Position overview

Acute Allied Health Services (AAHS) provides services to a range of clients in acute inpatient and specialised outpatient settings.

The AHA3 Move It position sits within the AAHS Physiotherapy service in inpatient cancer services (oncology and haematology wards) at Canberra Hospital. The Allied Health Assistant contributes to the cross disciplinary care of patients by implementing the “Move It” Program in the acute care setting under the supervision of an allied health professional. The program contributes to patient care by providing tasks that support mobility, functional independence, socialisation and quality of life during their hospital admission.

This position requires daily interaction with members of the multidisciplinary team including nursing, physiotherapy, exercise physiology, and occupational therapy.

Under supervision, you will play a key role in delivering high quality patient centred care and associated functions to support service delivery in oncology and other clinical areas as required. Clinical supervision, and professional development is provided through team structures, supervision support, competency-based assessments, and informal and formal professional development opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

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

1. Receive referrals from the clinical staff for the “Move-it” program and conduct screening for the program using appropriate  and validated screening tools.
2. Assist in the Implementation/supervision of  therapy programs with patients as determined by the screening results and  respond to issues within the identified risk matrix, with limited guidance.
3. Provide safe, effective assistance to  culturally diverse patients of all ages
4. Identify circumstances that require additional  input from the health professionals, referral to other team members or  adaptation of interventions.
5. Share information and knowledge with team  members and contribute to the patient health record according to  organisational guidelines and legal requirements.
6. Contribute to a range of indirect clinical  activities including but not limited to the development of resources for  client use, ensuring equipment is clean and maintained according to  maintenance schedule, monitoring stores and equipment inventories and assisting  with administrative tasks according to departmental policies and procedures  and the supervision and orientation of AHA staff or students as appropriate.
7. Identify and assist with quality improvement  activities and service development initiatives under the guidance of  supervising health professional and actively engage with professional  development opportunities.
8. Assist with data collection to support clinical  service evaluation, quality improvement and research activities.
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. Opportunities to provide leadership within the Allied Health Assistant Team.

Competencies

Specific competencies include but are not limited to the following.

• Good organisational skills with a high degree of drive with capacity to work with moderately complex issues and problem solve.
• Adaptability and flexibility to accommodate change and provide responsive services to meet patients’ needs.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills that support a whole of person approach.
• Ability to follow instructions and seek advice when required.

Qualifications

Specific qualifications include, but are not limited to, the following.

Essential

• Relevant Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (or equivalent) or relevant Diploma level qualifications.
• A well-developed understanding of relevant statutory, regulatory and policy frameworks.
• The successful applicant will need to be available for weekend and after hours work as part of the AAHS Physiotherapy weekend roster.

Desirable

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

Experience

Specific experience include, but are not limited to, the following.

Essential

• A recommended minimum 3 years professionally relevant work experience.
• Relevant experience, training or accreditation which enables the officer to competently perform the functions relevant to the role.

Desirable

• A well developed understanding of relevant statutory, regulatory and policy frameworks.
• Previous work experience in an acute health setting.
• Experience or knowledge of the CHS Exceptional Care Framework and all other related frameworks.

Please note prior to commencement successful candidates will be required to:

• Undergo a 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 the 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.

1. Proven experience and ability to implement and supervise therapy programs (individual and group) independently, under limited guidance.
2. Demonstrated capacity to conduct appropriate risk assessments and identify client situations that warrant escalation or input from a qualified health professional.
3. Demonstrated effective interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with patients and families and the multidisciplinary team to deliver high quality safe patient centred services.
4. Proven ability to organize workload and manage competing priorities to complete tasks within timeframes, including clinical and administrative duties.
5. Experience in supervising Allied Health Assistant (AHA) students and/or staff, fostering a supportive learning environment and promoting a culture of continuous development.
6. Demonstrated commitment to and experience in facilitating professional development, quality improvement activities, and health promotion.
7. 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.