POSITION DESCRIPTION POSITION TITLE REPORTS TO AWARD/AGREEMENT/CONTRACT POSITION TYPE e.g. Registered Nurse Div 1, Occupational Therapist Gr1, etc. HOURS PER WEEK Psychosocial Care Coordinator Spinal Community Integration Team (SCIT) Program Manager Spinal Community Integration Team (SCIT) As agreed Relevant Award and subject to skills and experience Part-time, hours negotiable Fixed term contract for period of program pilot Finish date end June 2011 1. ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT Austin Health is one of Victoria s largest health care providers. Comprised of Austin Hospital, Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital and Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre, Austin Health is a major teaching and research centre with numerous university and research institute affiliations. Catering to diverse multicultural and veteran communities, Austin Health delivers vital state-wide services to Victorians and a vast array of specialty services to the people of Melbourne s north-eastern corridor in a safety-focussed, team-orientated and stimulating work environment. The new 400 bed Austin Hospital Tower opened mid 2005 and further redevelopment is underway. The Spinal Community Integration Team (SCIT) is a Victorian Spinal Cord Injury Program (VSCIP) initiative. The VSCIP is a joint TAC/DHS initiative which aims to improve services and outcomes for spinal cord injured clients in Victoria. SCIT will initially run as a two year pilot commencing 1 October 2009, with ongoing funding dependent on outcomes.
Austin Health Values The Austin Health values play a critical role in shaping how we operate as an organisation. They influence our performance planning, recruitment, training and development, and relationships with colleagues, work mates, our patients and their relatives and friends. The Austin Health values set standard that we expect all staff to live up to in the way they undertake their duties and responsibilities across the Hospital. Our Values: Integrity We work in the spirit of collaboration and honesty to build effective working relationships across the whole organisation. Accountability We are transparent, responsible and build trust by fulfilling promises and communicating effectively. Respect We care about others and treat each other with consideration, equality and fairness. Excellence We continually strive to advance patient focused care through innovation, research and effective stakeholder management. 2. LOCAL WORK ENVIRONMENT The Victorian Spinal Cord Service (VSCS) is a specialised state-wide service that provides lifelong care to people who sustain a traumatic spinal cord injury in Victoria, Tasmania and southern New South Wales. Inpatient services are provided at the Austin and Royal Talbot campuses of Austin Health. The VSCS also provides community and outpatient programs. The Spinal Community Integration Team (SCIT) will be based at the Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre and sit within the VSCS to provide community-based intervention to spinal cord injured clients from both Austin and Alfred Health. Community based intervention may include working with the client in their own home,
with a community service provider, in their local community, at their workplace or in a recreation facility. SCIT will provide services state-wide. As a pilot project, clients eligible for participation will be referred by the local consultant. A small proportion of the caseload will be referrals from the Caulfield Unit, Alfred Health. 3. TEAM OBJECTIVE SCIT s aim is to improve community integration and quality of life outcomes for Victorians with a spinal cord injury (SCI). The team will work with clients: - to enable optimal independence and self-management in the community setting - to minimise barriers to community integration including work and other life roles - within a goal directed approach supporting an efficient and effective transition from sub-acute (rehabilitation) to the community setting - within the local community to optimise opportunities for community participation - to support adjustment to SCI through an individualised approach - to promote healthy lifestyle and maximise health outcomes SCIT will aim to achieve the above objectives through: - provision of specialised, interdisciplinary intervention for up to one year post discharge from sub-acute - consultation, information and education to build capacity within existing community services (eg Sub-acute Ambulatory Care Services [SACS], private providers, care agencies, RDNS etc) - provision of flexible, innovative services based on the individual needs of the client - working within the principles of social inclusion and community participation 4. POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Position specific Work as part of an interdisciplinary team and in collaboration with inpatient and ambulatory teams and community agencies to provide psychosocial related intervention through four stages: Early psychosocial/behavioural modification related intervention to establish a baseline of learning requirements and to tailor educational sessions accordingly, instil an early sense of hope and possibility (developing a culture of can do ), assist to maintain important life roles and identities, and enhance positive psychological outcomes. Undertake necessary assessment and planning with client and team to identify relevant community integration goals. Undertake referral and support to community service providers