Position overview

The Division of Allied Health provides a range of allied health services across clinical Divisions based at predominantly Canberra Hospital.  A strong emphasis is placed across all sections on accessible and timely care, delivered to a high standard of safety and quality.  This is underpinned by the Division’s commitment to research and training. The Division works in partnership with professional colleagues, consumers, and a range of government and non-government service providers to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients.

Acute Allied Health Services (AAHS) Physiotherapy provides services to a range of clients in acute inpatient wards and specialised outpatient settings including Fracture Clinic, Paediatric Physiotherapy and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Our Allied Health Assistants work under a supervision and delegation framework. They work closely with physiotherapists, patients, carers, other health care professionals and multidisciplinary teams to achieve safe, high quality patient care.  Acute inpatient care is delivered across 7 days and involves allied health assistants. Allied Health Assistants can work in various inpatient and outpatient areas depending on operational service needs and development requirements.

Key Responsibilities

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

Under limited direction of the AAHS Physiotherapy Manager you will perform the following duties across a range of inpatient wards and outpatient services. You will:

1. Implement and supervise delegated treatment programs with patient/client/consumer groups and communicate effectively with client and team to ensure client needs are met and unusual circumstances are acted upon safely.
2. Work flexibly and effectively as a team member and demonstrate knowledge, skills and attitudes related to an Allied Health Assistant at full scope level.
3. Provide safe, effective assistance to culturally diverse clients of all ages while preparing them for treatment and activities and apply principles and practices related to the allied health discipline.
4. Share information and knowledge with team members and contribute to the client health record according to organisational guidelines and legal requirements.
5. Contribute to a range of indirect clinical activities including but not limited to:
   • Development of resources for client use
   • Ensuring equipment is clean and maintained according to maintenance schedule.
   • Monitoring and maintaining stores and equipment inventories.
   • Assisting with administrative tasks including data entry
6. Assist with quality improvement activities and service development initiatives under the guidance of a supervising allied health professional.
7. Engage with educational opportunities and on the job training, including opportunities to achieve AHA competencies with increasing complexity.
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.

• Strong organisational skills with a drive for excellence.
• Friendly, warm, and caring.
• Adaptable and flexible to adjust to change and provide responsive services to meet patients’ needs.
• Ability to work with others in a team.
• Confidence with using computers and telephones.

Qualifications

Essential

• A Certificate III or equivalent and working towards achieving a Certificate IV qualification; or have a Certificate IV or higher qualification.
• Registered under the Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act 2011.
• Current driver’s licence.
• An understanding of relevant statutory, regulatory and policy frameworks to draw conclusions, interpret and apply guidance material and resolve recurring problems.

Desirable

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

Experience

Essential

• A minimum of 12 months paid, professionally relevant work and completed all other relevant professional requirements.
• The successful applicant will need to be available for weekend and after-hours work.

Desirable

• 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.
• Be available for weekend and/or after-hours work.

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. Proven experience in assisting Allied Health Professionals with implementing treatment programs and carrying out treatment programs independently under supervision of an Allied Health Professional in an acute care setting.
2. Demonstrated effective communication and interpersonal skills with patients, carers, and staff as well as the ability to work flexibly in a team environment.
3. Experience or ability using computer-based data collection, administration and reporting systems, including the ability to monitor and maintain therapy equipment and supplies/consumables.
4. Demonstrated ability to assist with quality improvement and service developments to deliver patient centred services that meet high safety and quality standards.
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.