POSITION DESCRIPTION
1.
POSITION DETAILS
Position Title
Senior Speech Pathologist
Position No
Classification Level
PO2
Discipline
Professional
Division
Disability SA
Date Created
July 09
Branch/Unit
Adult Specialist Services Intervention Team
Date Approved
July09
Reports To
Team Manager ASSIST
Reviewed Date
2.
POSITION CONTEXT
Position Summary
Reporting/Working
Relationships
The Senior Speech Pathologist position provides clinical supervision and service delivery within the
ASSIST and is accountable to the Team Manager ASSIST for:

The overall responsibility for the provision of client centred specialised services to clients of Disability
SA, in order to maximise their functional independence in communication / mealtime issues thereby
enhancing their social inclusion and quality of life.

Team Manager ASSIST (direct supervisor)

Manager - Adult Specialist Services

Speech Pathology and ASSIST staff

Directors and Senior Managers across DFC

Other relevant agencies and organisations

Tertiary Institutions

Speech Pathology Association of Australia

Special Conditions
3.
Clients/consumers/families/carers

Successful applicant will be required to satisfactorily complete a background screening and criminal
history check

An appropriate degree in speech pathology or other appropriate qualification giving eligibility for
Practising Membership of the Speech Pathology Association of Australia as published in
Commissioner’s Standard 2, Attachment C.
QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
4.
PRIMARY OUTCOMES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
RELATED TASKS
Service Delivery

Work within an interdisciplinary team to manage a complex clinical caseload involving the
assessment, planning and implementation of appropriate specialised intervention
programmes

Monitor and evaluate client progress and modify programmes to maximise client outcome
and best utilise resources

Provide professional consultancy services to other Speech Pathologists, health care
personnel, key individuals, families, carers and a variety of community agencies, to achieve
integrated therapy outcomes for ASSIST clients.

Provide and maintain Speech Pathology equipment and resources according to individual
client needs

Support the development of ASSIST Speech Pathology services, through targeting
improved efficiency and effectiveness of service outcomes.

Ensure the delivery of educational programmes, including development and presentation of
in-services training, for the community.

Participate in research and projects relevant to ASSIST and the wider organisation
Relationship Management
Professional Leadership

Establish and maintain professional networks to promote the sharing of knowledge and
development of coordinated and collaborative community based programs and activities

Work collaboratively with other services and special interest groups to broaden the resource
base for speech therapy services available to clients and families

Facilitate other agencies in the development of policies, programs and services and liaising
with them to ensure coordination of services and transitions across services

Develop and promote Speech Pathology awareness programmes in the wider community

Work with tertiary institutions to support professional education and training programs

Communicate with client and families/support persons ensuring they have the information to
make informed decisions, and be responsive to their needs

Assist clients and their families/support persons to develop formal and informal networks to
assist in meeting their needs and to advocate on their own behalf where appropriate

Contribute to shared knowledge amongst the team, regional teams and Disability SA by
promoting and disseminating new information within speech pathology and providing
training and education as required

Coordinate and evaluate clinical orientation and ongoing professional development for
Speech Pathologists, students and Allied Health Assistants, in regard to therapy tasks

Contribute to a work environment where staff are challenged and stretched to develop their
competence, and encouraged and provided with opportunities for professional development

Model the positive culture within DFC by living the organisational values of being
connected, ethical, brave and respectful through actions and behaviours

Maintain accurate and up to date information in client files by documenting all assessments,
interventions and outcomes

Comply with workplace and other related legislative requirements

Model ethical behaviour and practices consistent with SA Government Code of Conduct for
Public Sector Employees

Contribute to the ongoing development and review of policies, plans and services

Comply with workplace and other related legislative requirements
Page 2
Organisational Contribution
5.
Client Focus
Achieving
Objectives
Personal Drive &
Professionalism
Continuous
Improvement
1
Understand and follow workplace safety initiatives, identify hazards and contribute to a safe
working environment, as well as following procedures to manage and minimise risks within
the DFC.

Follow the principles of a sustainable working environment by following departmental
greening initiatives.

Model ethical behaviour and practices consistent with SA Government Code of Conduct for
Public Sector Employees and DFC stated values.
DFC CAPABILITIES (C)
Relating &
Communicating
6.


Identify networking opportunities to facilitate knowledge transfer.

Adapt communication style and identify strategies to improve communication effectiveness.

Provide support and guidance to team members to improve team performance and communication.

Listen to client feedback to gain insight for continuous improvement of services.

Understand the range of connected services provided by the department and their relevance to clients.

Utilise a variety of information sources to gain insight to understand client enquiries and devise
practical solutions.

Provide specific performance feedback as soon as practicable.

Take responsibility for delivering business unit outcomes and performance.

Assess progress toward team goals and identify the actions required to achieve objectives.

Follow safe work practices and contribute to the well-being and safety of team/unit

Motivate team members and encourage them to achieve organisational targets.

Investigate own personal and professional development opportunities.

Analyse trends internally and externally to identify opportunities to enhance departmental operations.

Work with ambiguous information and draw on previous experience to develop innovative solutions to
problems.

Seek opportunities to improve departmental processes by contributing to improvement initiatives.
JOB SPECIFIC CAPABILITIES
Respect Cultural Diversity – by taking actions and providing services that are inclusive of Aboriginal people and people from
culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds as well as engaging in learning about other cultures to better establish
relationships and improve services.
2
Clinical Needs Assessment - Demonstrates clinical reasoning skills in order to undertake appropriate assessments of complex
cases within Speech Pathology, to determine developmental and therapy needs
3
Developing interventions - Applies discipline knowledge and experience to plan, develop, implement and evaluate
individualised interventions aimed at meeting the complex needs of clients. Demonstrates a holistic framework which focuses on
person/family and community centred approach
4
Disability awareness - Demonstrates an in-depth understanding of the nature of disability and impact for individuals, families
and society
5
Professional Leadership and Supervision - Guide, advise and develop base grade professionals and other allied health staff
in Speech Pathology
7.
DELEGATES APPROVAL
ASSESSED BY:
Date:
Signature:
APPROVED BY:
Date:
Signature:
Page 3