POSITION DESCRIPTION

Direct Care Officer (Clinical) – Level 3

Graduate Entry Pathway to Behaviour Support Practice

1. Position Details

Position Title	Direct Care Officer (Clinical) – Level 3
Award Classification	Social and Community Services Employee – Level 3 SCHADS Award MA000100
Employment Status	Full-time
Business Unit	Direct Care Services / Clinical Services
Organisation	Hability Pty Ltd
Date	May 2026

2. Role Purpose

The Direct Care Officer (Clinical) – Level 3 is a graduate entry-level role that combines frontline direct care responsibilities with supervised clinical support duties. It is designed for individuals who hold, or are completing, a relevant tertiary qualification and who are seeking a structured training pathway from disability support work toward provisional registration as a Behaviour Support Practitioner.

The role involves all standard Direct Care Officer – Level 3 duties, including direct participant support, Tier 1 phone and frontline operational support, and service continuity functions. In addition, the Clinical stream adds responsibilities for behavioural data collection, clinical documentation, program support, and supervised therapeutic interactions under the direction of the Clinical Services Director or a Senior Behaviour Support Practitioner.

This position is explicitly intended as a developmental role. The employee is expected to use the experience, supervision, and training opportunities provided to work toward meeting the requirements for NDIS Provisional Registration as a Behaviour Support Practitioner.

3. Career Progression Pathway

This role sits within a structured career pathway at Hability:

	Level 2 – DSW	Level 3 – DCO (Clinical)	Level 4 – Provisional BP
Classification	SCHADS Level 2	SCHADS Level 3	SCHADS Level 4
Focus	Direct participant support under close supervision	Direct care + clinical data, documentation & supervised therapeutic support	Behaviour assessment, plan development & practitioner registration
Supervision	Close supervision	General supervision with clinical mentoring	Professional supervision under Core Practitioner
Qualifications	Cert III/IV or equivalent experience	Min. 2 years completed of Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Social Work or related field	Completed Bachelor's degree; eligible for NDIS Provisional Registration

Progression is based on demonstrated competency, completion of qualification requirements, and meeting NDIS Behaviour Support Practitioner registration criteria. Hability is committed to supporting employees through this pathway via structured supervision, mentoring, and professional development.

4. Reporting and Supervision

Reports to: Clinical Services Director (for clinical duties); Operations Manager or After Hours Support Duty Manager (for operational/direct care duties).

Supervision:

•        Works under general supervision for direct care duties

•        Receives regular structured clinical supervision from the Clinical Services Director or nominated Senior Behaviour Support Practitioner

•        Guidance and escalation support is readily available at all times

•        The role does not have formal supervisory, managerial or disciplinary authority

5. Key Responsibilities

5.1 Direct Participant Support and Service Continuity

The Direct Care Officer (Clinical) is responsible for:

•        Delivering direct care and support to participants during rostered shifts

•        Providing direct support at service outlets when required to maintain service continuity due to staff absence or changes

•        Performing standard Direct Care Officer duties when not deployed to service outlets

•        Providing personal care supports including:

◦        Hygiene and grooming

◦        Toileting and continence support

◦        Dressing

◦        Meals and hydration

◦        Mobility and transfers

◦        Household and domestic tasks

•        Assisting with meal planning, preparation and cooking in accordance with participant plans, dietary requirements and food safety procedures

•        Supporting community participation, including transport, appointments, shopping and recreational activities

•        Implementing participant skill development programs and activities in line with individual support plans

•        Supporting daily routines and schedules in accordance with documented instructions

•        Promoting participant dignity, rights, choice, independence and inclusion at all times

5.2 Clinical Data Collection and Analysis

As part of the clinical stream, the role includes:

•        Collecting behavioural data and tracking progress for individual clients, including observation notes, incident reports, and feedback from team members

•        Reviewing and analysing data to identify trends and insights, supporting the Senior Behaviour Support Practitioner in program evaluation and modification

•        Maintaining accurate and up-to-date client data within relevant management systems and ensuring all information aligns with program objectives

•        Assisting in the periodic review of client progress, identifying areas for improvement based on data collected

•        Tracking the effectiveness of interventions and making recommendations for program adjustments under the guidance of senior clinical staff

