WA Health Public Health Officer Pilot Training Program

The WA Public Health Officer Training Program (WA PHOTP) is being piloted in 2021. WA Health is offering an opportunity for 10 non-medical staff members to participate in the pilot program from April 1 to December 2021. It is anticipated that this pilot program will be continued into 2022 and be established as a three-year funded training program comprising 6 six-month rotations to a variety of public health workplaces to enable achievement of a wide range of competencies and recognised by a certificate of completion. More information is available via the WA Health Intranet. 

Eligibility criteria

1. Eligible candidates must be currently employed by WA Health either working, or available to be deployed to work, in WA Health’s COVID-19 response if surge staff are required from 1 April to 31 December 2021. 
2. Recent completion of, or current enrolment in, a recognised qualification in public health or a public health field OR commitment to enrolling in a recognised qualification in public health or a public health field within 12 months of PHOTP commencement.
3. Written confirmation from current line manager that the employer will support participation in the WA PHOTP by allowing attendance at meetings, teaching and learning activities organised by the PHOTP for the equivalent of 4 hours/week during paid work time.

How to apply
If you are interested in applying, please complete the online form and upload documents demonstrating eligibility criteria here by COB Monday 22 March. You must include a written response to the following three questions in your application:

• Describe how your past work experience has provided you with an understanding of the complexities involved in developing or implementing robust public health solutions within the context of the Australian health care system (300 words max).
• Provide an example of how you have successfully used evidence to influence a decision or solve a problem at work. Please include how you approached the task and the outcome (300 words max).
• Provide an example of a challenging stakeholder relationship that you have managed, which required consultation/negotiation/influence to achieve an outcome. Please include the background, reasoning and outcome (300 words max).

Benefits of enrolling in this training program 
Upon acceptance into the program, you will have access to a number of benefits. These include: 

• Teaching and learning activities for the equivalent of 4 hours/week during paid work time covering a range of public health knowledge and skills.
• A training coordinator to assist in mapping workplace duties and outputs against the achievement of curriculum competencies.
• Monthly meetings with a mentor who is an experienced, senior public health practitioner working outside the PHEOC COVID-19 response, to assist with networking and career development. 

Benefits of supporting employees to enrol in this training program
If your employee is selected into this program, you will benefit directly through access to professional development activities and resources on teaching and supervision. Your employee will have access to a range of teaching and learning activities and mentoring resources which will:

• Potentially aid in staff retention due to increased opportunity for professional development 
• Enhanced collaboration between stakeholders through developing their knowledge, skills, and networks in public health
• Encouraging your employee to consider obtaining a recognised qualification in public health or a public health field

Become a mentor for the program

WA Health is also recruiting for experienced members of the public health community who are not directly involved in the WA Health COVID-19 response to assist trainees with networking and career development.

• Mentors should have at least 10 years of public health experience in public health practice including policy, planning, academia or leadership in government or non-government organisations or private consultancy. Mentors who are in, or close to, retirement and have some spare time to give back to public health, as well as those in the peak of their career are encouraged to participate.
• Mentors can be interstate or international as mentees have access to MS Teams for videoconferencing. 
• If you are interested in mentoring a trainee, please complete the online form and upload your CV here by COB Monday 22 March.

For more information  
Please email Dr This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or drop into her workstation at 189 Royal St, East Perth for a chat.