CHILDREN, YOUTH AND WOMEN S HEALTH SERVICE JOB AND PERSON SPECIFICATION POSITION DETAILS Position Title: Paediatric Audiologist Classification: PO2 Position No: Cost centre: Reports to: Manager Newborn and Childhood hearing Services Type of Appointment: Permanent Temp (Insert period) Casual FTE: 0.8FTE Date Prepared: October 2009 Initial Location: South Terrace Adelaide Directorate: Primary and Population Health Division: Child Development Unit Department: Newborn and Childhood Hearing Services PREAMBLE The Children, Youth and Women s Health Service (CYWHS) was established to promote, maintain and restore the health of women, children and young people in South Australia. The Service plans, develops and coordinates health services as part of an integrated health system. The Children, Youth and Women s Health Service efficiently conducts and manages, within its identified resources, health services for children, young people and women, including: Specialist hospital services Primary health care and population health programs Integrated community care services Services to address the health and well being of particular populations, including Aboriginal Health Programs Education and training programs Research. Primary and Population Health Directorate: The Primary and Population Health Directorate is responsible for the strategic direction and delivery of Disability, Rehabilitation and Allied Health services across the Region that are consistent with the Primary and Population Health Directorate and Regions strategic directions. The Child Development Unit consists of three groups: Newborn & Childhood Hearing Services Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening Program and the Hearing Assessment Service, Early Intervention Services - the Early Childhood Intervention Consultant program, and Department of Developmental Paediatrics. Newborn and Childhood Hearing Services is an amalgamation of the Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening Program (UNHS) and the Hearing Assessment Service (HAS). The South Australian Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening program (UNHS) is a population based hearing screening service for infants aged 0-6months. The program provides best practice in newborn hearing screening through a specialised state-wide service, ensuring all infants no matter what background, with moderate or greater hearing loss are identified and actively involved in family focused intervention by 6 months of age. The Hearing Assessment Service is a state-wide program providing assessment of hearing and ear health in children and young people aged 0-18 years. Assessments are offered not only from the central city clinic but also in outer urban sites and major rural centres.
CONTEXT AND PURPOSE OF POSITION The Paediatric Audiologist is accountable to the Newborn and Childhood Hearing Services Manager, CYWHS for providing a unique paediatric audiology service; conducting definitive audiology assessments on newborns and infants referred through the Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening Program; and conducting behavioural and objective audiology testing on children aged from infancy to 18 years, referred to the Hearing Assessment Service. The audiology assessments will be provided by the Paediatric Audiologist at locations accessible to families, including our base in central Adelaide, southern and northern metropolitan community health service centres and visits to country locations throughout SA, using portable equipment. REPORTING/WORKING RELATIONSHIPS/INTERACTIONS Reports to the Manager of Newborn and Childhood Hearing Services and has close working relationships with fellow Paediatric Audiologists, the Senior Medical Officer, Administrative Officers, Database Administrator, and the Universal Neonatal Hearing Screeners. Works collaboratively with the Newborn and Childhood Hearing Services team to provide Paediatric Audiology services to the children of South Australia. Direct Reports to this position: Nil DELEGATIONS OF AUTHORITY FOR THIS POSITION (refer to the CYWHS Delegations) Nil KEY CHALLENGES - Details significant challenges beyond day-to-day responsibilities and relates to the environment in which the position operates) Contribute to the development and review of protocols, standards and criteria of the Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening program and the Hearing Assessment Service, with particular focus on developing and reviewing criteria for the screening of children referred to the Hearing Assessment Service because of speech and language delay, whilst ensuring that Australian Council on Health Care Standards (including Risk Management), are supported at all times. Participate in education and research activities related to areas of professional paediatric audiology practice and expertise. Contribute to the provision of best practice and quality service delivery in the field of newborn hearing screening and assessment of ear health and hearing in infants, children and young people. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS Managers and staff are required to work in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Public Employees, Regional Policies and Procedures and legislative requirements including: Occupational Health Safety and Welfare, Equal Employment Opportunities (including prevention of bullying, harassment and intimidation), Keeping Them Safe Legislation (inclusive of Mandatory Notifier), Disability Discrimination, Code of Fair Information Practice, Relevant Awards and Enterprise Agreements and parts of the Public Sector Management Act 1995 and the SA Health Commission Act 1976, Relevant Australian Standards, Duty to maintain confidentiality, Smoke free workplace, Applying the principles of the South Australian Government s Risk Management Policy to their work as appropriate, To value and respect the needs and contributions of CYWHS Aboriginal staff and clients, and commit to the development of Aboriginal cultural competence across all CYWHS practice and service delivery, and To uphold and demonstrate the Region s values of Care and Compassion, Equity, Diversity, Innovation and Creativity, Participation and Collaboration, Respect, Accountability and Integrity. Risk Management (check wording with HR)