5.3 Clinical Program Support and Documentation

•        Assisting in preparing and maintaining documentation related to Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) programs, including interim and comprehensive NDIS Behaviour Support Plans

•        Reviewing client documentation for completeness and accuracy, ensuring all required information is up-to-date for analysis and future planning

•        Organising and supporting the development and refinement of PBS programs, ensuring they are consistent with evidence-based therapeutic practices

•        Ensuring that data collection is ongoing and that feedback from clients and team members is integrated into program reviews

•        Providing general administrative support related to clinical record management, including organising, filing, and updating documentation as required

•        Assisting in preparing materials for staff training and meetings, including data analysis reports and other clinical documentation

5.4 Supervised Therapeutic Support

Under the direction and supervision of the Clinical Services Director or Senior Behaviour Support Practitioner:

•        Supporting the implementation of behavioural support programs in collaboration with clients

•        Assisting in the direct delivery of therapeutic care in structured, supervised settings, ensuring interventions align with individual Positive Behaviour Support Plans

•        Monitoring client engagement with therapeutic activities, providing feedback and reports to the clinical team on progress and challenges

•        Providing immediate feedback and ensuring client safety and well-being during interventions

•        Recording and reporting client progress during direct interactions, ensuring data is captured for ongoing evaluation and review by the clinical team

5.5 Tier 1 Phone and Frontline Support

The Direct Care Officer (Clinical) may be rostered to provide Tier 1 phone and frontline operational support, including:

•        Responding to incoming calls from staff located in service outlets, participant settings, or in the community

•        Gathering relevant information, clarifying immediate risks, and providing guidance within established procedures, training and authorised scope

•        Implementing immediate low-level controls where appropriate and escalating promptly where higher-level decision making, clinical input, safeguarding action, or staffing decisions are required

•        Referring calls and issues to the appropriate operational contact or escalation point as required

•        Providing clear, factual communication to support service continuity and safe work practices

•        Documenting calls, information received, advice provided, actions taken and escalations in approved systems in a timely manner

Boundary: Tier 1 support does not include authority to make final staffing, rostering, clinical, behavioural, financial, regulatory reporting or policy decisions. These matters must be escalated to appropriately authorised roles.

5.6 Support to Colleagues and Service Delivery

•        Providing day-to-day assistance to care staff during shifts to support safe and consistent service delivery

•        Responding to routine questions from colleagues and providing guidance on established procedures and routine duties within training and scope

•        Redirecting or escalating non-routine matters, or matters involving safeguarding, medication, compliance or safety risk to the appropriate person

•        Modelling correct practice and professional conduct, including person-centred support, dignity of risk, and documentation standards

•        Supporting effective handovers and shift communication in accordance with procedures

5.7 Training, Induction, Mentoring and Coaching

The Direct Care Officer (Clinical) supports workforce development by:

•        Assisting with staff inductions as directed by a supervisor or nominated trainer

•        Mentoring and coaching Trainee and Provisional Disability Support Workers in accordance with training checklists and directions provided by Operations Managers

•        Providing on-the-job guidance, modelling correct practice, and supporting Trainee and Provisional DSWs to develop competence in participant support, documentation, and safe work procedures

•        Supporting staff to complete training checklists and required learning activities by providing practical demonstrations and step-by-step guidance

•        Encouraging consistent application of established procedures, safe work practices, and participant support requirements during training, buddying and coaching activities

•        Providing factual observations and feedback to Operations Managers and nominated trainers regarding training progress, support needs and observed competency gaps

Boundary: This role does not independently sign off competencies, authorise staff as competent, or approve changes to training requirements. Final competency sign-off remains with appropriately authorised roles.

5.8 Behaviour Support, Medication Support and Safeguarding

•        Implementing behaviour support strategies, protocols and participant-specific plans as documented, within training and authorised scope

•        Supporting the delivery of supports in a manner consistent with safeguarding obligations, participant rights, dignity and choice

•        Where trained and authorised, supporting medication assistance or medication procedures in accordance with Hability's medication policy

•        Completing medication documentation accurately and in a timely manner

•        Reporting medication issues immediately, including refusals, errors, missing stock, discrepancies, adverse reactions, or any suspected misuse

•        Identifying safeguarding concerns, reportable incidents, restrictive practice concerns, allegations, disclosures or changes in participant presentation and escalating without delay

Boundary: This role does not approve or amend behaviour support plans, restrictive practices, medication regimes, or clinical plans. Any concerns, required changes, authorisations or approvals must be escalated to appropriately authorised roles.

