Terms of Reference 2021

The Physiotherapy New Graduate Program is a voluntary system, endorsed by the Ministry of Health, open to physiotherapists in the year following their graduation.

The participating hospitals agree to provide a range of clinical and professional experience in a safe, stimulating & supportive learning environment, enhancing each new graduate's clinical & professional skills.

The new graduate is expected to complete the year at the allocated hospital/s and to utilise the opportunities to develop clinically & professionally.

Purpose

The purpose of the Committee is to effectively manage the NSW Physiotherapy New Graduate Allocation Program.

Responsibilities

• To manage all aspects of the allocation of new graduates from University Physiotherapy Programs in New South Wales and for NSW Residents attending interstate universities to participating hospitals/workplaces.
• To continuously monitor the effectiveness of the NSW Physiotherapy New Graduate Allocation Program.
• To develop and monitor timelines for the NSW Physiotherapy New Graduate Allocation Program’s activities.
• To manage the income & expenditure for the maximum effective functioning of the NSW Physiotherapy New Graduate Allocation Program and the benefit of the new graduates.
• To regularly review and where appropriate make changes to the NSW Physiotherapy New Graduate Allocation Program.
• To promote the benefits of the NSW Physiotherapy New Graduate Allocation Program to maximise awareness & participation of employers and students.
• To promote the NSW Physiotherapy New Graduate Allocation Program to the physiotherapy students to maximise awareness & participation.
• To facilitate and promote Indigenous First Year Graduate employment and employment initiatives
• To ensure a close working relationship with the Schools of Physiotherapy in NSW.
• To provide regular progress reports to the stakeholders (NSW Ministry of Health, NSW Physiotherapy Advisors Network Group, NSW Directors of Allied Health)
• Provide effective and timely communication between the committee and the organisations they represent.
• Actively participate in the committee’s deliberations and actions to support the purpose of the NSW Physiotherapy New Graduate Allocation Program.

Reporting Lines

The Committee will provide an annual report to the NSW Physiotherapy Advisors Network Group.

Frequency of Meetings

Meetings will be held at least 4 times per year. It may meet at other times to address issues related to the New Graduate Allocation Program.

Committee Evaluation

The performance of the committee will undergo an internal committee evaluation process every 3 years.

The Executive

Chairman

The Chairman of the Committee shall be elected by the committee as a whole at the Annual General Meeting and shall hold office for 12 months.

She/he will:

1. Ensure the committee is effective in its tasks of setting and implementing the direction and strategy for the NSW Physiotherapy New Graduate Allocation Program.
2. Be the representative of the committee to external bodies.
3. Take the chair at all meetings of the committee, determine the order of the agenda and ensure that all members are involved in discussions and decision making.
4. Prepare a report of the committee's activities for the year, for the Annual General Meeting.

Rural/Regional Liaison Officer

The Rural/Regional Liaison Officer shall be elected by the committee as a whole at the Annual General Meeting and shall hold office for 12 months.

The Rural/Regional Liaison Officer must work outside the Sydney metropolitan area and therefore have direct access to rural and remote executive and staff to promote and advocate for allocation.

The Rural/Regional Liaison Officer will represent the needs of rural and regional hospitals and act as a conduit of information between the committee and the rural/regional sites.

Secretary

The Secretary of the Committee shall be elected by the committee as a whole at the Annual General Meeting and shall hold office for 12 months.

She/he will:

1. Prepare and circulate the agenda (in cooperation with the Chair) and committee papers one week prior to each meeting, and
2. Take the minutes for the meetings; initiate and direct action to give practical effect to decisions, and circulate them within 2 weeks of the meeting;
3. Respond to relevant committee correspondence;
4. Keep a record of any of the NSW Physiotherapy New Graduate Allocation Program's publications (e.g. reports or newsletters).

Treasurer

The Treasurer of the Committee shall be elected by the committee as a whole at the Annual General Meeting and shall hold office for 12 months.

She/he will:

1. Ensure that appropriate financial systems and controls are in place;
2. Ensure that record-keeping and accounts meet the requirements of the committee;
3. Provide a financial report to each meeting of the Committee; and
4. Present an audited report to the Annual General Meeting.

Recent Graduate Representative

The Recent Graduate Representative shall be chosen by the committee at the Annual General Meeting and shall hold office for 12 months. Members of the committee will submit the names of current/recent FYG from their Local Health District (< 2 years since they completed the programme) and the committee will decide on the representative after consultation.

She/he will:

1. Provide a report to each meeting
2. Provide feedback/viewpoint of the FYG
3. Assist in planning/project work as required

Indigenous Liaison Officer (Ex-Officio)

The Indigenous Liaison Officer is an ex-officio member of the Executive who will be available to provide advice and assistance to the committee in regards to Indigenous employment and Indigenous Issues. The position will be appointed by the committee

The Term of Office Bearers

All positions will be vacated at each Annual General Meeting.

Committee members may act in Office Bearer roles during periods of absence at the request of the office bearer.

Membership

1. Each Local Health District and Special Health Network shall be entitled to have at least 1 representative on the committee
2. The membership shall be drawn from representatives of Physiotherapy Departments participating in the NSW Physiotherapy New Graduate Allocation Program.
3. Each of the participating University Physiotherapy programs is entitled to membership.
4. A Physiotherapist as determined by the Physiotherapy Advisors Network Group shall have membership ex officio.
5. There may be a representative of the NSW Ministry of Health.
6. Other members may be co-opted by the Committee to address specific needs.

Quorum

A quorum for each meeting shall be 7 with a minimum of 2 Executive Members.

Term

The term of service on the Committee shall be for three years. Members may be re-appointed to the committee following their 3 year term.

Review of the Terms of Reference

The terms of reference shall be reviewed annually at the Annual General Meeting.

Revised: April 2021