Information Package and Lodgement Details for Intending Applicants Position: Reports to: Nature of Appointment: Salary: Position Description: Location: Therapy Assistant Senior Therapist Temporary Casual Helping Hand Aged Care Care & Support Staff Enterprise Agreement Please see attached North Adelaide Further information about the position please contact: Marta Skibicki Senior Physiotherapist mskibicki@helpinghand.org.au Mobile - 0418 657 584 Closing Date for Applications: Monday 27 th August 2012 Lodgement Details Please send your application to: Email mskibicki@helpinghand.org.au or Apply Now on our website Applications should include a covering letter and resume which detail your skills and experience. Additional information: Please note that applicants are required to undergo a 1
Police Check. You may also be required to undergo a Pre-employment medical JOB AND PERSON SPECIFICATION JOB TITLE: CLASSIFICATION: REPORTING TO: Therapy Assistant Helping Hand Aged Care Care & Support Staff Enterprise Agreement Senior Therapist POSITION DESCRIPTION: Under the supervision of Allied Health therapists (Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Podiatrists), assist in the provision of high quality rehabilitation and therapy services to clients of Helping Hand Aged Care s Rehabilitation program, as directed by the Senior Therapists. KEY OBJECTIVES: 1. To provide high quality services under the supervision of therapists and other professional staff to residents of Helping Hand Aged Care (HHAC) facilities and community clients in line with the principles of the Rehabilitation program. 2. To assist in the development of links and partnerships with key community groups, service providers and referral networks. 3. To work effectively and co-operatively within a multi-disciplinary team comprising staff and volunteers. 4. To comply with organisational money handling procedures and maintain appropriate financial records. 5. To participate in professional development activities. 2
6. To participate in the on-going review of Rehabilitation Program services and contribute to the process of improvement, in accordance with the principles and procedures of Helping Hand Aged Care s Quality Improvement program. 7. To ensure a healthy and safe work environment by compliance with relevant Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare policies and procedures. 8. To carry out other duties consistent with the purpose of the position and as directed by the Senior Therapists and/or supervising therapists. JOB SPECIFICATION 1. To provide high quality services under the supervision of therapists and other professional staff to residents of Helping Hand Aged Care (HHAC) facilities and community clients in line with the principles of the Rehabilitation program. Assist in the provision of effective treatment sessions as instructed to achieve the planned outcomes. Help in the reception of clients at the various Allied Health service provision sites. Escort clients to and from the service provision sites as required. Demonstrate a level of skill in the use of a range of treatment techniques as appropriate for older people, as directed. Demonstrate understanding in the preparation and use of the treatment equipment available at the Allied Health service locations. Comply with the administrative requirements of the Rehabilitation Program by maintaining accurate documentation of client interventions, data collection, data entry and completing other reports and administrative tasks as directed, and to undertake housekeeping duties as required. Adopt a client-focussed approach to work, based on dignity, respect, cultural sensitivity and informed choice. Maintain client confidentiality. Work in partnership with clients, their families and/or carers, other health professionals and the community to support the needs of each client. Promote appropriate levels of independence for each client. Seek client and carer feedback. Facilitate client access to and participation in community activity. Attend and assist in the provision of services at the designated Allied Health sites in accordance with instructions from the Senior Therapists. 3
Respond to the needs to vary the place of work, sometimes at short notice, as required to satisfy the needs of the Rehabilitation program and travel from site to site using own vehicle. Contribute to the development of community-based services. 2. To assist in the development of links and partnerships with key community groups, service providers and referral networks. Assist in networking with community groups and service providers to keep them informed and updated on Rehabilitation program services. Promote key marketing messages of the Rehabilitation program. 3. To work effectively and co-operatively within a multi-disciplinary team comprising staff and volunteers. Operate as an effective member of the Rehabilitation team. Liaise with staff in the Rehabilitation team to support client goal achievement and lifestyle outcomes. Work collaboratively with other staff throughout the HHAC organisation. Participate in multi-disciplinary and team meetings as required. 4. To comply with organisational money handling procedures and maintain appropriate financial records. Assume responsibility, as instructed, for handling and receipting of monies received from clients. Keep accurate and up-to-date financial records of client transactions. 5. To participate in professional development activities. Take responsibility for own further learning, training and updating of clinical skills. Participate in performance appraisals. Identify professional development needs in consultation with the Senior Therapists. Attend training sessions as arranged. Prepare written reports about each training session as requested by the Senior Therapists. 4
Integrate the skills and knowledge gained from professional development activities into regular Rehabilitation program practices. 6. To participate in the on-going review of Rehabilitation services and contribute to the process of improvement, in accordance with the principles and procedures of Helping Hand Aged Care s Quality Improvement program. Demonstrate commitment to the principles of a learning organisation. Conduct and participate as directed in evaluation and review of the service. Identify quality issues and suggest appropriate action plans where necessary to the Senior Therapists. Support and participate in Quality Improvement initiatives. 7. To ensure a healthy and safe work environment by compliance with relevant Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare policies and procedures. Function in accordance with legislation and common law pertaining to safe work place practices, as outlined in the HHAC OHS&W Manual. Report personal injuries and accidents. Identify and report hazards and unsafe practices. Ensure familiarisation with fire safety procedures and precautions. Attend OHS&W training sessions. Comply with HHAC manual handling policies and procedures. Monitor staff and volunteer compliance accordingly. Participate in reviews of OHS&W procedures as required. 8. To carry out other duties consistent with the purpose of the position and as directed by the Senior Therapists and/or supervising therapists. 5
PERSON SPECIFICATION: QUALIFICATIONS: Essential: TAFE Certificate III in Aged Care, or equivalent. Current South Australian drivers licence. Desirable: Current cardio-pulmonary resuscitation certificate. Senior First Aid certificate Allied Health Assistant Certificate III or IV. KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: Essential: Appreciation of, and willingness to comply with, the principles of the Rehabilitation program. Desirable: Knowledge of the ageing process. Knowledge of the needs of older people for physical rehabilitation and therapy, and the ways to meet those needs. Knowledge of local health services and networks. Knowledge of the legal responsibilities of therapy assistants under the various Professional Acts (Physiotherapy, Podiatry and Occupational Therapy). Knowledge and understanding of data collection and outcome measurement. Knowledge about ways to provide services in culturally aware and sensitive ways, taking into account the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse clients. SKILLS: Essential: Computer literate in a Windows environment. Ability to work under supervision, and to seek advice as required. Ability to adapt to change and maintain a flexible approach to service delivery. Ability to support new developments in service delivery. Ability to establish priorities and achieve outcomes within appropriate timeframes. Ability to work co-operatively in teams with staff and volunteers. Ability to manage the collection of statistical information. Good written and verbal skills. Good time management skills. Good problem-solving ability. EXPERIENCE: Desirable: Recent clinical experience. 6
Experience in working as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Experience working in community-based and residential care settings. Experience in the provision of therapy services to aged clients. I understand and agree to abide by the responsibilities and duties described in this position description. Employee - Name Signature Date Manager - Name Signature Date 7