Are you a Physiotherapist who thrives on working hard, but also having a good work life balance? SVHM is looking for a part time (4 days per week) Grade 2 Physio to join the team!
Part Time (30.4 hours per week) / Fixed Term until 31 Dec 2026
Enjoy a 4-day working week!
Challenging and rewarding work environment
Contribute to growing a new service within Mental Health
Friendly and dynamic team
About the Role
This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic physiotherapist to join a cohesive and progressive integrated team, committed to excellence in clinical practice, research and professional development. The applicant must have, or be currently eligible for, National Physiotherapist Registration.
We are seeking an experienced and passionate Mental Health Physiotherapist to join the SVHM physiotherapy department on a part-time, fixed term basis. The successful applicant will be responsible for providing high quality, overall physiotherapy management to the Adult Mental Health Inpatient unit on the Fitzroy campus of SVHM and the Older Adult Mental Health unit on the Kew campus of SVHM.
Classifications for this position will range from VB1-VB4 ($90,235 to $103,724 per annum, pro rata for part time).
Duties
Provide appropriate clinical management for the most prevalent physical health comorbidities within the mental health population including back pain, arthritis, and cardiovascular conditions.
Provide direct clinical supervision to Physiotherapy staff working within St Vincent’s mental health services and foster growth, knowledge, expertise and interest in mental health work.
Increase understanding and commitment to the Equally Well consensus statement and Equally Well in Victoria.
To embed trauma-informed principles in physiotherapy in mental health settings
To embed integrated physical and mental health care in specialist mental health services
Communicate assessment and treatment outcomes to nursing, medical and other Allied Health staff via documentation and handovers.
Clinical supervision and teaching of physiotherapy students, both undergraduate and postgraduate, as required
Your Contribution
Recent workplace experience in and knowledge of physiotherapy management in an acute health care setting.
Relevant postgraduate qualifications are highly desirable.
Demonstrated ability to work in a multidisciplinary team.
Knowledge of and commitment to continuous quality improvement and research.
Experience with student supervision and mentoring junior staff.
Superior written and verbal communication skills.
What we offer
A focus on wellbeing initiatives, with regular events and programs
Confidential, solutions-focused employee counselling
A healthy work/life balance encouraged.
Ability to join Fitness Passport - Your pass to an extensive choice of fitness facilities
Salary Packaging – Increase your take home pay!
In the heart of Fitzroy, CBD at our doorstep, close to some of Melbourne’s best cafes, public transport and lots of carparks
Discounts and Promotions always available through our Foundation
Culture of continuous improvement
Physiotherapy Department
The Physiotherapy Department provides high quality clinical services across a spectrum of acute, sub-acute and outpatient services. The Department works as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide assessment, treatment and a range of therapeutic services to optimise patient care and maximise function. The Department is committed to fostering excellence in evidence based clinical care, research and education.
Working at St Vincent’s
St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne (SVHM) is a leading teaching, research and tertiary health service. SVHM provides a diverse range of adult clinical services and is driven by values of Compassion, Justice, Integrity and Excellence.
Application
Please attach your resume and cover letter to your application.
Shortlisting for this position will commence immediately. We encourage you to apply promptly as the advertisement may close early should a suitable applicant be sourced.
We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and abilities. Inclusion is essential to our mission and diversity reflects the community we serve.
Please visit our website, for further information regarding our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment at SVHM.
SVHA has a duty of care under work health and safety legislation to eliminate and/or control the risk of transmission of vaccine preventable diseases in healthcare settings. You may therefore be required to undergo mandatory immunisations/vaccinations (including flu vaccinations).
Primary Contact: Physiotherapy Workforce Lead, Kathryn Tarrant, Kathryn.Tarrant@svha.org.au
Position Description
3. LOCAL WORK ENVIRONMENT
This position is based at both the Fitzroy campus of St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne (SVHM) and the Kew campus St George’s Hospital (SVHM), within the physiotherapy department. This role will also provide support and services (as required) across other SVHM sites and in particular through St Vincent’s Mental Health Hospital and Community based programs.
4. POSITION PURPOSE
Accountable to the Physiotherapy Manager and responsible to the Mental Health Clinical Educator, this Grade 2 position is responsible for providing high quality, overall physiotherapy management to the patients on units managed by the designated work area. The candidate may be responsible for the supervision of physiotherapy students and junior physiotherapists. The candidate is also responsible for continuing quality improvement projects and other tasks as directed/delegated.
5. POSITION DUTIES
The delivery of the highest standard of physiotherapy services to the patients at SVHM as directed:
Provide appropriate clinical management for all patients on units managed by the designated
work area as required
Communicate assessment and treatment outcomes to nursing, medical and other Allied Health
staff via documentation and ward rounds
Support junior staff in the management of the most prevalent physical health comorbidities
including back pain, arthritis, and cardiovascular conditions.
Provide direct clinical supervision to Physiotherapy staff working within St Vincent’s mental health
services and foster growth, knowledge, expertise and interest in mental health work.
