Position overview

The RACS Occupational Therapy service is a dynamic team of occupational therapists and allied health assistants (AHAs) providing exceptional care through high quality assessment and therapeutic intervention.  We treat and manage patients with a range of medical conditions including neurological, orthopaedic, complex medical and frail aged.

The Occupational Therapy Allied Health Assistant Level 2 works as part of the occupational therapy team to support the delivery of high-quality occupational therapy services across acute and sub-acute settings, including acute geriatric services and University of Canberra Hospital.

The AHA2 works under routine to general supervision of an Occupational Therapist and is responsible for implementing delegated clinical and non-clinical tasks within clearly defined parameters. The role applies established procedures, protocols, and therapy programs to support patient care and the effective functioning of the service.

The position may be based within acute aged care wards at Canberra Hospital or University of Canberra Hospital and may involve rotation across clinical areas to meet service needs. The AHA2 contributes to patient care through the delivery of therapy support programs, assistance with equipment and environment management, and participation in team-based care, with escalation of clinical issues to supervising therapists.

All AHAs are provided with structured supervision, training and professional development to support safe practice within their scope.

Key Responsibilities

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

• Implement/supervise treatment programs with patients under the direction from the supervising occupational therapist which could be in a hospital, community or home setting.
• Provide assistance to patients to complete functional and therapeutic activities in accordance with prescribed interventions.
• Provide safe and effective assistance to patients whilst applying established occupational therapy principles and procedures.
• Provide effective communication with the patient and the team to ensure the patient’s safety and needs are met.
• Ability to work flexibly across a range of clinical activities.
• Provide accurate and timely feedback to the Allied Health professionals.
• Document in the patient’s health record according to organisational guidelines and legal requirements.
• Contribute to a range of indirect clinical activities including but not limited to:
  • Development of resources for patient use.
  • Ensure equipment is cleaned and maintained according to maintenance schedule.
  • Monitor and maintain stores and equipment inventories.
  • Assist with administrative tasks according to departmental policies and procedures.
  • Assist in obtaining quotes, sourcing and ordering equipment.
• Participate in quality improvement activities and/or service development under the guidance of the supervising occupational therapist.
• Participate in ongoing professional development.
• Provide supervision and support to AHA students, as appropriate to level of experience, and with guidance and support as required.
• Work within defined scope of practice and follow organisational policies, procedures, and supervision requirements.

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, initiative and engagement.
• Ability to engage respectfully and empathetically with patient, families and staff
• Communicate effectively with a broad range of people – via verbal and written means.
• Ability to organise and prioritise workload
• Ability to complete tasks within required timeframes following established processes.
• Adaptability and flexibility to accommodate change and provide responsive services to meet patients’ needs.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• A commitment to maintain patient privacy, confidentiality and ethical standards.

Qualifications

Essential

• Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance or recognised 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

• N/A

Desirable

• Prior experience working in an aged care or rehabilitation setting.
• 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.

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. Sound understanding of the role and scope of practice of an Allied Health Assistant working with Occupational Therapists in a rehabilitation and aged care setting.
2. The ability to independently implement individual and group treatment programs to patients, under indirect supervision.
3. Effective interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills, demonstrated by the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people including patients, carers and staff including the ability to work effectively within in a team environment.
4. 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.
5. 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.