Speech Pathologist - Well Balanced Care

Are you interested in working in regional, rural and remote communities? You may be a new graduate or an experienced therapist who is looking for something new with flexibility. Either way, we are interested in talking to you. Support will be provided by an experienced clinical lead. Our innovative values driven approach has been making a difference in remote Indigenous Australia for the past 12 months, and we are keen to expand and build on this success. Based in Cairns, yet we are able to accommodate a practitioner who wants to live in another location. You just need good access to the internet and be willing to travel occasionally.

 Our Core Values

• Collaboration
• Openness
• Respect
• Empowerment

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 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 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
• Creating healthier communities

Position Objectives

To provide an integrated and comprehensive virtual allied health care model 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 presenting in a primary health care environment, with
• clinical care delivered largely via tele-heath and with delegation to allied health assistants in the communities, which may include the participant’s home or other settings such as residential aged care, education and outpatient settings, and
• in person delivery both locally and some outreach to clients in rural and remote communities
• 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

• 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 functional 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, supervisors and students, 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 located in remote communities using virtual health, while maintaining professional clinical standards.
• Ensure all documentation and reporting is completed in a timely manner to maximise revenue and funding opportunities
• Participation in Allied Health team meetings on regular basis

Self-management and Team Contribution

• Maintain privacy and confidentiality in line with Code of Conduct 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 progress in monitoring client progress and care
• Work closely with reception staff to ensure that booking and billing of clients is completed efficiently and accurately
• As an employee, work in a healthy and safe manner and encourage others to do the same; comply with all WBC policies and procedures; 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 foster productive working relationships with government departments, hospitals, key providers and other specialist providers including NDIS, James Cook University, Queensland Housing 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 ability to deliver high quality care in a Primary Health Care setting with experience in the delivery of speech pathology services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• 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 understanding and commitment to work sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 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 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in rural and remote communities
• 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 record keeping, and systems and guidelines 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

• Appointment to this position requires proof of qualification and APHRA registration or membership with the appropriate registration authority or association.
• 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.
• 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

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

Contact Person : Andrea Leigh

Contact phone: 0409 333 164

Contact email address: andrealeigh@wbcare.com.au