Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (LHN)
JOB AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
(NON-MANAGERIAL)
TITLE OF POSITION:
ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT:
Speech Pathologist
SA Health – Southern Adelaide LHN
Classification:
Health Unit: Repatriation General Hospital
AHP2
Division: RACAH
Classification Reviewed: 16/4/14
Department / Section: Speech Pathology
Position No: RG 0350
Position Created:
Job and Person Specification Approval
_________________________________________
CEO or Delegate
_____/_____/_____
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.
Primary Health and Transition services delivers a range of services across the southern
metropolitan area of Adelaide, with a focus on providing chronic disease management
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 Southern Adelaide Fleurieu Kangaroo Island Medicare Local
(SAFKIML).
2. SUMMARY
OF THE BROAD PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
and
its
responsibilities/duties
The Speech Pathologist is accountable to the Director of Speech Pathology for the
provision of both week day and weekend Rehabilitation Speech Pathology services
which result in improved care and outcomes for patients and contribute to efficient,
effective, evidence based, multi-disciplinary patient management.
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 Director of Speech Pathology for discipline specific issues
and the Allied Health Inpatient Rehabilitation Services Manager for general
rehabilitation issues.
Responsible to the Senior Practitioner Speech Pathologist responsible for
Speech Pathology services.
Liaises with other Speech Pathology staff and Allied Health & Medical Staff
where appropriate.
Responsible for supervision of Speech Pathology/Allied Health Assistants.
4. SPECIAL CONDITIONS (such as non-metropolitan location, travel requirements, frequent overtime,
etc)
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Job and Person Specifications are reviewed regularly as part of the ongoing
Performance Development process.
This role is primarily based on the Rehabilitation Wards of RGH but the incumbent
may be required to work within other locations of RGH and the Southern Adelaide
LHN.
Support values consistent with the aims of SA Health and the LHN, including
honesty, respect and integrity.
May be required to undertake a health assessment prior to commencement.
Appointment may be subject to a satisfactory Criminal History Report.
Comply with the Principles of the Code of Fair Information Practice, adopted by the
Department of Health, which regulate the collection, use, disclosure, storage and
transfer of all personal patient/client information within the Department and
throughout its funded service providers.
A valid South Australian driver’s license.
5. STATEMENT OF KEY OUTCOMES AND ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES (group in to
major areas of responsibility / activity and list in descending order of importance).
1.
Contribute to positive outcomes for patients by providing accurate assessment,
diagnosis and treatment of a rehabilitation caseload of adult patients with
swallowing and/or communication disorders by using standardised and informal
assessment tools, interpreting results from these assessments, forming accurate
diagnoses and prognoses and developing individually designed treatment
programs.
2.
Facilitate positive outcomes for patients by implementing appropriate treatment
programs, evaluating the effectiveness of treatment, adjusting or discontinuing
treatment as appropriate, documenting all aspects of patient management.
3.
Contribute to patients and carers understanding of the communication and/or
swallowing problem and wellbeing by providing appropriate verbal and written
advice and education.
4.
Contribute to patient outcomes by complete, accurate and concise documentation
of assessment results, diagnoses, management plans and progress in hospital files,
all departmental files and to referring agents in line with department and hospital
policies.
5.
Contribute to patient management during attendance at clinical meetings by
consulting and discussing management with other team members.
6.
Contribute to patient management by advising other professionals of assessment
findings and management programs and training them in the implementation of
specific management techniques to be followed as appropriate.
7. Contribute to patient management by providing effective handover to weekday
clinicians to ensure seamless transition of information across the Speech Pathology
Rehabilitation service.
8. The incumbent will provide clinical supervision, support and oversight of weekend
Speech Pathology/Allied Health Assistants.
9. Where appropriately experienced, the incumbent may contribute to supervising
Speech Pathology students and undertake teaching activities.
10. Where appropriately experienced, the occupant may contribute to effective home
based patient management and ongoing development of high quality Speech
Pathology services in the area of neurological rehabilitation and progressive illness.
11. Evaluate current trends in Speech Pathology through reading professional journals,
texts etc and attending appropriate workshops, seminars and conferences.
12. Participate in the development and implementation of research projects within the
department as directed and as the caseload allows.
13. Participate in intra-departmental education meetings and be involved in the
development of clinical materials, demonstration and teaching aids.
14. Participate in the discussion and formulation of departmental policies and guidelines
and make recommendations to the Director about equipment for and functions of the
Department.
15. Record accurate statistics as required by the Director.
16. Contribute to the maintenance of standards for the provision of high quality patient
care by participating in regular personal performance appraisal, peer review and
quality assurance programs.
17. Assist in the educational programs of the department by: being involved in informal
education of other hospital personnel via presentations, discussions and
demonstrations, and as directed, deliver lectures, seminars and workshops to other
Speech Pathologists and Allied Health professionals.
18. Adopts a rehabilitative approach as defined in the “Statewide Rehabilitation Clinical
Network Rehabilitation Generic Core Competencies Framework”
19. Other duties commensurate with this classification.
20. Commitment to achieving and complying with National Safety & Quality Health
Service Standards.
21. Contribute to a safe and healthy work environment, free from discrimination and
harassment by working in accordance with legislative requirements, the Code of
Ethics for the South Australian Public Sector and departmental human resource
policies, including WHS requirements
Acknowledged by Occupant:______________________________ Date:
_____/_____/_____
PERSON SPECIFICATION
1.
ESSENTIAL MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
(those characteristics considered absolutely
necessary)
Educational/Vocational Qualifications

An appropriate degree or diploma in Speech Pathology and eligibility for membership of
Speech Pathology Australia.
Personal Abilities/Aptitudes/Skills
List here a maximum of 8 characteristics required of the person to perform the job
 Demonstrated ability to assess adult patients with swallowing and communication
problems and determine appropriate management and advice.
 Demonstrated ability to formulate appropriate goals and implement programs for
patients with communication problems of neurological origin.
 Organizational ability, flexibility, awareness of stress management issues and
willingness to participate in appropriate staff development and education activities.
 Proven commitment to the principles and practise of:
 EEO, Ethical Conduct, diversity and WHS;
 Quality management and client oriented service;
 Risk management.
Experience
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Previous experience in assessment, treatment and management of swallowing and
communication disorders in an adult population.
Previous experience in providing clinical supervision, support and oversight of AHP 1
and/or allied health assistants.
Knowledge
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A sound theoretical knowledge of communication and swallowing problems of
neurological origin and in relation to the process of aging.
Understanding of Work Health Safety principles and procedures
Understanding of Quality Management principles and procedures
Understanding of Delegated Safety Roles and Responsibilities
Awareness of National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards
2. DESIRABLE CHARACTERISTICS
(to distinguish between applicants who meet all essential
requirements)
Personal Abilities/Aptitudes/Skills
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Able to adopt a problem solving approach to service delivery in providing services.
A strong focus on patient outcomes
Experience
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Experience in working with adult patients with a communication and/or swallowing
problem in an inpatient setting.
Demonstrated experience of working in teams
Experience with Modified Barium Swallow and/or FEES procedures
Proven experience in basic computing skills, including email and word processing
Knowledge
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Knowledge of evidence based medicine, outcome measures and current professional
practices with an interest in evaluating clinical practice in relation to these.
Knowledge of a variety of rehabilitation service delivery models.
Awareness of the Charter of Health and Community Services rights.
Educational/Vocational Qualifications
the position)
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Short courses relevant to the position
Other details
(considered useful in carrying out the responsibilities of