POSITION DESCRIPTION POSITION TITLE Health Independence Program Speech Pathologist Speech Pathologist Grade 2 REPORTS TO: Manager Health Independence Programs & Health and Rehabilitation Centre Professionally - Speech Pathology Manager AWARD/AGREEMENT/CONTRACT Health Services Union Health Professionals Austin Health Workplace Determination 2009 POSITION TYPE e.g. Registered Nurse Div 1, Occupational Therapist Gr1, etc. HOURS PER WEEK Speech Pathologist Grade 2 Part Time Permanent 19 hours pw 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 northeastern corridor in a safety-focussed, team-orientated and stimulating work environment. 2. 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: Page 1 of 5
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 effective stakeholder management and 3. LOCAL WORK ENVIRONMENT The Health and Rehabilitation Centre is a state of the art, purpose built rehabilitation and specialist facility which houses the Health Independence Programs (HIP). These programs encompass many of the services that deliver health care to support the transition from hospital to home and can also prevent the need for a hospital presentation or stay, with many people accessing these services directly from the community. Health Independence Programs include: Home based rehabilitation (RITH) Centre based rehabilitation (Outpatients) Post Acute Care (PAC) HARP Rapid Response services HARP Outreach services including chronic disease programs HARP Assessment and Care Services including Diabetes, psychology and medication support Specialist clinics such as Continence, Memory, and Falls and Balance The Health Independence programs offer a client centred and integrated service delivery, primarily located at the Health and Rehabilitation Centre - Repatriation Campus. Whilst some components of the HIP programs are located across the Austin, Repatriation and Talbot campuses, the HIP base is the Health and Rehabilitation Centre, Repatriation Campus. Staff may work across all three campuses and provide specialist knowledge and skills to clients. 4. POSITION OBJECTIVE The Speech Pathologist will be part of an interdisciplinary team of allied health professionals, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and social work, providing therapy to clients receiving home based, centre based and post acute care services. The work required will involve assessment and treatment of clients to optimise or maintain functional capacity either at home, at the centre or in the community. The HIP Speech Pathologist will be required to: Perform the duties of this position efficiently to the standards of the Ambulatory and Continuing Care directorate, including participating in the Austin Health performance appraisal program. Page 2 of 5
To work as an effective member of the Health Independence Programs integrated service team and contribute to the provision of a high quality, accessible, flexible and client centred service provision. To provide the right care, in the right place at the right time. 5. POSITION REQUIREMENTS Position specific Clinical Duties Department Duties Quality Improvement: Safety and Infection: To assess and manage speech, language, voice, hearing, cognitive and swallowing disorders of allocated clients. To participate in relevant team and family meetings. To advise family members and staff regarding clients communication and/or swallowing disorders, their management and prognosis. To make appropriate referrals and recommendations for further treatment or community support. To maintain required clinical records. To make appropriate referrals and recommendations for further therapy or community options. To participate in departmental staff meetings. To participate in the Supervision and Performance Review programme. To contribute to Staff Development programmes. To participate in department team and centre activities as appropriate (eg. working parties, public relations events, etc.). To attend other professional development activities as appropriate. In conjunction with other staff, to identify areas where Quality Improvement activities could be run where relevant. To participate in Quality Improvement projects being run in the department, unit or Centre. To follow clinical and Austin Health safety procedures. To practise Infection Control procedures at all times. Administration and Management: To collect and report accurate daily statistics of patient related and administrative activities. To perform all necessary administrative tasks related to clinical management. Teaching, Education and Research: To provide in-service training to nursing, medical, allied health staff and students as required. To supervise undergraduate/post graduate speech pathology students, as negotiated with Ambulatory Services Manager and Speech Pathology Manager. Page 3 of 5
Generic: Abide by Austin Health corporate policies and practices as varied from time to time. 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. Actively participate in the ongoing identification, assessment, treatment and prevention of risks. Participate in the emergency incident response activities, as defined within the Emergency Response Manual, as and when required, at the direction of management. 6. KEY SELECTION CRITERIA Essential A commitment to Austin Health values: Integrity, Accountability, Respect and Excellence. A recognised degree in Speech Pathology and eligibility for membership of the Speech Pathology Association of Australia. Commitment to client focused care. Able to function effectively as a team member. Experience in adult Neurological Rehabilitation. Good oral and written communication skills. Able to demonstrate independence and flexibility in clinical management. Strong organisational and time management skills. Competence in dysphagia management. Ability to participate in and respond creatively to change. Experience in provision of student supervision. Current driver s licence. Desirable but not essential for Performance of the Position Experience working in a community setting. Case management skills eg experience coordinating a client s care plan throughout their therapy program. A sound understanding of information technology Experience and proficiency in computer skills. 7. 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. 8. DOCUMENT REVIEW DETAILS Date Position First Documented (if known): / / Date of this Position Description Review: 26/05/2011 Page 4 of 5
Signature of Manager: Date: / / Signature of Employee: Date: / / Austin Health is a Bully Free and Smoke Free Employer Austin Health is committed to providing employees with a healthy, smoke free work environment where bullying and harassment does not occur. Consistent with this and Austin Health s corporate values of integrity, accountability, respect and excellence, Austin Health will not tolerate employees: Behaving in a bullying or harassing manner in the workplace; or Smoking on Austin Health premises or in Austin Health vehicles. Page 5 of 5