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS The Children Youth and Women s Health Service requires that all professional officers work in accordance with legislative and professional requirements. Apply discipline knowledge (Paediatric Audiology) acquired through experience and tertiary education to provide a comprehensive professional service including assessment, problem definition, planning, liaison, execution, analysis, interpretation and reporting of findings and evaluation of the process and outcome. Develop, select and adapt methods best suited to each individual client and accept personal professional responsibility for completeness and adequacy of service provided. Undertake projects and /or intervention process of a complex nature with limited professional supervision. PERFORMANCE DEVELOPMENT Required to participate in the organisation s Performance Development program which will include a regular review of employee s performance against the responsibilities, performance outcome measures associated with their position and demonstration of appropriate behaviours which reflect a commitment to CYWHS values and strategic directions. MAJOR RESPONSIBILITY 1 Paediatric Audiology Services RESPONSIBILITIES PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES MEASURES 1.1 Assessment of babies referred to the UNHS program 1.2 Participate in a statewide clinical service for infants, children and young people. 1.3 Contribute to the continuous improvement of services offered by Newborn and Childhood Hearing Services 1.4 Monitor equipment for assessment of hearing Ensuring that all infants identified through the UNHS program receive appropriate audiological assessment and management by 8 weeks of age Providing a sensitive and supportive service that is accessible and responsive to the needs of all families Providing an accurate audiological assessment of all infants, children and young people referred to the Hearing Assessment Service Providing a service to assist in the identification of abnormal ear health or hearing, Discussion of findings with parents, carers and young people in a sensitive and appropriate manner Provision of appropriate written reports. Working with colleagues and peers within CYWHS and the referring community to achieve improved health outcomes for infants, children and young people Conduct regular routine checks of audiology equipment. Liaise with Administrative Officers to ensure regular audit of equipment, instruments and stock control of appropriate materials Monthly report of the unit to verify that Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are being achieved Parent/caregiver satisfaction Monthly report of the unit to verify that Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are being achieved Appropriateness of management and intervention Parent/caregiver satisfaction Compliance with protocols Satisfied referrers Satisfied colleagues Functioning equipment, clean instruments and other appropriate materials are available for assessments
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITY 2 Team Responsibilities RESPONSIBILITIES PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES MEASURES 2.1 Support and actively participate in a positive culture and safe work environment Contribute to a team environment, which promotes a positive approach, learning and development, safety and welfare of employees, acknowledges differences, and encourages creativity and innovation. Role models a positive approach and commitment to customer service. Voices views and concerns in a constructive manner. Behaviour and attitude in carrying out day to day duties and interaction with clients and other team members. Appropriate participation at team meetings. Participation in quality improvement and training and development activities. 2.2 Team Leadership Participate and contribute to clinical management with a focus on team leadership Provides team leadership to senior and junior clinical staff Clinical structures are researched, developed, approved by management and implemented, providing ongoing support to colleagues and peers 2.3 Appropriate management of client records and database systems Liaison with Administrative Officers to facilitate records management system review Knowledge of data set management Client records and databases are maintained to the standard required by CYWHS. Accurate recording of assessment and outcomes data for local and national records management MAJOR RESPONSIBILITY 3 Education, Teaching and Research RESPONSIBILITIES PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES MEASURES 3.1 Participate in the teaching role of the UNHS and Hearing Assessment Programs Provision of practical guidance to students of Audiology and Child & Family Health Nurses in the application of newborn hearing screening techniques and basic audiometric techniques suitable for infants, children and young people in clinical and community settings as appropriate Student and Community Nurse surveys MAJOR RESPONSIBILITY 4 Continuous Improvement RESPONSIBILITIES PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES MEASURES 4.1 Participate in research, development and continuous improvement of service delivery within the UNHS and Hearing Assessment programs Ongoing development, implementation and review of relevant policies, protocols and procedures Review current criteria in place for assessing children referred to the hearing assessment service because of speech, language and learning delay Undertake annual literature review of national and international best practice and development in the field of newborn hearing screening and paediatric audiology delivery of quality service using evidence based best practice consistently achieved A reduction in waiting lists for the hearing assessment service Program KPIs and aims are measurable against international research, development and evidence based outcomes
SPECIAL CONDITIONS Some out of hours work will be required. Appointment will be subject to a satisfactory Criminal History Check. Intrastate travel will be required. Interstate travel may be required. Current Class A driver s license May be relocated to meet organisational need.
