Continuing Professional Development (CPD) / training and networking Telepractice Workforce attraction – disability sector in regional rural and remote Tasmania Use of allied health assistants in the disability sector Each was addressed by a speaker who provided information on opportunities and background relevant to the topic at hand. Topics were then discussed in a workshop setting. Attendees were asked to complete follow up forms indicating their region of work, organisation type, role, professional background, and NDIS involvement. These answers were then used to break the group up so that a mix of backgrounds were placed on each table for group work. Follow-up forms were also referred to throughout the day to gain further feedback. A facilitator was placed at each corner of the room to assist with the completion of group activities. Following the attendees were contacted via email to seek any further feedback, and provided with access to a Dropbox with summaries of their group work, as well as links and resources that were discussed on the day. See Appendices 1 and 2 for further details about how the Forum was promoted and run. Who attended the Forum? A total of 53 people attended the forum, of whom 43 identified as AHPs. See further break down in the following tables. Attendee summary by role Role Number Practicing clinicians 35 Clinicians & Managers 3 Managers / Directors 7 Education / Training 2 Workforce planning 3 DHHS / Policy / NDIA 3 Table Attendee summary by organisation type Organisation Type Number Government 32 Private practitioners 6 Both government & private 2 Not for profit 11 Not reported 2 Table Attendee summary by region of work Region of work Number State wide 13 Northern Region (East Coast) 16 (3)
Positive Behaviour Support Planning Environmental interventions Eating behaviours in disability (Dietetics) BSP-QE-II Complex behaviour diagnosis Restrictive practices Level 1 basics, Level 2 train the trainer Mix of AHPs, support staff/AHA depending on topic Level 1 for new to sector / new graduates Level 2 – experienced clinicians Online webinars Massive open online text Weekends/evening seminars and workshops Mentoring Competency based Professional associations Behaviour specialist Discipline specific experts DAAT team members Senior practitioner Telepractice – practical ‘how to’ training AHPs AHAs Broader community Include rural and remote areas but don’t miss metro. Multimodal Face to face workshops Webinar Expert in field Debbie Theodorous (University of QLD) The nuts and of running a business Private Practice – is it worth the headache? Insurance/legal requirements for business owners AHPs considering setting up a business or already in business Option of series of face to face workshops followed by online resources, set up with mentors Or completely online/webinar Business Tasmania in collaboration with Allied health professional? Networking / mentor arrangements: Professional or business mentors Maintaining positive professional networks NDIS networking opportunities Discipline specific networking Sole practitioner networking Clinical peer support for senior clinicians AHPs Support coordinators and other disability professionals for NDIS general Individual arrangements for mentoring Wine and cheese Speed dating Committee to organise?
Clinical/professional governance AHPs ? Fly in specialists vs. fly out to mainland Complex physical disabilities/multiple All AHPs Mentoring, experiential learning, competency Complex seating needs workshops – a guide to seating the unseatable 24 hour postural management OTs PTs equip suppliers All involved Face to face workshop Seating specialist / OT / equipment supplier Supervision and delegation Training Successfully working with support workforce and allied health assistants Experienced clinicians and supervisors, or any AHP that works with AHAs or support staff Multimodal Face to face workshops Webinar Allied Health Professional who is working in service model already Goal setting/outcome measurements AHPs and separate workshop for families/support workers/carers Positively Managing People AHP Two Day workshop PMP expert Appendix 6: Group Brainstorm – regional/rural/remote disability workforce attraction Table Workforce attraction brainstorm ideas by target cohort Area Incentives – financial/business Marketing Training / CPD Networking & Supports Exposure & opportunity Targets / area of need
Experienced Clinicians into sector Small business grants Minimise administration demands of NDIS Positive spin i.e. present as a challenge and emphasise the opportunity CPD and training opportunities - offer financial support Robust training framework Networking opportunities Mentoring connections Support via centres of excellence Overseas sponsorships Communication re. gaps in service so that niche services can be offered with reliable income Skilled ex Tasmanian clinicians to return Private practice opportunities or job permanency Rural and remote loading Restore pay parity with other states through union / workforce advocacy Work life balance, environment, lifestyle, family friendly – national advertising Couldn’t hack it on the mainland! (reference to TV series set in Tasmania) CPD & training opportunities – offer financial support Networking opportunities Tasmania to have own professional associations Incentives to explore new clinical area – link to research and development Support to return for period Target mature age clinicians looking towards retirement New Graduates Bonded scholarships such as support to access training interstate Rural and remote loading Opportunities for high responsibility, challenge, lifestyle CPD & training opportunities - including funding Links to universities & rural clinical school Networking opportunities Mentoring connections Link with peer supports Overseas sponsorships Link UTas with mainland universities Exposure through student placements Look at sets/attributes to target – are they the right fit for the role?
University student placements Pay supervisor for taking on student Students- flights, subsidised rental Consider how students provide NDIS services Social lifestyle to come with placement Support clinicians to build skills in supervision Shared placements for small providers Fun weekend to introduce students to career opportunities and lifestyle Exposure to disability sector in university course Stronger liaison between universities and rural workforce agency Tasmanian school leavers to allied health Scholarship to assist with University fees – bonded to employment Large number of job opportunities, option to leave state for a good time while at university Early engagement start at primary school, career expos Better access to online options for education Establish Tasmanian AH undergraduate courses – could be linked to mainland courses Encourage high school completion and university pursuit Student work experience Volunteering opportunities e.g. DSW work in gap year Focus efforts on areas of shortage (discipline specific) Appendix 7: AHA role delineation Figure Hierarchy breakdown of AHA therapy tasks from group brainstorm
Quality assurances & risk management Working with vulnerable people and police checks (mandatory) On boarding/orientation procedures and guidelines Key performance indicators for activities Document audits by supervisor Public liability and professional indemnity insurance Pre and post assessment by AHP as minimum standard Data collection Termination policy- code of conduct Ensure compliance with relevant awards/legislation Risk- adding additional complexity in already unstable market Risk- small town, AHA may have personal ties to person with disability Complaints management policy – through AHA/employer in instance Choice and control for client vs. appropriate amount of AHA therapy hours Not appropriate for rapidly changing condition Difficult for AHA to change role between AHA and DSW/carer