POSITION DESCRIPTION Section Head Speech Language Therapy This role is considered a non-core children s worker and will be subject to safety checking as part of the Vulnerable Children Act 2014 Position Holder's Name:... Position Holder's Signature:... Manager/Supervisor's Name:... Manager/Supervisor's Signature:... Document ID: Version: 2.0 Department: ARHOP Last Updated: 12/0572016 Document Owner: Operations Manager - HOP Next Review Date: 12/05/17 Approved by: Date First Issued: 11/2007 Counties Manukau Health
Position description: Counties Manukau Health 2
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION This position is responsible for To work with the Operations Manager Health of Older People (HOP) and Operations Manager - Acute Allied Health to lead the AT&R Speech Language Therapists, Acute Speech Language Therapists and AT&R Rehab Assistants in the implementation and monitoring of the models of care for across AT&R and Acute Services To line manage the AT&R Speech Language Therapists, Acute Speech Language Therapists and AT&R Rehab Assistants across AT&R and Acute Services To facilitate the effective and efficient utilisation of staff resources providing quality service delivery to patients in line with the vision and values of Counties Manukau Health To provide discipline specific clinical input and operational support to provide quality patient focused health care and transition back into the community To provide Speech Language Therapy to patients on Ward 4. PLACE IN THE ORGANISATION Position description: Counties Manukau Health 3
NATURE AND SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES Key Accountabilities Standards / Achievements Leadership Act as an effective role model by demonstrating high levels of clinical competence. Participate in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care Advocates on behalf of the patient/family/colleagues as appropriate and in a culturally safe manner Establishes effective working relationships liaising with patients, ambulatory and community staff and health professionals across the primary sector Participates in business planning processes at a strategic and service level Promote activities of the Clinical Board and ensure staff are aware of and utilise the appropriate policies and procedures. Professional Development Staff Self Provide direct and/or indirect clinical support/ co-ordination for all staff in partnership with the other Section Heads within ARHOP Maintain and update own knowledge base related to clinical and/or educational speciality Attends educational opportunities and conferences relevant to the role and scope of practice and use this knowledge to improve practice Maintain own clinical competency in line with the competencies for individual discipline Actively participate in relevant professional organisations. Critique research findings and use these as a basis for best practice. Maintain own credentialing requirements Clinical Practice Promotes innovative and creative clinical practice and ensure that it is validated with best practice and research activities. Initiate and/or contribute to forums that critique current practice and debate topical issues to meet patient needs Works collaboratively with all members of the Position description: Counties Manukau Health 4
Key Accountabilities Standards / Achievements ARHOP Service to ensure staff receive high quality educational input and support Promotes a patient focussed approach Promotes cost effective practice Utilise expert clinical skills to co-ordinate care for patients with complex needs Provide support and assistance to staff to resolve ethical issues Works with the ADAH of SLT to provide professional input into the teams clinical practice Provides SLT function to patients on Ward 4 Quality and Risk Line management Contribute to the identification of specifications, trials and processes supporting the purchase of new equipment. Work with staff to identify hazards within the clinical area and the patients home setting to minimise risk for self, and patients Contribute to the identification of possible research/quality & innovative projects and participate in the development, implementation and evaluations of proposals Coordinate regular team meetings-focus on improving patient satisfaction Complete audits as agreed to measure the efficiency and effectiveness of the SLTs working within this brief Ensure that all Speech Language Therapy intervention within ARHOP team is based on best practice and working towards evidence based practice With the Associate Director of Allied Health - SLT and Operations Manager/s to implement service improvement strategies Take responsibility for ensuring that documentation produced by or related to the work of Speech Language Therapists working in the ARHOP team is clear, effective and in line with organisational policy Participates in workforce and development planning Provides a line management role for AT&R Speech Language Therapists, Acute Speech Position description: Counties Manukau Health 5
