Aboriginal Stroke Navigator

Remuneration: $109,857 - $129,624 p.a. + Super + Salary Packaging

Employment Type: Temporary Full Time up to 6 months (job share arrangements may be considered)

Position Classification: Health Manager Level 2

Requisition ID: REQ611420

Location: Gomeroi Country – Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital

Closing Date: Sunday 12th of October

This is a unique opportunity to strengthen stroke recovery services that are culturally safe and deeply connected to community and Country.

If you are passionate about walking alongside your community, supporting healing, and making a real difference in the lives of Aboriginal people living with stroke, we would love to hear from you.

This is a position identified for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people on the basis of a genuine occupational qualification under section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicants must demonstrate Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status in addition to addressing the below questions that will be included with your cover letter.

About Us

Hunter New England Health's Hunter Stroke Team is dedicated to delivering culturally responsive and person-centred care. This role offers a unique opportunity to work within a multidisciplinary team and Community-led research team while fostering strong relationships with Aboriginal communities, and local Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS) and other community services delivering culturally safe care.

The Hunter Stroke Service is working with the Gomeroi/Gamilaraay Community in the Yarning up After Stroke Project, to develop, implement and evaluate a culturally responsive model of stroke care. The Stroke Navigator role is an important element of this model of care.

Hunter Stroke Service members Ms Simone Owen and Dr Heidi Janssen will provide mentorship and supervision to the Stroke Navigator Role. The Hunter Stroke Service and the Yarning up After Stroke Project Team which include community Elders and community members while partnering Aboriginal communities and local health services to ensure that people living with stroke receive care that is culturally safe and empowering.

About the Role

This is a community-led and developed role, designed to support Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people living with stroke, their families, and communities. The Stroke Navigator will work closely with patients from their initial hospital visit in the Emergency Department (ED) through a 12-week recovery journey, ensuring they receive culturally safe, integrated care. This is an innovative and first-of-its-kind role within NSW Health, offering an opportunity to lead the way in delivering person-centred, culturally safe stroke recovery services.

For more information on the role click here for a copy of the Position Description

A Typical Day Might Involve

• Providing direct support to Aboriginal stroke patients and their families along their recovery journey
• Acting as a key advocate, ensuring patients receive culturally safe and appropriate care throughout their hospital stay and beyond.
• Working closely with the multidisciplinary team (MDT), including GPs, AMSs, and health service providers, to coordinate comprehensive self-determined stroke recovery plans
• Educating clinicians on culturally responsive stroke recovery care.
• Facilitating access to services and referrals for a three-month period within the first 6 months post-stroke.
• Leading community engagement efforts to strengthen stroke awareness and promote cardiovascular health within Aboriginal communities.

Who We Are Looking For

We are seeking a passionate and community-connected individual who is committed to ensuring Aboriginal people living with stroke can self-determine their stroke recovery and do so within an environment that is culturally safe. Essential Skills & Attributes:

• Lived experience and/or experience working with stroke patients.
• Strong and respected community relationship with the community of Tamworth, country and other communities within Gomeroi Land.
• Must be living on Gomeroi/ Gamilaraay land.
• Experience collaborating with local Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS).
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with patients, families, and healthcare providers.
• Strong advocacy and leadership skills, supporting self-determination in health care.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to have meaningful and culturally appropriate conversations.
• Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team and both provide and receive mentorship.
• Ability to engage with community members including at community events to promote the role and raise awareness of stroke and stroke services.
• A current driver's license is required with the ability to travel, with overnight stays when needed.

How You Will Be Supported

• Comprehensive orientation and training, ensuring you feel confident stepping into this role.
• One-on-one clinical and cultural mentorship to develop skills in stroke recovery care.
• Access to ongoing professional development and networking opportunities within NSW Health.
• A supportive, culturally safe work environment, where you can receive mentorship in a way that is comfortable for you.

At Hunter New England Health

• Sustainable Healthcare: Together towards zero
• Monthly Allocated Days Off (for full-time employees)
• 4 weeks annual leave (pro-rata for part time employees)
• Salary packaging options - up to $11,600 plus novated leasing
• Fitness Passport for health and well-being - discounted gym options for you and your family\
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and family membersOpportunity to work and collaborate with a range of non-clinical and clinical professionals

For more information on the position or how to apply, please reach out to Simone Owen or Heidi Janssen for a culturally safe yarn. or

Please submit an updated Resume and Cover Letter addressing the following criteria;
- Criteria

• Describe your experience of working with Aboriginal people, families, and communities in a health-related setting?
• Describe your experience in collaborating, developing, and maintaining relationships with primary health care providers such as local Aboriginal Medical Services (ACCHOs/AMSs), GPs, and other health providers?
• Describe how you think a Stroke Navigator Role would need to operate to ensure people living with stroke could self-determine their stroke recovery care needs? Can you give any examples of your experience in supporting self-determined health care in other roles/jobs you have worked
• Applicants will be assessed against the essential requirements and selection criteria contained within the position description (link above). For assistance addressing selection criteria visit:

Stepping Up Website is a resource designed to help indigenous job applicants apply for positions in NSW Health. For more information, please visit:

This is a Category A position. Recommended applicants will be reviewed for compliance with NSW Health policy directive PD2024_015: Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Specified Infectious Diseases for Category A positions prior to offer. All new employees must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in the policy.

Salary Packaging; is beneficial to most Hunter New England Health employees and may increase your take-home pay Salary package a range of personal expenses including novated motor vehicle leases, relocation expenses, and HECS/HELP debt. Find out more by contacting SalaryPackagingPLUS via or

Hunter New England Health employees may be eligible for a range of benefits such as allocated days off (ADO) for full time employees, long service leave, paid maternity leave, and salary packaging options including meal expenses.

At Hunter New England Local Health District, we are an inclusive employer dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace. Our commitment to a workforce that reflects the community we care for is essential for delivering the highest quality healthcare to our community. We encourage people with diverse lived experiences to apply. If you require any accommodations or adjustments to the recruitment process please let us know when you apply or at any stage of the process. We will work with you to meet your needs and create the best possible experience. Please contact for confidential support to ensure an equitable, barrier-free application process.

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