POSITION DESCRIPTION POSITION TITLE
Senior Clinician
REPORTS TO
Manager, Nutrition and Dietetics
AWARD/AGREEMENT/CONTRACT
Medical Scientist Association of Victoria
POSITION TYPE e.g. Registered Nurse Div 1, Occupational Therapist Gr1, etc.
Grade 3 (AK1 – AK4)
HOURS PER WEEK
Part time, 16 hours (job share)
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ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT
Austin Health is one of Victoria’s largest health care providers. Comprised of Austin Hospital, Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital and Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre, Austin Health is a major teaching and research centre with numerous university and research institute affiliations. Catering to diverse multicultural and veteran communities, Austin Health delivers vital state-wide services to Victorians and a vast array of specialty services to the people of Melbourne’s north-eastern corridor in a safety-focussed, team-orientated and stimulating work environment. Austin Health Values The Austin Health values play a critical role in shaping how we operate as an organisation. They influence our performance planning, recruitment, training and development, and relationships with colleagues, work mates, our patients and their relatives and friends. The Austin Health values set standard that we expect all staff to live up to in the way they undertake their duties and responsibilities across the Hospital. Our Values: •
Integrity We work in the spirit of collaboration and honesty to build effective working relationships across the whole organisation.
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Accountability We are transparent, responsible and build trust by fulfilling promises and communicating effectively.
Respect We care about others and treat each other with consideration, equality and fairness. •
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Excellence We continually strive to advance patient focused care through innovation, research and effective stakeholder management. LOCAL WORK ENVIRONMENT
The Austin Health Department of Nutrition and Dietetics provides direct service and management to all sites of the Health Service. The Nutrition and Dietetics Service aims to ensure that the nutrition and dietary requirements of all inpatients, outpatients and ambulatory care patients are met. Nutritional care involves assessment, provision of appropriate diet, monitoring, discharge planning and education for patients and carers. The core services provided by the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics are: • Clinical Dietetic Services • Ambulatory and Home Based Care • Food Services • Training and Education • Research and Quality Activities The Dietitian employed in this position would be based at the Austin Hospital, and is expected to travel cross campus (Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital or Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre) as required
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POSITION OBJECTIVE To provide clinical leadership in the practice of Nutrition and Dietetics generally, and in particular, excellence of practice and specialist dietetic knowledge to the paediatric and mental health units. To actively challenge and evaluate current dietetic practice, with the goal of leading the Nutrition and Dietetic department in pursuit of dietetic best practice and delivering effective clinical outcomes in the most efficient manner. To conduct and facilitate research and quality activities in line with Nutrition Department objectives and actively seek funding to support research activities as required. POSITION REQUIREMENTS
1. Clinical Leadership •
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Provide direct specialist clinical dietetic service to Clinical Service Units allocated (approx. 60% of workload) including participation in relevant team and clinical meetings. Participate in 7 day a week service according to department policy or as instructed by the manager. Undertake required administrative functions including documentation, statistic collection, activity reporting and information management.
2. Leadership and Management
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Provide leadership in designated Nutrition and Dietetic Department projects and teams, and utilise project management skills to plan and coordinate designated projects. Assist the Manager in ensuring the services provided by the Nutrition and Dietetic department are appropriate to the needs, and of a quality consistent with the objectives of the organisation whilst maintaining dietetic standards and ethics. Participate in service review and development as required. Assume responsibilities for designated portfolios as determined by the manager. Promote professional competence of staff by actively providing mentoring, supervision and support, and the encouragement of professional development activities. Facilitate the professional development of Nutrition and Dietetic staff through contribution to staff planning and professional development forums as required.
3. Teaching, Education and Research • • •
Initiate and manage appropriate research projects and quality improvement activities included in the department’s quality business plan. Strive towards continuous improvement, with ongoing evaluation of the quality and outcomes of dietetic intervention. Assist in the supervision and coordination of education of Nutrition and Dietetic students as required. Participate in training of other health professionals in the organisation as required.
4. Professional Development • •
Maintain a high standard of knowledge in area of expertise by participating in relevant professional development and research activities. Participate in the Nutrition and Dietetic Departments Personal Development Planning process, with focus on personal development in professionally relevant areas.
5. Confidentiality •
Ensure confidentiality by undertaking not to reveal to any person or entity any confidential information relating to patients and employees, policies, processes and dealings including making public statements relating to the affairs of the Medical Centre without prior authority of the Chief Executive Officer.
6. Other • • • •
Undertake any other duties as directed by the Manager of Nutrition and Dietetics Abide by Austin Health corporate policies and practices as varied from time to time. Participate in Austin Health performance appraisal program as required. Undertake not to reveal to any person or entity any confidential information relating to patients and employees, policies, processes and dealings and not to make public statements relating to the affairs of Austin Health without prior authority of the Chief Executive Officer.
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Participate in the emergency incident response activities, as defined within the Emergency Response Manual, as and when required, at the direction of management. Ensure safe work practices and environment in accordance with Austin Health Policies as varied from time to time. KEY SELECTION CRITERIA
Essential for Performance of the Position • •
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A commitment to Austin Health values: Integrity, Accountability, Respect and Excellence. Demonstrated clinical expertise and leadership in the area of paediatrics and mental health, and in particular specialist knowledge in management of patients/clients with eating disorders. Demonstrated ability to undertake professional supervision and promote professional competence of other dietetic staff. Demonstrated dietetic research and quality improvement skills including a strategic approach to planning and development, data analysis and project management. High level of communication and interpersonal skills that promote team-work and a proven ability to relate effectively to people at all levels in the organisation. High level written skills with demonstrated ability in policy and procedure development and implementation, and submission writing. Eligible for membership of the Dietitians Association of Australia and the Accredited Practicing Dietitian Program. Minimum of 7 years experience in the field of Nutrition and Dietetics. Desirable but not essential for Performance of the Position
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Holds or is progressing towards higher qualifications in Nutrition and Dietetics, Research, Public Health or Management. Publications and presentations related to dietetic practice. Involvement in relevant working parties or special interest groups.
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OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION
Pre-Existing Injury Prior to any person being appointed to this position it will be required that they disclose full details of any pre-existing injuries or disease that might be affected by employment in this position.
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DOCUMENT REVIEW DETAILS
Date Position First Documented (if known):
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Date of this Position Description Review:
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Signature of Manager:
Date: ____/____/____
Signature of Employee:
Date: ____/____/____
"Austin Health promotes a healthy work environment. Effective from 1 July 2009, Austin Health is now entirely smoke free. Smoking is no longer allowed on any Austin Health site, including buildings, vehicles or on the grounds of Austin Hospital, Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital and Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre."
