HEALTH EMPLOYEES' MEDICAL RADIATION SCIENTISTS (STATE) AWARD

 

INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS COMMISSION OF NEW SOUTH WALES

 

Application by Health Services Union, industrial organisation of employees.

 

(No. IRC 6399 of 2005)

 

 

AWARD

 

Arrangement

 

PART A

 

Clause No.         Subject Matter

 

6.         Anti-Discrimination

7.         Area, Incidence and Duration

3.         Conditions of Service

1.         Definitions

5          Dispute Resolution

4          No Extra Claims

2.         Salaries

 

PART B

 

MONETARY RATES

 

Table 1 - Salaries and Allowances

 

PART A

 

1.  Definitions

 

"ADA" means the adjusted daily average of occupied beds calculated in accordance with the following formula:

 

ADA =	Daily Average + Neo-natal Adjustment + Non-inpatient Adjustment
Where:
Daily  =	Total Occupied Bed Days for the Period Less Unqualified Baby Bed Days
Average	Number of Days in the Period
Neo-natal =	Total Bed Days of Unqualified Babies for the Period
Adjustment	2 x Number of Days in the Period
Non inpatient =	Total NIOOS Equivalents for the Period
Adjustment	10 x Number of Days in the Period

 

Note: Total NIOOS Equivalents for the Period equals the individual NIOOS plus the equivalent number of Group NIOOS (Non-inpatient Group Sessions x 1.3) plus the equivalent number of Dental NIOOS (Non-inpatient Dental Flow x 3.8)

 

"Union" means the Health Services Union.

 

"Corporation" means Health Administration Corporation of New South Wales.

 

"Employer" means the Health Administration Corporation of New South Wales, health service or hospital.

 

"Health Service" means an Area Health Service constituted under section 8 of the Health Services Act 1997, a Statutory Health Corporation constituted under section 11 of that Act, and an Affiliated Health Organisation constituted under section 13 of that Act.

 

"Hospital" means a public hospital as defined in section 15 of the Health Services Act 1997.

 

"Nuclear Medicine Technologist" means a person who has acquired a Bachelor of Applied Science in Medical Radiation Technology - Nuclear Medicine or equivalent qualifications recognised by the accreditation board of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nuclear Medicine and who currently holds a radiation license under the Nuclear Control Act.

 

"Radiographer in Training" means a person who is undertaking a Bachelor of Applied Science in Medical Radiation Technology or equivalent qualification which will lead to recognition by the accreditation board of the Australian Institute of Radiographers. 

 

"Radiographer" means a person who has acquired a Bachelor of Applied Science in Medical Radiation Technology or has equivalent qualifications recognised by the accreditation board of the Australian Institute of Radiographers.

 

"Medical Radiation Scientist (MRS)" are employees employed as radiographers and nuclear medicine technologists and who are classified into five levels as follows:

 

Level 1

 

MRS at this level are employed during their professional development year.  Progression between Level 1 and Level 2 is automatic upon the completion of the professional development year.

 

Level 2

 

MRS at this level have completed their professional development year and are employed as either a radiographer or nuclear medicine technologist.

 

Level 3

 

MRS at this level perform complex clinical procedures and demonstrate a degree of competency in them which reflects a level of continuing education and/or practical expertise.  The MRS has maintained a consistently high standard of practice within the profession and demonstrate proven problem solving skills.  They contribute to the establishment of clinical protocols and the development of activities, techniques and procedures within the Department.

 

They demonstrate a level of expertise by performance or means such as tutoring in the clinical situation to either undergraduate, postgraduate students or other Health Professionals or by obtaining an appropriate post graduate qualification or has gained recognition as an acknowledged expert through publication or delivering technical papers at seminars and/or conferences and/or supervise the operations of a section of the department (specialist or general) and perform associated administrative duties.

 

Level 4

 

MRS at this level may manage a Department in a hospital of less than 200 ADA or be appointed to a designated position of Assistant Manager in a hospital.  Employees shall not be eligible to progress to the second year of this level unless they manage a department in a hospital of over 100 ADA or its equivalent.

