POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position Title
Paediatric Speech Pathology
Employment Status
Fixed Term
Unit / Branch
Community Support Directorate
Classification
Grade One
Program Name
Child Health Team
Position reports to
Manager Child Health Team
Date Reviewed
October 2015
CONTEXT
ISIS Primary Care is a highly regarded community health provider which operates in the western metropolitan
region of Melbourne and provides a unique blend of community-based, family- focused, generalist health and
welfare services to its’ wider community.
Services and constituencies range from small locally-based services and/or projects to large scale complex
regional programs. We have seven principal service sites with additional outreach sites and employs over 400
staff. ISIS Primary Care is committed to working from a social model of health perspective in partnership with
communities to provide accessible and integrated health services, which are both sensitive and responsive to
their diverse needs.
We are dedicated to improving the health and well being of our communities through employees who are
highly valued and encouraged to strive for excellence. ISIS Primary Care rigorously pursues a philosophy of
service enhancement and innovation within available resources whilst promoting research and development in
a quality focused environment. We value our employees and seek to further enhance their professional skills
and well-being through regular professional development, clinical supervision, team-based support, EAP and
well-at-work initiatives.
Position Details
The Speech Pathology position sits within the Child Health Team (CHT) and is directly accountable to the
manager of the Child Health Team. Under the Community Support Services (CSS) the CHT forms part of the
broader community health services including child and family services, counselling and allied health services.
This position provides paediatric Speech Pathology assessment and management services to local children
from birth to school entry for whom communication is the primary area of difficulty, or are at risk of
communication and learning difficulties. Speech Pathology management includes individual assessment and
individual or group therapy. Consultations are primarily offered on campus and may also occur in homes, at
kindergartens and child care centres (as appropriate). Speech Pathologists also focus on early identification
and prevention of speech and language difficulties as appropriate. This position is community health funded.
Paediatric Speech Pathology services are offered at Sunshine, Altona Meadows and Hoppers Crossing.
Position Objective
The position’s objective is to work towards the provision of high quality, evidence based Speech Pathology
care and management to the local community. The incumbent will work as a member of a multi-disciplinary
child health team, with skill and sensitivity to individual and community needs to deliver primary care services
in accordance with service philosophies, aims, objectives and policies. Speech Pathologists work within the
Document ID: HR – 2.0
Date Effective: 02/03/2012
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POSITION DESCRIPTION
social model of health to address identified concerns with children and families. Service development and
evaluation are delivered in accordance with service philosophy, values, aims, policies and guidelines.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
1.
Planning, position knowledge and skills
 Provide direct service to paediatric clients and their families, including assessment, health
education and therapeutic management, utilising a family-centred approach. The caseload
complexity will be negotiated over the period of employment
 Practice within the Speech Pathology Australia professional standards and code of ethics
 Collaborate with other CHT members to develop, implement and evaluate primary care
programs and services in accordance with organisational priorities and expectations
 Participate in program and service planning and review activities as appropriate
 Work at all times in accordance with service philosophy, policies and procedures towards
the achievement of organisational, program and service aims and objectives
2.
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3.
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4.
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Communication and documentation
Maintain comprehensive and up-to-date client records including assessment, intervention
and care plans while ensuring their safe custody and confidentiality at all times
Records and notes are maintained in trakcare and/or the hard client file
Prepare and maintain appropriate statistical data, reports and analyses for activities and
services for which responsible and make recommendations as appropriate
Meet Department of Health targets
Teamwork, working relationships and interpersonal skills
Effective communication skills to maintain highly functional working relationships both
internally and externally.
Undertake all duties and responsibilities in liaison with other members of the service and
external organisations to ensure coordinated work practices , case management, delivery of
services and programs
In collaboration with the manager and senior clinician, critically monitor and review the
efficiency, effectiveness and appropriateness of client management
Attend and actively participate in campus, program and discipline meetings and activities as
required
Participate in CHT portfolio activities ( not leadership of a portfolio) if requested
Approach conflict in a respectful, open and reflective manner
Continuous quality improvement
Participate in the QIP accreditation process
Identify, develop, implement, evaluate and document quality improvement activities in
collaboration with CHT members, senior clinician and manager
Participate in the development of CHT and speech pathology procedures where relevant
and participate in the development of organisational policies and procedures
Participate in occupational health and safety training and risk management activities as
relevant to the role and as requested
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POSITION DESCRIPTION
5.
Professional development
 Display an active commitment to supporting and extending practice via ongoing professional
development through attendance at training, clinical supervision and other developmental
activities where appropriate
 Actively participate in some clinical and management supervision as outlined in ISIS policy
 Participate in the team’s professional development activities
 Actively participate in the annual Performance Appraisal processes (fixed term & ongoing)
 Ability to apply the principals of evidence based practice where possible
6.
Other responsibilities
 Ensure currency of relevant accreditations, full Working with Children Check, drivers license
and promptly advise the program manager of any barriers to doing so.
 Undertake other duties as required.
PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
1. Planning, job knowledge and skills
 Participation in an annual performance appraisal (fixed term & ongoing positions) and bimonthly performance reviews
 Completion of individual ‘Work Plan’ annually and review of clinical practice in relation to
Paediatric Speech Pathology Scope of Practice
 Participation in annual clinical audits and discuss feedback with manager in performance
review/s if required
 Completion of program planning and evaluation documentation in collaboration with other
CHT members
 Adherence to all ISIS Primary Care organisational and CHT policies and procedures
2.
