Why join us?

At Southern Cross Care NSW & ACT (SCC), our organisational culture is deeply rooted in our core values. Our team wholeheartedly embraces our unwavering commitment and principles. Our strategic plan is meticulously crafted around five guiding principles that steer our path, all with the ultimate goal of enriching the lives of older people. We have a long history of providing exceptional care that empowers older people to live a full life. When you join us, you will be provided with not-for-profit salary packaging benefits and the support of an experienced leadership team.

The Role

As the Recreational Therapy Regional Advisor, you will support the Engagement Teams across SCC, as directed by the Engagement and Purposeful Living Manager (EPLM). Your role involves planning, implementing, and evaluating quality engagement programs tailored to residents' and clients' needs and preferences.

You will develop dynamic programs that enhance psychological, social, emotional, physical, spiritual, and cultural wellbeing. Additionally, you will mentor staff to meet recreation, leisure, cultural, and spiritual needs, and help develop plans to minimise responsive behaviours.

You will coordinate services collaboratively with the Manager/s, Recreational Therapists, Lifestyle Coordinators, Lifestyle staff, Spiritual Wellbeing Coordinators, and clinical teams. Your work will comply with industry and professional legislation and standards SCC’s policies and procedures, operating within your professional scope and ethical framework.

1. Key Accountabilities

Collaborating with the business area manager you will support the coordinating, supervising, and engaging staff within the engagement stream, including but not limited to Recreational Therapists, Lifestyle staff, and Spiritual Wellbeing Employees. You will work collaboratively as part of a team to deliver high-quality, person-centered care and ensure continuity of care.

Your role will involve supporting the Managers in overseeing the Engagement staff and providing direct support as directed by the EPLM to ensure they deliver a high-quality service that meets individual needs. You will offer mentoring, guidance, and support to all Engagement staff.

Additionally, you will monitor the quality of engagement programs to ensure they meet the needs, preferences, and desires of individuals. You will also oversee documentation related to engagement to ensure all residents/clients receive the required quality and level of intervention. This includes ensuring timely and accurate completion of all documentation in line with SCC policies and procedures.

Documentation

You will work effectively as part of a team to deliver a high standard of person-centred care and ensure continuity of care. You will provide education and direct assistance to engagement staff so they can develop and maintain quality documentation related to each resident/client of the Home/Service, including assessment and care planning.

Additionally, you will offer education and direct assistance to engagement staff to help them develop and maintain quality program documentation. You will also implement documentation audits to identify gaps and areas that require additional education and support.

Engagement Program Development and Evaluation

As the Recreational Therapy Regional Advisor, you will drive creative and innovative programming approaches to ensure resident/clients are offered quality, meaningful engagement programs, activities, and opportunities that enhance their quality of life. You will support the development and acquisition of quality resources and assist the Home/Service in seeking out opportunities for community engagement and involvement.

Education

In collaboration with the EPLM, you will develop and facilitate education and training sessions. These sessions will be designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of staff, ensuring they are well-equipped to provide high-quality care. The plans for education and staff development will also be informed by feedback and input from the Manager/s.

Resident/Client and Family Relationships

As an integral part of the SCC clinical team, you uphold and reflect professional standards in all your interactions with residents/clients and their families. You will build highly supportive and positive relationships, demonstrating a genuinely caring attitude. You will show a high level of respect, empathy, and sensitivity at all times, including resident/clients and key stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.

You will be responsive to the needs, concerns, and suggestions made by residents/clients and family, ensuring these are acted upon or escalated in a timely and appropriate manner. You will ensure all complaints, continuous improvement, and feedback pertaining to engagement services are documented according to established processes. You will demonstrate and promote high levels of respect for resident/client dignity, privacy, and confidentiality.

You will communicate and interact in a manner that encourages relatives, friends, local community groups, churches, etc., to play an active role in the lives of residents/clients.

Team Culture and Stakeholder Relationships

You will offer mentoring, guidance, and support to all Engagement staff.

