Speech Pathologist

POSITION CONTEXT

The Speech Pathologist is part of the NDIS Services Team of Mawarnkarra Health Service.  The Service’s objective is to provide holistic, primary health care services to the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal disable community of the West Pilbara region.

LOCATION

20 Sholl Street, Roebourne, WA  6718.

LINE/SENIOR MANAGER

Disability Services Manager

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Conditions of employment as identified in your contract for employment.

All Mawarnkarra employees are required to comply with all policies in force at the time of commencement of employment and those implemented from time to time.

As part of the orientation program, employees are required to sign declarations and agreement pursuant to policies of the Health Service.

POSITION OBJECTIVE

The Speech Pathologist position is part of the NDIS Children and Adults therapy service which provides person-centred, allied health services to children and adults with a disability and will report to the Disability Services Manager. The Speech Pathologist will be responsible for efficient, evidence-based clinical service delivery to a caseload of clients who are funded under the NDIS. The role is a community based with Speech Pathology services to be delivered either at MHS site, in the client’s home or other relevant places with the aim being to support the client to achieve their NDIS goals. The Speech Pathologist will work as part of a growing NDIS team and be required to work autonomously and at a self-directed pace in order to achieve clinical targets. MHS is committed to creating and supporting healthy and connected communities and individual outcomes through the provision of NDIS services. This is achieved by:

• Providing responsive, individualised services for each person consistent with the relevant legislation, their NDIS plan, MHS’s policies, manuals, and quality framework, and the NDIS guidelines.
• Promoting capacity building, choice and control and community inclusion of people with disabilities and their families/carers, consistent with their NDIS plan.

SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND ATTRIBUTES

• Communicate effectively in both oral and written language.
• Use appropriate nonverbal communication.
• Demonstrate effective organizational and time management skills.
• Have strong reading, writing and cognitive abilities.
• Have physical stamina to meet the demands of the workday.
• Maintain good physical health, grooming and self-care.
• Maintain good mental health and manage stress effectively.
• Have hearing acuity sufficient to identify, discriminate, and understand speech.
• Have visual acuity sufficient to identify anatomic structures, discriminate imaging findings, evaluate clients comprehensively, and implement treatment plans.
• Evaluate their own performance independently and make changes as needed.
• Identify their own learning needs and seek new learning opportunities on an ongoing basis.
• Respect and treat equally individuals with cultural and personal differences.
• Collaborate with others to effectively serve all clients.
• Exhibit appropriate professional conduct in all professional situations.
• Enjoy working with people and display genuine compassion and empathy.
• Possess honesty, integrity, and a willingness to uphold the ethical standards of the profession.
• Strong clinical and non-clinical problem-solving skills.
• Prioritise and manage your client caseload.
• Coordinate and communicate as required with internal and external stakeholders.

 

EXPERIENCE AND ATTRIBUTES

• A fully registered and qualified Speech Pathologist with a passion for working with children and families. New graduates welcome.
• Membership with Speech Pathology Australia.
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients, their families, and staff.
• First Aid Training.
• Current drivers’ licence.
• Current Police Check.
• Current WWCC or willing to obtain one.
• NDIS Worker Screening or willing to obtain.

DUTIES

• Provide evidence based, person centred assessment, clinical management, and intervention to people with a cognitive, physical or psycho-social disability in line with NDIS goals.

 

• 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 and the preparation of funding applications.

 

• Develop training packages and training to clients, carers, support workers and other communication partners on AAC, meal-time management and optimising function for eating, swallowing, and drinking.

 

• Manage a caseload of clients in their natural settings who may present with increasing complexity, multiple co-morbidities and functional limitations across multiple areas of their life.

 

• Utilise a strengths-based, client centred approach to support a client to identify their goals and utilise a capacity building approach towards achievement and long-term sustainability of these goals.

 

• Understand the principles and philosophy of an insurance-based model.

 

• Ability to work in a dynamic and evolving team focused on achieving optimal client outcomes while meeting clinical targets set for the adult therapy team.

 

• Liaise with and provide therapy and progress reports to the NDIS, Support Coordination, external organisations and other referrers/funding bodies as required.

 

 

 

 

• Ability to write reports to a high standard that meet both the needs of the client and the insurer.

 

EDUCATION

Attend and participate in the professional development program and relevant external seminars and conferences, as approved.

OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION

Performance will be appraised on an on-going basis and formally at the first 3 months and annually thereafter.

Consent to undergo a Working with Children Check, National Police Certificate & NDIS Worker Screening Check. Employment is conditional pending the outcome of these checks.

Current Certification.

Current Drivers Licence.

Current CPR Certificate.

Current AHPRA Registration.

COVID-19 Vaccinated. (triple vax as per government mandate for all health care workers)

All employees are subject to regular random drug and alcohol testing.

Please email your resume and application for a role through to hr@mhs.org.au You will receive confirmation that your application has been received. Should we progress your application to interview, we will contact you to arrange.

MHS may commence appointment proceedings immediately, appoint by invitation or make no appointment at all. This opportunity is only open to candidates with the right to work in Australia. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.