MERCY PUBLIC HOSPITALS INC
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Core Mercy Values:
Compassion, Hospitality, Respect, Innovation, Stewardship, Teamwork
Position title:
Continence Physiotherapist
Grade 2
Employee name:
Entity/Group:
Mercy Health
Werribee Mercy Hospital
Health Independence
Program (HIP)
Date:
Business Unit/Department:
Position reports to:
Positions reporting to this
one:
Operationally:
Manager, HIP
Professionally:
Manager, Physiotherapy
Mercy Public Hospitals Inc: Senior Manager/Clinician Template
Continence Physiotherapist
Position Purpose:
The Physiotherapist Grade 2 Continence provides clinical expertise in Continence assessment and
management to patients at Werribee Mercy Hospital sub-acute Health Independence Program
(HIP) specialist clinics, ensuring provision of safe, high quality physiotherapy services. This
includes assessment and management of patients including: pelvic floor assessment and
rehabilitation; urinary and faecal incontinence &/or dysfunction; vaginal prolapse; ano-rectal
dysfunction; use of appropriate equipment for bladder and pelvic floor dysfunction
assessment/management and adjunctive therapy.
This position encompasses a clinical caseload predominantly in the area of continence and pelvic
floor dysfunction. This position is an integral part of the multi-disciplinary team; clinically leading the
provision of highly responsive client-centred care to the Continence Specialist Clinic whilst
upholding a high level of professionalism and practising within the core values of Mercy Health.
They will act as a role model by encouraging a best practice philosophy amongst staff and will be
expected to demonstrate a higher level of clinical skill than is expected of Grade 1 Physiotherapists.
The role involves close liaison with Continence CNC and other members of the team. As required, it
provides clinical supervision lower grade Physiotherapists, Allied Health Assistants and
undergraduate physiotherapy students.
Qualifications:
Essential: Recognised Degree or equivalent in Physiotherapy
 Current national Physiotherapy Registration with Australian Health Professions Regulation
Agency
 Current Victorian Driver’s License, Current Police Check and Working with Children Check
 Minimum of 3 - 4 years clinical physiotherapy experience and a high level of clinical expertise
and theoretical knowledge in assessment and management of bladder and bowel symptoms,
incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction
 Strong clinical leadership skills including excellent interpersonal and communication skills in
facilitating effective team functioning, conflict identification and constructive resolution
 Experience in Student Supervision
 Excellent organisational and time management skills, Demonstrated capacity to work effectively
within a multidisciplinary team framework, Computer literacy
Desirable: Post-graduate qualifications in relevant clinical area
 Current membership with the Australian Physiotherapy Association, Continence Foundation of
Australia, Physiotherapy Continence group and other relevant special interest groups
Mercy Public Hospitals Inc: Senior Manager/Clinician Template
Continence Physiotherapist
Resource management:
Total staff management (FTE):
Annual Operating Expenditure:
Annual Capital Expenditure:
Not Applicable
Mandatory Organisational Competencies
Personal Competencies
 Orientation (on commencement)
 Commitment to the Mercy values.
Job Competencies
 Comply with the requirements of the annual
organisational mandatory and role related
competencies policy and procedure.
 Current Physiotherapy Registration with
AHPRA
 Demonstrated high level of skills in clinical
decision making, problem identification
analysis and interpretation of clinical data
particularly in sub-acute settings and
Continence management
 Diversity & Equity (annual)
 Demonstrated ability to build
relationships with people at all levels.
 Emergency Procedures (annual)
 Ability to manage and work as part of
a team.
 Excellent communication and interpersonal
skills including both written, verbal and an
ability to conduct groups
 Demonstrated ability to effectively liaise with
the multi-disciplinary team and provide
optimal patient care
 Computer literacy
 Work Health & Safety (annual)
 Capacity for constructive selfreflection and learning from actions
and feedback.
 Infection Control (annual)
 Highly developed leadership skills.
