POSITION DESCRIPTION

1.             POSITION SUMMARY

Position Name:	Physiotherapist
Date Updated:	March 2007
Employment Status:	Grade Two, 0.5 EFT, Permanent
Program Name:	Community, Youth and Family Health
Immediate Supervisor:	Allied Health Coordinator
Program Responsibility:	Manager, Community, Youth and Family Program
Closing Date:	Monday, July 21, 2008

2.             OUR ORGANISATION

The Inner South Community Health Service (ISCHS) is a multi-sited community health agency providing a comprehensive range of health and welfare services to the communities of Prahran,   St Kilda, South Melbourne and Port Melbourne.  Approximately 220 staff work in multi-disciplinary teams to deliver programs and services across four key service locations: SouthPort (in Coventry Street, South Melbourne); Inkerman Street, St Kilda; Mitford Street, St Kilda; Malvern Road, Prahran.

Our programs include:

• Dental Program;
• Health Innovations Partnerships Program;
• Aged Health and Rehabilitation Program;
• Indigenous Access and Equity Program;
• Community, Youth and Family Health Program and;
• Service Support and Development Program

The ISCHS has a commitment to continuous quality improvement and has a reputation for innovation and excellence in its service delivery.  The Service values collaboration and works effectively as part of the local service system and prides itself on developing innovative, responsive services to meet community needs.

2.1     Mission

Inner South Community Health Service is committed to deliver innovative, responsive and targeted health services and to take a leadership role in advocacy, evaluation and policy development.  We strive to ensure access and linkage to services for those in the community who may not readily access mainstream services and to make an impact on the health of marginalized people.

2.2        Values

We value:

·        active client and community participation in service development and delivery

·        innovative, quality services that are client focussed, responsive and outcome oriented

·        services that address issues of access and equity

·        proactive and responsive service delivery to marginalised groups within our communities

·        our staff and an environment where skills are developed and encouraged

·        a continuous learning culture

·        the provision of a safe and supportive environment for staff, service users and visitors

·        good governance, ethical management and transparency in decision making

·        fostering partnerships, which achieve the best outcomes for our communities.

·        Accountability for performance

·        Achieving results

For more information on our organisation please visit our website www.ischs.org.au.

3.             POSITION DETAILS

3.1          Position Context

The Community and Family Health Program (CY&FHP) is comprised of three teams: Casework Counselling, Community, Youth and Family, and Allied Health. The CY&FHP mission is to enhance the wellbeing of children, young people, adults and families, particularly those living in isolation and on low incomes, by increasing their access to an extensive range of high quality services. The program aims to provide responsive and effective health promotion, primary care and supportive services in a manner that proactively and respectfully engages our client groups.

The physiotherapist is a member of the Allied Health team, but also works with multidisciplinary staff and services that include family and general casework/counselling, financial counselling, adult and paediatric physiotherapy, podiatry, occupational therapy, speech pathology, paediatric psychology, community midwifery, physical education, dietetics, sexual and reproductive health, and a worker for homeless youth.

This position delivers services primarily to the Southport area, but has occasional involvement across all ISCHS sites and communities.

3.2         Position Objective

The physiotherapist will provide assessment and treatment to the CY&FHP target group in a range of settings, including the centre clinic and other community settings. The role encompasses direct clinical care, group work and health promotion activities. The physiotherapist will have a role in the ongoing development of the team and the program and will, at times, work closely with staff members of other programs on client or organisational issues.

3.3          Key Responsibilities

Client Services:

·        Participate in a common intake process within the service.

·        Provide physical health assessments, taking into consideration social and emotional health, to individuals in a variety of community settings, and to plan, co-ordinate and implement appropriate follow up strategies, including physiotherapy, or where appropriate, referral to other agencies or team members.

·        Plan, develop and conduct group programs, including gym and hydrotherapy groups as appropriate, that complement direct service work.

·        Plan, in consultation with other team members and relevant agencies, appropriate preventative health education and health promotion activities.

·        Develop liaison with relevant health and community services at a local level to ensure health needs of the CY&FHP target group are addressed effectively.

·        Act as a resource to members of the CY&FHP on physiotherapy related issues.

Professional Development

·        To attend and contribute to staff development and supervision programs, and to attend relevant courses and mandatory in-house training when appropriate.

·        To participate in peer review/practice review.

Administrative

·        To attend all relevant Centre meetings.

