About us:

The Yarram and District Health Service (YDHS) is based in Yarram, 220 kilometres south east of Melbourne on the South Gippsland Highway in rural Victoria. Yarram is 73 kilometres south west of Sale and 62 kilometres south east of Traralgon. Our geography places us 15 minutes to the beach and 2 hours from many of Victoria’s ski fields.

We provide our community with Acute Inpatient services, Dialysis, Urgent Care, Aged Care, Respite Care, Primary Health, Community Services and an Integrated Health Care Centre. Our consumers and community are at the core of every decision we make.

Our employees are considered part of the team; thus, everyone contributes to the overall healthcare and consumer experience. We want to attract and retain the best employees to provide an exceptional service to our community, promote and develop opportunities for local people and embed a culture that encourages innovation, leadership and collaboration. We are committed to working together and providing one service, irrespective of disciplines. YDHS is committed to the safety of all, including children.

Position overview:

The Physiotherapist will work to provide therapy support across the community, Acute Care & Residential Aged Care settings. They will be responsible for providing safe, appropriate and quality Physiotherapy services for Yarram and District Health Service clients ensuring objectives and standards of care are met. This role also involves providing support, training and guidance to Allied Health Assistants and students.

Responsibilities:

Client Services

• Provide an appropriate and quality Physiotherapy service in a manner which ensures patient comfort and dignity, safeguards his/her privacy and is aimed at the achievement of the best possible outcome for that client. This service includes accurate and thorough assessment and appropriate treatment of Physiotherapy clients.

• Identify, assess, implement and review Physiotherapy programs to clients of the Yarram and District Health Service.

• Provide services within individual or group sessions, and as single or multiple therapist sessions.

• Enhance the independence and skills of primary healthcare professionals, facilitating their ability to undertake the key agent of therapy role where appropriate.

• Facilitate the empowerment and community integration for people with Physiotherapy, mobility and/or special needs.

• Provide a consultative and resource service to other health professionals, teachers, parents and others.

• Provide appropriate equipment to clients (mobility aids, splints etc.) in liaison with funding agencies as needed.

• Establish and maintain a professional relationship with each patient that will aid in maximizing communication and treatment outcomes, whilst maintaining patient-clinician boundaries.

• Participate as a team member in the provision of Physiotherapy services to ensure effective planning, treatment and care management to achieve established goals and objectives.

• Prioritise caseload requirements to provide an optimal therapy service, maximise the use of available resources and promote cost effectiveness, with supervision from the senior Physiotherapist.

• Instruct nursing staff and allied health assistants in appropriate Physiotherapy techniques as needed.

• Maintain confidentiality in matters relating to patients, residents and staff.

Professional development

• Contribute to and participate in appropriate professional development and supervision activities, in consultation with the senior Physiotherapist and Primary Care Manager, to develop and maintain relevant levels of knowledge and skills.

• Take responsibility for professional development by reading journals and texts, attending in-service and continuing education programs, independent study and other educational activities. Maintain a current knowledge of professional issues in relation to the therapy service areas through available literature and resources.

• Participate in regular supervision sessions with senior Physiotherapist regarding clinical cases, timetabling, caseload management, professional development, future directions, and other issues as relevant.

• Participate in discussion as needed with the Primary Care Manager regarding administration and management issues for the position and other issues as relevant.

• Participate in internal training and development activities. Provide formal staff teaching as directed by the Primary Care Manager and provide informal staff education as necessary.

Quality Management and Documentation

• Participate in regular performance appraisals.

• Prepare and maintain all records and statistics in accordance with the requirements of the law, the Department of Human Services and Health Service Policies and Procedures.

• Record minutes of patient, team and staff meetings as required.

• Prepare handouts, lectures and education sheets as required.

• Participate in quality improvement activities to enhance the quality of Physiotherapy service provision.

Organisational responsibilities

• Educate staff and community members as to the role of the Physiotherapist and encourage appropriate referrals.

• Assist in the administration tasks of the department as appropriate to skill and experience level.

• Participate in specialised projects and research activities in consultation with the Senior Physiotherapist and Primary Care Manager.

• Attend team meetings for both administration and client-based discussions (centre and/or community based), and where needed, to convene such meetings.

• Develop and maintain relevant equipment and resources for the position, and maintain a prioritised listing of potential therapy resources.

• Participate in supervision of Physiotherapy and work experience students.

• Supervise and direct Allied Health Assistants in relation to their scheduled Occupational Therapy time and tasks.

• Work effectively with other YDHS staff, and be aware of own role and the role of others.

• Create, conduct, and participate in Health Promotion initiatives of YDHS and the Allied Health department.

• Participate in future planning directions for the YDHS, Allied Health department, and Physiotherapy services.

• Participate as a team member in the provision of Physiotherapy services to achieve established YDHS goals and objectives.

Personal skills

• The ability to work independently or with minimal supervision.

• The ability to evaluate personal performance.

• The ability to manage time effectively and prioritise tasks.

• The ability to problem solve and access information and/or support to supplement basic knowledge.

• Demonstrated effective inter-personal and communication skills.

• The ability to work with clients with Physiotherapy needs across a full range of ages and settings, including through assessment, appropriate treatment skills, evaluation of therapy techniques and accurate documentation.

• The ability to evaluate the needs of the community and initiate new services or approaches where deemed necessary.

• A clear understanding of the importance of confidentiality and a professional attitude to the role.

• The ability to work collaboratively and function as part of a health care delivery team.

• Knowledge of strategies for management of stress and conflict resolution.

Person-Centred Care

• Ensure that all clients, their families, visitors, and colleagues are treated with respect and dignity.

• Listen to and collaborate with our clients to understand their personal experiences to provide flexible care that complements their unique characteristics and supports them to live their best life.

• Support our clients to understand and learn about their health.

• Involve clients and their advocates in their healthcare decisions.

• Clearly explain your treatment options using easy to understand language and avoiding jargon.

• Respect healthcare decisions made by clients.

• Ensure your practice and the service provided to consumers is free from discrimination based on age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, employment status, cultural background, or religious beliefs.

Key Selection Criteria

• Completion of Bachelor of Physiotherapy or equivalent.

• Current Victorian Registration (or eligible for).

• Current Australian Drivers Licence.

• Knowledge and/or experience of working with a range of Physiotherapy clients.

• Understanding of, and commitment to, providing quality Physiotherapy services to a rural community.

• Understanding of, and a commitment to, working as part of a multidisciplinary team.

• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

• Effective time management, organisation and conflict resolution skills.

• Commitment to ongoing professional development.

• Understanding of the importance of health promotion and quality improvement.

Relevant information

YDHS is responsible for employing and contracting applicants who meet stringent community and public sector expectations. Applicants shall be required to provide and maintain:

• An original National Police Record Check completed within the last 12 months prior to commencement.

• An Employee Working with Children Check.

• Relevant professional registrations.

• Complete a Pre-existing Injury Declaration form and undergo any other relevant checks, education or licencing as directed at their own cost.

• National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) worker screening check.

For more information contact [email protected]