JOB AND PERSON
SPECIFICATION
Title of Position
Spinal Injuries Rehabilitation Specialist,
Occupational Therapy
Administrative Unit
Central Northern Adelaide Health Service
Classification Code:
PO3
Directorate:
Discipline Code:
NA
Appointment:
 Permanent
 Temporary
 Other
Operations, Acute and Specialist
Services
Service:
Royal Adelaide Hospital
Functional Unit: Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre
Department:
Occupational Therapy
Term ...............
Term ...............
All excluding senior positions
Position Number: RA3358
Position Created:
Reviewed:
October 2009
Job and Person Specification Approval
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JOB SPECIFICATION
1.
Summary of the broad purpose of the position in relation to the organisation's goals (its
expected outcome and how it is achieved).
The spinal injuries rehabilitation specialist, Occupational Therapist, is accountable to the Director,
Occupational Therapy, Royal Adelaide Hospital via the Assistant Director, Occupational Therapy
for the co-ordination and management of Occupational Therapy services provided to patients of
the Spinal Injuries Unit at Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre. This results in a significant
contribution to early and ongoing rehabilitation processes for Spinal Injured patients and
maximising of the functional abilities of these patients.
2.
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).
Reporting to the Director, Occupational Therapy, Royal Adelaide Hospital via the Assistant
Director of Occupational Therapy, the occupant leads a team consisting of two Occupational
Therapists, an Occupational Therapy Assistant and an Equipment Technician in the specialist
area of Spinal Injuries Occupational Therapy.
The incumbent liaises closely with the
multidisciplinary team. The incumbent has roles and responsibilities that cover clinical, quality,
research and education matters.
3.
Special Conditions (such as non-metropolitan location, travel requirements, frequent
overtime, etc.).
Out-of-hours educational role may be required e.g. patient families, community agencies.
PO3 Spinal Injuries Rehabilitation Specialist, Occupational Therapy
Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre
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4.
Statement of Key Outcomes and Associated Activities. (Grouped into major areas of
responsibility/activity and listed in descending order of importance).
4.1
Enhance patient care and outcomes by:
 Managing the occupational therapy service to the Spinal Injuries Rehabilitation Unit, HRC by coordinating and supervising subordinate staff and students, seeking assistance from the Assistant
Director, Occupational Therapy, HRC and Director, Occupational Therapy, RAH when required.
 Supervising the clinical service offered by the Occupational Therapy staff by provision of expert
consultancy to the staff on complex clinical matters, equipment provision and home modifications
 Ensuring that the service provided by the work unit is designed on the best available evidence and
practice.
 Providing a comprehensive clinical service to the patients which may include:
 Conducting comprehensive assessments and implementation of intervention programmes as
necessary;
 Prescribing and arranging equipment provision and home modifications
 Providing necessary information to families and carers
 Documenting and reviewing progress to monitor the effectiveness of therapy
 Contributing to the integration of the Occupational Therapy programme into total patient
management by liaising closely with other involved disciplines and community agencies;
 Providing an educational service pertaining to the occupational therapy management of spinal cord
injury conditions, by acting as a clinical and educational resource for HRC and RAH staff and outside
enquirers as required.
 Contributing to the education program of the Occupational Therapy Department by co-ordinating and
leading an active continuing education program for the work unit and by supervising, teaching and
lecturing other staff members and occupational therapy students as required.
 Contributing to the effectiveness of the multidisciplinary team by maintaining active liaison with staff of
the referring Units, including participating in Unit meetings and other activities as required.
