Harm Minimisation Nurse

About the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW (AH&MRC)

The Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council of NSW (AH&MRC) is the peak body for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services across New South Wales. We work alongside our Members to strengthen Aboriginal community-controlled healthcare and improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.

Our work spans advocacy, policy, workforce development, health promotion, research, training and organisational support. We bring the experience and priorities of our Members into state and national decision-making, advocate for better health systems and investment, and help build the capability and sustainability of the Aboriginal community-controlled health sector.

Join our team of dynamic and innovative people who value and proudly play a meaningful role in supporting the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people and communities across NSW.

About the Role

The Harm Minimisation Nurse provides expert clinical advice and support to Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs), helping strengthen culturally safe, evidence-based alcohol and other drug (AOD) services across NSW. This includes supporting the implementation of harm reduction initiatives such as take-home naloxone, opioid agonist treatment pathways, and alcohol-in-pregnancy prevention.

Reporting to the Social and Emotional Wellbeing Manager, and working closely with the Public Health Manager, clinicians, project teams and community stakeholders, you'll build workforce capability, support harm minimisation initiatives, contribute to health promotion resources, and improve models of care, helping reduce stigma and discrimination in healthcare settings and enhance health outcomes for Aboriginal communities.

This role requires regular travel across the allocated region to local ACCHOs and communities.

Responsibilities:

Clinical Advice & Guidance

• Provide clinical advice and mentoring to ACCHOs on evidence-based AOD and harm minimisation practices.
• Support the implementation of screening, referral pathways, risk assessment and care planning.
• Review clinical resources, guidelines and educational materials, identifying workforce capability needs and supporting targeted development.

Health Promotion

• Contribute to the development and delivery of health promotion campaigns, Drug Alerts, training resources and workforce education (e.g. FASD, AOD during pregnancy).
• Deliver presentations, webinars and sector updates, and support AOD training initiatives across the ACCHO sector.

Clinical Governance & Safety

• Support ACCHOs to strengthen clinical governance, quality improvement and culturally safe models of care.
• Promote evidence-based, trauma-informed approaches and assist services in responding to emerging AOD trends and clinical risks.

Stakeholder Engagement & Reporting

• Build collaborative relationships with ACCHOs, government, NGOs and other key stakeholders to improve coordinated care.
• Represent the organisation at sector meetings and working groups.
• Maintain accurate records, and contribute to reporting against KPIs and funding requirements, evaluations, knowledge translation, briefings and policy submissions.

Essential Criteria  

Qualifications & Experience:

• Registered Nurse with AHPRA registration; AOD sector experience highly valued.
• Demonstrated clinical experience in primary health care, Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) services, or harm minimisation.
• Demonstrated experience in working with Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people in program delivery.

Skills & Knowledge:

• Strong understanding of harm minimisation approaches, including overdose prevention, naloxone, opioid agonist treatment (OAT), screening and brief interventions.
• Knowledge of person-centred, trauma-informed and culturally safe models of care.
• Excellent clinical communication, stakeholder engagement and advisory skills.
• Ability to liaise, consult and negotiate with a diverse range of clients and stakeholders.
• Skilled in collaborating across ACCHOs, LHDs, NGOs and government.
• Experience supporting quality improvement, clinical governance and service development initiatives.
• Strong written skills, including reports, presentations and clinical resources.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume and a cover letter outlining their suitability for the role to ••••@ahmrc.org.au. Please include “Harm Minimisation Nurse” in the subject line.

Join Us!

Be part of a transformative initiative that prioritises the health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through innovative research and collaboration. We look forward to your application!