Position overview

Occupational Therapists in Canberra Health services work collaboratively with individuals, families, carers and internal and external service providers to maximise the health, wellbeing and occupational engagement of Canberrans.

CHS Occupational Therapists provide exceptional care through the delivery of high quality Occupational Therapy assessment and a range of therapeutic interventions including harm prevention and minimisation strategies, therapy to promote recovery, rehabilitation and reablement, supporting safe and sustainable discharge to the community, and long-term occupational engagement and the maintenance of wellbeing.

Our staff are committed to the delivery of health services that reflect CHS values.

Acute Occupational Therapy services are provided to a range of clients in the acute inpatient setting and specialized outpatient services at Canberra Hospital and Centenary Hospital for Women and Children.

As an Allied Health Assistant, you will play a key role in providing support to therapists, and service delivery under direction within a delegated caseload. Through your work you will assist in meeting the caseload requirements of the broader Occupational Therapy Team including maintaining our equipment and therapy resources, provision of delegated upper limb therapy, activity of daily living retraining programs cognitive and visual retraining programs and access home visits.  Within our team you will have the support of an experienced team of clinicians and be provided with direct clinical supervision from an Occupational Therapist.

Key Responsibilities

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

1. Work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team environment within an occupational therapy environment.
2. Participate in relevant meetings, professional development programs, and quality improvement activities.
3. Provide delegated individual and group-based therapy programs with consumers.
4. Drive work cars to complete home visits and equipment deliveries.
5. Perform administrative duties as required including data entry, equipment tracking and statistical collection as directed by the occupational therapists, developing relevant word, power point or excel documents.
6. Ensure that clinical areas and equipment are kept in a clean and tidy condition and are maintained in good repair.
7. Take responsibility for the provision, cleaning and maintenance of wheelchairs and other equipment used in therapy including maintaining an inventory and ordering stock required by occupational therapy staff.
8. Participate in professional supervision and/or training with other staff and students as directed.
9. Undertaking other duties as directed, within the approved scope of clinical practice ensuring the delivery of high-quality person and family centred, safe and high-quality patient care.
10. 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 clinical, communication and interpersonal skills
• Adaptability and flexibility to accommodate change and provide responsiveness to meet client’s needs.
• The ability to work respectfully in partnership with staff and stakeholders.
• An active participant in a team environment.

Qualifications

Essential

• Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance or recognised equivalent.
• Registered under the Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act 2011.
• Hold a current driver’s licence.

Desirable

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

Experience

Essential

• Willingness to learn new skills to fulfil role.

Desirable

• Prior experience in the delivery of acute health services to adults and /or children, young people and families will be highly 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, Public Holiday 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. Demonstrate understanding of the role of Occupational Therapy in the acute care setting.
2. Demonstrated ability to carry out therapy and treatment programs under the direction of the occupational therapist. Including provision of accurate and timely reports to relevant therapists regarding patient progress.
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, staff and other agencies.
4. Ability to provide administrative support, including use a variety of computer programs with a willingness to learn specific packages.
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.