Scope and governance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner working in Queensland Hospital and Health Services, or the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Services must have an agreed Practice plan defining the individual Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner’s scope of practice.

The following documents should be used to establish clinical governance, determine individual scope of practice and guide clinical practice for the role.

Competency assessment tool

Employers have a duty to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners are competent to undertake the tasks and responsibilities of the position. A clinical skills assessment should be conducted based on the specific role requirements to establish the individual scope of practice which will be defined in the Practice plan.

A Competency assessment tool (PDF 1972 kB) has been developed to assist in assessing core clinical competencies for the individual Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner. Results from the clinical assessment may also be used to develop an individual professional development plan and influence continuing professional development activity.

For more information, refer to the:

Scope of practice

A Scope of practice guideline (PDF 948 kB) is available to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners and their supervisors to better understand:

  • the role and the differences between primary health worker roles, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker Isolated Practice Authorisation (IPA), and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner
  • the decision-making process for developing an individual scope of practice
  • and the type of supervision required to support practice.

An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner’s scope of practice is focussed on clinical activity, including patient assessments, diagnosis, and treatment. There may also be some additional non-clinical activity requirements such as education, depending on the requirements outlined in the job description.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners in Queensland will practice according to recognised quality standards, including the Primary clinical care manual and the Chronic conditions manual.

Refer to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner scope of practice guideline (PDF 948 kB), and the Summary: individual scope of practice fact sheet (PDF 217 kB) for more information.

Practice plan

The practice plan (PDF 392 kB) is an important element in defining individual Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner’s scope of practice and is recommended for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners in Queensland. Completing the Practice plan in an approved form is a mandatory requirement for the lawful use of scheduled medicines under the Medicines and Poisons (Medicines Regulation 2021 and in accordance with the Extended Practice Authority 'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner' (PDF 653 kB)

The Practice plan describes individual clinical supervision and consultation arrangements, referrals, the circumstances to use scheduled medicines (if relevant), and any restrictions of practice. It is to be completed by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner and the primary clinical supervisor, and approved by the nominated organisational delegate.

An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner student is not required to have an individual Practice plan.

For more information refer to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner Practice plan guide (PDF 816 kB), the practice plan (PDF 392 kB) and the summary fact sheet (PDF 220 kB).

Clinical governance guidelines

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner Clinical governance guideline (PDF 999 kB) (the Guideline) is a standardised framework which supports safe and quality clinical practice. It guides best practice for the clinical governance arrangements and provides recommendations regarding the systems for managing, maintaining and improving patient safety and quality care.

The document will be used by Queensland Hospital and Health Services and can be adopted or adapted by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Services and other health organisations.

The Guideline describes elements of pre-employment, onboarding processes, clinical practice and monitoring and review. This includes:

  • screening
  • defining scope of practice in the Practice plan
  • professional indemnity
  • professional and clinical supervision
  • handover
  • use of scheduled medicines
  • ongoing monitoring and development including continuing professional development
  • supervision of students.

For more information refer to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner Clinical governance guideline   (PDF 999 kB), and the supporting summary fact sheets: Clinical and operational supervision (PDF 207 kB), and Referral and handover (PDF 142 kB).

Tools and resources

Key resources

Factsheets

Links to legislation, regulation and protocol

Contact us

For more information about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner workforce, email ATSIHP@health.qld.gov.au.

Last updated: 27 March 2024