Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (LHN)
JOB AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
(NON-MANAGERIAL)
TITLE OF POSITION:
ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT:
Associate Clinical Service Coordinator-
Southern Adelaide Health
OPMHS Community Team Southern
Classification:
Health Unit: Repatriation General Hospital
Registered Nurse/Midwife Level 2
Division: Mental Health
Classification Reviewed:
Department / Section: OPMHS
Position No:
Position Created:
JOB AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
(NON-MANAGERIAL)
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CEO or Delegate
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Date
JOB SPECIFICATION
1. PREAMBLE
The Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (LHN) provides care for around 341,000 people
living in the southern metropolitan area of Adelaide as well as providing a number of state-wide
services, and services to those in regional areas. More than 7,000 skilled staff provide high quality
patient care, education, research and health promoting services.
Southern Adelaide LHN provides a range of acute and sub acute health services for people of all
ages, and has three hospitals, Flinders Medical Centre, Noarlunga Hospital and the Repatriation
General Hospital.
Population and Primary Health Care delivers a range of primary health care services across the
southern metropolitan area of Adelaide, with a focus on providing preventive and health promoting
programs in the community, and transition and hospital substitution and avoidance programs
targeted at chronic disease and frail aged.
Southern Mental Health provides a range of integrated services across community and hospital
settings, targeted at all age groups, in collaboration with non-Government organisations and
General Practice Network South.
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ACSC RN2
OPMHS- Southern Community Team
2. SUMMARY OF THE BROAD PURPOSE OF THE POSITION and its responsibilities/duties
Within the framework of the National Mental Health Policy and the Standards for Mental Health
Services and in a manner consistent with the stated Vision and Values of the Adelaide Metro
Mental Health Directorate (AMMHD), the Associate Clinical Service Coordinator is accountable for
their own practice standards, activities delegated to others and the guidance and development of
less experienced staff.
The Associate Clinical Service Coordinator is accountable to the Nursing Clinical Practice
Coordinator for delivering specialist mental health care to consumers with complex needs. The
Associate Clinical Service Coordinator is responsible for ensuring optimal consumer care is
provided by utilising the process of nursing to deliver direct and comprehensive nursing care and
individual case management to mental health consumers and within the Community Mental Health
Nurse Liaison model. The provision of education, counselling and group work is considered
essential components of care which is directed towards the attainment of optimum consumer
health and recovery. This involves consultation and liaison with other professional disciplines and
non governmental organisations. The Associate Clinical Service Coordinator uses clinical
knowledge, skills and experience in the application of direction, support, orientation and education
to nursing staff and participates in action research projects, quality improvement activities and
policy development within the practice setting.
The Associate Clinical Service Coordinator relieves the RN Level 3 as required. In the course of
fulfilling the role of the Associate Clinical Service Coordinator role provides specific support to the
Nursing Clinical Practice Coordinator role in the leadership of nurses in the community team.
The ACSC may have the opportunity to fulfil the ACSC Rapid Access role, in negotiation with the
individual
he Associate Clinical Service Coordinator is appointed through a merit based selection process.
3. REPORTING/WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
(to whom the person reports, staff for whom the person is
responsible, and other significant connections and working relationships within the organisation)
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Accountable to the Nursing Director of Mental Health.
Responsible to the Nursing Clinical Practice Coordinator/Team Leader.
Collaborative working relationship with ward/unit nursing staff and relevant community based
teams/agencies.
4. SPECIAL CONDITIONS (such as non-metropolitan location, travel requirements, frequent overtime, etc)
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Must be prepared to attend relevant meetings and staff development / education activities as
required.
A formal performance review will be conducted annually.
Some out of hours work may be required.
Appointment may be subject to a satisfactory Offender History Check and health assessment.
Must have current South Australian driver’s licence and willingness to drive a government
plated vehicle when employed in a community setting.
Required to travel between locations and work within a person’s own environment within the
metropolitan region.
Participation in continuous quality improvement.
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ACSC RN2
OPMHS- Southern Community Team
5. STATEMENT OF KEY OUTCOMES AND ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES (group in to major areas of
responsibility / activity and list in descending order of importance).
5.1
Assists with the provision of professional high quality consumer care within the
ward/unit/community service aimed at improving consumer health outcomes through
improving nursing and consumer care procedures and practices by:
 Providing proficient clinical nursing care and/or individual case management to
consumers in a defined clinical area;
 Assessing consumers needs, plan, implement and coordinate appropriate service
delivery options and communicate changes in condition and care;
 Overseeing the provision of nursing care within a team or unit;
 Providing health education, counselling and rehabilitation programs to improve the
health outcomes of individual consumers or groups;
 Planning and coordinating services including those of other disciplines or agencies as
required to meet individual and/or group health care needs;
 Monitoring consumer care plans and participate in clinical auditing and/or evaluative
research to ensure appropriate consumer care outcomes are achieved on a daily
basis;
 Demonstrating and promoting a risk minimisation approach to practice and support
implementation and maintenance of systems to protect consumers and staff;
 Integrating advanced theoretical knowledge, evidence from a range of sources and
own experience to devise and achieve agreed consumer care outcomes;
 Working within and promoting a nursing model of consumer centred care;
 Relieving RN3/4 as required; and
 Performing other appropriate duties as directed.
