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Health Professionals working in the public health sector will soon gain a number of improvements from the long-awaited Clause 11 Classification Review.
The package has been worked, reworked and refined to the point whereby in-principle agreement is extremely close.
The Review package looks set to include:
- Improvements to HP salary schedules via the development of collective ‘Therapeutic’ and ‘Scientific’ streams;
- Additional pay points/increments for certain grades most importantly to those at the top of Grade 2;
- The creation of a Professional Reimbursement Allowance to offset the costs associated with the maintenance of professional currency, education and professional development;
- More opportunities for the career advancement of Health Professionals and greater levels of expertise through the appointment of 10 Clinical Educators (allocated on a genuine needs basic—5 EFT to metro areas and 5 EFT allocated across rural and regional healthcare networks);
- The creation of a new structure for Sonographers;
- The creation of a new structure for Radiation Engineers and Technical Officers;
- Recognition for Clinical Coders.
“Clearly a great many of the benefits that were promised by the previous HSU leadership are undeliverable—the funding simply isn’t there,” said Craig McGregor, VHPA Secretary.
However we are confident that what has been negotiated will see Health Professionals reap both short and long-term gains.”
“We are very keen to see this deal finalised and look forward to seeing the benefits flow on to members as soon as possible,” said Craig McGregor.
Look forward to the finalising of the new Grade 2 increments, well done!
I look forward to seeing the new classification structure for sonographers. The existing award classifications (in my case Cardiac Technologist/sonographer) is ambiguous and open to interpretation, very out of date and in desperate need of review. More clarification and specifics are required. I am also pleased with the addition of more grade 2 increments and having professional reimbursement allowance added to the award to offset the costs off continuing professional development. Well done VHPA!
I strongly believe that it should be the grade three band that should also receive more increments. The grade three band have taken on much more responsibilities over the years and are also likely to be much more represented in the union activities over a great number of years.
I agree with Margaret, the Grade three band was more in need of review! Is it possible for members to view the details of the classifaction review?
It was my understanding that higher paid members would benefit from the classification review as indicated in an pre-release update below:
“As you may be aware we sought higher percentage increases for our lower paid members, therefore in practical terms, most of our lower paid members will be receiving increases ranging from 11.57% to 17.62% over the life of the agreement. Higher paid members receiving the lowest percentage wage increases will have the benefit of a classification review of $15 million recurrent funding from the second year of the agreement.
If there are no additional increments to the grade 3 classification, there doesn’t seem to be any incentive to take on a demanded grade 3 role when one could sit back on grade 2 and earn similar.