POSITION DESCRIPTION Position Title: Department: Location: Uniting Purpose: Uniting Values: Diversional Therapist Day Centre War Memorial Hospital To inspire people, enliven communities & confront injustice Imaginative, respectful, compassionate, bold Classification: Health Professionals Award Diversional Therapist Level 1 Vaccination risk category: A Award: War Memorial Hospital (Waverley) Health Professionals Award 2011 Employment status: Permanent Part Time Hours: 32 hrs per week Position reports to: Position Supervises: Key relationships: Day Centre and Transport Services Manager Diversional therapy assistants, allied health assistants and drivers Day Centre and Transport manager, executive management, day centre and transport staff, WMH multidisciplinary staff and key external stakeholders POSITION PURPOSE This position functions as part of the Day Centre team to plan, coordinate and deliver high quality Diversional Therapy program and care to clients who attend the Day Centre service, consistent with WMH, Uniting and South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) policies, procedures and standards. This position is clinically based within the Day Centre providing a variety of activities for groups of older people, including those with dementia, via individual and group modalities. The DT is responsible for assessing client needs, preferences and capabilities and preparing a program of suitable leisure based activities ensuring healthy interactions, safety and well-being. War Memorial Hospital ABN 78722 539 923 125 Birrell Street Waverley NSW 2024 T 02 9369 0100 F 02 9387 7018
POSITION OBJECTIVES Facilitate delivery of an effective, flexible, innovative and integrated diversional therapy program and service under the guidance of the senior diversional therapist and Day Centre Manager Assess, plan, organise, evaluate and deliver quality diversional therapy care in accordance with the DT Association of Australia, NSW Health and SESLHD policies and clinical practices, to achieve client health outcomes within specified timeframes Document all aspects of client care, including education, progress notes and referrals in compliance with Uniting, NSW Health and SESLHD documentation standards and procedures to ensure continuity of safe and effective patient care Participation in clinical care meetings, case conferences (and multidisciplinary meetings) as required KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Financial management & awareness: Appropriate handling and record keeping of clients fees and petty cash management Appropriate management and handling of Corporate Purchase Card if provided Performs duties demonstrating efficient use of hospital resources Operational processes: Assess, plan, organise, evaluate and deliver quality Diversional Therapy care in accordance with the Diversional Therapy Australia, NSW Health and SESLHD policies and clinical practices, to achieve client health outcomes within specified timeframes Document all aspects of client care, including education, progress notes and referrals in compliance with Uniting, NSW Health and SESLHD documentation standards and procedures to ensure continuity of safe and effective patient care Plan and prioritise own work requirements effectively to meet defined patient/client care objectives within agreed timeframes Maintain up to date knowledge and skills, and practice within the risk management, safety, and quality frameworks as applicable to Uniting and the SESLHD, to ensure the health and safety of staff, patients and visitors Work safely and in accordance with Uniting s HSW policies and procedures Maintain awareness of employee HSW rights and responsibilities Participate and comply with all quality management systems and processes Client management & engagement (internal & external stakeholders): Communicate effectively in a culturally sensitive manner with patients/clients, families, and other health care professionals to plan and implement intervention strategies, to ensure patient needs are identified and their requirements are addressed where possible Consult and liaise with health care professionals to establish co-ordination and continuity of care to patients/clients Maintain a high standard of conduct and work performance to promote our reputation with key internal and external stakeholders. People management & teamwork: Plan and deliver Diversional Therapy education to clients, their families, and other health care professionals and provide support and guidance to students on clinical placement and work experience as required Act as an appropriate and effective role model and promote a culture and supporting practices that reflect the organisational values through demonstrated behaviours and interactions with patients, clients and employees Page 2
Maintain responsibility for personal and professional development by participating in evidence based practice activities, training/education, and performance reviews/appraisals in order to continuously improve the level of service provided to patients/clients Actively engage and participate in the company s performance management framework and review processes. KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS Financial management & awareness: Maintain client money (float) and petty cash balance kept at Day Centre and document all spending, exchange and receipting accordingly Manage client money/expenditure when on community outings or lunches Appropriate management and handling of Corporate Purchase Card if provided Perform duties demonstrating efficient use of hospital resources Operational processes: Selection and implementation of intervention strategies to address problem areas identified in assessments and to meet goals within specific timeframes Ensure activity programs are implemented and conducted to facilitate client participation. Service delays are identified and investigated. Ensure consultation with clients to enable provision of a variety of activities and programs suited to individual and group needs. Prepare and maintain therapy environment ensuring optimum physical conditions prevail and equipment to be maintained and kept in good order Development and review of education resources and other educational materials suitable for staff and clients Participation in staff meetings, clinical care meetings, case conference and multidisciplinary meetings as required Monthly reports and statistics submitted by designated deadlines All clinical events are documented in accordance with SESLHD, WMH & Uniting documentation standards Client management & engagement (internal & external stakeholders): Evidence of advocacy for clients and carers with other service providers Information from client and carer stories are utilised Contribute to effective team dynamics and client and stakeholder relationships utilising high level communication and negotiation skills Provide general clinical advice to members of the multidisciplinary team, service managers and other stakeholders regarding service delivery and clinical service development Facilitate delivery of an effective, flexible, innovative and integrated diversional therapy program and service Liaise with clients and their families, other health professionals, supervisors, students and researchers as required Working around people who may display aggressive, distressed or unpredictable behaviour People management and teamwork: Evidence that positive outcomes are shared and celebrated Evidence that client feedback and suggestions are used to remodel service delivery Evidence of engagement with diversional therapy staff to critically reflect on and explore potential to improve practice Page 3