PERSON SPECIFICATION - Qualifications, Experience, Skills and Knowledge required to fulfil the requirements of this position ESSENTIAL MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS (Those characteristics considered absolutely necessary) Qualifications: A Graduate or Post Graduate qualification or its equivalent and eligible for Membership of the Audiological Society of Australia. Skills: Demonstrated ability: To maintain confidentiality To utilise counselling skills where appropriate To sensitively relate to and communicate with parents and families of a wide range of cultural and social backgrounds, to children, colleagues and other members of the community In written communication In general computing and keyboard skills and data base management Experience: Experience in undertaking research and project development Experience in health promotion Knowledge: Knowledge of infant hearing responses in behavioural hearing assessment Knowledge of the theory and practice of auditory brainstem response testing Knowledge of the theory and practice of otoacoustic emission measurement An understanding of normal child development and behaviour An understanding of the duty of care owed to clients in a clinical setting Knowledge of the principles and practice of OHSW, Equal Opportunity, the Public Sector Management Act employee conduct standards and diversity appropriate to the requirements of the position
DESIRABLE CHARACTERISTICS (To distinguish between applicants who have met all essential requirements) Qualifications: Certificate of Clinical Practice as recognised by the Audiological Society of Australia Skills: Intermediate word processing and spreadsheet software package skills Demonstrated ability in time management Ability to adapt and re-prioritise according to program needs Experience: Experience in working with children of all ages and families Experience in the application of standard paediatric behavioural audiometric procedures, including pure-tone air-conduction and bone-conduction techniques, play audiometry, sound-field techniques and tympanometry Experience in auditory brainstem response measurement, particularly in infants Experience in working in a multidisciplinary setting Knowledge: Knowledge of infant hearing responses in diagnostic audiology Knowledge of the impact of permanent childhood hearing impairment on the development of language and communication and the importance of early detection and intervention Knowledge of Children, Youth and Women s health Service its role and function Knowledge of the Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening Program its role and function Approved By Delegate Trish Strachan (Signature) (Date) I have read and understand the responsibilities, performance outcomes and performance measures described within this document: Acknowledged by (Print Name) (Signature) (Date) Position Incumbent Note: The Job Specification is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, but is intended to reflect the major responsibilities associated with the position. As the strategic directions of the organisation and division/department change, this Job Specification may change and develop. However, areas of responsibility will remain within the identified classification.
Children, Youth and Women s Health Service ADVICE TO PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATES Thank you for the interest you have shown in working in the Children, Youth and Women s Health Service (CYWHS). These guidelines have been developed to assist you in understanding what we require from candidates we have tried to simplify the process making it easier to apply to work in our organisation. Applying for a job: Candidates are requested to submit an application that includes: 1. A covering letter, no more than two pages in length, detailing the title and reference number for the position you are applying for (if the position has been advertised) and how you found out about the position (ie advertised in the press, on the website, word of mouth) a summary of your qualifications, experience, skills and knowledge, relevant to the role (please consider the selection criteria set out in the Person specification when preparing your covering letter) 2. A Resume/Curriculum Vitae, detailing Personal and contact details Qualifications, education, training, professional registration/associations Employment History Contact details for 3 relevant referees (please include a current or recent line Manager if possible) **Please note it is not necessary to address each requirement detailed in the person specification. All appointments to the Children Youth and Women s Health Service are subject to: A satisfactory police check A Pre-employment Health Assessment Relevant registration, qualification and visa requirements to work in the position Any other specific requirements for the role will be detailed on the Job and Person Specification. How to lodge an Application: Applications should be marked confidential and must be submitted by the closing date to the person and the location stated in the advertisement in one of the following ways: 1. By Post or in person: To the nominated Applications to person listed in the advertisement. Please provide an original application and 3 copies, or as indicated on the SA Health web site http://www.health.sa.gov.au/careers 2. Via email: To the nominated Applications to person listed in the advertisement. Please note applications exceeding 10 pages in length should not be emailed and should be forwarded in hard copy. Applications received by email will be acknowledged by email. The Children, Youth and Women s Health Service is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, has a Smoke Free Workplace Policy and supports and encourages diversity in the workplace. Further information about CYWHS is available on the web site http://www.cywhs.sa.gov.au Thank you once again for your interest in working for CYWHS we look forward to receiving your application.