POSITION DESCRIPTION POSITION TITLE REPORTS TO AWARD/AGREEMENT/CONTRACT POSITION TYPE e.g. Registered Nurse Div 1, Occupational Therapist Gr1, etc. HOURS PER WEEK Occupational Therapist Aged Care Case Management Programs (Northern Region EACH, Austin Health EACH Dementia, Austin Health CACP) Business: Community Programs Manager via Coordinator Case Management Programs Professional: Director of Occupational Therapy Health Professional Services Occupational Therapist Grade 2 8 hours 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 statewide 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. 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 (Role of the department including any special features of the workplace and relationships) The position is located in the Aged Care Department of the Sub Acute CSU at the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital Our inpatient services consist of two 28-bed Rehabilitation/Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM) wards, Wards 11 & 12, and Ward 9,a 31-bed Aged Care Unit incorporating an 8 bed Cognitive Assessment and Management Program. Aged Care Services also operate a 60-bed high level residential care facility - Darley House. Referrals to Wards 11 & 12 are primarily from the acute wards on the Austin campus but may also come from the Emergency Department, community or other health care facilities. The community services include the Heidelberg Aged Care Assessment Service (ACAS), HARP Community Link Rapid Response Service, Northern Region EACH, Austin Health EACH Dementia, Austin Health CACP and Austin Health Transition Care Program. The ambulatory Services include the Heidelberg Community Rehabilitation Centre (CRC), Planned Activity group (PAG), HACC funded Allied Health Service (LEAP) Continence Service, Falls & Balance Service, Cognitive, Dementia and Memory Service (CDAMS) and Wound Clinic. The Aged Care ACCESS & Information service provides a single point of entry for the coordination of referrals to the following Austin Health services Aged Care Assessment Service, Community Link Rapid Response Service, Cognitive Dementia & Memory Service, Continence Service, Community Rehabilitation Centre and Falls and Balance Service. Aged Care Services has a strong focus on continuous quality improvement and is actively involved in research with many projects being managed by our Medical and Cognitive Research Unit. An Aged Care medical inpatient consultancy service is also located on the Austin campus. All wards are supported by an Aged Care educator who offers high quality in-service education tailored specifically to the needs of the wards. A well-established Volunteer program operates in the Wards, Darley House and Ambulatory Services. The Aged Care Case Management Programs are all Australian Government Funded Programs The Northern Region EACH Program (20 places) and Austin Health EACH Dementia Program (20 places) support people assessed as requiring high level of residential care to remain at home with case management and brokered support. The Programs service the whole of the Northern Region. Austin Health is the approved provider for the EACH programs, however the packages are offered through a partnership between Austin Health and Melbourne Health. Austin Health EACH Dementia program will, in addition offer the expertise of a multidisciplinary team and established systems to assist people in the community with a diagnosis of dementia or cognitive impairment.
The Austin Health CACP Program (30 places) supports people assessed as requiring low level residential care to remain at home with case management and brokered supports. The program services Banyule, Darebin, Nillumbik, and Whittlesea Local Government Areas. The Occupational Therapy position supports the Austin Health staff and clients 3. POSITION OBJECTIVE (Primary purpose and key performance objective) To complete detailed and individual assessment for clients of the Aged Care Case Management Progams requiring Occupational Therapy support To adopt processes and therapy plans that focus on clients abilities, lifestyles and interests To provide practical support and strategies to client/or carer to optimise safety and independence with Activities of Daily Living. Ensure that clinical practise meets the standards required under the Aged Care Act and Commonwealth Guidelines. Perform the duties of this position efficiently to the standards of the department, including participating in the Austin Health performance appraisal and quality improvement programs. 4. POSITION REQUIREMENTS (Main duties and other specific requirements, activity and end result/outcome, regularly performed) Position specific Appropriately assess and treat clients in the community setting Recommend and organize equipment/home modifications as appropriate Document patient management appropriately Act as a resource person for clients, carers and team members Liaise as appropriate with patient's family, care givers and/or relevant others to promote client care Liaise with and refer to other personnel and/or institutions as appropriate Participate in relevant Occupational Therapy Department meetings Participate in relevant Aged Care meetings as appropriate. Monitor budget ensuring that care is deliverable within budget guidelines Contribute to the development and review of clinical procedures and protocols Meet with Program Coordinator, and other team members regularly for Case Conference Keep ongoing records for Key Performance Indicators and statistics as indicated by Program Manager Keep up to date documentation using The Care Manager program Generic 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 (Key skills, qualifications, knowledge and behavioural attributes, together with physical requirements, necessary for performance of the role) Essential for Performance of the Position Extensive experience in aged care Advanced assessment and care planning skills Demonstrated understanding of the significant factors that impact on older people with significant care needs Outstanding communication skills Ability to work independently within a multi-disciplinary team Commitment to quality, best practice and environmental safety Eligible for membership of O.T Australia and the Acc. O.T. programme. Hold a current Victorian Drivers Licence A commitment to Austin Health values: Integrity, Accountability, Respect and Excellence. Desirable but not essential for Performance of the Position Previous Community Care experience would be highly regarded Post graduate qualifications in gerontology Sound computer skills Ability to converse in another language Key Competencies Ability to communicate effectively in both written and verbal forms Ability to problem solve and prioritise Demonstrated negotiation skills Ability to work independently as well as within a multi disciplinary team Advanced understanding of the factors that impact on older people with significant care needs living in the community Proven ability in assessment and therapy delivery 6. OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION (Other information to be made known to persons interested in appointment to this position) 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. Whilst smoking is still allowed in designated outdoor areas at Austin Hospital, this site will become totally smoke free on 1 July 2009.