ROYAL ADELAIDE HOSPITAL
JOB AND PERSON
SPECIFICATION
Title of Position
Senior Physiotherapist, Pulmonary
Rehabilitation
Classification Code:
Discipline Code:
AHP2
Type of Appointment: 1.0FTE
 Permanent
 Temporary Term … ……….
Administrative Unit
Royal Adelaide Hospital
Division: Nursing, Anaesthesia, Allied
Health & General Services
Branch: Transitional & Community
Services
Section:
Position Number:
Position Created: March 2008
Job and Person Specification Approval
All excluding senior positions
..................................... …… / …… / ……
CEO or delegate
..................................... …… / …… / ……
Commissioner for Public Employment
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 Senior Physiotherapist, Pulmonary Rehabilitation, is accountable for the provision of
physiotherapy services to patients referred for pulmonary rehabilitation through the Royal
Adelaide Hospital, at the Day Rehabilitation Centre, Hampstead Campus. The Senior
Physiotherapist, Pulmonary Rehabilitation, contributes to project work aimed at improving
and developing community based pulmonary rehabilitation services while utilising evidencebased practice to achieve quality patient outcomes. These responsibilities result in a
significant contribution to improved clinical outcomes for community-dwelling respiratory
patients across the CNAHS. The occupant operates without direct supervision.
2.
Reporting and Working Relationships (to whom the person reports, staff for
whom the person is responsible, and other significant connections and
working relationships within the organisation):
The Senior Physiotherapist, Pulmonary Rehabilitation:
 Reports administratively and operationally to the Coordinator, Transitional and
Community Services
 Reports professionally to the Director, Physiotherapy
 Works in collaboration with the RAH Pulmonary Rehabilitation Clinical Practice
Consultant: in the assessment and management of pulmonary rehabilitation patients, to
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establish professional links between acute and community services; in the evaluation of
key performance indicators; and to develop the program as a best practice model
 Works with other team members of the RAH Pulmonary Rehabilitation team
 Works with other senior physiotherapists and provides professional support to less
experienced members of the RAH Physiotherapy Department
3.
Special Conditions (such as non-metropolitan location, travel requirements,
frequent overtime, etc):
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Temporary funded position until 30th June 2011, or until the substantive returns to the
position, whichever is the sooner
The appointee may be subject to a Criminal History Check prior to confirmation of
appointment
Must be prepared to participate in an annual Performance Review and Development
agreement
Some out of hours work may be required on a time in lieu basis
Must hold a current driver’s licence
May be required to work at any site within the Central Northern Adelaide Health Service
4.
Statement of Key Outcomes and Associated Activities:
4.1
Facilitates the effective rehabilitation of patients referred to the RAH Pulmonary
Rehabilitation program, by:
 Providing accurate, timely physiotherapy and other selected assessments and valid
interpretations of assessment findings in order to identify rehabilitation needs
 Recording appropriate, clear and concise clinical information in patients' medical records
 Liaising closely with, and acting as a clinical resource for, other involved disciplines and
community agencies to facilitate the provision of pulmonary rehabilitation to RAH patients
 Liaising with other team members to make interventional recommendations for patients
including exercise prescription, equipment prescription, and ongoing rehabilitation or
support needs
 Contributing to the development and promulgation of upgraded or new program
techniques and technologies
4.2
Through project work assists in the development of a coordinated pulmonary
rehabilitation service within CNAHS and across the chronic disease continuum of
care, by:
 Increasing collaboration between physiotherapy and other disciplines involved in
pulmonary rehabilitation programs across CNAHS, particularly in terms of assessment
procedures, outcome measurement and program evaluation
 Participating in meetings between CNAHS pulmonary rehabilitation staff/teams
 Scoping access and linkages to community based pulmonary rehabilitation programs
 Participating in the evaluation of existing pulmonary rehabilitation programs within
CNAHS
 Reviewing and incorporating relevant evidence and accepted best practice into the
management of patients undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation
 Compiling and maintaining relevant up-to-date resources
 Attending and contributing to appropriate education sessions and seminars
4.3
Contributes to the effectiveness and efficiency of the pulmonary rehabilitation
program by:
 Using advanced self-organisation, communication and teamwork skills to help deliver a
consistent and reliable standard of service
 Adhering to and promoting RAH, DRC and CNAHS policies and procedures
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
4.4
Identifying, reporting and actively working on opportunities for quality improvement
Contributes to the provision of a safe, healthy and equitable work environment for self
and others by:
 Reporting all accidents, incidents and near misses
 Complying with reasonable instructions or procedures aimed at protecting the health and
safety of self and others
 Carrying out responsibilities as detailed in occupational health, safety and injury
management policies and procedures
 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.
Approved by Line Manager: ………………………………….
…… / …… / ……
Acknowledged by Occupant: ………………………………...
…… / …… / ……
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PERSON SPECIFICATION
ESSENTIAL MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Educational/ Vocational Qualifications:
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Degree, or equivalent, in Physiotherapy and full registration with the Physiotherapy Board of
South Australia
 Willingness to undertake relevant ongoing education/ study
Personal Abilities/ Aptitudes/ Skills:
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Physical strength, flexibility and endurance sufficient for the manual handling requirements of
the work
Advanced assessment and clinical management skills with evidence of focus in respiratory
physiotherapy
Ability to function effectively within a multidisciplinary team
Ability to represent and promote a physiotherapy and allied health perspective where
appropriate
Demonstrated initiative to undertake own learning and maintain currency of knowledge/ skills
Highly developed skills in organising, setting priorities and managing time effectively with
minimal direct professional supervision
Highly developed leadership skills in communication, problem solving, conflict resolution and
negotiation skills
Proven ability of flexibility, innovation and creativity within the whole of service setting
Ability to use a personal computer for word processing and data entry functions
Experience:
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Broad physiotherapy experience leading to a current understanding of clinical practice in an
acute hospital and community setting
 Experience in the acute and subacute physiotherapy management of patients with chronic
respiratory conditions
 Experience in coordinating, planning, executing and reporting project work
 Experience in the formal evaluation of clinical practice
Knowledge:
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Knowledge of respiratory physiology and patho-physiology, and physiotherapy assessment and
management of patients with respiratory conditions
 Knowledge of current issues in the care of patients with chronic diseases across the continuum
of care
 Awareness of Quality Improvement Systems as applied to a healthcare setting
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DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS
Educational/ Vocational Qualifications:
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Post-graduate qualifications in cardiorespiratory physiotherapy
Membership of appropriate professional association(s) relevant to the area of cardiorespiratory
physiotherapy
Personal Abilities/ Aptitudes/ Skills:
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Advanced ability to use a personal computer for data management, analysis and reporting
 Ability to undertake presentations to community and professional groups
Experience:
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At least five (5) years clinical experience in physiotherapy, with a focus on cardiorespiratory
physiotherapy
 Experience in the development of regional, state and national clinical service models
 Experience in project work and program development
 Experience in running therapeutic exercise groups for chronic conditions and in chronic disease
self management strategies
Knowledge:
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Knowledge of current issues and trends in pulmonary rehabilitation
Knowledge of the primary objectives of the national Chronic Disease Strategy
Knowledge of principles of self management and self management concepts
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