MERCY HEALTH
WERRIBEE MERCY HOSPITAL
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Speech pathologist Grade 3
Position title:
Speech pathologist Grade 3
Hours of Employment:
Entity/Group:
Date:
Business Unit/ Department:
Werribee Mercy Hospital
Working across the wards, CRC, TCP,
HARP
Position reports to:
Reports to Deputy Director of Nursing
12/04/2012
Positions reporting to this
one:
Students and Allied Health Assistant
Position Purpose:
The Grade 3 Speech pathologist position encompasses the establishment of the role of Speech pathology across
the Werribee Mercy Hospital and community services whilst supporting a clinical caseload. Supervision of Grade
1 Speech pathologists and Speech pathology students may also be features of this role in the future.
Client-centred and evidence-based practice is expected whilst upholding a high level of professionalism and
adhering to the core values of MH.
Werribee Mercy Hospital
Speech pathologist
Qualifications & Requirements:








Resource management:
Werribee Mercy Hospital
Bachelor Degree in Speech Pathology
Eligibility for membership of Speech Pathology Association of Australia
A high level of clinical expertise and theoretical knowledge in the assessment and management of
communication and swallowing disorders within the acute, rehabilitation and/or aged sectors
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Demonstrated ability to work within a multidisciplinary team
Experience in various clinical areas including the community setting
Ability to supervise grade 1 staff, AHA’s and students
A willingness to assume the duties of a higher grade as required and demonstrate managerial
competence in the department
Total staff management (FTE):
Annual Operating Expenditure:
Annual Capital Expenditure:
Not applicable
Speech pathologist
Personal Competencies required
Consistently shows respect and compassion to all
Excellent interpersonal and effective communication skills
Job Competencies Required
Knowledge and understanding of the Mission, Vision and Values of Mercy
Health and Aged Care
Demonstrated ability to effectively liaise with the multi-disciplinary team and
provide optimal client care
Practices with a high level of integrity and professionalism
Demonstrated higher level of skills in clinical decision making, problem
identification analysis and interpretation of clinical data
Demonstrates effective leadership by being approachable, fair and
adaptable in an ever-changing environment
Sound working knowledge of current evidence based practices and a
commitment to continuing professional development and research
Able to approach conflict openly and with a problem solving approach

Understanding of, and commitment to customer focused service
Willingness to participate and contribute to a learning environment

Has an understanding and knowledge of OH&S and Infection Control
Key Result Areas
Standard Measures
MERCY VALUES
The values of MH are incorporated into
daily work practices
Promote and uphold the Values and Mission of
Mercy Health
Key Activities






Speech Pathology
Werribee Mercy Hospital
Manage the care needs of patients
referred and their families or carers, who
present with a variety
of needs.
May need to provide clinical support and
supervision to students and speech
pathologists employed within the
organisation to ensure that all speech




Be compassionate and provide support to others
Shows hospitality and support to others by
offering warmth and comfort.
Consistently shows respect and values each
person’s dignity
Seeks opportunities to be innovative for
improvement
Is accountable for a high standard of care
Communicates openly and honestly as an
effective team member
Specialist interventions developed and
implemented.
Clients receive high quality and timely clinical
services.
Investigations or projects completed on time and
advice provided is comprehensive and relevant.
Speech pathology caseloads are monitored in
Speech pathologist
pathologists provide
an appropriate and high quality service
which is consistent with
the framework, guidelines and principles
determined by
DADHC, Speech Pathology Australia
and the Disability
Services Act, 1993.
Undertake investigations or special
projects in order to review,
assess and respond to policy and
process changes.
Review and evaluate the speech
pathology activities in conjunction with
your reporting manager, to ensure
clients receive quality, outcomefocussed services and interventions
that address their needs and agreed
goals.
To act as a specialist resource to
management on all matters
pertaining to the provision of Speech
Pathology, including
staffing needs, duties of staff and
resource issues.
Participate in the planning, development
and evaluation of
speech pathology services within the
region.
Consistently demonstrates managerial
competence within the department
Werribee Mercy Hospital















conjunction with Manager Access.
Positive outcomes for clients.
Services delivered comply with legislative, policy
and
ethical requirements.
Pa Encourages sensible use of consumables,
aware of budgetary constraints
Engages in ongoing service planning for both
current and future needs.
Provides supervision and direction to students
and AHA staff as required.
Represents Speech Pathology on working
parties, committees and meetings.
Promotes and advocates service to other
departments within the hospital and community
services as well as to other relevant external
health providers.
rticipate in the development of Strategic
Business plans as required.
Participate in and/or provide support to special
projects
regarding relevant clinical services.
Quality assurance activities are initiated and
promoted.
Statistics and records are maintained as
required.
The development, sharing and purchasing of
speech
Pathology resources are facilitated.
Speech pathologist
LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
Consistently demonstrates managerial
competence within the department


