Steering Committee – consumer advisor sought

The Australian Dental Association (ADA) is looking for one (1) consumer advisor to join the Oral Health Messages for the Australian Public (2022 Update) Steering Committee. This is a short-term role until end December 2022.

Background

Dental diseases such as dental caries and periodontal disease are highly prevalent conditions with broad impacts on individuals and the community. One in three Australians over 15 years of age suffer from moderate to severe gum disease, and over 40% of children aged 5-10 years have had dental caries in their primary teeth. In 2019-2020 the combined expenditure on dental disease in Australia was almost 10 billion dollars. The individual and societal costs of dental disease are staggering given that dental disease is largely preventable.

The National Oral Health Plan 2015-2024 states that “Oral health promotion initiatives at both the individual level and population level are an important part of disease prevention”. Oral Health Promotion is a key foundational area of the NOHP with a goal to ensure that “All Australians have access to oral health promoting environments and to appropriate evidence-based information and programs that support them to make informed decisions about their oral health”.

In 2009, a working group established by the National Oral Health Promotion Clearing House at The Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health, University of Adelaide developed a consensus statement on oral health messages for the Australian public. The statement sought to establish clear, evidence-based oral health promotion messages in response to a goal of the previous National oral Health Plan (2004-2013). The consensus statement was highly effective, and enabled a focused, and strategic approach to oral health promotion in Australia. However, in the 13 years since the statement, the evidence base underpinning oral health promotion in Australia has grown and therefore an update of the consensus statement is needed.

The Melbourne Dental School at the University of Melbourne and the Australian Dental Association proposes to lead a collaborative expert working group to update the Oral Health Messages for the Australian Public.

Purpose

The purpose of the steering committee is to direct the development of the Oral Health Messages for the Australian Public consensus statement.

Role

The role of the steering committee includes the following.

  • Develop preliminary oral health promotion topics for consideration for inclusion in the statement.
  • Review planned methodology and provide feedback.
  • Contribute to rapid reviews on relevant topics.
  • Review and interpret results of qualitative and quantitative rounds of Delphi.
  • Lead discussions at a face-to-face/hybrid session for participants in the Delphi statement.
  • Monitor progress of project to forecast timelines.
  • Contribute to publicizing of results including media, where appropriate.
  • Contribute to authorship of journal article for peer review.

Meetings

  • Meetings will be held virtually.
    Meetings will be held in July, September and December 2022.
    A face-to-face symposium for dental practitioners will also be held.
    Meeting agendas, supporting papers, meeting notes and information will be provided by the project team in advance of the meetings.

Remuneration

The consumer advisor will be remunerated for their role on the Steering Committee. Any related accommodation and travel costs will also be provided.

Expressions of Interest

Please send your Expressions of Interest outlining your experience in dental health promotion with a copy of your current (short CV) to Rebecca Edwards r.edwards@chf.org.au by 5pm (AEST) 15 July 2022.

Further information

The original published consensus statement can be found at https://www.adelaide.edu.au/arcpoh/oral-health-promotion/resources/national-consensus-workshop/

Click here to read the Terms of Reference to support your expression of interest.

Consumer assessors National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards

The NSQHS Standards were developed by the Commission in collaboration with the Australian Government, states and territories, private sector providers, clinical experts, patients and carers. The primary aims of the NSQHS Standards are to protect the public from harm and to improve the quality of health service provision. The eight NSQHS Standards provide a nationally consistent statement about the level of care consumers can expect from health services. You can find out more about the Standards at https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/standards/nsqhs-standards

Accreditation to the Standards is carried out by independent organisations. At least one of these (the Australian Council for Healthcare Standards – ACHS) recruits consumers to the position of assessors. If you are interested in being a consumer assessor the process involves:

  • Completing the Australian Commission for Safety and Quality in Health Care’s (ACSQHC) online orientation program covering:
    • the National Standards 2nd Edition
    • on-line training on the Colonoscopy Care Standard
    • and the Core Cultural Learning – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia Foundation Course.

Information about this online training is on the ACSQHC website at https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/standards/national-safety-and-quality-health-service-nsqhs-standards/resources-nsqhs-standards/nsqhs-standards-orientation-course

To be considered for the next step in being an assessor, there are specific requirements when completing this online course. Information about these requirements are on the website above.

It is also possible to enrol in the course on a non-certificate basis – this might be of interest to anyone who would like to deepen their understanding of the Standards.

  • For ACHS – it then normally involves a 3 day in person training in Sydney. In light of COVID-19 restrictions, they are in the process of reviewing their approach. If you are accepted on to the training (which involves an application process), ACHS would fund travel and accommodation costs to take part in the training, but there is no other payment.
    • This training is hands-on and involves the practical application of the knowledge gained through the orientation program.
    • Assessors may then apply to become paid (honorarium assessors) after they have completed 1 trainee and 2 probationary assessments, this application can only be made where there is no other income received for the assessment period. At the time of writing, upon approval the rate is $430 per day for assessment days only (exc travel days and report writing)
    • Currently there are no agreed dates for this training. ACHS are accepting application on a rolling basis. To apply you must complete an application form with ACHS and provide certificates of completion for the three online modules (above).
  • The Commission requires assessors employed in health services to undertake a minimum of 10 assessment days per annum and those not employed a minimum of 20 days. This would also apply to people registering as consumer assessors.