5.9 Risk Identification and Escalation

•        Identifying hazards, incidents, near misses, risks and procedural issues during service delivery

•        Implementing immediate safety actions within training, authorised scope and established procedures

•        Escalating incidents, risks, unclear situations, or emerging concerns promptly to the appropriate escalation point

•        Completing required incident reports and safety documentation accurately and within required timeframes

5.10 Documentation, Communication and Systems

•        Completing progress notes, incident reports, medication logs (where applicable), scorecards, training checklists and other required records

•        Ensuring handovers are completed promptly and include relevant information about participants, safety issues, support needs and service continuity matters

•        Using organisational systems (including Microsoft Teams, phone systems and approved documentation platforms) to monitor communications and respond appropriately within scope

•        Uploading required documentation and data in a timely manner and in accordance with record-keeping procedures

6. Professional Development and Supervision

This is a graduate development role. The employee is expected to actively engage with the following:

•        Attending regular clinical supervision meetings with the Clinical Services Director or Senior Behaviour Support Practitioner to review clinical skills, data collection methods and therapeutic practice

•        Participating in ongoing training in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), and other relevant therapeutic frameworks

•        Following the professional development plan outlined by the clinical supervisor, actively seeking opportunities for growth and learning

•        Working toward meeting the competency and registration requirements for NDIS Provisional Behaviour Support Practitioner registration

•        Maintaining a professional development portfolio documenting training, supervision, and clinical experience hours

•        Participating in team discussions, case reviews, and reflective practice sessions

7. Decision-Making Authority

Within the scope of the role, training and established procedures, the Direct Care Officer (Clinical) may:

•        Carry out duties in accordance with documented procedures, participant plans and instructions

•        Exercise judgement in applying established procedures to routine and non-routine situations within scope

•        Provide guidance to colleagues on routine procedures and expected practices

•        Provide Tier 1 phone and frontline operational support, including gathering information, applying low-level controls, and escalating matters as required

•        Implement immediate safety actions within training and authorised scope

•        Collect, organise and present clinical data under the direction of senior clinical staff

Decision-making is limited to actions that are clearly authorised by procedure, training and role scope. Clinical decisions remain with appropriately qualified and authorised practitioners.

8. Escalation Requirements

The Direct Care Officer (Clinical) must escalate matters promptly where:

•        Issues fall outside established procedures or require discretionary judgement beyond the role's authorised scope

•        Safeguarding, medication, behaviour support or compliance risks arise

•        Incidents, injuries, near misses or reportable events occur

•        Calls or issues require higher-level operational, clinical or regulatory decision-making

•        Staffing, rostering or deployment decisions are required beyond communicating and escalating the issue

•        Participant plans, behaviour strategies, restrictive practices or clinical directions may require review, approval or change

•        Policies, procedures or systems are unclear, outdated or appear non-compliant

9. Limits of Authority

The Direct Care Officer (Clinical) does not:

•        Make final staffing, rostering or resourcing decisions

•        Approve or amend participant care plans, behaviour support plans, medication regimes or restrictive practices

•        Independently sign off staff competencies or training completion

•        Approve, amend or author organisational policies or procedures beyond identifying issues and escalating them

•        Conduct disciplinary action or make employment decisions

•        Determine regulatory reporting thresholds or make external regulatory notifications without authorisation

•        Practise as a registered Behaviour Support Practitioner until provisional registration has been granted

10. Classification Alignment – SCHADS Award Level 3

This role is aligned with SCHADS Award Level 3 (MA000100), reflecting that the position:

•        Works under general supervision with guidance readily available

•        Applies established procedures with discretion and judgement within scope

•        Delivers direct participant support, including to participants with higher or more complex needs

•        Provides guidance and assistance to other employees on routine duties and procedures

•        Undertakes responsibility for specific functions, including Tier 1 phone support, frontline operational triage, and clinical data support