 

Level 5

 

Grade 1

 

MRS at this level will be appointed to manage a Radiography Department in a hospital of less than 300 ADA or manage a Nuclear Medicine Department in the following hospitals: St Vincent’s Hospital, Liverpool Hospital, St. George Hospital.

 

Grade 2

 

MRS at this level will be appointed to manage a Radiography Department in a hospital of less than 500 ADA or manage a Nuclear Medicine Department in the following hospitals: Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Westmead Hospital, John Hunter Hospital, Royal North Shore Hospital, Prince of Wales Hospital.

 

Grade 3

 

MRS at this level are appointed to manage a Radiography Department in a hospital of more than 500 ADA.

 

Grade 4

 

MRS at this level are appointed to manage the Radiography Departments in the following hospitals:  Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Westmead Hospital, Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Vincent’s Hospital, Prince Henry/Prince of Wales Hospitals, Liverpool Hospital.

 

Note:

 

Provided that MRS paid at the eighth year of service immediately prior to transfer to this structure shall receive salary maintenance in accordance with Department of Health Policy Directive 2005-517 and will, with other eligible employees, be entitled to incremental progression when they meet the criteria for Level 3.

 

"Medical Radiation Therapist" means a person who has acquired a Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Radiation Therapy) / Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Radiation Sciences) - Radiation Therapy; or has qualifications deemed equivalent by the Health Administration Corporation, and appointed to a Medical Radiation Therapist position.

 

Level 1

 

Radiation Therapists at this level are employed during their first year of graduation with a Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Radiation Therapy) or Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Radiation Sciences) - Radiation Therapy, from a university course recognised by the Health Administration Corporation.

 

This may be their Professional Development Year.  Progression between Level 1 and Level 2 is automatic, subject to (a) satisfactory performance; and (b) upon completion of either their first year of employment as a Medical Radiation Therapist or their Professional Development Year (which ever is applicable).

 

Radiation Therapists at this level shall develop an adequate level of patient care.  They also have involvement in Occupational Health, Safety & Rehabilitation and Quality Assurance matters; and work in an environment where there are multidisciplinary teams.

 

Level 2

 

Radiation Therapists at this level have completed the requirements for progression from Level 1.  Radiation Therapists at Level 2 and above shall have a high level of patient care and understanding towards the patient; involvement in Occupational Health Safety & Rehabilitation and Quality Assurance matters; and work in an environment where there are multi disciplinary teams.

 

Radiation Therapists operating at this level are required to demonstrate competency within the areas of patient treatment, planning and delivery, and active involvement/ participation in workplace in-services.

 

Level 3 - Grade 1

 

A Radiation Therapist may, after not less than the completion of 12 months service at Year 3, Level 2, apply to the Chief Radiation Therapist for personal progression to Level 3, Grade 1- Radiation Therapist Specialist. The application will be assessed by a panel of at least three Chief Radiation Therapists.  The relevant Area Health Service may also establish such positions at Level 3, Grade 1 that it deems appropriate, from time to time.

 

Radiation Therapists seeking appointment at Level 3, Grade 1 shall be required to demonstrate a high level of knowledge and proficiency in treatment planning or delivery in at least two of the following:-

 

CNS;

 

Multifield junctional techniques (3 fields or more);

 

Mono isocentric techniques;

 

Conformal therapy;

 

Brachytherapy (both treatment and planning);

 

Radiosurgery/stereotactic;

 

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy;

 

Paediatric radiation therapy;

 

Complex radiation therapy techniques related to specific trials and protocols and development of techniques and commissioning of new pieces of equipment or significant contribution to quality improvement activities of the department;

 

Complex mould-room procedures;

 

3 Dimensional Treatment Planning; and

 

Clinical Review

 

The Union and the Corporation are free to bring forward new technologies and procedures as they develop, with a view to gaining agreement on their inclusion in the above-listed criteria.

 

In addition, Radiation Therapists at this level are expected to:

 

Demonstrate a record of participation in teaching programmes within and/or outside the place of work.  This teaching may include undergraduate, postgraduate students, other health professionals, patients and their carers or the public in a field relevant to Radiation Therapy;

 

Demonstrate an ability to supervise and be responsible for other Radiation Therapists;

 

Demonstrate an ability to supervise and assess clinical experience of Radiation Therapy undergraduate students.  Provide liaison between the Universities and the clinical setting; and

 

Be able to demonstrate active participation/involvement in research and development through associated reports, presentations, conferences, publications; or workplace in-services.