To embed trauma-informed principles in physiotherapy in mental health settings to
o Ensure psychological safety of both the consumer and clinician
o Facilitate trusting relationships
o Enable choice and collaboration
o Maximise empowerment
o Overcome barriers to trauma-informed care in physiotherapy
Increase understanding and commitment to the Equally Well consensus statement and Equally Well in Victoria
o To support mental health services to make decisions about developing, implementing and reviewing policies, procedures and programs that help consumers to make decisions about addressing physical health issues.
o To enable services to provide a positive experience of care and improve outcomes for consumers, with the support of families and carers.
o To create a consistent approach to physical health care in Victorian specialist mental health services.
o To embed integrated physical and mental health care in specialist mental health services with a particular focus on community settings
o To contribute to interprofessional education and leadership to the vision that people living with mental illness have greater quality of life, access to care and life expectancy as the general population related to managing chronic conditions and multi-morbidity
o Improve the inequality in healthcare for people with mental health conditions
considering side effects from mental health treatments, informed consent, impacts of
mental health problems and emotional distress, discrimination in overall health care, and disadvantaged socioeconomic status.
Advising on the care of patients in outlying wards when requested
Participate in unit ward rounds/team meetings
Ensure implementation of departmental policies and procedures
Participate in Departmental and Organisational meetings, other meetings as required
Actively participate in interdisciplinary team activities
Organise and implement in-service training sessions for staff, the physiotherapy assistants, students and volunteers
Appropriately teach and supervise physiotherapy students and provide regular feedback and documentation of the clinical placement required
Ensure continuous Quality Improvement through high quality work practices
Implement department quality improvement activities
Assist with development of policies, procedures and guidelines in line with strategic directions for the department, allied health team and wider organization
Active participation to ongoing education through in internal and external professional development and review of current literature
6. INCUMBENT OBLIGATIONS
General
Perform duties of the position to best of their ability and to a standard acceptable to SVHM
Comply with all SVHM policies, procedures, by laws and directions
Treat others with respect and always behave professionally and in accordance with the SVHM Code of Conduct
Only access confidential information held by SVHM when this is necessary for business purposes, maintaining the confidentiality of that information once accessed
Participate in the annual SVHM performance review process
Display adaptability and flexibility to meet the changing operational needs of the business
Comply with applicable Enterprise Bargaining Agreement provisions
Display a willingness to develop self and seek to improve performance Clinical Quality and Safety
Attend clinical orientation upon commencement
Maintain clinical registration and any required indemnity cover
Take personal responsibility for the quality and safety of work undertaken
Take all necessary care and precautions when undertaking clinical procedures
Complete annual clinical competencies
Maintain skills and knowledge necessary to safely and skilfully undertake clinical work
Consult with peers and other experts and refer to other healthcare workers when appropriate and in a timely manner
Collaborate and clearly communicate with patients/clients and the healthcare team
Participate in clinical risk management and continuous quality improvement activities as part of day-to-day work
Person Centred Care
Ensure consumers receive information in an appropriate and accessible format
Actively support consumers to make informed decisions about their treatment and ongoing care
Ensure consumers are aware of their rights responsibilities and how to provide feedback
Health and Safety
Protect the health and safety of self and others, complying with all health and safety related policies, procedures and directions
Complete required Fire and Emergency Training annually
Complete required Workplace Culture and Equity Training annually
Attend general hospital orientation within 3 months of commencement
As required, comply with fit-testing and PPE requirements
Participate in reporting and analysis of safety and quality data including risks or hazards,
Report any hazards, near misses and incidents (regardless of whether an injury occurred or not) into Riskman
Identify and report any variance to expected standard and minimising the risk of adverse outcomes
7. INCUMBENT CAPABILIITY REQUIREMENTS (Level 2)
The incumbent of this position will be expected to possess the following core capabilities:
Capability Demonstrated behaviour
Personal Personal effectiveness Takes responsibility for accurate, timely work results
Learning Agility Identifies personal development needs and seeks information from a range of sources
Outcomes Patient/Resident/client centred Strives to meet and exceed expectations, demonstrating sound judgement
Innovation and Improvement Contributes to improvement by reviewing strengths and weaknesses of current processes
Strategy Driving Results Manages own work load to deliver results
Organisational Acumen Understands the interdependencies between units/departments
Working with and Managing others Takes responsibility for ensuring productive, efficient teamwork
Collaboration Works collaboratively within and outside the team
8. SELECTION CRITERIA
8.1 ESSENTIAL REGISTRATION, LICENSE OR QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Formal Education:
Physiotherapy Degree
AHPRA Registraltion
Short postgraduate courses in relevant areas of physiotherapy (desirable)
Postgraduate qualification/s in relevant area/s of physiotherapy (desirable)
Knowledge & Experience:
Recent experience in and knowledge of physiotherapy management in an acute health care setting;
Demonstrated ability to work in a multidisciplinary team
Knowledge of and commitment to continuous quality improvement
Recent experience in clinical teaching of physiotherapy students
Recent experience in the supervision of staff
8.2 OTHER NON ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
Skills and competencies which the incumbent must possess:
Commitment to the values and health care philosophy of the Sisters of Charity
Commitment to the Code of Conduct
Demonstrated ability to facilitate team outcomes in a multi- disciplinary environment
Superior written and verbal communication skills
Commitment to staff development and continuing education
Demonstrated commitment
At St Vincent's we acknowledge the importance of creating a work environment that is welcoming, safe, equitable and inclusive for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Employees. As part of our Commitment to Reconciliation and Closing the Gap in employment related outcomes, we encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
For further information, visit https://www.svha.org.au/about-us/reconciliation or get in contact at indigenouscareers@svha.org.au
View Reconciliation Action Plan