They work in collaboration with other clinicians including doctors, nurses and allied health staff, and can act as a link to these services.

The role of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner can be a varied one and often requires flexibility to undertake a variety of tasks including:

• supporting the identification of health problems and providing treatment;
• assisting patients to seek and/or connect with other health services;
• supporting people who have chronic illnesses;
• sharing health promotion information (e.g. basic dental care, nutrition); and
• administering medicines, such as giving vaccinations, depending on where you practice if allowed under legislation and agreed with your employer.

The major difference between an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker and Health Practitioner is that a Health Practitioner requires:

• a Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice;
• registration with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Board of Australia; and
• completion of Continuing Professional Development each year (i.e. professional learning and development training).

You can work in a variety of settings including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community health organisations, Aboriginal Medical Services, Aboriginal Health Services and a range of hospital and health services.

It is important that you identify as either Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander to go into this career because you will need to be able to show (and give evidence) that you identify, are, and are accepted in the community where you live or did live, as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

Enjoy working with people, wanting to make a difference in your community, a good listener, having emotional intelligence.