Position overview
The Exercise Physiology Department is an acute service to support patient flow and patient outcomes within The Canberra Hospital. The team specialise in the provision of clinical exercise intervention, education and lifestyle management for inpatient and outpatient hospital-based populations.
Under the direct or indirect supervision of an Allied Health Professional, the Exercise Physiology Allied Health Assistant plays a key role in the day-to-day functioning of the Exercise Physiology Department, working flexibly and effectively as a team member providing services to the community.
This position will be required to work flexibly across the services provided. The Exercise Physiology Allied Health Assistant may, with guidance, have limited supervisory responsibilities for Allied Health Assistant students or guidance of new staff.
Key Responsibilities
Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Under direction of a supervising Allied Health Professional, you will work flexibly across a broad range of Exercise Physiology services and programs. You will:
- Implement/supervise exercise treatment programs and interventions to patients, clients, consumers in individual and group-based settings under direction from a supervising health professional.
- Provide timely and effective verbal communication to relevant health professionals and other members of the treating team regarding client progress and any other interactions that may impact upon the client’s intervention.
- Provide safe and effective assistance and support to patients/clients/consumers in a clinical exercise setting utilising Exercise Physiology principles and be prepared to assist in the event of patient clinical deterioration.
- Contribute to a range of indirect clinical activities including but not limited to:
- Accurately and effectively document client progress and maintain documentation as required.
- Development of resources for patient, client and consumer use.
- Ensure equipment is cleaned and maintained according to cleaning guidelines and schedules.
- Monitor and maintain clinical stores and equipment inventories.
- Contribute to and assist with quality improvement activities and service developments.
- Assist in the day-to-day functioning of the Department including a range of office administrative duties including answering and actioning telephone calls, recording of statistical patient information and data, maintaining attendance records, booking appointments and other duties as required.
- 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 and interpersonal skills.
- Adaptability and flexibility.
- Able to work with others in a team.
Qualifications and Experience
Essential
- Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance or equivalent.
Desirable
- Previous experience in a hospital/clinical setting and/or exercise setting will be highly desirable.
- Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.
- 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. Note: Current work hours are business days only.
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.
- Proven sound understanding of the role and scope of practice of an Allied Health Assistant in a health care setting.
- Demonstrated ability to assist Allied Health Professionals with treatment programs and to independently carry out programs and interventions in the inpatient and outpatient settings.
- Ability to utilise verbal and written communication skills; and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with a wide range of individuals including patients, carers, and staff in a team environment.
- Ability to provide administrative support, including the ability to monitor therapy equipment and stores through the utilisation of a variety of computer programs.
- Demonstrates understanding of, and adherence to, safety and quality standards, Work, Health and Safety 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.
| Administrative | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Telephone use | Frequently |
| General computer use | Frequently |
| Extensive keying/data entry | Frequently |
| Graphical/analytical based | Occasionally |
| Sitting at a desk | Frequently |
| Standing for long periods | Frequently |
| Psychosocial demands | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Distressed People e.g. Emergency or grief situations | Occasionally |
| Aggressive & Uncooperative People e.g. drug / alcohol, dementia, mental illness | Occasionally |
| Unpredictable People e.g. Dementia, mental illness, head injuries | Occasionally |
| Restraining e.g. involvement in physical containment of clients/consumers | Never |
| Exposure to Distressing Situations e.g. Child abuse, viewing dead / mutilated bodies; verbal abuse; domestic violence; suicide | Never |
| Physical demands | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Distance walking (large buildings or inter-building transit) | Frequently |
| Working outdoors | Never |
| Manual handling | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Lifting 0 - 9kg | Frequently |
| Lifting 10 - 15kg | Frequently |
| Lifting 16kg+ | Occasionally |
| Climbing | Never |
| Running | Never |
| Reaching | Frequently |
| Kneeling | Occasionally |
| Foot and leg movement | Frequently |
| Hand, arm and grasping movements | Frequently |
| Bending/squatting | Frequently |
| Bend/Lean Forward from Waist/Trunk twisting | Occasionally |
| Push/pull | Frequently |
| Sequential repetitive movements in a short amount of time | Frequently |
| Travel | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Frequent travel – multiple work sites | Occasionally |
| Frequent travel – driving | Occasionally |
| Specific hazards | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Working at heights | Never |
| Exposure to extreme temperatures | Never |
| Operation of heavy machinery e.g. forklift | Never |
| Confined spaces | Never |
| Excessive noise | Occasionally |
| Low lighting | Occasionally |
| Handling of dangerous goods/equipment e.g. gases; liquids; biological. | Occasionally |
| Slippery or uneven surfaces | Never |
Directorate: Canberra Health Services
Division: Allied Health
Business Unit: Acute Allied Health Services, Exercise Physiology Department
Position number: P22882
Position title: Allied Health Assistant
Classification: Allied Health Assistant 2
Location: Canberra Health Services, ACT
Reporting relationships:
Direct Manager: Exercise Physiology Manager
Manager +1: Director of Allied Health – Acute Allied Health Services
Canberra Health Services (CHS) is focussed on the delivery of high quality, effective, person-centred care. We provide acute, sub-acute, primary and community‐based health services, to the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and surrounding regions. More information can be found on the CHS website.
Our Vision: creating exceptional health care together
Our Role: to be a health service that is trusted by our community
Our Values: Reliable, Progressive, Respectful and Kind