Position Purpose

The Speech Pathologist will be responsible for specific assessments, interventions and planning predominantly in the NDIS framework to increase participants communication and independence in all aspects of their lives. The role is to provide a high quality, effective and efficient service to participants, delivered in their home or other relevant place with the aim being to support the participant to achieve their NDIS goals.

The Speech Pathologist will work as part of a growing Allied Health Team and be required to work autonomously and at a self-directed pace with a focus on providing person centred, holistic and goal directed care that promotes participants wellness and active participation in decisions about their care.

The Speech Pathologist is also responsible for ensuring that all reporting and administrative requirements meet service and support requirements and are delivered in line with Perth Health Care and Support Enterprise (PHASE) policy and procedures, relevant legislation and NDIS Practise Standards.

Working Environment

Code of Conduct
All employees must abide by the organisational Code of Conduct and the NDIS Code of Conduct.

Occupational Health and Safety
As an employee, you must be aware of and comply with the requirements of the relevant Workplace Health and Safety legislation and associated regulations. Complying in the workplace not only your own but others Health and Safety with the organisations Health and Safety handbook.

Staff must be up to date with annual training and be aware of and participates in fire drills.

Ensure all equipment performs to standard and users have the valid qualifications to operate correctly. Always check surroundings for safety hazards before proceeding with activities. Ensure to report and document all incidents or hazards immediately to PHASE.

Ethics and Compliance
Comply with relevant legislation, regulatory requirements, corporate policy, and ethical standards.

Teamwork
Each team member is expected to communicate in a respectful, honest manner so that the team can work together in a positive manner without causing harm or a negative environment for the people we support, staff members and surroundings.

Personal Qualities and Values

Genuine desire to provide the best quality support for people with disabilities
Being adaptable to changing circumstances and being able to prioritise work
Person centred approach
Have excellent verbal and written communication
Commitment to social justice and inclusion; valuing difference and diversity Self-motivated to get things done and works to agreed outcomes
Accepts personal responsibility for accurate completion of work and seeks help when required Enthusiasm to accept task and initiate actions with a high level of personal integrity
Ability to collaborate with others to achieve common goals
Reliability and punctuality

Key Tasks/Duties & Responsibilities

Manage a caseload of participants in their natural settings who may present with increasing complexity, multiple comorbidities and functional limitations across multiple areas of their life
Conduct assessments and provide recommendations on the functional impact of disability on positioning, eating and swallowing.
Assessment, recommendation and development of mealtime management plans in consultation with Speech Pathologists from mainstream medical services, medical specialists and other allied health disciplines
Assessment, prescription and recommendation of AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) systems under the NDIS and other external funding agencies, this includes the preparation of funding applications.
Utilise a strengths-based, client centred approach to support a participant to identify their goals and utilise a capacity building approach towards achievement and long term sustainability of these goals
Reporting outcomes and recommendations, written and verbal, in a timely manner.
Provide recommendations and quotes for assistive technology to the NDIS for approval
Develop training packages and training to participants, carers, support workers and other communication partners on AAC, meal-time management and optimising function for eating, swallowing and drinking.
Promoting health and wellness solutions and support optimal mental and physical outcomes for participants referred to us.
Liaising with participants, families, referrers, doctors, employers and other allied health professions to achieve coordinated outcomes to meet participants goals from a capacity building and enabling perspective.
Participate in integrated health care meetings as required and provide advice and consultation to relevant workers when necessary.
Ensure that client files are maintained and managed in accordance with PHASE’s policy and procedures.
Active participation in the training, mentoring and development of support workers Provide health education and prevention advice to participants, carers, and other health professionals as appropriate.
Maintain professional development through access to current literature, education programs, supervision programs and special interest groups.
Provide direct client related activities under the supervision of the delegating Allied Health Professional and in accordance with NDIS Competency framework this include conduct home and community visits to participants.
Scheduling of customer appointments when required
Utilise our CRM (MYP) for relevant training, reporting, and invoicing of hours
Completion of data-entry, information management, reporting and maintenance of database systems
Manage client case ratios effectively to ensure that caseloads are met
Monitor client hours of service against agreed Participant Service Agreements
Perform other job-related tasks requested by management and as necessitated by the development of this role and the development of the business
Attend and participate in staff meetings
Attend any relevant training or stake holder meetings
Liase with and provide therapy and progress reports to the NDIS, Support Coordination, external organisations and other referrers/funding bodies as required.
Work with other Allied Health Professional internally/externally within a multi-disciplinary team.
Participate in quality improvement and allied health service delivery projects and team meetings as directed by the Clinical Service Manager.
Attend and participate in staff meetings
Develop and maintain an up to date and in depth understanding of NDIS legislation, rules and regulations and how this applies to the delivery of community based allied health services and other capacity building supports under the NDIS
Work with the Clinical Service manager, therapy team, and community engagement and marketing team to identify and participate in community events that increase PHASE’S Health prescence and identity as an NDIS service provider of choice
Participate in NDIS audit

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Indicators of effective performance in the position. KPI’s are to be SMART goals. They are identified in the PDR to be specific to the individual teams and the position in a specified point in time.

Qualifications

Tertiary qualification in Speech Pathology
Membership with Speech Pathology Australia.
Attained previous experience in the relevant industry to undertake the range of activities required
Appropriate on the job training and relevant experience

Other Requirements

Covid-19 Vaccination Certificate (2 doses and booster required)
Current valid Driver’s License
Reliable car
Valid Police Check (less than 3 months old)
Valid Working with Children’s Check
NDIS Workers Screening Check
NDIS Induction Module
Rights to work – Passport/Visa proof

Experience/ Knowledge

Working knowledge and understanding of the NDIS
Demonstrated knowledge and or experience in integrated health, allied health and primary care with the ability to work collaboratively in an integrated team to achieve outputs and agreed deliverables.
Knowledge and experience in AAC, assessing function for positioning, eating and swallowing, and mealtime management.
Ability to organise and proactively self-manage workload to meet annual performance targets and service initiatives as directed.
Proven ability to make rational and sound decisions and judgements with a strong commitment to delivering high levels of customer service.
Demonstrate a positive attitude towards people with disability
Demonstrated effective interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate across all levels with internal and external stakeholders
Experience working with children and adults with disability / mental health and from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
Ability to work independently and collaborate in a team
Previous experience in an Allied Health, Aged Care, Therapy or/and Disability setting
Working knowledge and demonstrated experience using databases, software and MS Office suite.
Efficiently and effectively completes agreed job tasks
Shows awareness of safety and preventative actions required
Follows routines and /or timetables and completes tasks on time.
Complies with disability services standards and organisational policies and procedures relevant to the role
Adheres to reporting, documentation, and administrative requirements as directed by PHASE

Performance Review

Performance reviews will be conducted using the organisation’s Performance Management Process.

Speech Pathologist