Key Accountabilities Standards / Achievements Language Therapists and AT&R Rehab Assistants Responsible for the clinical staff recruitment to AT&R Speech Language Therapists, Acute Speech Language Therapists and AT&R Rehab Assistant posts Responsible for the orientation of all line managed staff Ensures all team members have current performance plans Provides reports to Operations Manager/s and ADAH as required as evidence of achieving performance indicators (KPI) and variances Ensures attendance of team members at Family meetings and MDT meetings Participates in own performance appraisals and reviews, identifying ongoing professional development Manages annual leave, sick leave and study leave requests to the level negotiated with the Operations Manager Use effective time management and prioritisation strategies to manage workload of self and other Speech Language Therapists working in the team Cultural Safety & Diversity Commitment to the principles of Treaty of Waitangi Honouring Diversity Respect, sensitivity, cultural awareness is evident in interpersonal relationships. Our differences are acknowledged by respecting spiritual beliefs, cultural practices and lifestyle choices. Position description: Counties Manukau Health 6
Key Accountabilities Standards / Achievements Utilise Information Technology Demonstrate ability to access and use available clinical information systems. Is conversant with applications required for specific discipline/role. For example, i.pm, Concerto, Outlook, etc. Maintains own professional development by attending relevant IT educational programmes. Position description: Counties Manukau Health 7
COMMUNICATION AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS Will be required to interact on a regular basis with a range of Counties Manukau Health staff members including: Line reports Charge Nurses Nurses Medical Staff Radiology CSSD Other Allied Health Professionals Operations Manager Health of Older People Operations Manager Acute Allied Health Service Manager - Allied Health and Health of Older People Associate Director Allied Health Speech Language Therapy Sections Heads across AT&R and Acute Allied Health Externally there will be contact with: Equipment suppliers Support Agencies other Situations may often call for tact, diplomacy and will require information to be handled in a discreet and sensitive manner. In conflict situations will be required to exercise sound judgement, negotiation and persuasiveness skills, toward facilitating a workable outcome. PROBLEM COMPLEXITY Will be regularly challenged by a wide range of items within their remit as Section Head. There will be a requirement to be able to prioritise issues and negotiate time frames, while still providing a quality customer service. The range of problems will be diverse and require solutions customised to meet the circumstances of the client. Therefore opportunities will arise to provide innovative options to the client based on proven outcomes. There will be demands to meet deadlines, maintain accuracy and quality of information. Failure to do so could impact on the organisation in terms of reporting, targets and patient outcomes. Will refer to the Operations Manages in Health or Older People or Acute Allied Health, other Section Heads or Supervisor for advice or second opinion. Position description: Counties Manukau Health 8
SCOPE FOR ACTION Are empowered to make decisions or recommendations relating to the line management of their staff within the parameters of their role. Are encouraged to use initiative and problem solving skills to develop innovative approaches to issues. Discretion is required to be exercised in releasing confidential information to the appropriate parties. DIMENSION OF THE POSITION The Section Head SLT is responsible to the Operations Manager Health of Older People, for achievement of agreed objectives and operates within the confines of Counties Manukau District Health Board. The Section Head SLT will be responsible for managing the AT&R Speech Language Therapists, Acute Speech Language Therapists, AT&R Dietitians, and AT&R Rehab Assistants. The Section Head SLT will be regularly challenged by the need to continually re-prioritise their workload to ensure that their Teams are supported to provide quality coordinated care. POSITIONS REPORTING IN THIS ROLE (numbers) Directly (numbers): 2x AT&R Speech Language Therapists 7x Acute Speech Language Therapists 3x Rehab Assistants Indirectly (numbers): n/a PERSON SPECIFICATIONS (requirements for the role) Minimum Preferred Qualification NZSTA approved qualification to practice Speech & Language Therapy Experience A minimum of five years recent clinical experience in area of practice. Previous experience in the management or leadership of Allied Health professionals Recent experience in working in rehabilitation or Post Grad qualification in management Qualification in Professional Supervision SLT Experience with a range of age stages Experience in Leadership Experience in management Experience in Professional Supervision Position description: Counties Manukau Health 9
