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AHANA Newsletter - 2 May 2023

We got here: AHANA’s first memberships are now open!

02 May 2023

We are excited to announce that yesterday the Allied Health Assistants’ National Association Ltd (AHANA) opened applications for Practising Memberships (Australian residents/domestic applicants only), Student Memberships, and Associate Memberships.

We are thrilled to be welcoming our first members into Australia’s number one community of Allied Health Assistants (AHAs) and stakeholders!

AHANA is dedicated to promoting excellence in allied health assistance, and providing AHAs, students and stakeholders opportunities for growth, education, and networking.

We believe that by coming together as a community, we can support one another to develop Allied Health Assistant recognition and career pathways, and improve health, care and support outcomes for all Australians who use services provided or supported by Allied Health Assistants.

As a member, you will have access to a wide range of benefits, including:

  • Advocacy and representation: AHANA is committed to advocating for Allied Health Assistants with government and funding bodies, and representing our members' interests in industry.
  • Networking opportunities: AHANA provides a platform for you to connect with Allied Health Assistants and other AHANA members, to build relationships and collaborate. Discussion boards, events and other engagement options will be rolled out later in 2023.
  • Discounted registration at third-party conferences: To start, AHANA has negotiated $500 off the full Australian Podiatry Conference 2023 registration fee for AHANA Practising Members (discount code will be provided to interested members upon request) and discounts for ALL Allied Health Assistants (not just AHANA members) to attend the 2023 National Allied Health Conference in Perth using the 'Allied Health Assistant' registration option.
  • Access to the AHANA Member Insurance Program for Australian Practising Members who are over 18 years of age, offering a range of cover including Professional Indemnity and Public & Products Liability Insurance with our insurance partner BMS.
  • Option to be listed in the Register of Allied Health Assistants (Practising Members, only) an online register which will be searchable by Geo-location based on your listed work location, and will include your nominated contact details.

If all of that isn’t enough, the first 500 AHANA members also go into the draw to win a 10th Gen iPad (256Gb)!

 

Our website provides detailed information about the eligibility and documentary requirements for Associate Memberships, Student Memberships, and Practising Memberships, as well as how to apply. All supporting information should be read in full before you apply but in summary the main supporting documents required to apply are:

  • Practising Memberships – certified copies of:
    • any relevant qualifications; and
    • if you are practising and not fully covered for your practise by an employer’s insurance, evidence of your insurance cover (or a declaration that you will obtain and supply evidence of cover within 21 days of grant of membership).
  • Student Memberships - a certified copy of your confirmation of enrolment in an Australian Certificate III or above in Allied Health Assistance.
  • Associate Members – you don’t need to provide any additional documentation; just complete the application form.

All applicants for membership are required to certify, among other things, that their applications are complete and accurate and that any issues that could impact on their suitability for AHANA membership have been disclosed in the application form.

You can view the certification in the relevant application form. Applicants for Practising and Student Memberships are required, as part of the certification, to indicate that they agree to comply with relevant AHANA policies including the Code of Conduct and Continuing Competence Requirements By-law. Read more about these new policies in our article, below, "Setting new standards for Allied Health Assistant practise".

By joining the AHANA community, you will have the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, develop your skills and knowledge, and advance your career in ways you never thought possible.

We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and become a member of AHANA today. To learn more about our membership options and benefits, please visit our website.

We look forward to welcoming you into AHANA, as members, soon!

Do you have a suggestion for AHANA?

 

AHANA, as a new peak body, is working hard to develop the resources, content and events that best support its members and the broader Allied Health Assistant workforce, and to educate and inform the community about the valuable role Allied Health Assistants play in Australia's health and human services.

Our Stakeholder Advisory Committee is currently seeking your input. If you have a suggestion for AHANA, on:

  • Useful information for the website or other resources;
  • Events to list on our website – see our Sponsorship and Partnership Policy for and note that relevant Allied Health conferences and events are also promoted through our newsletter, if discounts are granted to AHANA members; or
  • Engaging content for our newsletter,

or would like to:

  • Share your Allied Health Assistant story for possible inclusion in our newsletter or on the web (see the article below on one of our Board members, Tara Intarapanya); or
  • Join our Stakeholder Advisory Committee,

please submit a suggestion or nomination to the Committee, today.

Tara Intarapanya

 

Tara Intarapanya is a senior Allied Health Assistant (AHA) based in the Northern Territory. She’s a co-founder of the Allied Health Assistant Network of Australia and is a board member of the Allied Health Assistants’ National Association Ltd (AHANA).

Tara spoke to Allied Health Insights about championing the potential of AHAs through AHANA, and shared her personal aspirations for amplifying the future AHA workforce in Australia.

Setting New Standards For Allied Health Assistant Practice

 

A key part of AHANA's role as peak body for Allied Health Assistants is to establish standards for AHA practice designed to ensure that Australians have access to high quality, safe and effective delegated allied health services.

The AHANA Board recently approved two key documents supporting this objective: its Code of Conduct; and Continuing Competence Requirements By-law (By-law 2023-01).

An overview of these documents and on the upcoming opportunity to consult, is available on our website.

Who Is Responsible For The Outcomes Of Care In A Delegated Workforce Model?

 

Allied Health Assistants (AHAs) and Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) are often concerned with the lack of clarity about who is responsible if things go wrong with a task delegated to an AHA. Safe and appropriate delegation is a crucial aspect of ensuring quality care, and the safety of the people who receive delegated allied health services.

This article describes some of the most common questions which arise about delegated allied health services.

Self-Care On A Shoestring

 

Working in allied health, we often feel like we can't make time to look after ourselves. Here are some tips on how you can make room in your life for this essential component of wellbeing.

 

Upcoming Events

AHA-relevant events on the radar

Australian Podiatry Conference 2023 | June 22-24, Brisbane

AHANA has negotiated $500 off the full registration fee for AHANA Practising Members. Discount code provided to eligible members, on request.

The Australian Podiatry Conference 2023 is one of the largest podiatry forums in the world. Join over 1,000 delegates at the Brisbane Convention Centre from 22-24 June 2023 for three invigorating days of networking, hands-on workshops and masterclasses. National and international keynote speakers, local experts and peer contributors will focus on this year’s conference theme: United for Excellence: Community. Education. Purpose.

Register Now

15th National Allied Health Conference | August 7-9, Perth

AHANA has negotiated a discounted rate to this conference for all Allied Health Assistants (not just AHANA members). No discount code required.

The 15th National Allied Health Conference will be held in Perth, Western Australia, at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre from 7th – 9th of August 2023. The Theme – Expanding Horizons will encourage all participants to explore the many and varied opportunities and contributions of Allied Health. There will be an exciting program of speakers, workshops, exhibitors and lots of networking opportunities.

Register Now