Position overview

Canberra Health Services Speech Pathology provides a range of services to individuals with swallowing and communication disorders. This includes acute care of the elderly, subacute and rehabilitation services to eligible inpatients and outpatients of the University of Canberra Hospital. Speech Pathology delivers excellent clinical services and teaching programs. We have a commitment to innovation and quality improvement and deliver clinical education programs to staff and students.

An exciting opportunity exists for new graduate Speech Pathologist to join CHS Speech Pathology services. The successful applicant(s) will be employed as a Health Professional Level 1 and has the opportunity to join the CHS Allied Health interprofessional graduate program. This program is specifically designed to support new graduates to launch their careers in healthcare and develop their professional identity.

Key Responsibilities

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

1. Provide appropriate assessment and interventions using contemporary evidence-based principles, techniques and methods. Interventions may be delivered in an individual or group setting.
2. Work collaboratively as part of your work area team , and with consumers, carers, significant others, GPs, and other service providers in therapeutic goal setting, planning and implementation, as consent allows.
3. Complete non-clinical and administrative data collection and evaluation to standards.
4. Participate in clinical supervision, continuing professional development and performance planning and review processes.
5. Participate in team and program related service activities as required.
6. Participate in speech pathology and program/team/service-related clinical governance activities, quality improvement, research and health promotion activities relevant to the area of work.
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.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary and speech pathology teams.
• Displays critical thinking skills and forms defensible conclusions based on evidence and sound judgement.
• Adaptability and flexibility to accommodate change and provide responsive services to meet patients’ needs.
• Strong organisational skills with high degree of initiative.

Qualifications

Essential

• Tertiary qualifications (or equivalent) in Speech Pathology.
• Eligibility for practicing membership of Speech Pathology Australia.
• Be registered under the Working for Vulnerable People Act.
• 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.

Desirable

• Driver’s licence.
• An understanding of the relevant statutory, regulatory and policy frameworks to draw conclusions, interpret and apply guidance material and resolve recurring problems.
• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.

Experience

Essential

• N/A

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.

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.

1. Ability to deliver evidence based clinical speech pathology services including ability to assess, diagnose and manage inpatient and outpatients presenting with swallowing disorders, communication impairments and cognitive disorders in an acute care or rehabilitation setting.
2. Understanding of and ability to work effectively within Speech Pathology and multi-disciplinary teams and collaborate with other service providers to ensure effective patient outcomes.
3. Ability to prioritise and manage a caseload, under supervision, with awareness of and adherence to risk management processes.
4. Demonstrated effective oral and written communication skills, including the ability to use a range of information technology applications to maintain clinical documentation and data collection.
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.