This page contains information for allied health professionals on professional development, research and useful resources.
Professional development opportunities
Professional development is the responsibility of each health professional. Professional development allows you to maintain current evidence-based practice and to broaden your skills and knowledge
Organisations with a vibrant and supportive learning culture are equipped to meet best practice quality healthcare outcomes for their patients.
Browse our list of free professional development opportunities in the ACT.
Information for professionals working in the ACT public health system
Health Professionals Enterprise Agreement
The ACT Public Sector Health Professional Enterprise Agreement covers classifications for Health professionals, medical imaging, medical physicists, perfusionists, pharmacists and radiation therapists.
Allied health assistants, including dental assistants and peer support workers employed under the AHA classification, are employed under the ACT Public Sector Support Services Enterprise Agreement.
Professional development support
As part of the Health Professional Enterprise Agreement, funding is provided to support employees to undertake educational activities.
For details about allowances, criteria and conditions, review the current Health Professional Enterprise Agreement.
Study leave
Health professionals working in the public sector may be eligible for study assistance. Assistance provided may be in the form of financial assistance or paid/unpaid leave for study.
Review the Studies Assistance – Instructions and documents relevant to your directorate and contact your manager for more information.
Credentialing
Credentialing is the process of verifying qualifications, experience and other relevant professional attributes of employees. It is an action required to meet the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards, which must be achieved for hospital accreditation.
For further details about the Standards, visit the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.
Credentialing is required for many allied health professionals working for Calvary Public Hospital Bruce and Canberra Health Services.
For further information about credentialing requirements for your position, please contact your manager or view the following information:
Library resources for staff
Library services are available for allied health professionals working in the public sector onsite at both Canberra Hospital and Calvary Public Hospital Bruce. You can also find the library services through your relevant intranet page.
Library staff may be able to provide information and/or courses that update staff on current library e-resources and teach database searching skills.
Research and professional development events
We recognise the importance of research and are committed to building research capacity in our allied health practitioners.
We support several initiatives that support allied health engagement in research, including:
The Office of the Chief Allied Health Office is a member of the ACT Health Allied Health Research Network. This Network includes membership from a variety of allied health professional groups including the ACT Health Office of Research and is led by Canberra Health Services.
The role of this Network includes helping to build research culture, capability and capacity across all allied health professions within ACT Health, Canberra Health Services and Calvary Public Hospital Bruce.
Further information about research at ACT Health.
Allied Health Symposium
The Allied Health Symposium is an annual event for ACT public sector allied health professionals. The event is hosted by the ACT Chief Allied Health Officer, ACT Health Directorate.
The Symposium is an opportunity for allied health professionals to showcase their research and quality activities, and network with their colleagues.
Find out more here.
The Canberra Health Annual Research Meeting
The Canberra Health Annual Research Meeting (CHARM) facilitates connections between researchers, students, clinicians, policy makers, consumers, carers, industry, administrators, leaders and partners in the ACT’s health system. The meeting seeks to explore and demonstrate how research can contribute to a learning health system through discovery, collaboration and translation.
Find out more here.
Funding and development opportunities
University of Canberra Allied Health Graduate Certificate Scholarship Program
The Office of the Chief Allied Health Officer works in partnership with the University of Canberra, higher education institutions, ACT government Directorates and other stakeholders to enable subsidised access to quality education and training opportunities for the allied health community.
Find out more here.
Allied Health Post-Graduate Scholarship Scheme
This scheme supports eligible allied health professionals with scholarships in various fields of postgraduate study.
Scholarship recipients access funding to support tuition fees. The level of funding given will depend on the total number of applicants, the total cost of requested tuition support and the available budget.
Scholarships are paid through reimbursement at the end of each satisfactorily completed semester(s) of study.
Find out more here.
Work level standards
ACT Health supports the commitment of safe, appropriate and high-quality allied health clinical services through best practice recruitment. We also ensure our workforce matches organisational, workforce and consumer needs.
The ACT Health Allied Health Work Level Standards provide a consistent platform to classify allied health jobs in the Health Professional classification. These standards accommodate the diverse range of allied health roles across ACT Health and clearly define the roles and responsibilities expected at each classification level.
As part of the recent Health Professional Enterprise Agreement, these work level standards are being reviewed.
Resources
The following websites host a range of resources which may be useful for allied health professionals. Please note these resources are not all reviewed or endorsed by ACT Health.
Allied Health Professionals Australia (AHPA) host a range of resources which are multidisciplinary and have a broad focus. Resources include topics such as clinical education, the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and digital health.
Canberra Health Services offer a variety of health information sheets for consumers and clinicians. These written resources cover information about conditions, treatments and the ACT public health system.
COMPASS: Early Recognition of the Deteriorating Patient Program is owned by the Australian Capital Territory and aims to improve the early recognition and management of deteriorating patients. Resources and educational brochures are available for health professionals.
Department of Health Allied Health resources The Australian Government Department of Health maintains a list of up-to-date resources for allied health professionals including workforce data, the Medicare Benefits Schedule, information, instructional videos and COVID-19 specific resources.
Department of Health COVID-19 resources provides information for health professionals specifically related to COVID-19.
Indigenous Allied Health Australia provides a range of resources related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
Exercise is Medicine Australia provides a range of resources for both public and professional use. Resources provide basic information about each targeted health condition and the role of exercise.
iCAHE – is run by University of South Australia and provides a wide range of tools, services and resources to support health professionals to create new knowledge and translate evidence into safe, quality health care.
Involved CBR puts you in touch with activities occurring in the ACT to create a more inclusive community for all people.
National Disability Services offer allied health workforce resources to support a sustainable allied health workforce within the NDIS.
Public Health Network (PHN) Central and Eastern Sydney provide resources on a range of topics to support allied health working with patients.
Queensland Health offer links to a number of telehealth resources, guides and tools.
South Australian Health Allied Health Clinical Supervision Framework offers a framework for clinical supervision for allied health professionals.
Telehealth This Victorian Government webpage provides information and video links on telehealth including medico-legal aspects and projects.
Victorian Allied Health Clinical Supervision Framework aims to maintain highly skilled and sustainable health and community services workforce across Victoria.
If you would like to recommend a resource to the Office of the Chief Allied Health Officer please email chiefalliedhealthoffice@act.gov.au