 Sound working knowledge of current
evidence based practices and a
commitment to continuing professional
development and research
 Excellent organisational and time
management skills
 Understanding of, and commitment to client
centred care
Generic Requirements
Mercy Public Hospitals Inc: Senior Manager/Clinician Template
Continence Physiotherapist
 Act professionally and in accordance with the Mercy Health Code of Conduct
 Maintain clinical registration (where applicable)
 Participate in annual performance development review (PDR) process
Key Result Areas
 Demonstrates and upholds
the Values and Mission of
Mercy Health.
Key Activities
 Ensure the values of Mercy Health are
incorporated into daily work practices for all
staff.
Standard Measures
 Shows compassion and provides support to
staff and customers.
 Consistently shows respect and values each
person’s dignity.
 Seeks opportunities to be innovative for
improvement.
 Communicates openly and honestly as an
effective member of the leadership team.
 Demonstrates leadership in
the area of safety, quality &
risk and contributes to
organisational quality and
safety initiatives
 Maintain a safe environment for
patients/self/colleagues and members of the
public.
 Escalate concerns regarding safety, quality
& risk if unable to rectify yourself.
 Lead, develop, implement and participate in
evaluation and continuous improvement and
clinical indicator processes.
 Demonstrate and champion the principles of
Person Centred Care:
o Respect & Dignity
 Risk assessments completed and controls
implemented.
 Incident/s reported as soon as practicable.
 Undertake incident investigations.
 Injured employees are managed within
Guidelines.
 Orientation records.
 Training records.
 Accreditation outcomes.
 Patient satisfaction and experience survey
results.
 Develop and action annual quality plan and
business plan.
 Leadership Quality & Safety
Demonstrates leadership in the
area of safety, quality & risk
o
Information Sharing
o
Participation
o
Collaboration
 Risk assessments completed and controls
implemented.
 Incident/s reported as soon as practicable.
Mercy Public Hospitals Inc: Senior Manager/Clinician Template
 Maintain a safe environment for
patients/self/colleagues and members of the
public.
 Escalate concerns regarding safety, quality &
Continence Physiotherapist
Key Result Areas
and contributes to
organisational quality and
safety initiatives
 Leadership And Management
Promotes sound clinical
leadership strategies to ensure
excellence of patient care
within a harmonious
environment
Key Activities
 Undertake incident investigations.
 Injured employees are managed within
Guidelines.
 Orientation records.
 Training records.
 Accreditation outcomes.
 Patient satisfaction and experience survey
results.
 Develop and action annual quality plan and
business plan.
Standard Measures
risk if unable to rectify yourself.
 Lead, develop, implement and participate in
evaluation and continuous improvement and
clinical indicator processes.
 Demonstrate and champion the principles of
Person Centred Care:
 Respect & Dignity
 Information Sharing
 Participation
 Collaboration
 Provides support to the HIP Physiotherapy
Senior Clinicians in reviewing and monitoring
resources
 Displays good knowledge and understanding
of Sub-acute care and in the particular area
of Continence.
 Promotes cohesive teamwork that
encourages an environment in which staff
feel valued
 Supports and monitors performance of junior
staff and AHAs to ensure effective and
timely physiotherapy service
 Manages grievance and complaint resolution
constructively and in accordance with Mercy
policies
 Encourages sensible use of consumables,
aware of budgetary constraints
 Maintains a portfolio within the
physiotherapy department as delegated by
the Physiotherapy Manager
 Completes statistical input in an accurate
and timely manner
 In collaboration with the discipline manager
 Consistently demonstrates sound clinical
leadership competence within designated
responsibilities and in supporting grade 1 and
AHAs
 Evidence of effective teamwork and cooperation
 Evidence of participation in designated staff
performance development review
 Evidence of grievance and complaint
resolution or referral in line with Mercy
Health’s procedures
 Works as and identifies with the Allied Health
Team
Mercy Public Hospitals Inc: Senior Manager/Clinician Template
Continence Physiotherapist
Key Result Areas
 Clinical Care
Provide expert and leading
clinical care to the allocated
caseload
Key Activities
is involved in performance management and
participates in recruitment and selection
processes for new staff as required.