 

Level 3 - Grade 2

 

A Radiation Therapist may, after not less than the completion of 12 months service at Level 3, Grade 1 Year 2, apply to the Chief Radiation Therapist for personal progression to Level 3, Grade 2 (Year 2) - Radiation Therapist Consultant and will be assessed by a panel of at least three Chief Radiation Therapists.

 

The relevant Area Health Service may also establish such positions at Level 3, Grade 2 (Radiation Therapist Consultant) that it deems appropriate, from time to time.

 

Radiation Therapist Consultants have clinical expertise related to specific areas of radiation therapy eg. Paediatric specialty, stereotactic radiosurgery, clinical review, counselling, head and neck cancers, genito-urinary cancers etc and may be called on in an advisory capacity to assist other Radiation Therapists with difficulties encountered within specific situations relating to their area of expertise.

 

The Radiation Therapist Consultant will be expected to demonstrate their expertise through the development and maintenance of protocols, delivery of in-services and presentation of papers related to their area of expertise at departmental level and at conferences at national or international level.

 

In addition to the criterion for Level 3 Grade 1, the Radiation Therapist must be able to demonstrate expertise in 2 further speciality areas, or one further speciality area and an appropriate postgraduate qualification.

 

The Level 3 Grade 2 Radiation Therapist should also demonstrate an increased involvement in teaching and presentations/publications.

 

Applicants should have substantiated reports by Senior Radiation Therapists (Level 4 or above) and/or Radiation Oncologists.  The reports should focus on the expertise, judgment, and provision of advice by the applicant, together with the impact on services provided by the Radiation Therapy department arising from the work of the applicant.  A minimum of two reports should be included and at least one must be from a Radiation Therapist.  This wider acknowledgment of their expertise may be in publications in peer-reviewed journals.

 

Radiation Therapy Level 3 Grade 2 positions may also be established as Radiation Therapist - Education.

 

A position of Radiation Therapist - Education is responsible to the Chief Radiation Therapist for the identification, provision and delivery of continuing education for Radiation Therapists, with both clinical and general management components; and for the co-ordination and appropriate service delivery of the tutor function for undergraduates/trainees on clinical placement and Radiation Therapists in their Professional Development Year. 

 

Level 4

 

Level 4-Grade 1

 

A Radiation Therapist at this level would manage the operations of a section or functional unit of a Radiation Therapy Department and discharge associated administrative duties.

 

A section or unit within this level is a single treatment machine where the managers would be responsible for the administrative detail, such as day to day running, throughput and patient care, patient scheduling, as well as immediate staffing.  A section or unit may also relate to sections within the treatment planning area.  These sections may include, but are not limited to simulator, mould room and planning room.

 

Level 4 Grade 2

 

A Radiation Therapist at this level would manage an area of a Radiation Therapy Department in a facility with at least 3 Linear Accelerators, such as treatment planning or treatment delivery.  In a Department of 2 Linear Accelerators or less, it may be appropriate to have only one position at this level, but the focus of the position will be the decision of the relevant Area Health Service.

 

The Radiation Therapist in this position would be responsible for the overall Quality Assurance, organisation, activities and maintenance of standards within the particular area in conjunction with the Chief Radiation Therapist and Deputy Chief Radiation Therapist.

 

The area referred to in this level would include a number of the sections or units, such as all the treatment machines and the total planning area.  The manager of an area would have responsibility for the overall organisation of the designated area and be responsible for tasks such as coordinated implementation of existing and new techniques, overall waiting list management, ensuring planning and treatment resources are used in the most effective manner, etc.

 

Level 5

 

A Radiation Therapist at this level is a Chief Radiation Therapist who manages a department with one Linear Accelerator.  The Chief Radiation Therapist has ultimate responsibility for service standards patient throughput, continuing education, research, training of radiation therapy staff and students; liaison with appropriate universities and with relevant other bodies; or

 

A Deputy Chief Radiation Therapist who assists in the management of a Radiation Therapy department with two or more Linear Accelerators.

