What's your background?
I am based in Sydney and currently work at the Parramatta and occasionally the Surry Hills office. I graduated with a Psychology degree with honors in 2022 and completed my thesis on Health psychology with particular focus on the nocebo and placebo effects. While completing my honors year in 2022, I applied for the Federal Government Generalist Stream Graduate Program and was fortunate enough to be matched with the NDIS.
Outside of work I enjoy running, crochet, and reading. I’m also a big TV and movie buff. I completed City2surf last year raising money for The Black Dog Institute, and I hope to complete a half marathon this year. I’m also a big foodie and always open to recommendations for places to eat in Sydney!
What's your job about?
I am currently a Health Liaison Officer. Health Liaison Officers work directly with Hospitals to facilitate the safe discharge of participants from hospital into the community. We are the main point of contact for Hospitals and provide specialist advice and guidance to external stakeholders. I currently work with the Southeast Sydney Local Health District. I meet with staff from this health district weekly to discuss specific cases. I also provide support with assisting patients admitted to hospital in accessing the scheme. My team help discharge patients into the community and relieve pressure placed on the Australian Health system.
Could someone with a different background do your job?
Yes. My role is reliant on soft skills rather than specific technical skills. The main skill you need is stakeholder management, including maintaining the expectations of external parties. Other relevant skills include organizational skills and communication. These skills can be developed throughout the university and in other roles not specific to psychology or science. The other main element of the role is having in-depth knowledge about the functions of the agency, which comes from working in the agency.
What's the coolest thing about your job?
My favorite part of my job is being able to see the impact my work has on participants in the scheme. I follow all cases from start to finish, and it’s quite rewarding to see the impact of the work I do, including seeing participants discharged with appropriate supports to support their quality of life.
What are the limitations of your job?
The Health Liaison Officer Role involves a high level of responsibility. You work mainly independently and make numerous decisions. Again stakeholder management is very important. The role is not ideal for people who are adverse to conflict and tension as the job includes handling potential tension and complaints. In the role you follow cases from start to finish – you have a large role in how the process plays out and play a big part in resolving barriers, and identifying potential issues before they arise.
3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...