Working collaboratively as part of a team to deliver high-quality, person-centered care and ensure continuity of care your role will involve supporting the Managers in overseeing the Engagement staff and providing direct support as directed by the EPLM to ensure they deliver a high-quality service that meets individual needs.

Additionally, you will monitor the quality of engagement programs to ensure they meet the needs, preferences, and desires of individuals. You will also oversee documentation related to engagement to ensure all resident/clients receive the required quality and level of intervention. This includes ensuring timely and accurate completion of all documentation in line with SCC policies and procedures.

Quality and Risk

You will maintain a comprehensive understanding of SCC’s Risk Management and Quality Standards, processes, and requirements as they relate to clinical practice and overall resident/client care. You will ensure practices are consistent and contemporaneous with requirements, contribute to audits and process reviews, and assist in the development of improvement plans and rectification strategies in response to audit results.

Additionally, you will participate in SCC’s Continuous Improvement Program by identifying, suggesting, and adopting continuous improvement ideas to enhance resident/client care and well-being.

Work Health and Safety (WHS)

This position is required to comply with and contribute to Work Health and Safety policies and procedures.

2. Authorities

Decision making

In consultation with the Manager/s and EPLM be responsible for advising on clinical decisions in relation to leisure and engagement service provision. This includes engagement staff allocation and recruitment, rostering, Engagement staff orientation, budgeting and resource allocation and purchasing, and ongoing professional development.

Budgetary

Nil direct authority however the Recreational Therapy Regional Manager will provide advice, guidance and recommendations related to the use of the Engagement resource budget.

Southern Cross Benefits!

Salary Packaging ($15,900), plus meal and entertainment benefit package to the value of $2,650

Heart HQ - our Southern Cross Care (NSW & ACT) People Platform, packed with exclusive retail discounts, and features designed to help you celebrate, connect and succeed

Fitness Passport - Discounted workplace health and fitness program available to you and your family. Gain full access to nominated gyms, pools, health and leisure centres across NSW & ACT

Discounted private health insurance

Wellbeing initiatives such as Reward and Recognition Program, Employee Assistance Program

Annual leave loading

Ongoing Training and Development

Linkedin Training - SCC's Senior Leaders and Support Office teams can access a digital library of over 6000 courses

Genuine Career Progression Pathways – Buddy Program, New Grad Elevate Program, Study Support

Referral Bonus Program

Qualifications

You must hold an acceptable tertiary qualification, which may include a Bachelor of Health Science (Therapeutic Recreation), a Bachelor or Diploma in Leisure & Health, or other qualifications coupled with experience deemed acceptable by SCC to perform the requirements of the role.

Previous Experience

• Demonstrated experience as a Recreation and Leisure leader or equivalent.

• At least five (5) years’ experience in the development and implementation of meaningful and engaging memory support and general innovative lifestyle programs.

• Experience working alongside older people receiving care.

• Sensitivity to, and understanding of, the needs of older people living with dementia.

• Advanced verbal, written communication and relationship building skills

• Intermediate skills with computers and electronic record-keeping software/systems

• Ability to set and maintain high standards in the provision of quality care and support services.

• Strong influencing, collaboration, and coaching skills and experience across a broad spectrum of organisational participants.

Other Requirements

Driver’s License and access to a motor vehicle as travel to various sites is required for this role.

About Southern Cross Care (NSW & ACT)

We are a not-for-profit organisation with a mission to empower older people to ‘live life to the full’. For the last 50 years our name has been trusted by the community to provide care and support for thousands of people in over 40 locations across NSW and the ACT.

We have a passion for providing the best care with clinical excellence. We offer person-centred care services to meet individual needs and preferences in residential aged care as well as in-home care. At SCC, people are at the heart of everything we do. We support our employees to excel!

Join us at SCC NSW & ACT, where your work is not just a job, but a journey filled with opportunities to make a tangible difference in the lives of those we support. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is unwavering, and we strive to ensure every employee feels valued and heard.

Your growth is our mission. Your wellbeing is our priority. Together, we can create a future that’s not only brighter for our clients and residents but also for every member of our team.

SCC is an equal opportunity employer and values inclusion and diversity. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need. We are committed to a safe and respectful workplace.