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. Our staff are committed to the delivery of health services that reflect the Canberra Health Service’s vision and CHS is committed to supporting staff in their professional journey.

RACS services work collaboratively with patients, clients, and individuals, involving their carers and family, as well as other services within and external to CHS.

The Transitional Therapy and Care Program (TTCP) provides up to 12 weeks of goal focused therapy and care services for older persons within their home or at the TTCP residential unit. The TTCP aims to maximise a person’s recovery and functional independence following a hospitalisation and prevent premature admission to an aged care facility. The TTCP Allied Health team is Multidisciplinary and consists of Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Allied Health Assistants, Dietitians, a Social Worker, and a Speech Pathologist. Under the indirect supervision of an Allied Health Professional, the Allied Health Assistant (AHA) in the TTCP plays a key role in the day-to-day functioning of the service, delivers therapeutic interventions and operates at an extended level.

The TTCP operates from the University of Canberra Hospital, Bruce. AHAs within TTCP are supported with regular clinical and peer supervision, access to, and support to engage in ongoing professional development. They provide clinical education opportunities for AHA students.

This position will be suitable for a suitably experienced AHA who meets the criteria of an AHA3; this is necessary due to the level of autonomy and specific skills required in this role.

The work of an AHA may be subject to progress checks dependent on work level and complexity of task. Where these checks are made, they are usually confined to ensuring that, in broad terms, satisfactory progress is being made. In a small number of cases, where the work is critical, checks may include an assessment of the integrity of tasks / activities as they are completed.

This position may require you to work flexibly across services / locations and may be required to participate in a weekend roster.

This position is a temporary full-time position. A merit list may be established from this recruitment to fill future temporary and permanent positions in a full-time or part-time capacity.

Key Responsibilities

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

Under limited direction of the TTCP manager and the indirect supervision of collegial Allied Health Professionals you will:

1. Work flexibly and effectively as a team member and demonstrate interprofessional allied health assistance knowledge and skills at an advanced level. This includes undertaking tasks that are complex, and require high levels of problem-solving and initiation.
2. Implement/supervise treatment programs with clients under direction from the Allied Health Professional (AHP), communicating with the client and the team to ensure their needs are met and unusual circumstances are acted upon safely. Programs may be delivered at the TTCP Residential Unit, within the client’s homes, or at other community locations, and may be individual or group based.
3. Provide safe, effective assistance to the patient/client/consumer while applying principles and practices related to being an Allied Health Assistant including the ability to provide timely and accurate feedback to AHPs.
4. Supply and screen for appropriate appliances/preparations to patient/client/consumer under direction of the AHP.
5. Contribute to the patient, client and/or consumer health record according to Canberra Health Service policy and procedures and the Territory Records Act 2002.
6. Assist with quality improvement activities and service developments under the guidance of supervising AHP.
7. 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.
   • Complete administrative tasks according to departmental policies and procedures.
   • Maintain accurate statistical records
8. Participate in ongoing professional development including actively engaging with educational opportunities - including essential education, orientation requirements and opportunities to achieve advanced AHA competencies including participation in professional supervision.
9. Provide supervision and support to AHA students and staff, as appropriate to work level, level of experience, and with guidance and support as required.
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.

• As a Practitioner, integrates all other competencies, applying knowledge, skills and professional values in the promotion of health and provision of culturally responsive, high quality and safe, client centred management.
• As a Communicator, form effective therapeutic relationships with clients that facilitate the gathering and sharing of essential information for effective health care and health promotion to optimise management and outcomes.
• As a Collaborator, work effectively with health care and other professionals to provide safe, high-quality, client-centred management.
• As a Health Advocate, support clients in navigating the health care system and to advocate with, and, for them to access appropriate resources in a timely manner.
• As a Scholar, demonstrate a commitment to maintaining and enhancing professional competency, achieved through engaging in clinical reflection, continuous learning, teaching others and sharing their knowledge and practices.
• As a Professional, demonstrate commitment to safety and quality in healthcare through ethical practice, high standards of professional behaviour, accountability, and management of their own physical and mental health.

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

• A minimum of 3 years working professionally as an Allied Health Assistant in a relevant area is required.

Desirable

• Previous experience working in rehabilitation and/or aged care.
• 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 for weekend, on call and/or rotation roster and 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. Proven knowledge of the role and scope of practice of an Allied Health Assistant in a home-based and community rehabilitation setting, and ability to independently carry out programs under the indirect supervision of an AHP in a community setting.
2. 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. Ability to communicate with clients who have communication and/ or cognitive deficits.
3. Demonstrates effective organisational skills, including an ability to plan, set and prioritise competing workloads including the ability to provide administrative support and to monitor therapy equipment and stores using a variety of computer programs.
4. An understanding of, or experience in engaging in activities designed to ensure the provision of safe and high-quality service provision.
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.