Macquarie University Clinical Associates Position Description
Title:
Lead Physiotherapist, Outpatient Services
Reporting to:
Clinical Director, Physiotherapy
Time commitment:
Full time or part time
Employment type:
Permanent
Last reviewed:
20 March 2017
Role purpose:
Macquarie University Clinical Associates (MUCA) provides
clinical services to Macquarie University Hospital (MUH)
and Clinic. It engages clinicians in the tripartite scholarship
of clinical practice, aligned with teaching, learning, and
research within MQ Health, incorporating MUH, the Clinic
and the Macquarie University Faculty of Medicine and
Health Sciences.
As part of MUCA, the position is responsible for the ongoing
development, leadership and provision of high-quality outpatient physiotherapy services at MQ Health, in alignment
with MQ Health’s Clinical Programs. This role will be
responsible for ensuring that all outpatient physiotherapy
services support and integrate with the relevant teaching
and research programs at Macquarie University,
particularly the Doctor of Physiotherapy program. The
incumbent will have extensive experience in leading
physiotherapy services, experience in the supervision of
physiotherapy staff and students, and a demonstrated
commitment to clinical research and evidence-based
practice.
Values
The values of MQ Health are available at http://muh.org.au/Teaching-andResearch/MUHSC/Values-Mission-and-Vision. MUCA is committed to providing services to
MQ Health in ways which are consistent with and promote those values. You must maintain
standards of personal and professional conduct which are consistent with and promote those
values and ensure the confidence and co-operation of MQ Health, employees of MQ Health,
other service providers (and their employees and contractors), the public and patients.
Page 1 of 4
Macquarie University Clinical Associates
Position Description
Accountabilities
Leadership and Service Development






In conjunction with the Clinical Director, Physiotherapy, develop and lead outpatient
physiotherapy services within MQ Health
Provide clinical expertise, consultancy and actively support the teaching and training
of current and future physiotherapists and other healthcare staff within and external to
MQ Health.
Consult and coordinate with senior MQ Health staff, particularly senior physiotherapy,
medical and nursing staff across MQ Health’s Clinical Programs to deliver
physiotherapy services in accordance with the aims and vision of MQ Health.
Identify, recommend and lead the implementation of improvements to physiotherapy
service delivery and the provision of novel physiotherapy services within MQ Health’s
clinical programs, in line with contemporary evidence-based practice as it evolves.
In collaboration with the Clinical Director, Physiotherapy, oversee the business
operations of the outpatient physiotherapy service including coordinating other
physiotherapy staff to ensure staffing and services provisions are flexible and adaptive
to service demands and requirements.
As required, act in the role of Clinical Director, Physiotherapy and undertake
responsibilities in relation to inpatient physiotherapy service delivery at MUH.
Clinical











Provide expert clinical physiotherapy services, as a senior clinician, to patients within
MQ Health
Coordinate, supervise and provide clinical support to physiotherapy staff working at
MQ Health Physiotherapy, MUH and other MQ Health Integrated Clinics, including
physiotherapists, therapy assistants, exercise physiologists and physiotherapy
students.
Consult and coordinate with other healthcare providers in relation to the provision of
clinical care and promptly advise medical practitioners of any patient findings that
require immediate clinical attention.
Manage the development and implementation of systems of practice that facilitate the
continuum of physiotherapy care for patients across healthcare settings, including
systems of communication with members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team
across and external to MQ Health.
Manage and coordinate formal and informal clinical meetings, including
multidisciplinary team meetings, clinical handover meetings, family and case
conferences and transfer-of-care planning meetings.
Drive a coordinated team approach to patient care.
Accurately record patient data and reports into the electronic medical record system
or other records management systems as required by MQ Health.
Prepare patient reports for referring clinicians and other clinicians/bodies as relevant
within and external to the Clinic/s.
Preserve confidentiality and privacy of patient information and records.
Comply with all MUCA and MUH policies, procedures and by-laws.
Conduct other duties as directed by the Clinical Director, Physiotherapy.
Page 2 of 4
Macquarie University Clinical Associates
Position Description
Supervision and Training





Provide formal and informal clinical supervision and coaching to physiotherapy staff
and students within MQ Health, including preparing professional development plans
with relevant staff and students.
Develop an overarching framework for orientation, training and supervisory
programs/systems for physiotherapy staff providing physiotherapy services across MQ
Health.
Lead the development of educational activities offered within MQ Health, including
interdisciplinary education and training.
Provide and/or coach Senior Physiotherapists in the provision of clinical education
placements, and supervise students undertaking clinical placements in area/s of
expertise, particularly students of Macquarie University’s Department of Health
Professions (Physiotherapy).
Perform work in such a way as to facilitate positive working relationships with
Macquarie University’s Department of Health Professions (Physiotherapy) and
promote the ethos of collaboration in clinical practice, teaching and research.
Research and Quality




Assist with the development and undertake research projects in collaboration with the
Clinical Director, Physiotherapy, and or/ staff in Macquarie University’s Department of
Health Professions (Physiotherapy).
Initiate and lead physiotherapy and other MQ Health related quality improvement and
risk management projects, particularly in relation to outpatient physiotherapy services.
Advise on and contribute to periodic clinical reviews on service delivery, patient safety
and quality outcomes.
In collaboration with the Clinical Director, Physiotherapy, provide advice and contribute
to the MQ Health Executive and other relevant committees on patient safety and quality
and service accreditation.
Professional Development, Education and Performance Review


Undertake an annual performance review with the Clinical Director, Physiotherapy.
Maintain and attend to a personal professional development plan, in consultation with
the Clinical Director, Physiotherapy and in accordance with AHPRA registration
requirements.
Skills and Competencies
Qualifications


Tertiary qualification in physiotherapy and general registration with the Physiotherapy
Board of Australia/AHPRA.
SIRA workers compensation approval
Skills and Experience

Extensive clinical experience in the provision of outpatient physiotherapy services

Experience in a leadership role within physiotherapy or a relevant clinical delivery
setting.
Page 3 of 4
Macquarie University Clinical Associates
Position Description

Experience providing clinical supervision and coaching to staff and students.

Demonstrated sound verbal and written communication skills with an ability to build
rapport and empathise with patients.

Demonstrated commitment to physiotherapy education, training and research.

Knowledge of, and commitment to, evidence-based and patient-centred clinical
practice.

Ability to prioritise and manage workloads within established routines, methods and
procedures.

Ability to work within a multidisciplinary healthcare team to provide high quality patient
care.

Capacity for creativity and innovation in service development, delivery and
improvement.

Commitment to uphold and be a steward of the Mission, Vision and Values of MQ
Health.

Working with Children Check Clearance and Satisfactory Criminal History Check.
Page 4 of 4