Cancer & Chronic Disease Clinical Coordinator

About the organisation

Awabakal Ltd has provided health & community services to Aboriginal people living across the Newcastle and Lower Hunter region for more than 40 years and is dedicated to advancing the wellbeing of our community.

Awabakal Ltd' is seeking a dedicated Registered Nurse to join our team in Hamilton, NSW 2303. This is a part-time opportunity where you will play a crucial role in providing high-quality nursing care to our patients.

Position Purpose

This role supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) clients and families across all stages of chronic disease and cancer care — from early detection to survivorship or end-of-life care. The coordinator leads culturally appropriate, person-centred care planning and system navigation, enhancing access, trust, health literacy, and health outcomes for the community.

Key Responsibilities

1. Cancer Care Coordination

• Act as a dedicated navigator and advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and their families throughout the entire cancer care continuum — from initial screening and diagnosis through treatment, survivorship, or palliative care.
• Assist with booking and following up on cancer screening, specialist referrals, appointments, imaging, pathology, and treatment planning.
• Support patients and families to understand clinical information, make informed decisions, and feel culturally safe engaging with oncology and tertiary care services.
• Ensure clear and respectful communication between patients, specialists (e.g., oncologists, radiation therapists), local hospitals, and primary care.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings, where appropriate, to ensure the client's cultural, spiritual, emotional, and clinical needs are represented and considered.
• Assist in developing and delivering culturally appropriate cancer education and resource materials.
• Facilitate access to psychosocial supports, transport assistance and culturally safe healing spaces.
• Work in partnership with Awabakal's internal teams and palliative care services to ensure culturally respectful end-of-life planning and care.

2. Chronic Disease Coordination

• Provide coordinated care for clients with chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular, respiratory, cancer and kidney disease.
• Promote early intervention through health assessments (including 715 checks), care planning, referrals, education, and self-management support.
• Ensure alignment with national chronic disease guidelines, including appropriate monitoring and review schedules.

3. Internal Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with Awabakal's GPs, Aboriginal Health Practitioners (AHPs), RNs, Aged care team, and SEWB/Wiyala team, ensuring holistic, coordinated, and culturally appropriate care.
• Assist in the integration of palliative care services and ensure all end-of-life planning respects family and community obligations, cultural needs, and patient preferences.

4. Health Promotion & Community Engagement

• Lead culturally safe health promotion initiatives focused on cancer prevention, screening, and early detection.
• Promote increased community participation in cancer screening programs (breast, bowel, cervical and lung) through outreach and education.
• Create or adapt culturally appropriate resources to improve cancer and chronic disease literacy across diverse age groups.

5. Cultural Safety & Equity Advocacy

• Champion cultural safety in all healthcare settings, ensuring the voices and preferences of Aboriginal clients are respected.
• Identify and work to eliminate access and equity barriers, including systemic bias, transport, literacy, or previous negative care experiences.
• Advocate for changes to local and regional systems to improve cultural inclusion in cancer and chronic disease care.

6. Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships

• Build and maintain strong relationships with external health partners, including:

• Hunter New England Local Health District

• Public/private specialists including oncologists, surgeons, palliative care teams
• Aboriginal Liaison Officers, Cancer Institutes and screening initiatives such as Breast screen NSW, and Primary Health Networks
• Liaise with allied health, hospital and community-based services to improve continuity and coordination of care.

7. Quality Improvement & Reporting

• Maintain up-to-date documentation in clinical systems (e.g. Best Practice, HotDoc, PenCat).
• Participate in audits, evaluation activities, and service improvement initiatives.
• Contribute to program reporting, funding reviews, and advocacy for service development.

Selection Criteria

Essential:

• Registered health qualification (e.g., Registered Nurse, Aboriginal Health Practitioner, Enrolled Nurse) with current AHPRA registration.
• Demonstrated experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a clinical coordination or case management role.
• Strong understanding of cancer and chronic disease pathways, including screening, treatment, and follow-up requirements.
• Experience working within an Aboriginal Community or Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs).
• Excellent interpersonal, advocacy, and systems navigation skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to cultural safety, inclusion, and trauma-informed care.
• Strong documentation and IT skills (e.g., client information systems, care plans, referrals).

Desirable:

• Experience coordinating cancer care, including knowledge of oncology pathways, survivorship care planning, or specialist referral processes.
• Experience with chronic disease management programs
• Experience in palliative care or end-of-life service coordination, especially within culturally diverse or Aboriginal communities.
• Familiarity with the Hunter region's healthcare system, including local hospitals, community-based services, and specialist networks.
• Prior involvement in health promotion or cancer-related community engagement initiatives.

To Apply

To submit your application please click on the "Apply" button below or to learn more about this exciting opportunity please contact Jess