Position overview

Acute Allied Health Services Speech Pathology provides expert speech pathology services to a range of eligible inpatient and outpatients at Canberra Hospital and Health Services.  Eligible patients include any patient admitted to an acute ward with acute communication and/or swallowing disorders. Specialist outpatient services are provided to adults with voice disorders, adults and paediatrics with swallowing disorders due to an underlying medical condition, children born with cleft lip and/or palate, adults with head and neck cancer/trauma.

This position will be responsible for delivery of clinical speech pathology services to an assigned adult and/or paediatric caseload and contribution to an active teaching and quality improvement program with strong professional support.

This position will participate in a rotational weekend roster at the Canberra Hospital including on-call responsibilities depending on operational requirements.

Key Responsibilities

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

1. Provide appropriate skilled clinical assessment and intervention across a range of clinical areas, with support in the Acute support speech Pathology.
2. Exercise independent judgement on routine matters and perform novel, complex or critical tasks under professional supervision where appropriate.
3. Liaise with carers and other service providers as required, while assisting in the supervision and education of other staff or students, as required.
4. Complete non-clinical and administrative duties as required, while adhering to data retention policies and procedures.
5. Participate in education programs for areas of clinical service delivery.  Including participate in the development, analysis, evaluation and planning of services in specific area of work, as required.
6. Participate in the organisation as appropriate and the implementation of clinical governance activity, quality improvement projects, research programs, and health promotion in areas relevant to service.
7. Participate in supervision, continuing professional development and performance appraisal and development.
8. 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 clients needs.
• The ability to work respectfully in partnership with staff and stakeholders.
• Conscientious and professional in all aspects of work.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team including external stakeholders, with a high level of verbal and written communication skills.

Qualifications

Essential

• Tertiary Qualification or related qualification in speech pathology
• Eligible for certified practicing membership with Speech Pathology Australia

Desirable

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

Experience

Essential

• 12 months’ post-graduate clinical practice experience.

Desirable

• Speech pathology experience in an acute hospital setting is 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 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.

1. Proven ability to provide evidence-based speech pathology clinical services, including ability to assess, diagnose and manage inpatients and outpatients presenting with swallowing disorders, communication impairment and cognitive disorders in a hospital setting.
2. High-level verbal and written communication skills, ability to work effectively and progressively as a member of the Speech Pathology Department and multidisciplinary teams.
3. Demonstrated organisation skills and ability to work with flexibility to prioritise competing workloads.
4. Participation in and commitment to professional development, evidence-based practice, quality improvement activities and in-service education. Including the ability to participate in HP1, student or Allied Health Assistant supervision.
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.