Cairns & Far North Queensland, Australia
Speech Pathologist
Flexible up to Full-Time
Salary Range: Commensurate with experience

We believe a person’s health should not be determined by their postcode!

Are you interested in working in regional, rural and remote communities?

Well Balanced Care is a provider of allied health care for people living in regional, rural and remote communities. Through the use of appropriate technology and evidence based practices, we have the skills and experience to provide high quality allied health service to anyone in need, regardless of location. This is done in person in communities, virtually, in the clinic or participant’s home.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Well Balanced Care is committed to a multi-disciplinary allied health care model utilising emerging and existing technologies to assist clients. We specialise in the NDIS but our services are not limited to this area. We are committed to using capacity building approaches that are relevant to the participant, family and community.

The position will function in a close working relationship with other team members to actively contribute to the achievement of Well Balanced Care’s strategic goals and objectives. These include increased access to comprehensive virtual allied health care and improved health outcomes for First Nations people by: 

- Exceeding the client’s expectations 
- Offering and delivering a high quality and safe virtual allied health service
- Improved access to virtual allied healthcare services

POSITION OBJECTIVES:

To provide an integrated and comprehensive in person and virtual Speech Pathology service with a focus on the cultural context in which services are delivered, including:

- the delivery of high-quality generalist speech pathology clinical services, covering a range of clinical conditions, complexities and age groups,
- to clients in regional, rural and remote communities, which may include the clinic, a participant’s home, or other community settings such as libraries, residential aged care and education facilities,
- with clinical care delivered both in person and via tele-heath and may include delegation to allied health assistants,
- and a preparedness and interest to support and enhance the capability of the WBC technology model in the delivery of quality care to rural and remote communities.

POSITION ACTIVITIES:

To provide an integrated and comprehensive in person-centred allied health care model with a focus on the cultural context in which services are delivered, including:

- Independently utilise high level clinical knowledge and skills to deliver quality speech pathology services across a breadth of practice covering a range of clinical conditions, complexities and age groups, varied cultural contexts utilising innovative service models

- Demonstrate high level professional judgment and clinical decision making to a varied caseload, adapting routine clinical practice cognisant of the environment that the client is in and based on the integration of valid and reliable evidence

- Complete comprehensive, evidence-based assessments, providing reports, recommendations and implementation as required

- Deliver speech pathology services across the continuum of care while working cooperatively and effectively within a multidisciplinary team and with clients and their families, community groups, other health professionals, as required

- Seek clinical advice and support from specialist clinicians and clinical supervisor where appropriate

- Provide professional clinical supervision and delegation to allied health assistants, some of which may be in remote communities, using virtual health as required

- Ensure all documentation and reporting is completed in a timely manner

- Participation in Allied Health team meetings on regular basis

Self-management and Team Contribution

- Maintain privacy and confidentiality in line with the Code of Conduct and Privacy Policy and comply with all Well Balanced Care Policies and Procedures

- Participate in the performance review process and commit to own self-development including professional supervision in accordance with Well Balanced Care’s guidelines and standards.

- Participate in continuous quality and service improvement activities regarding virtual and remote speech pathology services

- Ensure timely monitoring of data collection, clinic attendance and reporting schedules

- Liaise with the local community teams to support regular tracking of client progress and care

- Work closely with the administration team to ensure that booking and billing of clients is completed efficiently and accurately to maximise revenue and funding opportunities

- As an employee, work in a healthy and safe manner and encourage others to do the same; report or rectify any unsafe conditions; adhere to Well Balanced Care’s Workplace Health and Safety policies and procedures

Foster Linkages

- Foster productive working relationships with all Well Balanced Care staff

- Build connections and productive working relationships with key providers, local health facilities, stakeholders and others.

Please note that the duties outlined in this position description are not exhaustive, and only an indication of the work of the role. Other duties may be required and negotiated on an as needs basis.

SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

Selection Criteria / Experience

- Demonstrated high level knowledge and skills in contemporary clinical practice standards in rural and remote speech pathology

- Demonstrated understanding and commitment to work sensitively and effectively with First Nations communities and their leaders, respecting traditional culture, values and ways of doing business

- Demonstrated high level understanding of the health, social and emotional wellbeing issues that impact on First Nations people in rural and remote communities

- Demonstrated experience or willingness to participate in the delivery of care through innovative service models, in particular virtual health and a supervision and delegation model

- Demonstrated ability to determine priorities and manage caseload to meet agreed timelines and objectives

- Demonstrated effective verbal and written skills with particular emphasis on interpersonal communication skills, establishing trust and rapport, maintaining confidentiality and clinical documentation

- Demonstrated competence in use of information technology, internet and desktop applications e.g. electronic client record systems, Outlook, Word, Excel and database packages

QUALIFICATIONS / PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION / OTHER REQUIREMENTS

- The successful applicant must hold at least a tertiary degree (or equivalent) qualification in Speech Pathology and current membership or be eligible for membership with Speech Pathology Australia (SPA).

- Demonstrated ability to comply with the profession’s code of ethics and function in accordance with legislation affecting your profession.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

- It is a condition of employment for this role for the employee to provide evidence that they are, and remain, vaccinated against the following vaccine preventable diseases: COVID-19, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), hepatitis B, and pertussis (whooping cough), influenza during their employment

- Pre-employment screening:
- Current Blue Card (Working with Children and young people) or willingness to apply for a Blue Card, unless otherwise exempt (AHPRA registered practitioners);
- Satisfactory National Police Certificate

- Current Drivers Licence (Qld ‘C’ class licence) – essential

- Current CPR and First Aid Certificate

- Willingness to work flexible hours as required, including the requirement to travel, work and stay overnight for up to several days at a time in remote areas

- Willingness to travel by road and small planes

- Employees are required to undertake a period of probation appropriate to the appointment.

YOUR APPLICATION

Please provide the following information to the panel to assess your suitability:

- Your current CV or resume, including the names and contact details of two referees.

- A short statement on how your experience, abilities, knowledge and personal qualities are relevant for the role with Well Balanced Care.

To apply for this position or submit an expression of interest, please fill out our online Job Application Form.
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