5.2
Demonstrate a commitment to consumer and carer participation by:
 Encouraging active participation of consumers and carers in forums/committees;
 Working collaboratively with consumers and carers in determining and developing
individual care/treatment plans within a recovery framework;
 Participating, in consultation with the Nursing Clinical Practice Coordinator/Team
Leader, in the review of incidents, accidents and complaints arising within the clinical
setting with a focus on quality improvement;
 Promoting provider, consumer and carer participation in service planning, development
and evaluation;
 Identifying, in consultation with consumers and the Nursing Clinical Practice
Coordinator/Team Leader, opportunities for improvement in consumer care and
implementing planned strategies designed to promote and establish the Service and
Unit as a benchmark for excellence and sustainable consumer care outcomes.
5.3
Contributes to the human resource management of the unit/service by:
 Acting to resolve local and/or immediate nursing care or service delivery problems;
 Supporting change management processes;
 Contributing to communication processes that effectively deal with challenging
behaviours and the resolution of conflicts;
 Participating in staff recruitment and retention initiatives as required.
5.4
Contributes to the achievement of own and others professional expertise through the
maintenance of ongoing professional development/continuing education by:
 Managing own professional development activities and portfolio, supporting the
development of others and contributing to learning in the work area;
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ACSC RN2
OPMHS- Southern Community Team
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Complying with the nursing profession's code of ethics, professional competencies and
relevant legislation;
Attending mandatory in-service programs.
5.5
Contributes to the achievement of nursing best practice and where relevant, facilitates
the development and application of relevant nursing research by:
 Working within a local nursing leadership team to attain consistency of nursing practice
standards and local service outcomes;
 Participating in clinical teaching, overseeing learning experiences, and goal setting for
students, new staff and staff with less experience;
 Acting as a resource person within an area based on knowledge, experience and skills.
5.6
Undertaking an Associate Coordinator portfolio by:
 Promoting continuity and consistency of care in collaboration with other Associate
Clinical Service Coordinators and the Clinical Practice Coordinator/Team Leader of the
community team;
 Assisting the Nursing Clinical Practice Coordinator in ongoing communication and
implementation of practice changes;
 Assisting the Nursing Clinical Practice Coordinator to maintain and record monitoring
and evaluative research activities in the ward/team;
 Assisting the Nursing Clinical Practice Coordinator and Nursing Educators to maintain
a learning culture by encouraging reflection and professional development and
assisting others to maintain portfolios/records of learning, and
 Assisting the Nursing Clinical Practice Coordinator, as required, in undertaking
performance management processes and/or rostering and/or oversight of supplies
and/or equipment.
5.7
Contributes to and complies with policies, procedures and practices by:
 Complying with all legislation, Government policies and procedures
 the ANMC Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses in Australia
 the Code of Conduct for South Australian Public Sector Employees,
 and in relation to people affected by mental disorders and/or mental health
problems,
 The United Nations Principles on the Protection of People with a Mental Illness and
Improvement in Mental Health Care;
 The Australian Health Ministers’ Mental Health Statement on Rights and
Responsibilities;
 Mental health, equal opportunity, anti-discrimination and disability services
legislation;
 Complying with all RGH/National Mental Health Service policies, procedures and
operating practices;
 In consultation with Nursing Clinical Practice Coordinator/Team Leader contributes to
the development of organisational policy;
 Ensuring practice is consistent with departmental/organisational/unit policies,
standards and legal/regulatory compliance;
 Applying standards and benchmarks for consumer care in the practice setting
consistent with current evidenced based clinical care;
 Participating in clinical audits and nursing assessments;
 Maintaining and protecting confidentiality and privacy for consumers, their families and
carers by complying with
 Freedom of Information Act
 Australian Standards for Medical Records
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ACSC RN2
OPMHS- Southern Community Team
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Code of Fair Information Practice
National Mental Health Standard 5 - Privacy and Confidentiality
Understanding and complying with Delegations of Authority.
5.8
Ensure services are delivered in a culturally sensitive manner by:
 Promoting access and equity of services for people from culturally and linguistically
diverse backgrounds;
 Providing services that are culturally sensitive to the needs of people and enable them
to make decisions concerning their mental health.