Skills/Knowledge/ Behaviour acute care The ability to work independently and be a member of a team Knowledge of current issues within individual discipline and specialty area In depth knowledge and understanding of medico/legal and ethical responsibilities. Experience in problem solving, priority setting, and planning Ability to self-evaluate and reflect on practice Ability to critique research and use it as the basis of practice Computer literacy Negotiation/conflict management skills Demonstrates and leads the Counties Manukau Health behaviours and values Research skills Personal Qualities A strong desire to provide goal focused patient care A strong commitment and genuine interest in quality & service A capacity to demonstrate strong clinical leadership The ability to communicate effectively with all levels of staff and develop relevant networks Demonstrated ability in the development and management of staff A desire to develop their leadership skill set Active involvement in relevant, professional/other organisations Position description: Counties Manukau Health 10
HEALTH AND SAFETY ACCOUNTABILITIES (Management roles) Health and Safety (H&S) is a key accountability of all Counties Manukau Health (CM Health) staff. All CM Health Managers are responsible to: Zero harm Engage in safe workplace practices and manage the health and safety of your employees and other people in the workplace Engage in safe work practices Ensure all Incidents involving staff are reported, investigated and any corrective actions are completed and closed off when completed in the Incident reporting system in line with CM Health Policies and Procedures Ensure all corrective activities are completed and controls are reviewed after incidents Ensure all staff are Inducted/Oriented to the division/service/work area and recorded in the Onestaff database and participate in Occupational Health and Safety matters Risk management Safety Management System Requirements Work safely Manage all hazards, risks and incidents in the workplace by identifying, evaluating, reporting and controlling them effectively by maintaining a Hazard and Risk Register that is reviewed and kept up to date on an ongoing basis Stop work where there is an immediate risk of serious harm and escalate to the appropriate manager Maintain Occupational Health of employees due to workplace hazardous exposures Ensure you and the employees understand and follow CM Health s Occupational Health and Safety policies and Health and Safety regulations, what your responsibilities are under the policies and implement these requirements effectively into your work area Manage the work area s risk profile and how these relate to the corporate risk profile and implement and resource mitigation controls Engage your employees to participate in Occupational Health and Safety matter. Report for duty in a fit state, free from the influence of alcohol or other drugs Provide and wear the necessary Personal Protective Equipment for yourself and your staff when undertaking specific activities, or when in nominated areas Ensure procedures are in place for clinical and plant equipment to be operated safely Participate in relevant safety training, manage and maintain safety related competencies for yourself and your employees Be in possession of required and current Certificates of Competency (If relevant to your position) Position description: Counties Manukau Health 11
HEALTH AND SAFETY ACCOUNTABILITIES (non-management roles) Health and Safety (H&S) is a key accountability of all Counties Manukau Health (CM Health) staff. All CM Health Employees are responsible to: Zero Harm Engage in safe workplace practices and take care of the health and safety of themselves, other employees and people in the workplace Risk Management Safety Management System Requirements Work Safely Identify, evaluate and report all hazards and incidents they are aware of in the workplace Adhere to apply risk controls, identified in risk assessments, such as Safe Operating Procedures Follow safety instructions Stop work when there is an immediate risk of serious harm and notify the appropriate manager Ensure nothing they do or don t do will cause harm to themselves or others Understand and follow CM Health s Occupational Health and Safety policies, Health and Safety regulations, and personal responsibilities as outlined by these policies Follow all Occupational Health and Safety policies and procedures Report for duty in a fit state, free from the influence of alcohol or other drugs Participate in consultation activities regarding matters affecting your health, safety and wellbeing Wear the required Personal Protective Equipment when undertaking specific activities, or when in nominated areas Operate clinical or plant equipment safely Participate in relevant safety training, and maintain safety related competencies If relevant to your position, be in possession of required and current Certificates of Competency Position description: Counties Manukau Health 12