•        Assists with training, induction and on-the-job learning activities

•        Exercises judgement in identifying risks, implementing low-level controls and escalating matters appropriately

•        Is responsible for accurate documentation, reporting and communication across both operational and clinical functions

11. Qualifications and Experience

Essential:

•        A minimum of two years completed toward a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Social Work, Behavioural Science, or a relevant field approved by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission for behaviour support practitioner registration

•        Knowledge of, or demonstrated willingness to learn, the Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) framework and Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) principles

•        Understanding of NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission requirements and related documentation standards

•        Demonstrated ability to collect, organise and present data accurately

•        Strong written and verbal communication skills

Desirable:

•        Prior experience as a Disability Support Worker or in a direct care role

•        Experience in behavioural data collection, review, or clinical documentation

•        Experience providing support to people with autism, intellectual disability, or complex needs

•        Familiarity with therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

•        Enrolment in or completion of a qualification eligible for NDIS Behaviour Support Practitioner provisional registration

12. Key Skills and Competencies

•        Data Management and Analysis: Strong attention to detail when collecting and reviewing data, ensuring accuracy and consistency

•        Ability to analyse and interpret behavioural data to assist in refining therapeutic programs

•        Organisational Skills: Excellent organisational skills to manage client records, documentation, and data in an efficient and timely manner

•        Ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines while managing multiple responsibilities across operational and clinical functions

•        Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills to summarise data and prepare reports

•        Ability to communicate effectively with clients, families and colleagues in a respectful and empathetic manner

•        Technical Proficiency: Proficient in using data management systems and Microsoft Office tools for data entry, reporting, and document creation

•        Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary team members to ensure client care is consistent, comprehensive and person-centred

13. Inherent Requirements

The Direct Care Officer (Clinical) role requires the ability to:

Operational:

•        Perform manual handling and physical support tasks in accordance with training and safe work procedures

•        Work rotating rosters including evenings, nights, weekends, public holidays, sleepovers and active night shifts

•        Be available to participate in on-call arrangements as rostered, in accordance with the SCHADS Award (MA000100)

•        Respond appropriately to participants with complex needs and/or behaviours of concern

•        Maintain emotional resilience, professional boundaries and ethical conduct in high-demand environments

•        Comply with safeguarding, work health and safety, infection control and reporting requirements

•        Travel between service locations, participant homes and community settings as required

Clinical and Professional Development:

•        Engage in sustained academic-level written work, including clinical reports, data analysis, and behaviour support documentation

•        Participate in regular structured clinical supervision sessions and implement feedback into practice

•        Undertake ongoing professional development activities, including formal training, self-directed learning, and reflective practice

•        Maintain a professional development portfolio documenting supervision hours, training, and clinical experience toward practitioner registration requirements

•        Apply critical thinking and analytical skills to behavioural data collection, interpretation, and reporting

•        Work across both operational and clinical functions, managing competing priorities and shifting between direct care and clinical duties as directed

•        Work across all clients when required and as directed, providing support and clinical assistance to any participant across service outlets

14. Additional Requirements

•        Valid class C NSW driver's licence

•        NDIS Worker Check and Working With Children Check (or the ability to obtain)

•        Current First Aid Certificate

•        Occasional travel for training or multisite visits may be required

15. Personal Attributes

•        High attention to detail and a commitment to the accuracy and quality of data management and client care

•        Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to adapt to changing priorities

•        Genuine interest in pursuing a career in behaviour support practice and willingness to invest in professional growth

•        Ability to work under pressure, prioritise tasks, and manage multiple responsibilities in a collaborative setting

•        A compassionate, client-centred approach to care, with a commitment to maintaining confidentiality and ethical standards

•        Willingness to learn, reflect, and take on new responsibilities in both operational and clinical domains

This position description serves to illustrate the scope and responsibilities of the role and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties. You will be expected to perform other job-related tasks requested by management and as necessitated by the development of this role and the development of the business.

. Acknowledgement

I certify that I have read, understood and accept the duties, responsibilities and obligations of my position.

 

SIGNED BY EMPLOYEE   Employee

Date

 

SIGNED BY MANAGEMENT   Manager

Date