Why HSS
Our drive to support WA’s health care workers shines through in our people’s dedication and our diverse and inclusive culture
Our values enable us to make a meaningful impact - they guide our behaviours and the way we interact with our customers and each other. They’re the unseen drivers of how we work, based on the deeply held beliefs that guide our decision-making.
We put our customers at the heart of what we do
- We are customer focused
- We listen to our customers and seek to understand their needs
- We engage proactively with our customers to find the best solution
We value and care for each other
- We treat each other with respect
- We value our health and wellbeing
- We recognise each other’s diverse contributions
- We empower and support each other
We promise, we own, we do
- We commit to delivery
- We do what we say
- We take personal ownership
- We own the problem and the outcome
- We take responsibility for our decisions and actions
We will find a way
- We focus on solutions, not problems
- We think creatively to develop new and better ways of delivering on our promises
- We embrace a positive ‘Yes, we can’ attitude
We make a difference together
- We work as one team to support our customers
- We are open and learn from our mistakes and our successes
- We listen, we speak up, and we take collective action
Collaborate within a progressive culture
We’re proud of our culture which has evolved with the introduction of our shared and lived values. Our people describe our culture as supportive, progressive and inclusive and we enjoy working alongside friendly, helpful, caring and passionate colleagues. To be successful at HSS, you’ll align with and live our values, have genuine customer care and a ‘can-do’ attitude, while always being respectful of people and their ideas.
"There's a genuine commitment to living our values."
Elizabeth - Organisational Development Officer
Employee benefits that look after you
Working at HSS means joining a diverse team who are dedicated to supporting the WA health system to provide excellent health care for our community. We offer a range of benefits and rewards to show our appreciation for the dedication and hard work of our people. We’re also a family-friendly workplace offering flexibility, and an equal opportunity employer with diversity and inclusion plans in place.
We provide access to generous salary packaging arrangements through Paywise and smartsalary.
We’ve increased our budget for professional development as well as introduced an internal leadership program to build the capability of our people leaders. HSS employees can:
- Develop their skills through internal and external courses and development programs and the WA Health Institute of Health Leadership
- Access study leave
- Build networks and professional relationships across the public sector
- Gain experience by being considered for acting positions for skills development and career progression
- Access the WA Health mentoring program
- Participate in our performance development program - MyPerformance
- Access the LinkedIn Learning platform
- Complete the HSS Leadership Academy.
We’ve embraced even more flexibility to foster a healthy work/life balance for our people. These include:
- Flexible start and finish times
- Flexi leave
- Work from home, part time and job share opportunities
- Compressed hours in a 9-day fortnight or 19-day month.
Note: all flexible working options need to be agreed with the employee’s line manager and align with our industrial agreements, operational requirements and what works for the team.
Feel respected in a diverse and inclusive culture
We’re committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where our people feel welcome, seen, valued and included. Our Multicultural Action Plan aims to ensure our workforce reflects the community we support and our culture is recognised as open and inclusive. We embrace cultural diversity by sharing diversity stories, celebrating key cultural/diversity/inclusion days and implementing new initiatives so everyone feels like they belong. We’ve formed several groups to champion and promote diversity and inclusion at HSS:
- Rainbow group (LGBTIQA+)
- Multicultural reference group
- Employee reference group
- Aboriginal reference group
Some exciting initiatives launched by these groups include; providing access to a prayer room, introducing pronoun stickers for ID badges and showcasing Pride artwork at each of our locations in support of the LGBTIQA+ community.
At HSS, we have a strong focus on improving awareness of and engagement with Aboriginal culture, language and history while creating a safe space for First Nations people to work and feel valued. In 2021, a key driver of this focus involved refreshing our corporate branding to include Aboriginal artwork which was created by hundreds of our employees in an Aboriginal art workshop.
“A great family environment who are committed to making a difference and supporting each other.”
Cameron Davis, Warehouse Operations Manager
Progress with learning and development
In 2021-22, we doubled our Learning and Development budget to give our people increased opportunities for personal development and career growth and progression. We also introduced inclusive leadership training to enhance leadership capability and ensure all HSS employees feel supported, included and capable of success. Our leaders undergo compulsory training on mental health first aid and how to refer employees who need further assistance.
Our learning and development opportunities, include:
Designed to invest in and build the capability of our leaders and managers to improve the overall experience of all our employees. Face to face and virtual learning covers self-awareness, managing people and performance, leading hybrid work teams, mental health first aid and leading change. The Leadership Academy aligns with our HSS Strategic Plan, right down to our values and way of working.
This is WA Health's Learning Management System where employees can complete mandatory online learning modules, view resources and book face-to-face training.
All our employees can upskill in their fields through access to online video courses taught by industry experts.
"I enjoy working in a supportive and caring environment that encourages my professional goals."
Shelley - Executive Assistant
Recognising your contribution
Our people are motivated by making a difference. We strongly promote a culture of recognition and our people are genuinely praised for their efforts. HSS employees can be nominated by their co-workers or HSS customers for an Excellence Award which recognises demonstration of the HSS values. Anyone nominated for an Excellence Award is also eligible for a quarterly award and the overall yearly award which takes place at a special ceremony. Awards are presented by our Executive Directors.
"I love that my contribution is valued and recognised by my peers and manager."
Rebecca - Change Analyst
NurseWest benefits
NurseWest offers nurses, midwives and assistants in nursing the opportunity to join a temporary staff pool. NurseWest employee a combination of nurses and administrative staff in our operational team so relevant Award conditions apply.
Our NurseWest benefits include:
- Flexible work arrangements that positively impact overall health and wellbeing (family-friendly workplace).
- Strong sense of workplace community with fun team-building activities each year.
- Opportunity to nurture and develop own professional interests (e.g. special projects or portfolios).
- Encouragement of a broad skill set with both clinical and administrative environments.
- Culture and diversity initiatives so our wide and diverse pool of talent feels safe and welcome.
Join a union
All WA Health employees have opportunity to join their relevant health sector unions - HSU, ANF and UWU