Promotes sound managerial strategies to ensure
excellence of client care within a harmonious
environment



Encourages sensible use of consumables, aware
of budgetary constraints
Engages in ongoing service planning for both
current and future needs.
Provides supervision and direction to students
and AHA staff as required.
Represents Speech Pathology on working
parties, committees and meetings.
Promotes and advocates service to other
departments within the hospital and community
services as well as to other relevant external
health providers.
CLINICAL CARE
Provide appropriate quality clinical care service
delivery



Quality Speech pathology
service is provided within the
policies and procedures of
Werribee Mercy Hospital
The client’s medical record
demonstrates documentation of
appropriate levels of
assessment, treatment, planning
and consultation with family, the
multidisciplinary team and
relevant others.
Demonstrate knowledge and
utilisation of Speech Pathology
process and outcome measures.







Werribee Mercy Hospital
Has expertise in use of relevant assessment
tools, treatment methods, and case management
of adults with communication and swallowing
disorders across the care continuum
Demonstrates competence in assessing and
delivering high quality Speech pathology service
using evidence-based practice
Display understanding of the issues of acute and
subacute services
Assist with planning of care in conjunction with
client and family and the treating multidisciplinary
team
Recognises own level of competence and seeks
advice/networks when necessary
Provide supervision and education to Grade 1
staff, AHA’s and students in appropriate clinical
standards and application to work area
Provided clients with appropriate
equipment/information to facilitate safe discharge
Speech pathologist

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 client
care.


Care is planned with
consideration to individual needs
Minimal customer complaints
Pro active in managing potential
customer complaints

Effective and appropriate
patterns of communication are
maintained
Documentation meets all ethical
and legal requirements
Confidentiality of both written and
electronic client information is
maintained








TEAM WORK
Be pro-active in promoting Speech Pathology in
working parties, committees and special interest
groups



EDUCATION
Provides clinical supervision to undergraduate
speech pathology students and potentially grade
one speech pathologists in the future.

Werribee Mercy Hospital
Contribute to a strong team
approach within the multi
disciplinary team of the Werribee
Mercy Hospital
Develops and fosters a clinical
workplace interest
Awareness of and comply with
discrimination, harassment and
bullying policies and procedures
Take a leading role in providing
education and training to staff,
external service providers and
the community to ensure
appropriate patient care and
promote the role of Speech
Pathology
Acts as a role model by
encouraging a best practise
philosophy








Involves clients, family and/significant others in
the plan and implementation of care
Demonstrates an ability to liaise with all services
when acting as a patient advocate
Able to diffuse potentially difficult situations with
clients and their families
Documentation provides an accurate and
objective account of the client’s period
Liaises with support services to provide optimal
client care
Demonstrates ability to communicate with
patients, families and colleagues
Is responsible for being proficient in the use of
electronic technology required for patient care
Restricts discussions of patient information to
‘private’ areas
Privacy of patient records is maintained
Contributes to unit meetings, ie discharge
meetings, staff meetings and hospital forums
Displays flexibility in regards to work division and
rotation arrangements
Demonstrates the ability to manage time
effectively
Provides clinical and professional mentoring for
Grade 1 Speech pathologist/Speech Pathology
students and AHA’s.
Plan and develop the inservice program for the
other areas of the Werribee Mercy Hospital
Incorporate customer education in service
delivery
Participate in health education programs
Speech pathologist


SAFE ENVIRONMENT

Promotes a working environment supporting
OH&S and Infection control practices


QUALITY
Maintains a high standard of care by promoting
quality improvement programs



PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Promotes professional development of self and
colleagues


Staff member signature:
Displays a willingness to share
knowledge and skills
Comply with risk management
policies and procedures
Demonstrates awareness of
equipment guidelines
Active involvement in health and
safety issues
Care is provided within Infection
Control guidelines and standards
Demonstrates an understanding
of the EQuIP accreditation
process
Seeks to continually improve
standards within the service.
Achievement of satisfactory
performance appraisals
Provides contemporary
evidenced based speech
pathology.
Demonstrates a commitment to
promoting education activities
within unit, hospital and
community
Readily shares knowledge and
skills and offers support to
colleagues














Completion of accurate incident reports
Takes due care of all equipment
Identifies, minimises and reports hazards, near
misses and injuries immediately
Attendance at regular Fire, Disaster and
Emergency response training
Responds appropriately to specific patient and
community needs regarding potential Infection
Control issues
Adheres to the principles of standard precautions
Identifies areas for improvement within the
service.
Participates actively in quality improvement
activities
Takes responsibility for incorporating
recommendations into daily practice
Participates in the performance evaluation
processes annually
Regular attendance and participation in inservice education
Demonstrates responsibility for 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
Date:
Print Name:
Line Manager Signature:
Werribee Mercy Hospital
Date:
Speech pathologist
Print Name:
Werribee Mercy Hospital
Speech pathologist