 

Level 6

 

A Radiation Therapist at this level manages a Radiation Therapy department of two or more Linear Accelerators.  The Chief Radiation Therapist has ultimate responsibility for patient service standards and patient throughput, continuing education, research, training of radiation therapy staff and students; liaison with appropriate universities and with relevant other bodies.

 

2.  Salaries

 

Employees shall be paid not less than the following minimum salaries as set out in Table 1-Salaries and Allowances, of Part B, Monetary Rates.

 

3.  Conditions of Service

 

The Health Employees Conditions of Employment (State) Award, as varied from time to time, shall apply to all persons covered by this award.

 

In addition, the Health Industry Status of Employment (State) Award, shall also apply to relevant employees.

 

4.  No Extra Claims

 

The Memorandum of Understanding between the Health Administration Corporation and the Union dated 24 December 2004 establishes the extent of any further claims that may be pursued by the Union as set down in Clause 5, Allowable and No Extra Claims, of that Memorandum.

 

5.  Dispute Resolution

 

The dispute resolution procedures contained in the Health Employees Conditions of Employment (State) Award, as varied, shall apply.

 

6.  Anti-Discrimination

 

(i)         It is intention of the parties bound by this award to seek to achieve the object in section 3(f) of the Industrial Relations Act 1996 to prevent and eliminate discrimination in the workplace. This includes discrimination on the grounds of race, sex, marital status, disability, homosexuality, transgender identity, age and responsibilities as a carer.

 

(ii)        It follows that in fulfilling their obligations under the dispute resolution procedure prescribed by this award the parties have obligations to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the operation of the provisions of this award are not directly or indirectly discriminatory in their effects.  It will be consistent with the fulfilment of these obligations for the parties to make application to vary any provision of the award which, by its terms or operation, has a direct or indirect discriminatory effect.

 

(iii)       Under the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977, it is unlawful to victimise an employee because the employee has made or may make or has been involved in a complaint of unlawful discrimination or harassment.

 

(iv)       Nothing in this clause is to be taken to affect:

 

(a)        any conduct or act which is specifically exempted from anti-discrimination legislation;

 

(b)        offering or providing junior rates of pay to persons under 21 years of age;

 

(c)        any act or practice of a body established to propagate religion which is exempted under section 56(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977;

 

(d)        a party to this award from pursuing matters of unlawful discrimination in any State or Federal jurisdiction.

 

(v)        This clause does not create legal rights or obligations in addition to those imposed upon the parties by the legislation referred to in this clause.

 

NOTES -

 

(a)        Employers and employees may also be subject to Commonwealth anti-discrimination legislation.

 

(b)        Section  56(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 provides:

 

"Nothing in this Act affects ... any other act or practice of a body established to propagate religion that conforms to the doctrines of that religion or is necessary to avoid injury to the religious susceptibilities of the adherents of that religion:.

 

7.  Area, Incidence and Duration

 

(i)         This Award rescinds and replaces the Health Employees Medical Radiation Scientists (State) Award published 6 November 1998 (307 IG 63) and all variations thereof.

 

(ii)        This Award shall apply to persons employed in classifications contained herein employed in or in connection with the New South Wales Health Service as defined in section 16 of the Health Services Act 1997, or their successors, assignees or transmittees, excluding the County of Yancowinna.

 

(iii)       This Award takes effect from 1 December 2005, and shall remain in force until 30 June 2008.

 

PART B

 

MONETARY RATES

 

Table 1 - Salaries and Allowances

 

 

Allowances - Medical Radiation Scientists only

 

Provided that a Radiographer who is the holder of a Fellowship of the Australian Institute of Radiography shall be paid the following weekly allowance:

 

 

Where a Chief Radiographer provides a weekly service to another hospital or hospitals and is not entitled to an adjustment to a higher salary rate for this service, he/she shall be paid the following allowance:

 

 

Note: For Medical Radiation Therapists there shall be no additional monetary compensation for holding additional qualifications, payment of a fellowship allowance, or the like

 

 

 

R. P. BOLAND  J.

 

 

 

____________________

 

 

Printed by the authority of the Industrial Registrar.