Evidence of inter-discipline initiatives 100% with up to date professional development plans and performance reviews Formally identified clinical supervisor for professional development Work Health Safety and Welfare Requirements: All staff are required to assist in creating and maintaining a safe and healthy work environment by working in a safe and healthy manner, adhering to instructions and using the equipment provided in accordance with safe operating procedures. Where appropriate, staff will initiate and participate in worksite inspections, accident reporting and investigations, develop safe work procedures and provide appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision. Incident rates monitored related to policy and procedure requirements or breaches Evidence of training in relation to clinical service provision and policies and procedures 100% compliance with mandatory training requirements Incident and complaint response and turnaround times are within requirements Escalation of issues identified in relation to resources and unit performance Evidence that complaint causes are used to remodel service delivery Evidence of Quality Improvement outcomes Risk assessments are undertaken and documented Reporting of incidents related to WHS, infection control and sterilisation issues Monitoring of locally agreed Key Performance indicators PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE Skills & Experience: Demonstrated core competency skills in providing clinical services including client assessment, treatment, and group work for frail aged, dementia and CALD clientele Demonstrated high level written and verbal communication, and interpersonal skills, and the ability to proactively engage with patients/clients to enhance service delivery Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and to exercise independent professional judgement on routine matters, commensurate with years of experience Computer skills and the capacity to use health information systems Demonstrated commitment to quality improvement and evidence based practice and a commitment to ongoing clinical and professional learning Current NSW Drivers licence Class C, and current First Aid certificate or willingness to obtain one Qualifications: Degree in Diversional Therapy or equivalent degree in Health and Leisure studies Current AHPRA registration or eligibility for membership to relevant professional organisation Employee Name: Date: Signature: Managers Name: Title Date: Signature: Page 4
JOB DEMANDS CHECKLIST Job Title: Diversional Therapist Service/Unit: War Memorial Hospital Department: Day Centre Manager / Supervisor: Rod Escobar Assessor: Rod Escobar Date of Assessment: 05/02/2016 Date of Assessment review: Feb 2017 Definitions: Denotes a critical requirement of the job Frequency I Infrequent intermittent activity exists for a short time on a very infrequent basis O Occasional - activity exists up to 1/3 of the time when performing the job C R Constant activity exists for more than 2/3 of the time when performing the job Repetitive activity involves repetitive movements F Frequent activity exists between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time when performing the job N/A Not applicable activity is not required to perform the job PHYSICAL DEMANDS - DESCRIPTION (comment) Sitting Remaining in a seated position to Standing Remaining standing without moving about to Walking Floor type: even/uneven/slippery, indoors/outdoors, slopes Running Floor type: even/uneven/slippery, indoors/outdoors, slopes Bend/ Lean Forward from Waist Forward bending from the waist to Trunk Twisting Turning from the waist while sitting or standing to Kneeling Remaining in a kneeling posture to Squatting/ Crouching Adopting a squatting or crouching posture to Crawling Moving by crawling on knees & hands to Leg/ Foot Movement Use of leg and or foot to operate machinery Climbing (stairs/ladders) Ascend/ descend stairs, ladders, steps, scaffolding Lifting/ Carrying Light lifting & carrying 0 9kg Moderate lifting & carrying 10 15kg Heavy lifting & carrying 16kg and above Reaching Arms fully extended forward or raised above shoulder Pushing/ Pulling/ Restraining Using force to hold/restrain or move objects toward or away from body Head/ Neck Postures Holding head in a position other than neutral (facing forward) Hand & Arm Movements Repetitive movements of hands & arms Page 5
Grasping/ Fine Manipulation Gripping, holding, clasping with fingers or hands Work at Heights Using ladders, footstools, scaffolding, or other objects to perform work Driving Operating any motor powered vehicle SENSORY DEMANDS - DESCRIPTION (comment) Sight Use of sight is an integral part of work performance e.g. viewing of X-rays, computer screen Hearing Use of hearing is an integral part of work performance e.g. telephone enquiries Smell Use of smell is an integral part of work performance e.g. working with chemicals Taste Use of taste is an integral part of work performance e.g. food preparation Touch Use of touch is an integral part of work performance PSYCHOSOCIAL DEMANDS DESCRIPTION (comment) Assisting Distressed people e.g. emergency or grief situations Aggressive & uncooperative people e.g. drug/alcohol, dementia, mental illness Unpredictable people e.g. dementia, mental illness and head injuries Restraining Involvement in physical containment of patients/clients Exposure to distressing situations e.g. child abuse, viewing dead/mutilated bodies ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS DESCRIPTION (comment) Dust Exposure to atmospheric dust Gases Working with explosive or flammable gases requiring precautionary measures Fumes Exposure to noxious or toxic fumes Liquids Working with corrosive, toxic or poisonous liquids or chemicals requiring PPE Hazardous substances e.g. dry chemicals, glues Noise Environmental/background noise necessitates people to raise their voice to be heard Inadequate lighting Risk of trips, falls or eyestrain Page 6
Sunlight Risk of sunburn exists from spending more than 10 minutes per work day in sunlight Extreme temperatures Environmental temperatures are < 15 C or > 35 C Confined spaces Areas where only one egress (escape route) exists Slippery or uneven surfaces Greasy or wet floor surfaces, ramps, uneven ground Inadequate housekeeping Obstructions to walkways and work areas cause trips & falls Working at heights Ladders/stepladders/ scaffolding are required to Biological hazards e.g. exposure to body fluids, bacteria, infectious diseases Additional Position Requirements/Demands Summary: From the checklist, outline the main requirements or demands of the job. This information will then be transferred to the Position Description. Anything that is frequent and above or identified as critical to the job should be included in the position description... Signature of Manager:. Date:././20. I am able to fulfil the above requirements without modification. I am unable to fulfil the above job requirements and need the following modifications:.. Signature of Employee:... Date: / /20. Page 7