Circular details

Specified Calling Classifications and Recruitment to Specified Calling Positions

This Operational Directive is to be read in conjunction with OP 2070/06 detailing the outcomes of the health professionals work value review, and OP 2103/06 detailing the requirements for updating job descriptions for specified calling positions.  The specified calling positions referred to in this Directive are:

Audiologists, Bio-Engineers, Certified Clinical Perfusionists, Dietitians, Librarians, Medical Imaging Technologists, Medical Scientists, Nuclear Medicine Technologists, Occupational Therapists, Orthoptists, Orthotists and Prosthetists, Pharmacists, Physicists, Physiotherapists, Podiatrists, Psychologists, Radiation Therapists, Scientific Officers (Respiratory Science, Exercise Physiology, Sleep Technology), Social Workers, Speech Pathologists and Ultra-Sonographers.

A specified calling classification can only apply to a position if the duties of the position can only be performed by a person possessing the required tertiary qualifications applicable to a named specified calling.   Only positions meeting this criterion can be established and identified as specified calling positions.

Classification Level Descriptors for all levels of specified calling positions were determined, under the auspices of the WA Industrial Relations Commission, as part of the work value review.  These descriptors form the basis for determining the classification levels for all specified calling positions and their application is mandatory.  The classification descriptors are published in Operational Circular OP2103/06

Recruitment

The duty statement and selection criteria elements of the Job Description Form for all levels of specified calling positions must reflect the applicable classification descriptors published in Operational Circular OP2103/06.  Recruitment action cannot be initiated if the Job Description Form submitted to commence the recruitment process does not incorporate the applicable classification descriptors.

Determination of Classifications

Where existing delegations provide authority for the determination of classifications and/or reclassification of specified calling positions, the mandatory classification descriptors must be rigorously applied by Classification Review Committees.  Particular attention must be paid, in any reclassification workvalue assessment, to the significant work value recognised for all positions in the settlement of the health professionals work value review.

To assist CRCs in identifying work value in excess of that identified in the work value review, a CD Rom containing the Introduction Paper and Executive Summary and, the agreed work value submissions for each of the specified callings is available.  Enquiries may be directed to labour.relations@health.wa.gov.au.

Dr Simon Towler
ACTING DIRECTOR GENERAL
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH