ORGANISATIONAL OVERVIEW:

Council on the Ageing (COTA Victoria) is the leading not-for-profit organisation representing the interests and rights of people aged over 50 in Victoria. For nearly 70 years in Victoria, we have led government, corporate and community thinking about the positive aspects of ageing.

COTA Victoria's strategic and operational focus is on promoting older age as a time of opportunities for personal growth, contribution and self-expression. We believe there are obvious National, State, community, family and individual benefits from this approach.

PROGRAM OUTLINE

The Aged Care Systems Navigator (ACSN) trials have been established to test a range of different advice and support models for older people (clients) in different circumstances, who are moving into the aged care system. The aim is to support these people to:

• Understand the aged care system, including what services are available to meet their needs, and how to access those services.
• Connect these people with My Aged Care and provide them with support to choose and access services.

Given the focus is on supporting people to connect with the aged care system, the role of an aged care system navigator does not extend beyond service commencement when people have already accessed services and are moving through the system.

POSITION OBJECTIVE:

Under the supervision of the Manager – Education and Engagement, the Navigator is responsible for high quality person-centred services that deliver independent information and support to people who need assistance to access and understand the aged care system.

The Navigator role has four primary areas of responsibility:

• To provide assertive outreach support to older people identified as having the greatest need. This includes, but is not limited to people from marginalised or hard to reach populations (e.g.people with language, literacy or cultural barriers, people who are isolated or facing financial hardship) and to help connect them to appropriate aged care services
• To inform and communicate effectively with older people, to help them understand and navigate the aged care system and maximise their individual choice and control
• To collect information and data about the older people we advise and support, and to effectively report to Government on key performance indicators and reflected learnings.
• To participate as required in ACSN trial meetings convened by COTA Australia, including Community of Practice, State and Territory meetings

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Use and develop assertive outreach strategies to find and connect with marginalised clients, this may involve meeting clients in their own homes or other informal locations.
• Provide high quality, independent information and support to clients who need assistance to access and understand the aged care system, including My Aged Care, thus enabling them to maximise their individual choice and control.
• Ensure accurate case notes and data are recorded for the monthly reports required as part of the evaluation of the Aged Care Navigator Trials.
• Undertake sector and community engagement with a wide range of stakeholders and intermediaries, to assist in reaching vulnerable populations or people with challenging age care needs, and to promote the Aged Care Navigator Trials.
• Support the COTA Victoria volunteers who assist with the delivery of specific Aged Care Navigation services
• Present information sessions to older people wanting to know more about aged care support services. For example: “Navigating My Aged Care “Understanding Home Care Packages”; “Self-Managing a Home Care Package”
• Work collaboratively with other Navigator services, including the Financial Information Service, My Aged Care and Services Australia to link consumers to aged care supports.
• Provide appropriate referral pathways to consumers, health care workers and others to help link them with the aged care services and/or community programs, e.g. Carers Gateway; Translation & Interpreting Service, State-based supports, Continence Aids Scheme, GP Mental Health Care Plan.
• Participate in Communities of Practice and peer-based forums to share knowledge and develop strategies to engage with older people who need support to navigate the aged care system.
• Participate in COTA Victoria meetings and staff development

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA:

• A qualification in a related field e.g.: aged care, community care, social work, allied health, nursing and/or demonstrated professional experience working with clients in the delivery of a community based service within the aged care sector.
• Demonstrated high-level understanding of My Aged Care systems and processes (including aged care assessments) and an understanding of aged care services.
• Understanding of the intersection between the Aged Care System and other systems such as the Health System for people with chronic health health conditions
• Empathic approach, person-centred practice and the ability to quickly build rapport with a diverse range of older people and their families.
• High-level communication and administrative skills, including being able to collect, record and report on data in line with key performance indicators.
• Knowledge and experience of group facilitation and group dynamics.
• Demonstrated experience in working across a range of service providers, developing and maintaining professional relationships, and networking across organisations and service systems.
• Demonstrated commitment to supporting the needs and rights of people from diverse backgrounds e.g. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities, people from Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and/or Intersex communities, and those from rural/remote communities
• Ability to work as part of the COTA Victoria staff and volunteer team to deliver the project outcomes.

SPECIFIC RESTRICTIONS/CONDITIONS

• Must be physically capable to carry out the position responsibilities;
• This role requires some out-of-hours work and occasional travel intra and interstate;
• Must have current Victorian driver’s license;
• Employment is subject to an ongoing satisfactory police check, and the provision of a COVID-19 vaccination certificate demonstrating you are fully vaccinated.

To submit your application, click the Apply Now button below. 

For further information about the position please contact Angela on 9655 2100.

A complete Position Description is attached below.