Using medicines as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker
On 1 March 2023, a new Extended Practice Authority (EPA) commenced for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers in Queensland.
The administration of vaccinations in Queensland during the COVID-19 pandemic was enabled by the expansion of the workforce authorised to administer vaccines to include a range of health workers, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers. The success of the COVID-19 vaccination program in reaching First Nations people demonstrated that a suitably trained workforce from a range of disciplines can safely handle and administer vaccines.
The new EPA allows health services to respond to their local communities’ vaccination needs by deploying appropriately trained A&TSIHWs as part of their immunisation workforce when and where they are most needed.
The new EPA allows appropriately trained Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers to:
- Administer a range of low complexity vaccines specified in the EPA
- To people aged over five years
- Under supervision as part of a multidisciplinary team
To administer vaccines under the EPA, each individual Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker must have an approved practice plan (PDF 365 kB) in place.
Summary of the circumstances and conditions to use scheduled medicines
The following information is a summary only and practice must be guided by the provisions of the Medicines and Poisons (Medicines) Regulation 2021.
A registered Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker employed in an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker position by a Hospital and Health Service or Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Service, working anywhere in Queensland is authorised to:
| Dealing | Medicine | Scope of dealing |
|---|---|---|
administer | a medicine mentioned in the extended practice authority called ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers’ | the medicine is administered—
|
possess | an S4 medicine mentioned in the extended practice authority called ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers’ | the medicine is possessed under the extended practice authority |
Resources
- Medicines and Poisons (Medicines) Regulation 2021
- Practice Plan - Health Practitioners (PDF 392 kB)
- Practice Plan - Health Workers (PDF 365 kB)
- Primary Clinical Care Manual
- Chronic Conditions Manual
- Extended Practice Authority 'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker'
- Map of local government boundaries (PDF 471 kB) shows isolated practice areas listed in Schedule 20 of the Medicines and Poisons (Medicines) Regulation 2021
Contact us
For more information about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner workforce, email ATSIHP@health.qld.gov.au.