The Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine is Australia’s most comprehensive forensic medical facility. We serve the Victorian community and the whole of the Victorian justice system, especially the courts.

We provide the justice system with evidence to underpin safe convictions and appropriate acquittals. Our doctors help investigate deaths reported to the Coroner, examine alleged offenders and assess, treat and support victims of crime.

The Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria supports patients and their families by providing safe tissues for transplantation and medical research.

We embrace diversity and strive to have a workforce that reflects the community we serve. We’re all about recruiting the best people, regardless of gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation or cultural background. If you think you can do the job and would be a good fit for our organisation, we’d love to hear from you.

If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad.

For more information on working with us and our recruitment process, please visit vifm.org/about-us/careers/

If a career that can give you the opportunity to contribute to a safe and just Victoria appeals to you, we look forward to hearing from you.

This is an Aboriginal designated position, classified under ‘special measures' of section 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. Only Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply.

Location: Southbank

Employment Status: 2 year Fixed-Term, Full-Time

Are you passionate about supporting your community? Do you want to make a real difference by helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families during some of their most challenging times?

• Advocate for and support Aboriginal families through the initial stages of the coronial process.
• Build and maintain relationships with community organisations.
• Be a part of a dedicated and supportive team.

VPS Grade 4: $92,332 - $104,762 plus superannuation.

About the Business Unit:

The Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM) is an independent statutory authority governed by the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine Act 1985 (the VIFM Act). It is part of the Justice portfolio of the Victorian Government. The work of the VIFM can be described as a cycle of three parts:

• Providing forensic medical and scientific services and tissue banking
• Learning from this work
• Researching and teaching.

The VIFM Act creates a joint position of Director of the VIFM and Professor of the Department of Forensic Medicine (DFM) at Monash University. The Director/Professor is responsible for the strategic direction and activities of the DFM, which is housed at the VIFM and operates under the governance of the Monash University Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

Coronial Admissions and Enquiries (CAE) provide a 24-hour service that is the first point of contact for coronial and forensic pathology processes, and coordinates the activities related to the initial phase of the Coroner's investigation into deaths. These activities principally concern an assessment of the body and the gathering of information, much of which is medical in nature.

About the Role:

As an Aboriginal Medico-Legal Liaison Officer, you will be an advocate advisor, and key point of contact for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island families navigating the coronial process. You will provide culturally sensitive guidance, ensuring that families feel supported and cared for throughout their interaction with the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM).

Working closely with the Coronial Admissions and Enquiries team, you will be responsible for ensuring that the needs of the community are met with empathy, professionalism, and respect. This is a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between Aboriginal families and the legal system, making a lasting impact on the care provided to families during their most difficult moments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Advocate for and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families during coronial processes
• Provide culturally informed advice to ensure a safe and supportive environment for families
• Liaise with families, coroners, and pathologists to facilitate the coronial investigation
• Coordinate communication between the VIFM and Aboriginal families, offering guidance and comfort
• Assist in ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation and protocols during the investigation process.

About You:

As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Compassion, resilience and a deep commitment to supporting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community
• Proven experience in working in a health or legal administration with demonstrated experience working as a member of a multi- disciplinary team
• Knowledge and ability to create a culturally safe environment and build relationships with Aboriginal community members and services
• Knowledge and understanding of the Victorian Aboriginal community, both society and culture and the issues impacting on it
• The ability to communicate sensitively and work effectively with the Victorian Aboriginal community
• The ability to communicate with families in a sensitive, trauma informed and culturally safe way
• The ability to build, maintain and foster partnerships between CAE, local Aboriginal community organisations and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations Excellent verbal and written communication skills and familiarity with handling medical records and sensitive personal health information
• Exceptional organisational skills including ability to implement improvements to office systems including filing and records management systems
• A high level of computer literacy, including use of database systems and electronic transcription systems
• The ability to work calmly and consistently under pressure, to deal with competing priorities and to meet inflexible deadlines in a challenging and sensitive work environment
• An appreciation of the internal service requirements of the position and a strong commitment to the needs of stakeholders encapsulated by the ability to work closely with and support the role of the coroner and the pathologist in the medico-legal death investigation process.

Desirable Requirements

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Health, Disability, Education, Social Sciences, or Counselling Shift / On call / Weekend requirements

Shift / On call / Weekend requirements

• Ability to participate in shift work on a seven day a week roster.

How to Apply:

Please click the Apply button on this advertisement. Applications should include a resume and covering letter. Attachments can be uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf formats.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include reference checks, national police checks and misconduct screening. Dependant on the role, other checks may include VicRoads checks, drivers licence checks, medical checks, Working with Children Checks, and Declaration of Private Interests (for executive and responsible officer roles).

If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

CHILD SAFE STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT:

The Department of Justice and Community Safety is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We seek to prevent harm of any kind impacting children and young people and have zero tolerance for racism, child abuse and inequality. Children and young people's rights, relationships, identity, and culture must be recognised and respected, their voices heard, and their concerns acted upon. We aim to foster a culturally safe, child safe and child friendly environment for all children and young people we have contact with, deliver services to, or are impacted by our work.