Returning to work

Speech Pathology Australia is aware that with government announcements regarding easing of COVID-19 restrictions many members will be returning to face-to-face work.

On this page are resources and information to support and guide members. Information on this page should also be read in conjunction with the Association’s Guidance for Service Delivery document.

Checklists

Employer Checklist – returning to the workplace This graphic is associated with the hyperlink that precedes it and indicates the document is in PDF.

Employee checklist – returning to the workplace This graphic is associated with the hyperlink that precedes it and indicates the document is in PDF.

Learn more about how WorkPlacePlus can help members of Speech Pathology Australia.

WATCH THIS SPACE: Risk Identification Tool

The figure shows a black stick figure digging a whole against a yellow background, indicating this page is under construction. Risk Identification Tool is being designed to assist clinicians to assess the number and type of risk factors for transmission of COVID-19 that may be present in any face to face clinical scenario before making a decision to see the client/consumer in the context described.

The tool will provide a summary of the risk factors in the scenario based on the responses provided by members to assist in the decision making process.

Safe Work Australia

The Safe Work Australia website provides a hub of work health and safety guidance and tools that Australian workplaces can use to manage health and safety risks related to COVID-19 across different workplaces e.g. early childhood, education, aged care, NDIS, etc.

Webisode / Podcast

Access an interview: Returning to the Workplace as COVID-19 Restrictions Ease, via either the Association’s podcast or webinar (listed under the heading COVID-19 and its impact on business).

Speech Pathology in Education – External Service Providers

Response from a representative of the New South Wales Department of Education:

“Principals have the discretion to determine whether external providers can come onto school grounds to deliver services, when students return to school. These decisions are always made at local school level and are guided by the needs of the school and their students.

"The situation with Covid-19 and students returning to school is an extra consideration for principals who have to determine whether it is safe, necessary and appropriate for individual allied health providers to provide services to their students on school grounds. This autonomy allows principals to make decisions for their school based on current need and other operation constraints of the site.“

It is recommended that speech pathologists who have been working at NSW Department of Education schools liaise with the principal of the school directly. Principals are responsible for managing who visits their school.

COVID-19 allied health checklist for receptionists

The Department of Health has produced a Checklist for Allied Health Receptionists to keep everyone safe from COVID-19.