5.9
Contribute toward the provision of a healthy, safe and equitable working environment
by adhering to the principles and standards of Equal Employment Opportunity
Legislation, which:
 Ensures employees are recruited, selected, trained, transferred and promoted on the
basis of merit without regard to age, marital status, physical disability, intellectual
impairment, pregnancy, race, sex or sexuality;
 Ensures all employees in the workplace are treated in a fair and equitable manner;
 Identifies and eliminates discrimination, bullying and harassment in the workplace.
5.10 Ensure a safe working environment at all times by:
 Maintaining effective work practices;
 Adopting procedures and practices which comply with the OHS&W Act;
 Making proper use of all safeguards, safety devices and personal protective equipment
(as required in undertaking the duties of the position);
 Taking reasonable care to protect the health and safety of self and others;
 Attending mandatory safety training programs.
5.11 Contribute to the wellbeing of people in South Australia through participation in
Counter Disaster activities, including attendance as required at training programs and
exercises to develop the necessary skills required to participate in responses in the
event of a disaster and / or major disaster.
Acknowledged by Occupant:______________________________ Date:_____/_____/_____
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential Minimum Requirements
Educational / Vocational Qualifications
 Registered or eligible for registration as a Nurse by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of
Australia and who holds, or who is eligible to hold, a current practicing certificate. Must be
enrolled in an approved Mental Health course or hold a qualification in mental health practice.
Personal Abilities/Aptitudes/Skills
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Effective communication, problem solving, conflict resolution and negotiation skills;
Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team;
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ACSC RN2
OPMHS- Southern Community Team
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Ability to prioritise workload and meet set timelines, whilst working under minimal supervision;
Ability to be creative, innovative and flexible when approaching issues within the health
unit/community setting;
Demonstrated competency and proficiency in clinical skills appropriate to the area;
Demonstrated commitment to consumer and carer participation;
Computer literacy in the current nursing and clinical information systems;
Well-developed leadership and interpersonal skills;
Ability to manage people effectively including problem solving, negotiating and resolving
conflict;
Demonstrated commitment to staff development of self and others;
Demonstrated ability to plan, implement and evaluate comprehensive mental health nursing
care.
Experience
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Registered Nurse with at least 3 years, full time equivalent, post registration experience;
Demonstrated competence in the relevant area of nursing practice in accordance with the
appropriate standards of practice;
Experience in the leadership and direction of student nurses, enrolled nurses and less
experienced registered nurses;
Successful participation in a multidisciplinary team environment;
Experience in management and leadership roles.
Knowledge
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Comprehensive understanding of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (ANMC)
National Competencies for the Registered and Enrolled Nurse and Midwifes in Recommended
Domains;
Knowledge and understanding of the ANMC Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses in
Australia (2003) and the Commissioner for Public Employment Code of Conduct for Public
Employees;
Knowledge and understanding of legislative responsibilities for OHS&W, Workers
Compensation and Rehabilitation and Equal Opportunity;
Knowledge of contemporary mental health nursing and health care issues;
Knowledge of community support services and referral processes;
Knowledge of National Mental Health Strategy/Policy/Plan;
Knowledge of National Mental Health Standards;
Knowledge of the recovery framework;
Knowledge of the Emergency Demand management policy series;
Familiarity with aspects of medication management including knowledge of relevant
medications, indications, common dosages, side-effects, special precautions, drugs of abuse;
Essential Minimum Requirements
Knowledge (Continued)
 Knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation, principles and codes of practice
including, but not limited to:
 Nurses Act 1999
 Mental Health Act;
 Guardianship and Administration Act;
 Occupational Health Welfare and Safety Act;
 Equal Opportunity Act;
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ACSC RN2
OPMHS- Southern Community Team
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Disability Discrimination Act;
South Australian Health Commission Act;
Freedom of Information Act;
Code of Fair Information Practice;
Fire Arms Act
Coroners Act.
Desirable Characteristics
Educational / Vocational Qualifications
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Registered as a general nurse;
Bachelor of Nursing or equivalent;
Personal Abilities / Aptitudes/Skills
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Ability to work within a team framework that fosters an environment that develops staff
potential;
Skills in using computers and software relevant to the area of practice.
Experience
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Ability to work within a team framework that fosters an environment that develops staff
potential;
Skills in using computers and software relevant to the area of practice.
Knowledge
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Knowledge of the South Australian Public Health System;
Knowledge of contemporary professional nursing issues;
Knowledge of research methodology and aspects of community oriented care;
Knowledge of Human resource management principles;
Knowledge and understanding of performance appraisal systems;
Breadth and depth of knowledge base is sufficient to enable person to act in RN3 role as
required.
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