The Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) is the peak professional body for nurses working in primary health care. APNA champions the role of primary health care nurses; to advance professional recognition, ensure workforce sustainability, nurture leadership in health, and optimise the role of nurses in person-centred care.

Purpose of the role:

This role sits within the Health Care Solutions team and has a focus on Building Nurse Capacity both through a federally funded project (NiPHC –Building Nurse Capacity Project) and the APNA funded Nurse Clinic work. These workforce programs aim to build the capacity of the multidisciplinary primary health care team by optimising the nurse delivered, team-based models of care (Nurse Clinics).

See APNA Nurse Clinics https://nurseclinics.apna.asn.au/

Key functions of the role will be to support the day-to-day project delivery by coordinating resourcing requirements and supporting the Project Manager and other team members in their project delivery tasks.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Supporting the Building Nurse Capacity Project

• Work with the Project Manager and Project Officers to meet the project plan, timelines, and key milestones to ensure the timely delivery of the project and support to APNA’s organisational purpose.
• Regularly communicate with team members to monitor performance against the project plan. This includes developing and practicing skills around training and education workshop delivery in a variety of modalities. There are times during the project when workshop delivery and interstate travel will be required.
• Support designated project participants – both primary health care nurses and organisations, -through the provision of, information, administrative assistance, and professional guidance as required.

2. Learning and Development

• Evidence based education, learning and development is a key focus within all APNA workforce programs. Based on adult learning principles, the development, review, and provision of contemporary, imaginative and flexible learning which engages the nursing workforce is paramount to success.
• Through both virtual and face to face modalities, support the current offerings of workshops, webinars, small group learning, and engagement platforms. Nurses will continue to be challenged and supported to increase their professional capability and engagement.
• Liaising with, securing, and working with subject matter experts to provide education sessions where required

3. Contribute Towards Data Collection and Quality Improvement Activities:

• Contribute to and work within the Quality Improvement and Data Collection Frameworks to improve both project and APNA outputs and approaches.
• Identify gaps and areas for improvement in program development and delivery, including education and resources as well as future initiatives.
• Data collection, data entry, data collation and data review undertaken
• Assist in the preparation of regularly scheduled reports and collate statistical information to inform reports.
• Set-up online survey questions in accordance with both project and APNA goals and compile results for analysis. Review data for deficiencies or errors and correct incompatibilities.
• Provide input into the analysis of the data, identifying themes in the responses and possible solutions. Conduct research assignments as delegated by the Project or Program Manager.

4. Engage and Liaise with the Broader APNA Team and Membership:

• Engage with primary health care nurses through appropriate channels (for example APNA events) and respond to enquiries in a friendly, timely and constructive manner whilst upholding APNA’s policies or preferred approach.
• Engage with existing and prospective primary health care nurses, organisations, health care providers and workplaces to register participants in learning programs and other APNA events or activities.
• Support engagement with the primary health care sector by listening to understand the requirements, expectations, perceptions, personal agendas, and concerns of all stakeholders and contributing to the broader work of APNA.
• Liaise with other areas within APNA as required, for example: accounts payable for invoicing. Facilitate cross-organisation sharing of knowledge, while also drawing on knowledge or approaches from other areas.

5. Contribute to Communications and Publications:

• Draft and review informative communications for review such as newsletters, web content, online forums, and emails, adapting the style to the relevant audience.
• Forward communication to relevant contact lists and collate responses.
• Update existing communications and documentation, such as program or project information publications, procedural guides, and education activities.

6. General:

• Undertake regular professional reading / professional development to build understanding of the primary health care sector and different approaches to issues.
• A person in this role may be directed to undertake tasks not included here, but which might reasonably be within their skills, knowledge, or experience.
• Comply with APNA’s policies and procedures.

Essential skills

• Written communication: prepares clear, concise and grammatically correct written communications organised in a logical sequence. Include content appropriate for the purpose and audience.
• Data analytics: able to collate data sources, construct basic charts and recognise patterns or outliers. Willing to learn new software, platforms and systems of data collection
• Research skills: able to utilise a variety of research sources to understand an issue.
• Health promotion: knowledge of concepts relevant to the health sector the Australian health system and broader systems that impact on health;
• Primary health care knowledge: broad knowledge of the primary health care setting, including primary health care nursing;
• Information technology: proficient in use of and / or willing to become proficient in use of information technology and software including MS Office suite.

Personal attributes and skills

• Verbal communication: clearly explains information and listens to feedback. Speaks clearly and concisely. Uses a polite and considerate manner when dealing with others.
• Organising and planning: Develops and implements systems and procedures to guide the work of self, identifies priority tasks.
• Organisational awareness: recognises the formal structure or hierarchy of an organisation and its policies and procedures.
• Teamwork: Cooperates and works well with others. Collaborates and shares information. Accommodates and works well with the different working styles of others.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential Qualifications and Experience Noted Above – Key Elements:

• A relevant undergraduate or postgraduate qualification in nursing or a health-related area is preferred.
• Experience in a primary healthcare organisation or not for profit with broad knowledge of the primary health care nursing and sector
• Well-developed written communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to effectively liaise and consult with a broad range of internal and external stakeholder
• Effectiveness in achieving work objectives in an environment of strict deadlines and limited direct supervision utilising project support skills, utilising initiative and positive attitude

Essential IT Competencies:

• Microsoft Office applications (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel)
• Other Microsoft Office applications (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams)
• Willingness to undertake instruction in and become proficient in editing, developing, and monitoring, APNA Project website pages and other electronic programs such as google documents, Dedoose, and a range of other platforms as identified.

Desirable Skills, Education or Attributes Noted Above - Key Elements:

• Undergraduate or postgraduate education in training and assessment, education development, project management, business or another relevant discipline would be highly regarded

If you would like a copy of the full position description, or have any queries, please contact the team at [email protected], using the subject line: Program Solutions Officer - Heath Care Solutions enquiry via EthicalJobs.