Communication and documentation
 All client documentation is completed in accordance with the ‘Client Health Records’ policy
 Regular communication with senior clinician
 Contribution to the combined monthly report, outlining progress and activities in addition to
waiting list data entry
 Statistics are accurate and completed within agreed time frames
 Client data and service agreement targets are met
3.
Teamwork, working relationships and interpersonal skills
 Feedback from clients and external organisations
 Number of commendations and complaints
 Demonstrated evidence of participation in team activities (e.g. working groups )
 Attendance and participation at campus, program, discipline and organisational meetings
 Evidence of joint planning, implementation and evaluation of service initiatives (e.g. service
delivery with reduced staff numbers; coordinated care plans)
 Evidence of provision of individual and group services
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POSITION DESCRIPTION
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4.
5.
Participation in one discipline portfolio if required
Continuous quality improvement
 Evidence of participation in the development, implementation and achievement of the
services accreditation and quality improvement activities
 Evidence of participation in the development of discipline and organisational policies and
procedures
 Evidence of participation in occupational health & safety training and/or risk management as
required
Professional development
 Evidence of participation in the annual performance appraisal process
 Evidence of active participation in individual supervision and practice review (peer
supervision)
 Evidence of participation (not appropriate to deliver at this level) of professional
development
KEY SELECTION CRITERIA
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Technical Expertise
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Knowledge & Skills
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Date Effective: 02/03/2012
Recent paediatric clinical or student experience in delivering speech
pathology services at a grade one level.
Recent clinical or student experience working in a multidisciplinary team
environment
Willingness and capacity to work as a member of a multidisciplinary team
in the delivery of services to the community
Interest and commitment to client focus and a family centred approach in
the assessment, treatment and case management of individual clients and
groups
Capacity to engage in community development activities (fixed term &
ongoing positions)
Ability to participate in supervision with a senior clinician and manager
within the policies and protocols of the agency
Ability to liaise across the full spectrum of health and welfare services.
Knowledge of regional and community resources
An understanding and commitment to the social model of health and
family centred practice
Recent clinical or student experience working with people experiencing
disadvantage, ie refugees, ATSI, homeless
Recent clinical or student experience working with people from
culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
Knowledge and, or skills in working with Interpreters.
Sound judgment and excellent problem solving skills
An understanding and commitment to practice within professional and
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ethical standards
Demonstrated passion for working with children and families
Excellent communication, negotiation, organisational and time
management skills.
Evidence of self motivated learning and commitment to clinical
supervision
Able to relate to people from various cultures and lifestyles
Flexible, adaptable
Others
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Current Victorian Driver’s Licence.
Computer literacy
Qualification
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Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology) or equivalent
Eligibility for membership with Speech Pathology Australia
Personal Qualities
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INHERENT PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF POSITION
Sitting: Sitting for long periods of time at computer station with breaks
Driving: Use of a ISIS vehicle when required
Physical: Lifting and carrying items such as …..
General office based work including handling files and various paperwork
Attending off site meetings, possibly sitting for periods of up to two hours at a time
OH & S RESPONSIBILITIES
ISIS Primary Care is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for staff, ensuring that the
workplace is free from harassment, bullying and discrimination and supporting the diverse skills, backgrounds
and values of others. In accordance with this commitment all employees will be required to:
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Comply with all OHS Management System, policies and procedure requirements and take reasonable
care to protect their own health and safety and the health and safety of others in the workplace. All
staff are required to immediately report any incidents, hazards or near misses to the relevant
Manager/Supervisor and actively participate in hazard elimination where required.
Comply with Equal Opportunity policy, procedures and requirements, and undertake work and
activities in a manner that ensures the workplace is free from harassment, bullying behaviour and
discrimination and supports the diverse skills, backgrounds and values of others.
In addition, all employees with people management responsibilities will:
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Be responsible for monitoring and improving the safety performance of their work area by
investigating incidents, identifying hazards, initiating actions and participating in the resolution of
safety issues.
Ensure the effective implementation of all OH&S Management System policies and procedures,
ensuring staff have adequate training to perform their job safely and new employees are effectively
inducted to minimise safety risks within their area.
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Date Effective: 02/03/2012
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION
ISIS Primary Care Employees are required to demonstrate a commitment to follow the ISIS Primary Care’s
values & behaviours - Respect | Responsiveness | Fairness | Creativity | Connectedness| Quality and
perform all of the key accountabilities (duties) of their position. Employees are also required to acknowledge
that they have complied with the Code of Conduct and exhibited the professional behaviours expected at ISIS
Primary Care, followed ISIS Primary Care policies, and confirm that there has been no change in their police
clearance check status & any other credentialing which is required for the role.
You will need to disclose any pre-existing illness or injury that you know about which could be reasonably
foreseen to be affected by the described work duties, If you fail to disclose such a condition, if employed, you
will not be paid compensation for that condition in accordance with s.82 (7) of the Accident Compensation Act.
As ISIS Primary Care evolves to meet changing needs, so will the roles required of its staff. Accordingly, staff
and applicants should be aware that this document might not necessarily represent the full role that the staff
member will perform in the long term. This document is intended to provide an overview of the role as at the
date of advertisement.
ISIS Primary Care requires you to sign a confidentiality agreement and declare other personal information
relevant to your employment. ISIS Primary Care will comply with the Information Privacy Act 2000 in the way it
collects and handles this information.
All appointments to ISIS Primary Care are subject to the following checks: reference checks and
criminal record check. Some positions may also be subject to a ‘Working with Children Check’
MANAGER AUTHORISATION
Manager’s Name:
EMPLOYEE ACCEPTANCE
Employee’s Name:
Signature & Date:
Document ID: HR – 2.0
Date Effective: 02/03/2012
Signature & Date:
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