Description

An exciting opportunity exists for a Director of Speech Pathology, Audiology, Orthoptics and Clinical Assistants to provide high level leadership, strategic direction and clinical expertise for a large team which provides services across multiple complex clinical services and practice domains (adult physical, paediatric and mental health) in alignment with the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service (SCHHS) and statewide strategic and national goals and initiatives.

Sunshine Coast Health is in southeast Queensland and extends through the coastal and hinterland areas from Caloundra in the south and Gympie in the north. 

Sunshine Coast Health is a values-based organisation. We are committed to the maintenance of a culture in which we treat our colleagues with respect as we do our patients, consumers and the community. We respect, protect and promote human rights in our decision-making and actions.

Key Responsibilities include:

Accountable for the engagement with government and non-government welfare stakeholders to support patient and consumer access to SCHHS services that are equitable, and person centred.
Act as a source of expert Speech Pathology, Audiology, Orthoptics and Clinical Assistants strategic professional advice and advocacy on state-wide committees and other relevant state and/or national level committees on matters of high importance.
Lead the development of department budgets and manage expenditures and surpluses to optimise efficiency and ensure alignment of Speech Pathology, Audiology, Orthoptics and Clinical Assistants financial goals with the wider allied health, SCHHS and Queensland Health strategic financial objectives.

Remuneration value up to $225 004 p.a., comprising salary between $184 018 - $197 206 p.a., employer contribution to superannuation (up to 12.75%) and annual leave loading (17.5%) (HP7). Applications will remain current for 12 months. Please note: only applications from candidates will be accepted (applications that may result in an agency fee will not be considered).

Requirements

Your responsibilities

        Provide high level strategic, professional and clinical leadership in a tertiary referral hospital, including multiple satellite hospitals and facilities and complex clinical services within Speech Pathology, Audiology, Orthoptics and Clinical Assistants, which would be recognised nationally or internationally. This includes accountability for:

o    Leading the development, implementation and evaluation of a strategic workforce plan (including succession planning) for the Speech Pathology, Audiology, Orthoptics and Clinical Assistants Service in order to attract, develop and retain a high quality and stable workforce. 

o    Leading the development, implementation and evaluation of those aspects of allied health, SCHHS plans relevant to Speech Pathology, Audiology, Orthoptics and Clinical Assistants as well as portfolio projects managed on behalf of the allied health leadership team and SCHHS Executive

o    Strategically lead the design, delivery and improvement of innovative and integrated models of care at SCHHS and contribute to the alignment, enhancement, and efficiency of Speech Pathology, Audiology, Orthoptics and Clinical Assistants models of care across the state.

        Responsible for managing a large team consisting of Speech Pathology, Audiology, Orthoptics and Clinical Assistant employees within a tertiary facility and multiple satellite hospitals / facilities and be fully accountable for the legislative, asset and financial management of Speech Pathology, Audiology, Orthoptics and Clinical Assistants cost centres across SCHHS. 

        Lead the development of department budgets and manage expenditures and surpluses to optimise efficiency and ensure alignment of Speech Pathology, Audiology, Orthoptics and Clinical Assistants financial goals with the wider allied health, SCHHS and Queensland Health strategic financial objectives.

        Demonstrates an expert level of knowledge, skills and experience in the leadership and direction of clinical governance by promoting and supporting excellence and quality Speech Pathology, Audiology, Orthoptics and Clinical Assistants clinical practice standards and shaping service delivery through professional development, consultancy services, clinical education initiatives, clinical practice supervision, links with tertiary providers and quality initiatives including service improvement, evidence-based practice and research within a complex tertiary organisation with multiple facilities.

        Accountable for the engagement with government and non-government welfare stakeholders to support patient and consumer access to SCHHS services that are equitable, and person centred. 

        Act as a source of expert Speech Pathology, Audiology, Orthoptics and Clinical Assistants strategic professional advice and advocacy on state-wide committees and other relevant state and/or national level committees on matters of high importance. 

        Utilise high level change management, communication, negotiation, and conflict management skills to solve complex clinical and workflow problems in collaboration with internal and external agencies and stakeholders. 

        Provide authoritative, informed and timely management and professional counsel, policy advice and processes to the Executive Director of Allied Health, facility and service directors and other Queensland Health senior officers on strategic Speech Pathology, Audiology, Orthoptics and Clinical Assistants issues.  

        Membership and high-level contribution to relevant strategic level committees, including leading additional portfolios as directed by the Executive Director Allied Health.

        Build effective and collaborative professional relationships, partnerships and direct communication lines with interprofessional clinical and executive colleagues, internal and external health and community care providers, professional bodies, tertiary education providers and research partners and institutions across the SCHHS, State, nation and wider health service community.

        In collaboration with the allied health leadership team and the clinical programs, drive and lead a research culture within the Speech Pathology, Audiology, Orthoptics and Clinical Assistants Services to support individual clinician research capability and outputs, with a strong focus on identifying opportunities for interprofessional research collaborations and translation of research evidence to inform clinical practice and innovative service design and improvement.

        Actively participate in a working environment supporting quality human resource management practices including employment equity, anti-discrimination, workplace health and safety and ethical behaviour. 

        Implement and monitor the organisation’s quality standards, occupational health and safety policies, procedures and programs and provide clinical governance in the relevant work area.

Fulfil the responsibilities of this role in accordance with Queensland Public Service Values. 

Mandatory requirements:

        This position requires you to adhere to National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards and the  SCHHS Safe Care Framework, which has been developed in collaboration with staff, consumers and key stakeholders to enable the SCHHS vision of Health and wellbeing through person-centred care and sets clear expectations of staff responsibilities regarding safe care. 

        The successful applicant must hold at least a tertiary degree (or equivalent) qualification in Speech Pathology, Audiology or Orthoptics.

        For speech pathologists applying for the role, appointment to the position requires proof of qualification and membership with or eligibility for membership with Speech Pathology Association of Australia. Proof of this qualification and membership must be provided to the employing service prior to the commencement of duty.

        For orthoptics practitioners applying for the role, registration with the Australian Orthoptic Board, Proof of this qualification and membership must be provided to the employing service prior to the commencement of duty. 

        For audiologists applying for the role, registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and possession of a current annual licence certificate is mandatory. Certified copies of the required qualification must be provided to the appropriate supervisor/manager, prior to the commencement of clinical duties.

        Relevant post-graduate qualifications are highly desirable.

        This position may require you to work relevant roster e.g. call services, continuous shift rotations, weekend work etc as per departmental business requirements. 

        The position may involve travel to various facilities within the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service.

        Employees of Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service have an obligation under the Public Health Act 2005 s.151(1) to take reasonable precautions and care to minimise risk of infection to other persons.

        It is a condition of employment for this role for the employee to be, and remain, vaccinated against the following vaccine preventable diseases during their employment (Health Employment Directive No. 01/16):

        measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)

        varicella (chicken pox)

        pertussis (whooping cough)

        hepatitis B

        Staff that enter clinical areas (e.g. inpatient units, outpatient units, procedural suites) and/or undertake direct contact with patients or a patient’s environment or working in areas where there is an infection control risk (e.g. food handling areas) must be bare below the elbows at all times whilst in these areas. Failure to comply with this mandatory requirement may lead to disciplinary action.

        Under the Public Sector Act 2022, applicants are required to disclose any previous serious disciplinary action taken against them.

        This position may require the incumbent to operate a government vehicle and an appropriate licence endorsement to operate this type of vehicle is required (Queensland ‘C’ class licence). Proof of this endorsement must be provided before commencement of duty.