as appropriate. Provide community based psychosocial/behavioural modification related intervention in conjunction with team that supports the objectives of SCIT. Provide consultation and education to community based service providers that builds capacity, remains goal oriented and works towards optimal community integration. Undertake intensive case management of a small client caseload who are difficult to engage in office-based services. Complete mental health assessment and risk assessment of clients as required and plan and implement treatment interventions including, individual counselling/therapy, family work, and systems containment for the client/carers/system. Provide consultation, (primary, secondary and tertiary) liaison and mental health education to SCIT, key agencies and community groups as required. Contribute to a team environment that is conducive to good practice including group supervision as required. Close liaison with internal and external care providers to act as discharge planning and community integration resource specifically around psychosocial needs. Undertake the role of Case Manager/Care Coordinator for clients discharged onto the SCIT program, sourcing, brokering and reviewing client service provision as required
Comply with Austin Health and DHS requirements for data collection, KPI reporting, patient documentation and record keeping. Actively participate in and contribute to Continuous Quality Improvement Programs Participate in regular clinical supervision and professional development. Administration / Training and Development Actively participate in all pilot project related training and development Actively engage in understanding and development of SCIT philosophy around social inclusion and community participation Actively participate in pilot evaluation Undertake other professional development opportunities as appropriate Generic Austin Health Abide by Austin Health corporate policies and practices as varied from time to time Participate in Austin Health performance appraisal program as required Undertake not to reveal to any person or entity any confidential information relating to patients and employees, policies, processes and dealings and not to make public statements relating to the affairs of Austin Health without prior authority of the Chief Executive Officer Participate in the emergency incident response activities, as defined within the Emergency Response Manual, as and when required, at the direction of management 5. KEY SELECTION CRITERIA Essential for Performance of the Position Educational Qualifications and Training: Tertiary qualification in relevant health or disability related discipline with eligibility for membership of relevant professional association.
Evidence of a current driver s licence and willingness to drive for work related activities Relevant post graduate qualifications Experience: Skills: Working knowledge of insured and uninsured funding systems Clinical experience in outreach work Experience in spinal cord injury, neuroscience, rehabilitation or community intervention Demonstrated experience in and strong working knowledge of hospital processes, discharge planning principals and processes and psychosocial care plan development Demonstrated understanding of current health service imperatives and knowledge of community resources Demonstrated commitment to enhancing clients health outcomes Comprehensive knowledge of health, disability and adjustment issues for clients with a spinal cord injury Strong working knowledge of the following: Acute/Sub Acute Health care, Aged Care or Disability support sectors Demonstrated organisational ability in time and caseload management Demonstrated ability to work flexibly and collaboratively with staff from other disciplines as part of a client focussed interdisciplinary rehabilitation team working in the community A commitment to professional development At least 5 to 7 years post-graduate experience in a relevant area A commitment to Austin Health values: Integrity, Accountability, Respect and Excellence Demonstrated understanding of SCIT objectives (above) Highly developed skills in holistic patient assessment and community reintegration
Advanced skills in working autonomously and as part of an interdisciplinary team Advanced communication and interpersonal skills Advanced ability to work innovatively, creatively and in a flexible manner to best support a goal oriented approach Commitment to evidence based practice and quality improvement and evaluation of clinical practice Ability to problem solve and negotiate effectively Relevant computer skills Skills in providing education and secondary consultation to generic workers and families 6. OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION Pre-Existing Injury Prior to any person being appointed to this position it will be required that they disclose full details of any pre-existing injuries or disease that might be affected by employment in this position. 7. DOCUMENT REVIEW DETAILS Date Position First Documented (if known): / / Date of this Position Description Review: / / Signature of Manager: Date: / / Signature of Employee: Date: / / Austin Health promotes a healthy work environment and is progressively moving toward achievement of an entirely smoke free environment. Smoking is no longer allowed in any Austin Health building or vehicle or on the grounds of Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital and Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre.