Position Description
Impairment Adviser, Medical Panels
The Impairment Adviser utilises expertise to provide specialist service, advice and the
implementation and administration of specialist processes in the office of the Convenor of
Medical Panels.
Position details
Classification:
Position No.:
Division:
Employment Type:
Work location:
Salary:
Position reports to:
Direct reports:
Technical/Subject Matter Expert 3
31698
Medical Panels Victoria
Full time, Permanent
Level 18, 460 Lonsdale Street Melbourne
$97,297.00 (as at 1 July 2013), plus super
Legal Manager
Nil
About Medical Panels Victoria
Medical Panels has a critical role in the WorkCover dispute resolution process.
An individually constituted Medical Panel consists of Members who are medical practitioners
appointed by the Governor in Council who are selected by the Convenor or Deputy Convenor
and are required to provide procedurally fair, timely opinions and reasons in relation to
medical questions referred pursuant to the Accident Compensation Act and the Wrongs Act.
Referrals can be made by the Accident Compensation Conciliation Service, the Courts,
Workcover agents, and self-insurers. The opinions of Medical Panels are to be accepted
and adopted as final and legally binding.
WorkSafe Victoria and the relationship with Medical Panels
WorkSafe Victoria is the statutory body established to administer the Accident Compensation
Act 1985. The legislation requires WorkSafe Victoria to approve funding and appoint such
officers and employees as are necessary to ensure the proper functioning of Medical Panels,
and this includes the role of Administration Manager.
Values
The work of Medical Panels Victoria is important because the decisions made and the way in
which they are delivered have a significant impact on people’s lives, therefore the staff of
Medical Panels are required to adhere to strong values that include:
 Constructive in the way we provide information, advice and service
 Accountable for what we do and what we say.
 Transparent in the way we work, our environment is open and honest
 Effective by working collaboratively to deliver high quality services
 Caring by showing empathy in our dealings with everyone we work with
 Caring by showing empathy in our dealings with everyone we work with
Last updated: 6/03/2016
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Key purpose and accountabilities
The Office of Convenor of Medical Panels has an adviser team which is responsible for the
provision of technical and policy advice to the Convenor and Deputy Convenor, Medical
Panels in respect to the Panel’s legislative function in accordance with the Accident
Compensation Act 1985 and the Wrongs Act 1958. As each Medical Panel has the status of
a Tribunal, the adviser team is a key resource to Medical Panels concerning all aspects of
worker’s compensation and personal injury laws and Administrative Law.
The main areas of responsibility of an Impairment Adviser are:

In cooperation with the Legal Manager ensure that Medical Panels fulfil their legislative
function in respect to the Accident Compensation Act 1985 and the Wrongs Act 1958.
To support the day to day work of Medical Panels, with a focus on achieving quality
opinions within the designated timelines.
Your role will include the following:
1. Support and provide advice to the Legal Manager, as requested.
2. Review draft opinions and reasons for opinions to ensure they meet the legislative
and policy requirements.
3. Advise individual Medical Panels as requested by the Legal Manager.
4. Assist in the development and delivery of information, advice and training to
Panellists and the Convenor’s officers.
5. Build and maintain effective working relationships with the key internal and external
stakeholders.
6. Investigate, prepare briefings and policy documentation on issues associated with the
Medical Panels’ jurisdiction or governance.
Key relationships
Legal Manager, Legal team, Convenor and Deputy Convenor of Medical Panels and their
officers, General Manager, Registry Manager, Medical Panel members, workers/claimants
and their representatives, referrers including Courts, Accident Compensation Conciliation
Service, WorkCover agents, self insurers and their respective representatives.
Autonomy in decision making
You will make choices about the best process to apply and appropriate business solutions
and develops recommendations accordingly. You may need to develop procedures or make
recommendations to change based on analysis, research, knowledge and experience.
Expertise
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You will have tertiary qualifications and/or significant equivalent experience.
You will possess a high level of knowledge and expertise in the systems and regulations
governing the function or specialty field and be able to apply knowledge of research and
analysis techniques.
Last updated: 6/03/2016
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Requirements of the position
Skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications
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
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
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Strong technical knowledge of the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent
Impairment (4th Ed.).
A sound knowledge of Accident Compensation Act 1985 as it relates to Medical Panels,
medical questions and dispute resolution involving referrals to Medical Panels.
A sound knowledge of medical terminology and standard medical procedures and
practices.
Significant experience in a similar role.
Highly developed written and oral communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to work autonomously with limited guidance.
Demonstrated ability to liaise in a professional manner with a range of internal and
external clients/stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team.
Excellent time management, prioritisation and organisational skills, with the ability to
meet tight deadlines.
Intermediate/Advanced computer skills in Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint and
email (Lotus notes preferred).
High level of keyboard accuracy and an eye for detail.
Competencies
The competencies below are from the WorkSafe competency library and have been
identified as primary to this role.
The shaded box indicates the level you are required to demonstrate, with each level also
incorporating the behaviours of the previous levels.
Competency
1
2
3
4
5
Conceptual
Thinking
Draws on past
experience
Makes
connections
Applies
conceptual
frameworks
Simplifies
complex ideas
Creates new
ideas and
concepts
Contributing
Expertise
Keeps skills upto-date
Serves As a
practical resource
to others
Contributes to
others
knowledge and
development
Provides
expert advice
Recognised as
an industry
expert in
discipline
Driving
Improvement
Initiatives
Uses initiative
Identifies
improvements
Uses analysis
to determine
improvement
Develops and
implements
improvement
initiatives
Facilitates
Outcomes
Presents
information
Puts forward
rational argument
Utilises a “winwin” approach
to presenting a
case
Develops
cooperation and
builds alignment
Asks questions
Explores
anomalies
Seeks to
uncover the
facts
Undertakes
systematic
research or
investigation
Use own
research
systems
Follows up
Listens, Interprets
and Establishes
Needs
Tailors
response and
ensures
understanding
Information
Gathering
Stakeholder
Support and
Service
Last updated: 6/03/2016
Makes specific
changes to
improve
performance
Facilitates
discussion to
achieve
outcome
Acts to resolve
needs
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Acts proactively
to resolve
issues
Competency
1
2
3
4
5
Tactical and
Analytical
Thinking
Organises
information
Sees
interdependencies
and sets priorities
Undertakes
analysis to
support the
business
Systematically
analyses and
plans to achieve
outcomes
Undertakes
very complex
planning or
problem solving
Working in a
Team
Acts
cooperatively
within their
team
Actively seeks
input from others
Seeks to
understand the
needs of other
teams
Promotes cross
functional
teamwork
Aligns actions
to
organisational
goals
Last updated: 6 March 2016
Last updated: 6/03/2016
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