Job Description

• Challenging and rewarding work environment

• Friendly and supportive team environment

• Interdisciplinary teamwork in pain management

• Part Time, Fixed Term from 30 June 2025 - 22 August 2025 (long service leave backfill) maximum of 28 hours per week.

• Grade 3 or Grade 2 depending on experience

About the Role

You will be involved in assessment and treatment of people with chronic pain. Treatments consist of individual and group programs with a focus on pain education, functional restoration and self-management approaches. You will be working closely with other disciplines including medical and psychology.

Classifications for this position will range from

• Gr 3 VB7 to VC1 (pro-rata of $104,135 to $118,981 per annum) or

• Gr 2 VB1 to VB4 (pro-rata of $90,235 to $103,724 per annum)

Your Contribution

Physiotherapy Degree as approved by AHPRA

• Current Physiotherapy registration with AHPRA

• Experience and interest in pain management / musculoskeletal physiotherapy

• At least 7 years experience (for gr 3) or at least 3 years experience (for grade 2)

• Post-graduate qualifications in an area of physiotherapy or pain highly desired

• Current national criminal history check or willing to obtain

What we Offer

• A focus on wellbeing initiatives, with regular events and programs

• Confidential, solutions-focused employee counselling

• 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

• Regular opportunities for professional development to assist you to reach your career goals

• Culture of continuous improvement

About Barbara Walker Centre for Pain Management
We are a non-admitted (outpatient) service based at St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne. We receive referrals from a wide range of GPs and specialists for people with chronic pain. We run a range of pain management programs including individual appointments and in groups.

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.

For any queries regarding this position, please contact BWCPM Manager, Sam Corrie on 0478 970 175.

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).
 

Respectfully, no agencies please.

Located at the Fitzroy Campus of St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, the Barbara Walker Centre for Pain Management (BWCPM) is predominately an outpatient multidisciplinary service that provides assessment, treatment and consultation for patients with persistent pain. The service comprises specialist pain clinicians working as an integrated team to address the medical, physical and psychosocial factors contributing to the persistence of pain and its consequent disability. The clinic services a diverse group of clients from around Victoria, many with complex needs, offering treatment both individually and in groups. The centre aims to assist patients to reduce the impact of persistent pain by optimising pain treatments, improving function and promoting self-management. 

The Barbara Walker Centre for Pain Management is one of the Health Independence Program (HIP) Services and sits within the Disability, Pain and HIP Service Development stream of HIP. Other HIP streams include rehabilitation clinics, access and chronic disease, complex care and HIP psychological services.

The intent of HIP is to deliver improved outcomes for clients and to support hospital demand management and flow, through delivering integrated and coordinated care to clients across the hospital and community interface, reducing duplication and fragmentation of services and ensuring client centred care planning. This position may be required to work within any of the HIP teams based at Kew, North Richmond or Northcote. This will be at the discretion of the HIP Stream Manager (Disability & Pain) and will take into consideration appropriate skills and training. 

The BWCPM Grade 2 Physiotherapist provides evidence-based practice within the clinic and conducts comprehensive assessment, treatment and education of clients with complex and chronic pain conditions in both individual and group settings. The position involves working within a multidisciplinary team and sharing a comprehensive knowledge of physiotherapy and pain management principles to delivering patient care, using the bio-pyscho-social model of pain management. The position includes responsibilities in quality and service improvement and balancing time managing a clinical caseload, taking a role in education, research and quality improvement.

• Provide appropriate, timely, effective clinical physiotherapy assessment and management to BWCPM clients
• As part of the physiotherapy team, deliver education and physiotherapy content to BWCPM Group Programs for pain management as appropriate including MAPP, PEP, PACT, START as required
• As part of the physiotherapy team, deliver group based physiotherapy programs including Reactivate and Hydrotherapy as required
• Participate in Gateway triage clinic
• Consult with pain specialist clinicians where necessary, to formulate and carry out individual or group treatment regimens
• Participate in consultant-led case review
• Participate and contribute to multidisciplinary goal setting, care planning and discharge planning as appropriate
• Reinforce the principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and pain management in planning/application to graded functional restoration
• Maintain current knowledge and skills in clinical best practice in pain management
• Actively participate in/ contribute to/develop relevant BWCPM clinical research projects
• Provide instruction and teaching of other health professionals and physiotherapy students as to best practice methods in physiotherapy for chronic pain management
• Maintain activity and patient data

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
• Always work within approved scope of practice under supervision by more senior clinical staff as appropriate.
• 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

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
• People
• Working with and Managing others
• Takes responsibility for ensuring productive, efficient teamwork
• Collaboration
• Works collaboratively within and outside the team

