Position overview

Rehabilitation, Aged and Community Services (RACS) is a vibrant and diverse Division within CHS providing multidisciplinary rehab, aged and community-based care across a range of settings. Community Care Allied Health Assistants have strong peer support where we work collaboratively with other professionals and participate in regular clinical supervision. We pride ourselves on our continual drive to deliver exceptional care and maintain a positive workplace culture. Our team is committed to the delivery of health services that reflect Canberra Health Services values: Reliable, Progressive, Respectful and Kind.

Community Care Physiotherapy services are offered from community health centres across the ACT. The team supports patients with a wide range of presentations including musculoskeletal injury, post-surgery rehabilitation, frailty and aged, impaired balance and mobility, and pelvic health.

Community Care Allied Health Assistants work to their strengths and communicate openly to facilitate an environment of curiosity, innovation, and excellence to assist each other to achieve positive patient outcomes through the provision of exceptional clinical services. We are a high performing team that is engaged in continuous quality improvement and research.

Staff wellbeing is high priority, and the Community Care Physiotherapy team is an inclusive team that cares and takes the time to listen, show empathy and understanding towards each other, and our consumers.

Key Responsibilities

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

Under limited direction from the Physiotherapy Manager and supervision from the physiotherapists within the team, you will perform assessment and interventions relating to musculoskeletal pain, acute soft tissue injury, post treatment fractures, dislocations, and post orthopaedic surgery. You will:

1. Implement/supervise treatment programs with patients, clients, consumers, and groups under indirect or remote supervision.
2. Provide safe, effective assistance to patients, clients, and consumers, undertaking tasks that are moderately complex and require problem solving, identify circumstances that require additional input from the AHP including indication for referral and suggesting appropriate interventions.
3. Organise and prioritise workload, set priorities as delegated by the health professional and actively manage identified complications as per risk matrix, consult when new issues are encountered before acting.
4. Supply and screen for appropriate appliances, preparations and/or conditions to patients, clients, and consumers under direction from Health Professionals.
5. Contribute to the patient, client and/or consumer health record according to CHS policy and procedures and the Territory Records Act 2002.
6. Contribute to a range of indirect clinical activities including but not limited to:
   • Development of resources for patient, client, and consumer use.
   • Ensure equipment is cleaned and maintained according to maintenance schedule.
   • Monitor and maintain stores and equipment inventories.
   • Assist with quality improvement activities and service developments.
   • Assist with departmental administrative tasks and procedures.
7. 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

• Certificate IV in Mental Health or Allied Health Assistance (or equivalent qualification).
• A current Australian driver’s licence.

Desirable

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

Experience

Essential

• N/A

Desirable

• A minimum of 2 years’ experience working professionally in a related/relevant organisation/service.
• Experience working as an AHA within a community setting.
• Experience working with older, frail and vulnerable populations an advantage.
• 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 understanding of the role and scope of practice of an Allied Health Assistant in health settings.
2. Ability to assist Physiotherapists with treatment programs and to independently carry out programs under the supervision of a Physiotherapist in a community setting.
3. Good verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, demonstrated by the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people including patients, carers, and staff in a team environment.
4. Ability to provide administrative support, including the ability to monitor therapy equipment and stores using a variety of computer programs
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.