Advanced Scope Physiotherapist - Emergency Department

at  St John of God Health Care

Your role at St John of God Midland and Private Hospitals
As the Advanced Scope Physiotherapist, you will be the first point of contact for patients presenting to St John of God Midland Public and Private Hospital (SJGMPPH). You will provide expert consultation, independent clinical assessment and triage functions, and determine appropriate treatment plans, independent of the Emergency Physician’s direction and functions as a musculoskeletal consultant for the medical, nursing and allied health team in the Emergency Department.

The Position

• Observe, assess, treat, record and manage the progress of clients, as appropriate.
• Operate as a primary contact practitioner and make expert, independent and complex decisions using advanced clinical reasoning and best practice guidelines/evidence related to the assessment, treatment and management of patients, without the involvement of the Medical Consultant and within scope of physiotherapy clinical practice. Responsible for deciding whether the patient may benefit from surgery and organising referral on to the relevant surgical team if appropriate.
• Organise, order and review further diagnostic assessment in accordance with evidence/best practice protocols/pathways.
• Apply expert and independent clinical decision-making skills to initiate and manage evidence-based treatment plans, including management of patient discharge, independent of medical and nursing direction.
• Determine and organise referral for further medical/surgical assessment, or other treatment, internally or externally when indicated.
• Apply knowledge of pharmacokinetics throughout the assessment and treatment process, with particular reference to common analgesia, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and their interactions with other drugs.
• Authorise discharge of patients back to the referrer without consultation with a Medical Consultant.
• Manage interfaces with waiting list managers, patient triage, Allied Health Services, Medical Practitioners, and GPs, including negotiations on management plans.
• Provide expert clinical advice, consultation and education to clinicians and act as a resource to the hospital, external agencies, and WA Health on matters relating to advanced scope physiotherapy.
• Liaise with the relevant department’s Heads of Service for Allied Health, Medical and Nursing to evaluate the operation of the service, identify service development needs and manage implementation of required changes in relation to area of expertise.

You will hold a tertiary qualification in Physiotherapy, registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and possession of a relevant Post Graduate Physiotherapy qualification at or above master’s or equivalent level. You will have expert clinical skills, extensive experience, and high level independent clinical decision-making ability, including experience working in first point of contact roles within a hospital setting. Recent and ongoing clinical and professional development, quality improvement and research activities are essential.
To succeed you will have a high level of communication skills including working within complex team structures and effectively negotiate, influence and maintain cooperative working relationships with external providers towards targeting outcomes. You will also have the ability to apply and integrate evidence base and expert clinical reasoning skills in the delivery of best practice in an acute care setting. Demonstrated understanding of processes and clinical pathways in a Secondary Hospital setting would be desirable.
Above all, patient care will be at the core of everything you do committing to and supporting our Mission and Values.

We can offer you

• Salary: $90.16 to $95.13 per hour (inclusive of casual loading), plus 11.5% superannuation
• Casual position available
• Discounts on hospital services & private health insurance
• Salary packaging up to $18,550 on a range of benefits such as mortgage, rent, meal entertainment, holiday accommodation or other everyday living expenses as well as options to salary package benefits above the FBT cap on items such as:
• Novated leasing
• work related expenses
• self-education and
• additional superannuation
• Free on-site parking
• Access to fitness and wellbeing benefits through Fitness Passport
• Innovative Professional Development opportunities
• A welcoming and supportive culture
• A healthy work-life balance through flexible work options, additional purchased leave & well-being programs

All applicants are asked to submit a covering letter (of no more than two (2) pages) demonstrating how you meet the above position requirements
For enquiries contact Erin Cecins, Physiotherapist Manager, on (08) 9462 4326.
Closing Date: 6/02/2025
At St John of God Health Care, we celebrate diversity and warmly welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.
Our commitment is to create a safe and nurturing environment for all children and vulnerable individuals in our care and proactively take steps to protect them from abuse, ensuring their safety and well-being.
Our inclusive culture fosters an environment that is respectful and secure, welcoming and accessible, and unified through our diverse community

Please refer the Job description for details