Physiotherapy Degree as approved by AHPRA

Current Physiotherapy registration with AHPRA

At least 3 years’ experience working as a Physiotherapist

Knowledge and experience in the field of pain management

Knowledge and experience in musculoskeletal physiotherapy

Experience working with complex and chronic health conditions, including chronic pain

Demonstrated ability to communicate and work effectively in a multidisciplinary environment

Excellent skills in organisation, planning and problem solving

Proficient computer skills

Grade 3

1.LOCAL WORK ENVIRONMENT

Located at the Fitzroy Campus of St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, the Barbara Walker Centre for Pain Management (BWCPM) is predominately an outpatient multidisciplinary service that provides assessment, treatment and consultation for patients with persistent pain. The service comprises specialist pain clinicians working as an integrated team to address the medical, physical and psychosocial factors contributing to the persistence of pain and its consequent disability. The clinic services a diverse group of clients from around Victoria, many with complex needs, offering treatment both individually and in groups. The centre aims to assist patients to reduce the impact of persistent pain by optimising pain treatments, improving function and promoting self-management. 

The Barbara Walker Centre for Pain Management is one of the Health Independence Program (HIP) Services and sits within the Disability, Pain and HIP Service Development stream of HIP. Other HIP streams include rehabilitation clinics, access and chronic disease, complex care and HIP psychological services.

The intent of HIP is to deliver improved outcomes for clients and to support hospital demand management and flow, through delivering integrated and coordinated care to clients across the hospital and community interface, reducing duplication and fragmentation of services and ensuring client centred care planning. This position may be required to work within any of the HIP teams based at Kew, North Richmond or Northcote. This will be at the discretion of the HIP Stream Manager (Disability & Pain) and will take into consideration appropriate skills and training. 

2.POSITION PURPOSE

The BWCPM Senior Clinician Physiotherapist provides evidence-based practice within the clinic and contributes a comprehensive knowledge of physiotherapy and pain management principles. The role involves being part of a multi-disciplinary team delivering patient care within a bio-psycho-social model including comprehensive assessment, care planning, treatment and discharge planning. The Senior Clinician Physiotherapist contributes to the development, delivery and evaluation of individual and group pain management programs at BWCPM. An excellent understanding of the principles of the START pain management program, Pain Education Program, and a working knowledge of the use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in pain management is expected. The Senior Clinician Physiotherapist leads the Physiotherapy clinicians within BWCPM and utilises a continuous improvement approach to ensure sustainable, high quality programs.  The role includes direct supervision and mentoring of Grade 2 physiotherapy staff and students undertaking clinical placements, and supporting Grade 2 physiotherapist in supervision of allied health assistant. 

3.POSITION DUTIES 

• Provide appropriate, timely and effective clinical management to all patients through high quality assessment, management, education, evaluation, documentation and multi-disciplinary team liaison
• Participate and contribute to multidisciplinary goal setting, case conference, care planning and discharge planning
• Contribute to the development, delivery and evaluation of BWCPM individual and group pain management programs including START, Pain Education Program (PEP) and other programs as required
• Utilise evidence-based pain physiotherapy approaches including active listening, pain education, pacing, graded exposure, cognitive functional therapy, CBT approaches, exercise prescription, activity engagement, goal setting and adoption of active self-management strategies
• Work alongside other disciplines including, but not limited to,  pain medicine physicians, psychologists, nurses and collaborate to ensure coordinated multi-disciplinary care
• Provide clinical expertise in the triage of referrals and Gateway initial needs assessment interviews as required
• Champion the use of ePPOC for clinical outcomes and research
• Supervise and mentor grade 2 physiotherapists at BWCPM individual and group supervision and annual performance review
• Actively participate in relevant BWCPM clinical research projects, program development, professional development, strategic planning and departmental meetings
• Represent Physiotherapy in BWCPM senior staff meetings
• Represent BWCPM in providing instruction and teaching of other health professionals, physiotherapists and physiotherapy students as to best practice methods in physiotherapy for pain management both within and outside of the organization as required
• Act as a role model to junior staff and physiotherapy students (reflecting professional and organisational values) 
• Ensure physiotherapy equipment is maintained and that appropriate levels of physiotherapy supplies are maintained
• Liaise with physiotherapy team to ensure and allocate appropriate physiotherapy staff resourcing for delivery of group programs as per the Group Education Year planner and program timetables
• Ensure optimum availability of appointments and liaise with admin regarding efficient appointment booking systems
• Establish and maintain effective partnerships with key stakeholders including HIP, SVHM specialist clinics, SVHM physiotherapy department, WorkSafe Authority and Transport Accident Commission and inpatient teams as required

