Physiotherapist - mentor

Location:
Gippsland | Warragul

Job type:
Part time / From 28/01/2025 - 19/12/2025

Organisation:
Schools (Government)

Salary:
Salary not specified

Occupation:
Health and Allied Health

Reference:
1443802

Warragul and District Specialist School is situated in the regional town of Warragul in West Gippsland, an hour and a half east of Melbourne.
The school commenced the 2024 year with approximately 125 students aged between 5 and 18 years.
All students at the school have an intellectual disability with a large percentage having multiple disabilities including Autism, sensory and physical impairments and associated conditions.
Students travel to the school from a broad geographic area, including Drouin, Neerim District, Yannathan/Poowong, and Trafalgar.

At Warragul and District Specialist School we believe that all students can and will learn, and grow in self-esteem, through fostering a climate of care, dignity and respect, using consistent behaviour management strategies, deliberate positive reinforcement, and recognition of achievement.
The school promotes a curriculum that develops skills that its graduates will utilize as adults.
We believe that graduates should be actively involved in work/further education, participate in managing their own homes, and are active participants in their own local community.

The whole school commitment to build teacher capacity and improve student learning outcomes is reflected in the key improvement strategies in the schools Strategic Plan which are:

• To improve student outcomes in Literacy and Numeracy.
  
• To improve student confidence and self-esteem across the school.
  
• To improve the readiness of students for post school life.
  
• To effectively manage school resources to cater for increasing enrolments and a diverse student population.
  

In 2018 the school reviewed its values in line with the School wide Positive Behaviour Supports initiative.
All components of the school community were consulted coming up with 3 values.

• Be a Learner
• Be Safe
• Be Respectful

In 2024 these values are strongly embedded into the school community and provide a framework from which the school community will continue to monitor expectations and norms across school programs, activities and events.

The school currently has achieved a Schoolwide Positive Behaviour Supports (SW-PBS) bronze award status.

At Warragul & District Specialist School we believe in the principles behind our school motto, "Celebrating Difference".
Acknowledging and celebrating individual difference in all students and members of the school community.

SC 1:
Specialist knowledge and expertise in Paediatric Physiotherapy to provide a comprehensive physiotherapy service that optimises the physical and mobility functioning of students 5 to 18 years.

SC2:
Demonstrated capacity to provide consultation, assessment and intervention recommendations for students with physical and mobility difficulties, and to support and guide teachers, Education Support staff and Allied Health Assistant, in the implementation of contemporary therapeutic strategies and approaches.

SC3:
Demonstrated exemplary interpersonal and teamwork skills to effectively relate with students with a diverse range of abilities and collaborate within a multi-disciplinary team to devise and deliver intervention services for students in a special developmental school.

SC4:
Demonstrated sound written and verbal communication skills to engage successfully with teachers, other Allied Health Professionals, Education Support staff, wellbeing personnel, external providers, specialist personnel and families to support the integration of appropriate intervention strategies and programs that promote quality learning outcomes for students with physical disabilities.

SC5:
Demonstrated commitment to own clinical supervision, professional learning and growth for self and others, as well as, an adherence to Department of Education and Training values.

The school Physiotherapist has a primary role in supporting and assisting teachers to provide for the physical wellbeing of their students.
This includes, but is not limited to providing direct service and consultancy to school staff in developing and implementing appropriate intervention strategies that optimise student functioning.
Physiotherapists offer a limited consultancy to families, where appropriate, particularly where issues are impacting on school functioning.
The Physiotherapist will undertake a range of duties including but not limited to:
manual handling training, therapy services, physical based-programs, and aquatic therapy programs, assessment for reporting purposes, secondary consultations and equipment prescription.

• Responsibility for the overall development and delivery of Physiotherapy services at a special developmental school within an integrated services model.
  
• Provide consultant physiotherapy assistance to staff in the management of students with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities who exhibit physical and mobility difficulties.
  
• Liaise with other professionals in the management of students and be proactive in accessing additional services for students with families as required.
  
• Assisting teaching staff in developing goals for students to optimise student adjustment and wellbeing based on results of assessment and observation.
  
• Provide support for staff as necessary, including discussion, modelling and guidance regarding implementation of recommendations and to complement the services of employee health.
  
• Undertake physiotherapy assessments to determine students level of physical and mobility development.
  
• Assist in the writing of applications for the Program for Students with Disabilities funding as required.
  
• Attend Student Support Group meetings as requested.
  
• Conduct training and instruction for school colleagues, families and external community partners as required, within the professional field of expertise.
  
• Provide individual student Aquatic Therapy programs.
  

Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.

• All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
  
• Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check.
  
• A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided.
  
• Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at