·        To accurately complete timesheets and statistics on a routine basis.

General

·        To participate in the ongoing planning, evaluation and development of the CY&FHP.

·        To adhere to ISCHS policies and procedures.

·        To participate in quality assurance activities as required.

·        To receive appropriate training about the Needle & Syringe Program (NSP) and participate in the NSP as required.

·        To undertake active and meaningful community participation and engagement

·        Other duties as required by the Manager of the Program.

3.4         Reporting Relationships

·        The physiotherapist reports directly to the Allied Health Coordinator.

4.             KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

Mandatory

·        Degree or diploma in physiotherapy, and registration with the Victorian Physiotherapists’ Registration Board.

·        Demonstrated experience in the provision of physiotherapy services to marginalised groups.

·        An understanding of, and commitment to, the philosophy of community health.

·        An understanding of the principles of health promotion

·        Demonstrated ability to work autonomously as well as within a multi-disciplinary team.

·        Knowledge of the target group and related issues.

·        Well developed interpersonal and communication skills.

·        A current Victorian Driver’s Licence

·      Applicants must have registered for A Working With Children Check to be eligible for this        position. (if relevant to this role).

Desirable

·        Minimum two years experience in Physiotherapy.

·        Skills in networking, liaison and the development, and maintenance of strong links with relevant service providers and users.

·        Well-developed analytical and written skills.

·        Wide experience working in a community setting.

·        Experience in the development and delivery of group services.

·        Ability to speak a relevant community language other than English.

5.             CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Award:	HSUA Health Professional Service Award
Salary Level:	Physiotherapist, Grade 2, year level dependent upon experience
Salary Packaging:	Available For further information please refer to Salary Packaging information below
Hours Per Week:	19
Duration:	Permanent
Probationary Period:	This position is subject to a probationary period of three months, in accordance with ISCHS Recruitment Policy.
Location:	South Melbourne From time to time the incumbent may be requested to work from or be based at other ISCHS centres.

·        Salary packaging is a legitimate method of restructuring existing salary into a combination of salary and expense payment benefits in order to provide a higher net remuneration for the employee. 

·        This offer applies while Inner South Community Health Service continues to be granted "public benevolent institution" status and enjoys exemption from the provisions of the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT).  Should our status change salary packaging will no longer be available.

·        It is not compulsory for employees to take up the offer to ‘package’ their salary; however the benefits from packaging are considerable. There is a small cost to the employee.

·        Salary packaging is not available for casual or locum employees.

·          Meal entertainment is also available at ISCHS.  It is of great benefit to staff as it is a tax free benefit in addition to the $16,050 that you can claim through Salary Packaging.  ISCHS staff are able to claim up to $5,000 pa worth of FBT exempt meal entertainment expenses on top of their existing packaging.

        PLEASE NOTE: 

There is potential that Community Health may loose its current PBI status, which will affect Salary Packaging and Meals Entertainment benefits.  Community Health agencies are responding to this potential loss as a sector and are hopeful that we will be able to maintain our Salary Packaging and Meals Entertainment entitlements.

6.             APPLICATION PROCESS

Written applications addressing the selection criteria and including a resume and the names of three professional referees should be forwarded to Virginia Alexander, Recruitment Coordinator, at:

Postal Address	Email	Facsimile
Inner South Community Health Service PO Box 103 South Melbourne  Vic  3205	recruit@ischs.org.au	9696 7228

Closing Date:     Monday, July 21, 2008 at 5.00pm

                            Applications must be received by the closing date and time.

Interviews will be held on:     Thursday, July 31, 2008

Further enquiries related to the position can be directed to:

Contact Name	Email	Telephone
Meredith Ferguson	mferguson@ischs.org.au	9690 9144

·        Selection will be based on how well applicants meet the selection criteria, therefore it is essential that applicants specifically address all the selection criteria.

·        A satisfactory police check will be required of the successful applicant.

·        Former Victorian Government employees who were recipients of a voluntary departure package (VDP) are ineligible to apply within the restriction period.

·        The Inner South Community Health Service is committed to protecting your privacy according to the National Privacy Principles (NPPs). The ISCHS has a Privacy Statement and a Collection Statement, both of which are available on request to all applicants (if you require a copy, please contact Virginia Alexander on 9684 4221).

·        Pre-Existing Injury

      Prior to any person being appointed to this position it will be required that they disclose full details of any pre-existing injuries or disease that might be affected by employment in this position