Triage and Clinical Assessor

• Adelaide (Head Office), SA, Australia, 5000
• Tanunda, SA, Australia, 5352

• Community and Client Services
• Direct Care & Clinical Services

• Permanent Full-Time

Make a difference through clinical assessment and informed decision-making

At Uniting Communities, we are seeking an experienced health professional to join our Aged Care Assessment Service (ACAS) as a Triage and Clinical Assessor.

This is an opportunity to use your clinical knowledge and judgement in a role that directly influences how older Australians access the care and support they need.

Working as part of our ACAS team, you will undertake phone-based triage and clinical assessments, determine eligibility for support under the Aged Care Act, and identify the most appropriate assessment pathway based on each client’s individual circumstances.

About the role

As a Triage and Clinical Assessor, you will consider the whole person – including their medical condition, cognitive function, mobility, psychosocial needs, functional independence and existing informal supports.

Using your clinical experience and professional judgement, you will determine appropriate assessment pathways and support funding approval decisions. You will also undertake broader clinical assessor responsibilities including Comprehensive and Home Support Assessments and Support Plan Reviews.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Conducting phone-based evaluations to determine suitability for aged care support
• Assessing clients' medical, cognitive, mobility, psychosocial and functional needs
• Evaluating existing informal supports and identifying short and longer-term needs
• Determining the most appropriate assessment pathway for each client
• Undertaking Comprehensive and Home Support Assessments using the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT)
• Applying sound clinical judgement to support funding approval determinations
• Advising clients about funded and non-funded support options
• Making appropriate referrals based on each client's identified goals
• Completing Support Plan Reviews as required
• Accurately recording client information through the My Aged Care portal
• Working collaboratively with triage staff, Team Leaders and the broader ACAS team.

About you

You are an experienced clinician who can combine strong assessment skills with empathy, sound judgement and clear communication.

You will be comfortable engaging with people from a wide range of backgrounds, gathering and interpreting complex information, managing competing priorities and making considered clinical decisions.

To be successful, you will have tertiary qualifications as a:

• Registered Nurse
• Occupational Therapist
• Physiotherapist, or
• Social Worker

For regulated professions, you will hold current AHPRA registration, or for Social Workers, be eligible for AASW membership.

You will also bring:

• Clinical Assessor experience - Ideally you will have completed MAC training and would be familiar with the IAT tool
• Knowledge of the aged care and community care sector
• An understanding of the physical and psychological aspects of ageing
• A commitment to positive ageing and a wellness approach
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong clinical judgement and decision-making capability
• Confidence using computer-based assessment or client management systems
• Strong administrative and organisational skills
• The ability to work respectfully and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities
• A full, unrestricted driver's licence

Experience working in remote or very remote communities and with Aboriginal people, families and communities is also required for the role.

Why join us?

Uniting Communities is a leading, inclusive not-for profit community services organisation working alongside more than 80,000 South Australians each year to reduce inequality, improve wellbeing, overcome disadvantage, and support people to live the best lives they can. We value diversity and are committed to providing respectful, accessible services.

Why Work For Us?

• In addition to your salary, you can package up to $15,900 per year pre-tax and additionally a $2,650 Meals and Entertainment card.
• How could working for a Not-For-Profit impact your take home pay? Visit our salary packaging provider for details - Access Pay
• 12 Weeks Paid Maternity Leave
• 1 Week Paid Cultural Leave for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Staff
• 1 Day of Community Engagement Leave

What Next?

Please attach a cover letter addressing the role and a current resume.

Due to the role being available for immediately, we will be shortlisting and interviewing applications as they are submitted.

As an organisation, we are committed to protecting children, young people and vulnerable adults. All staff are required to work within our code of conduct and undergo relevant pre-employment checks