State Manager
Vince O'Donnell is the state wide manager of Positive Directions, and he is responsible for overseeing operational matters with the program, especially in seeing the program fulfill its tender with Queensland Health, and our commitment to PLHIV in Queensland. Vince also oversees the implementation of the Strategic Plan for all regions of Positive Directions.
Administration Officers – Reception
As the first point of contact between our service and the public, the admin officers are responsible for: the provision of effective administrative support; communication with all enquiries to the program (both internal and external); and to maintain the day to day running of the site. Our Administration officers are:
- Rita Bruce (Office Coordinator, state-wide)
- Neil Ward (Administration Officer, state-wide)
- Dean Maxwell (Gold Coast)
HIV Coordinator
Chris Howard is the HIV Coordinator and is responsible for supervising the members of the Care Coordination teams around the state, and also provides HIV expertise and advice to staff when required, particularly in coordianting care and the social determinants of health.
Resource Coordinator
Jacqui de la Rue is the Resource Coordinator, and is located in the Brisbane office with a state-wide responsibility. She is responsible for the program’s information and resource systems including a service database, education folder, website, fact sheets, and brochures. Jacqui also hosts a number of unmet need working parties around Queensland to build referral pathways for PLHIV. She is also responsible for program policies and processes, and also oversees the Client Care Fund.
Mental Health Advisor
Kim Voll is the Mental Health Advisor for Positive Directions has a state-wide responsibility and is located in our Brisbane office. The role is responsible for facilitating access to psychology, counselling and mental health services throughout Queensland, participating in care-coordination of clients and providing direction and advice to staff in regards to the management of clients with potential and/or identified mental health issues. The Mental Health Advisor is also responsible for providing education and advice to other health care providers throughout Queensland regarding HIV and mental health. You can find out more by downloading the Mental Health Advisor fact sheet.
Nutrition Advisor
Rachel Roth is the Nutrrition Advisor for Positive Directions has a state-wide responsibility and is located in our Brisbane office. The role is responsible for facilitating access to nutrition services throughout Queensland, participating in care-coordination of clients and providing direction and advice to staff in regards to the management of clients with potential and/or identified nutritional issues. The Nutrition Advisor is also responsible for providing education and advice to dietitians and other health care providers throughout Queensland regarding nutrition and HIV. You can find out more by downloading the Nutrition Advisor fact sheet.
Community Nurses
There are five Community Nurses in the program. The role of the Community Nurse is to consider clinical issues associated with HIV (such as medication compliance, co-morbidity issues, CD4 count, etc). You can find out more by downloading the Community Nurse fact sheet. Our Care Community Nurses are:
Client Liaison Officers
There are seven client liaison officers in the program – each with a work history in community service, welfare, and/or social determinants of health. The role of the client liaison officer is to consider: (1) life skill development (such as emotional support, social support, advocacy, and education); (2) networking and community development; (3) referral to providers. You can fnd out more by downloading the Client Liaison Officer fact sheet.
Our Client Liaison Officers are:
- Jude O'Day (Brisbane South)
- Tammy Rudduck (Brisbane North)
- Jime Lemoire (Brisbane Metropolitan)
- Peter Nott (Cairns)
- Sandy Reynolds (Gold Coast)
- Sue Gilling (Sunshine Coast)
- Belinda Jobst (Townsville)