Standard Measures
 Ensures all patients have access to quality,
efficient and effective physiotherapy based
on current best practice.
 Exercises leadership in area of clinical
expertise and teaches others about the area
 Provides assessment and management of
patients in their area of expertise including:
o Pelvic floor assessment and
rehabilitation
o Urinary and faecal incontinence
&/or dysfunction
o Vaginal prolapse
o Ano-rectal dysfunction
o Uses appropriate equipment for
adjunctive therapy and equipment
for bladder and pelvic floor
dysfunction assessment
/management
 Provides secondary consultations when
specialist physiotherapy opinion in area of
expertise is required
 Uses reflective practice and draws on
contemporary evidence base for practice
 Works collaboratively with clients, carers and
members of the multidisciplinary team to
develop an achievable plan of care which
reflects the requirements of the client and
therapy goals which are client focused.
 Provides patients with appropriate
equipment to facilitate safety
 Demonstrates appropriate prioritisation and
 Quality Physiotherapy is provided within the
policies and procedures of Werribee Mercy
Hospital and Physiotherapy APA guidelines
 Demonstrated integration of evidence within
clinical practice
 70 - 80% of time will be spent in client
attributable activity as evidenced by workload
statistics
 The patient’s medical record demonstrates
documentation of appropriate levels of
evidence based assessment, treatment,
planning and consultation with family, the
multidisciplinary team and relevant others.
 Evidence of consumer involvement in clinical
care and planning
 Evidence of consumer involvement in clinical
care; attendance and participation in relevant
meetings; participation in appropriate clinical
supervision program for self. ,
Mercy Public Hospitals Inc: Senior Manager/Clinician Template
Continence Physiotherapist
Key Result Areas
 Customer Focus
Ensure all services and
practices are delivered with
strong focus in individual client
needs
 Communication
Ensure effective lines of
communication are maintained
to ensure optimal service and
patient care.
Key Activities
management of caseload reflective of a high
level of experience and expertise
 Displays strong understanding of the
acute/subacute/primary care interface
 Patient care is planned in conjunction with
multidisciplinary team and clearly
documented
 Recognises own level of competence and
seeks advice/networks when necessary
 Models best practice and excellence in
customer service
 Provides appropriate patient education
Standard Measures
 Involves patients, family and/significant
others in the planning and implementation of
care
 Delivers a service that is customer focussed
and sensitive to diverse needs
 Demonstrates an ability to liaise with all
services when acting as a patient advocate
 Able to constructively manage and diffuse
potentially difficult situations with patients
and their families
 Care is planned with consideration to
individual needs and delivers client centred
care
 Patient feedback used to inform
improvements
 Communication provides an accurate and
objective account of the patient’s episode of
care and requirements and uses tools e.g.
ISBAR appropriately
 Manages communication in a timely using
most appropriate electronic or other tools
 Liaises with other members of the
multidisciplinary team, support and external
services to provide optimal patient care
 Ensures that follow-up
documentation/referrals are completed in a
 Effective and appropriate patterns of
communication are facilitated and maintained
with clients, carers, junior physiotherapists
and within all teams
 Attendance at and participation in relevant
departmental and team meetings
 Demonstrates leadership in representing
department at relevant meetings and in
providing clinical communication
 Documentation meets all ethical and legal
Mercy Public Hospitals Inc: Senior Manager/Clinician Template
Continence Physiotherapist
Key Result Areas
Key Activities
timely manner
 Displays a willingness and ability to make
referrals to SWEP and external agencies as
required
 Demonstrates ability to communicate
effectively with patients, families and
colleagues
 Participates in weekly case conference
meetings
 Is responsible for being proficient in the use
of electronic technology required for patient
care
 Complies with privacy and confidentiality
obligations
 Demonstrates accurate collection of
reporting data through effective use of data
collection tools
 Ensures all workload statistics are provided
weekly, to enable timely completion of end of
month reports
 Team Work
Be pro-active in promoting
team development and
cohesiveness within the
department
 Contributes to staff unit meetings and
hospital forums
 Keeps updated with department and hospital
issues as relevant
 Displays flexibility
 Demonstrates the ability to manage time
effectively
 Works collaboratively with members of the
multidisciplinary team to ensure a coordinated approach to service delivery.