4.2
Participate in the management of the HRC Occupational Therapy Department by:
 Assisting the Assistant Director in the development of the Spinal Injuries services and contribute to
ongoing policy decisions and overall management of the Occupational Therapy Department
 Developing and implementing policies and procedures relevant to the clinical work unit
 Inform the Assistant Director of any issues within the work unit, to identify any areas for quality
improvement and participate in any department policy development, planning and coordination as
required
 Participating in the planning for budgetary requirements for the work unit and recommend the
purchase , ordering and maintenance of equipment and supplies for the Occupational Therapy service
 Contributing toward the improvement in Occupational Therapy standards by attending and contributing
to appropriate education sessions and seminars, maintaining and updating department resources,
undertaking research and evaluation of Occupational Therapy services and participating in staff
performance appraisal
4.3
Ensure that staff and other persons in the work area are safe from risks to health and safety by:
 carrying out responsibilities as detailed in organisational occupational health, safety and injury
management (OHS&IM) policies and procedures;
 reporting all accidents, incidents and near misses;
 implementing and monitoring relevant OHS&IM policies and procedures within the work area
 identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing, monitoring and maintaining hazard control
measures in consultation with staff
PO3 Spinal Injuries Rehabilitation Specialist, Occupational Therapy
Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre
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 participating in OHS&IM planning
 providing staff with the necessary information, instruction, training and supervision to effectively and
safely carry out their work
 maintaining relevant OHS&IM documentation
 Consulting with staff on changes to the workplace which have the potential to impact on health and
safety.
 Contributing towards the maintenance of a healthy, safe and equitable working environment by
maintaining knowledge of and adhering to the principles and standards of Equal Employment
Opportunity Legislation which ensures all employees in the workplace are treated in a fair and
equitable manner, free from discrimination, bullying and harassment.
Acknowledged by Occupant ................................................................
PO3 Spinal Injuries Rehabilitation Specialist, Occupational Therapy
Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre
.../.../...
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PERSON SPECIFICATION
ESSENTIAL MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Education:
Degree or other qualification which entitles registration with the Occupational Therapy Registration
Board of South Australia.
Experience:
Broad occupational therapy experience leading to a current understanding of clinical practice in the rehabilitation
hospital setting.
Substantial clinical experience working with rehabilitation patients in a multi-disciplinary setting and relevant to
spinal cord injury rehabilitation
Experience in clinical teaching
Experience initiating and completing a service improvement project.
Knowledge:
Knowledge of communication methods and their importance in health care settings.
Current knowledge of the management of a specialised rehabilitation caseload (particularly spinal injury)
Extensive knowledge of evidence based methods
Knowledge and skills in clinical supervision
Knowledge and skills in prescription of rehabilitation equipment
Knowledge of occupational health and safety and equal opportunity legislation.
Personal Abilities/Aptitude/Skills:
Effective skills in written and verbal English communication.
Physical strength, flexibility and endurance sufficient for the manual handling requirements of the work unit.
Ability to lead a team of professional staff and foster teamwork within the work unit
Ability to organise, set priorities and manage time effectively for self and members of the work unit.
Ability to function as a senior member of the Occupational Therapy Department.
Ability to assess and enhance staff performance constructively.
Skills in clinical supervision
Ability to function as a senior clinician within a multidisciplinary team.
Problem solving skills.
Ability to evaluate clinical practice in a formal manner.
Ability to interact with other people in a tactful, sensitive and ethical manner.
Ability to use a personal computer for word processing and data entry functions.
Reliability.
A calm, stable and approachable manner.
DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS
Education:
Additional coursework in area of appropriate clinical skills
Additional coursework in supervision
Experience:
Experience in staff supervision, and teaching.
Experience in the management of spinal injured patients
Administrative experience
Research experience
Knowledge:
Clinical expertise in spinal cord injury rehabilitation
Knowledge and ability to implement Quality Assurance programmes
Knowledge of specialised equipment utilised by spinal injury patients e.g. customised wheelchairs.
Personal Abilities/Aptitude/Skills:
Awareness of organisations and their strengths and weaknesses
Skills in Occupational Therapy related research
Computer skills Research skills
PO3 Spinal Injuries Rehabilitation Specialist, Occupational Therapy
Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre
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