4.INCUMBENT OBLIGATIONS 

General

• Perform the duties of the position to  the best of their ability and to a standard acceptable to SVHM
• Ensure all those in the area they manage, comply with all SVHM policies, procedures, by laws and directions 
• Ensure all those in the area they manage, only access confidential information held by SVHM when this is necessary for business purposes, maintaining the confidentiality of that information once accessed
• Display adaptability and flexibility to meet the changing operational needs of the business

Clinical Quality and Safety  

• Ensure clinical care is undertaken within established procedures in order to provide safe clinical care for patients/residents, ensuring clinical risk is minimised
• Ensure clinical staff work within their approved scope of practice and at all times with appropriate supervision. .
• Ensure all clinical staff maintain their clinical registration and any required indemnity cover
• Ensure  all junior clinical staff are appropriately supervised by senior clinical staff and trained to provide safe clinical care 
• Ensure all staff attend necessary training that enhances safety and quality of clinical care
• Promote a culture that supports learning and encourages reporting of errors
• Implement systems to identify and manage risks and to deal with and learn from incidents and complaints 
• Implement all facets of the SVHM safety and clinical quality programme within clinical area managed
• Collaborate with more senior levels of management to implement the SVHM safety and quality agenda 
• Provide feedback to more senior management in relation to problems or issues that impact on safety and clinical quality. 

Person Centred Care

• Ensure that 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  

• Ensure all health and safety related policies, procedures and directions are complied with in the area they manage
• Ensure all in the area they manage undertake annual Fire and Emergency Training and comply with fire and emergency procedures   
• Ensure all those in the area they manage,  treat others with respect, behaving professionally and in accordance with the SVHM Code of Conduct and undertaking annual Workplace Culture and Equity Training
• Conduct regular safety audits with Health and Safety Representatives and implement required improvements
• Minimise WorkCover costs by actively assisting the return to work of any employee injured in the area they manage.
• 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 

Human Resource Management

• Ensure that workforce planning is regularly undertaken and implemented to provide for the  ongoing resource needs of the area they manage 
• Ensure recruitment and rostering practices comply with applicable Enterprise Bargaining Agreement and cost effectively support delivery of quality service
• Ensure new employees are properly inducted to their local work environment and attend the General Hospital Orientation program
• Ensure all those who work in the area managed, undertake an annual performance review and are continually developed to reach their full potential
• Ensure leave is rostered fairly and that employees in the area managed, regularly take leave and do not accumulate excessive leave except where a plan is in place as to when that leave will be taken.  
• Actively manage individual and team performance to maximise performance and minimise workplace problems and conflict.  
• Continuously seek individual and team improvement and take responsibility for the introduction of any changes required to bring about such improvements. 
• Continuously seek individual and team improvement and take responsibility for the introduction of any changes required to bring about such improvements. 

5.INCUMBENT CAPABILIITY REQUIREMENTS (Level 3)

The incumbent of this position will be expected to possess the following core capabilities:

• Capability
• Demonstrated behaviour
• Personal
• Personal effectiveness
• Sets and measures team goals, driving pursuit of higher standards of practice
• Learning Agility
• Responds to new and complex situations by adjusting behaviour appropriately
• Outcomes
• Patient/Resident centred
• Monitors satisfaction levels and proactively addresses issues
• Innovation and Improvement
• Anticipates problems and continuously improves systems and processes
• Strategy
• Driving Results   
• Takes ownership for performance of team results
• Organisational Acumen
• Uses information and organisational knowledge to make decisions and achieve results
• People
• Working with and Managing others
• Leads others and shares responsibilities, providing support and effective communication
• Collaboration
• Operates Cross functionally and develops constructive relationships across the organisation

6.SELECTION CRITERIA

6.1ESSENTIAL REGISTRATION, LICENSE OR QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Formal Education:

• Degree in Physiotherapy
• Current AHPRA Registration
• Post graduate qualifications in Pain Science or Pain Management or Musculoskeletal or
• Advanced / Extended Scope Physiotherapy (completed or working towards completion)

6.2OTHER ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum of seven (7) years’ post-graduate experience
• Minimum three (3) years’ experience in pain management setting
• Extensive experience in managing a wide range of physiotherapy conditions, in particular those relevant to Pain Management
• Specialised knowledge and depth of experience in Pain Management Physiotherapy
• Experience supervising or mentoring Physiotherapy staff and students 
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team

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
• Superior written and verbal communication skills
• Commitment to staff development and continuing education
• Knowledge of, and commitment to, continuous quality improvement
• Demonstrated commitment to involvement and encouragement of research activities   and professional development

Closing Date:

Reconciliation Action Plan:

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

Code of Conduct:

View Code of Conduct