 Works together as part of the allied health
and physiotherapy team to provide support
to others
 Acts as Key Liaison Person when required.
Mercy Public Hospitals Inc: Senior Manager/Clinician Template
Standard Measures
requirements
 Confidentiality of both written and electronic
patient information is maintained
 Timely completion and submission of statistics
and participation in documentation and data
audits
 Identifies and works towards development of
an allied health team approach to care
delivery
 Leads a strong team approach
 Develops and fosters a clinical workplace
interest
 Awareness of and comply with discrimination,
harassment and bullying policies and
procedures
Continence Physiotherapist
Key Result Areas
 Education
Provides clinical supervision to
Grade 1 Physiotherapists,
AHAs and undergraduate
physiotherapy students
 Quality
Maintains a high standard of
care by promoting quality
improvement programs
Key Activities
 Assists the development, implementation
and evaluation of the Physiotherapy
inservice program in relation to Continence
management education for physiotherapists
 Provides clinical and professional mentoring
for Grade 1
 Provides clinical supervision for
undergraduate physiotherapists
 Contributes to the education program for all
hospital areas as appropriate
 Incorporates customer education in service
delivery
 Participates in health education programs
 Contributes to the development and
implementation of local and organisation
wide quality plans
 Undertakes a leading role in continuous
quality improvement activities
 Understands the application of National
Safety and Quality Standards to the work
area and actively contributes to the
achievement of the national standards
 Partners with patients, carers and other
consumers in activities to improve the safety
and quality of care.
Mercy Public Hospitals Inc: Senior Manager/Clinician Template
Standard Measures
 Evidence of the identification of training and
development needs and appropriate action
being taken to address gaps in skills and/or
knowledge.
 Demonstrated participation in the
training/education of less experienced staff,
undergraduate students and other
professionals.
 Evidence of implementation and evaluation of
physiotherapy stream based inservice
program
 Evidence of participation in relevant quality
improvement and research activities where
appropriate
 Effective and appropriate clinical supervision
 Acts as a role model by modelling and
encouraging best practice and maintaining
specialists skills and knowledge in work area
 Displays a willingness to share knowledge
and skills
 Demonstrates an understanding of Quality
Improvement principles and processes in
healthcare
 Contributes to the National Safety and Quality
Standards
 Evidence of initiation of and participation in
clinical team and hospital quality activities
including client focus in activities
 Evidence of continuous improvement in
identified areas
 Outcomes of all quality activities recorded and
Continence Physiotherapist
Key Result Areas
 Professional Development
Promotes professional
development of self and
colleagues
Key Activities
 Records all quality activities as appropriate
 Participates in the performance evaluation
processes annually
 Regular attendance and participation in
departmental in-service education
 Demonstrates responsibility for own
professional development
 Actively participates in the orientation of
staff/students
 Actively participates in delivery of inservice
training within the hospital and in Health
Education programs
 Compliance with the Australian
Physiotherapy association “Code of
Conduct”
Employee’s Signature:
Standard Measures
reported
 Demonstrate a leading role in hospital
accreditation processes and activities
 Achievement of annual performance
development reviews
 Evidence of commitment to maintaining
contemporary evidenced based physiotherapy
 Demonstrates a commitment to promoting
education activities within unit, hospital and
community
 Readily shares knowledge and skills and
offers support to colleagues
Date:
Print Name:
Manager Signature:
Date:
Print Name:
Mercy Public Hospitals Inc: Senior Manager/Clinician Template
Continence Physiotherapist