Position overview

Rehabilitation, Aged and Community Services (RACS) is a vibrant and diverse Division within CHS providing multidisciplinary rehabilitation, aged-care and community-based services across a range of settings. Our team are committed to the delivering high-quality, person-centered care that aligns with the Canberra Health Service’s vision and CHS is committed to supporting staff in their professional development journey.

RACS services work collaboratively with patients, clients, and individuals, involving carers, family, and a wide range of internal and external service partners. The Acute Care of Elderly Unit at Canberra Hospital provides specialist inpatient geriatric services for the acutely unwell elderly. The Activities Program within the unit offers a variety of meaningful, aged appropriate activities tailored to patient’s interests, abilities and needs. The aim is to support social engagement, physical activity, creativity, and cognitive stimulation. As part of a rehabilitation-focused model of care, patients are encouraged to attend and participate in daily group activities held on the unit.

Under the direct supervision of a registered nurse, the activity officer is responsible for delivering individual and group social programs to frail elderly and patients with dementia. As an AHA 3 level role, this position requires demonstrated skills, qualifications, and experience appropriate for working in a specialized geriatric and rehabilitation setting.

Key Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Under limited direction of your direct supervisor Clinical Nurse Consultant, you will:

1. Plan and deliver individual and group social programs for frail older adults and patients with dementia, ensuring activities are safe, engaging, and aligned with documented requirements.
2. Use appropriate risk‑assessment techniques when planning and conducting activities to ensure patient safety and promote independence.
3. Assist with activities of daily living, including mobility support, safe transfers, wheelchair use, toileting assistance (as appropriate), and meal‑related tasks such as menu completion, setup, and feeding when required.
4. Support therapeutic and treatment programs by assisting other health professionals in the delivery and supervision of planned group therapy and activity programs.
5. Monitor and report changes in patient condition, including physical, emotional, and social wellbeing, to the CNC, team leader, or nursing staff.
6. Perform administrative and program support tasks, including data collection, ordering supplies, maintaining records, developing resources, and using computer‑based applications in line with organisational procedures.
7. Participate in team activities and professional development, including multidisciplinary teamwork, staff meetings, training, performance development, and quality improvement initiatives.
8. Undertake other duties appropriate to this level of classification which contribute to the operation of the organisation.

Competencies

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the following.

• Aptitude to work in a healthcare environment.
• Flexibility and adaptability to accommodate change.
• Good verbal communication skills including the ability to communicate well with patients, families, and treating teams.
• Good written communication skills, including the ability to document clinical notes.
• High standard of ethical practice in line with CHS and AASW standards, such as maintaining patient confidentiality, and making sound decisions.
• Ability to manage a workload, under direction of Clinical Nurse Consultant.
• Critical and self-reflection, including the ability to learn from situations and problems.
• Problem solving and negotiation skills.

Qualifications

Essential

• Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance or equivalent.
• Current Australian Driver license.

Desirable

• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.

Experience

Essential

• Minimum of 3 years’ relevant experience for an AHA3.
• Computer literacy skills.

Desirable

• Previous experience working in the rehabilitation and/or aged care setting.
• Experience or knowledge of the CHS Exceptional Care Framework, and all other related frameworks.

Prior to commencement

Appointment to this position is conditional on being granted and retaining appropriate clearances:

• Pre-employment National Police Check.
• Current registration issued under the Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act 2011 is required.
• Comply with Canberra Health Services Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination policy.
• Comply with CHS credentialing and scope of clinical practice requirements for allied health professionals.

Important information

All employees are required to:

• Adhere to the Canberra Health Services Values and the ACT Public Service Code of Conduct.
• Act in accordance and comply with all relevant Safety and Quality policies and procedures.
• Comply with all relevant clinical and/or competency standards.
• Successful applicants may be required to be available work flexibly across services, locations, and programs.

CHS is leading the drive to digitally transform health service delivery in Australia through the implementation of a territory wide Digital Health Record. Computer literacy skills are required which are relevant to this role as you will be responsible for completing required documentation and becoming a proficient user of the Digital Health Record and/or other Information Technology systems; once proficient, you will need to remain current with changes, updates, and contingencies.

What you Require (Key Selection Criteria)

These are the key selection criteria for how you will be assessed in conjunction with your resumé and experience and must be addressed in your application:

1. Demonstrated ability to organise, implement and evaluate individual and group social programs for frail older adults and patients with dementia, working under limited supervision within an acute, and sub‑acute hospital environment.
2. Sound understanding of the needs and challenges of frail older people and patients with cognitive impairment, with proven ability to apply this knowledge to activity programs and to adapt flexibly to changing patient needs in a fast‑paced clinical setting.
3. Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, carers, and a wide range of health professionals, and the ability to prepare clear written documentation.
4. Demonstrated ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team, contributing to coordinated, patient‑centred care.
5. Demonstrates understanding of, and adherence to, safety and quality standards, work, health and safety (WH&S) and the positive patient experience. Displays behaviour consistent with CHS’s values of reliable, progressive, respectful and kind.

Work environment description

The following work environment description outlines the inherent requirements of the role and indicates how frequently each of these requirements would need to be performed. Please note that the ACT Public Service is committed to providing reasonable adjustments and ensuring all individuals have equal opportunities in the workplace.