Speech Pathologist - Newcastle

Your opportunity: 

• Casual or part time (minimum 1 day per week).
• Servicing residential aged-care facilities within the Newcastle and Port Stephens area, with additional potential opportunity to support our growing telehealth clinic and community home-visits.
• Opportunity for regional travel within NSW and nationally.
• Working with a close-knit team of 3 across the Newcastle/Hunter area.
• Working within a broader Australian team of nearly 40 Speech Pathologists.
• Flexible working hours. 
• Responsibilities include Dysphagia and communication assessment and intervention for adults living in residential aged care and the community.
• Open to new graduates, recent graduates and experienced clinicians.

Reporting to your state-based Speech Pathology Team Leader, you will provide high-quality mobile Speech Pathology services to adults living in residential aged care facilities and the local community. We support adults living with dementia, Parkinson’s disease, post-stroke, progressive neurological disorders and ageing-related decline.

You will have access to extensive resources alongside internal clinical supervision. You will have opportunities to attend internal and external workshops as well as $500 to attend professional development programs of your interest.  

Your responsibilities will include: 

• Managing your calendar of appointments – we’re a flexible workplace, so you can choose the work hours and locations that suit you
• Assessing and diagnosing your clients’ swallowing and communication difficulties 
• Potential for national travel to support clients in regional locations
• Provision of telehealth-based dysphagia and/or communication assessment and intervention
• Liaison with our close-knit national team of Speech Pathologists
• Advocating for support for clients with communication difficulties 
• Working closely with organisational staff, support coordinators and your Plena colleagues to ensure optimum care needs are met
• Providing consultative and educational support to clients, their families and colleagues

Who we are:

With over 20 years’ experience, Plena Healthcare is Australia’s leading national allied health provider to the aged care, community and disability sectors. Our closely-connected team of Speech Pathologists, Dietitians, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Podiatrists are passionate about the care they provide to clients. They are at the centre of everything we do. 

Plena are a values-led organisation, we bring energy, act with integrity, nurture and care, we listen and connect. Our values demonstrate our commitment to our people, customers, and community, and define who we are, what we do, and how we do it. When we come together, we shine. 

Your career with Plena: 

In addition to a close team environment and competitive salary (reviewed yearly), Plena Healthcare prides itself on a genuine work/life balance where flexibility is key! You choose the hours you want to work, set your schedule and manage your day in a way that works for you. We support and inspire our team to enrich the lives of our clients. We do this with a great group of clinicians and a tried and tested program, which is the best in the industry.

To support our clients, you will need a professional qualification in Speech Pathology with an active membership of Speech Pathology Australia. You will be required to travel so having a drivers licence and a reliable form of transport will be critical.

Plena Perks: 

When joining our Plena Healthcare community, you will also unlock a multitude of Plena Perks. 

• Work life balance, flexible working hours and management of your schedule.
• Shine Days – up to two extra days off per year to say thanks for all you do!
• Industry leading professional development program equivalent to $500 annually. This allowance means that you can choose PD that meets your interests.
• Regular full-day internal professional development sessions with the national team.
• 1:1 internal supervision – hours dependent on your level of experience (30 minutes/week for new graduates and senior group supervision for experienced clinicians).
• Health Kick - $150 annual budget to spend on your fitness and well-being.
• Shine Awards – we love our people & we love rewarding outstanding achievements. Our Shine Awards provide more opportunities for our team to be recognised and rewarded for their contribution to helping people live healthier, happier and more independent lives. Monthly, quarterly and yearly awards valued up to $2000.
• Treasure Chest Fund - We like to spread joy. We'll give you money to spend on brightening the day of one of your clients.
• $3000 Refer a friend bonus – sharing is caring!

“We pride ourselves on being an equal opportunity employer, committed to supporting an inclusive & diverse workplace. We encourage and welcome applications from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people of all ages, cultural identities, gender identities and expressions & LGBTIQA+ people.”