Health Professionals and Support Services Award coverage: comprehensive guide

The Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 is specifically designed to cover employees in the health industry who provide essential medical, allied health, and support services. This award ensures that these vital workers receive fair wages and conditions, addressing the unique needs and challenges within the health sector. However, like any award, it has specific provisions and exclusions that employers must understand to ensure compliance and proper application.

Understanding the nuances of the Health Professionals and Support Services Award is crucial for both employers and employees to ensure fair treatment and adherence to employment standards in the health industry.

Who’s covered under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award?

The Health Professionals and Support Services Award encompasses a diverse group of roles within the healthcare sector. Here’s a closer look at who the award covers:

Private sector employers and employees in health services

These individuals are integral to the healthcare industry, performing a range of tasks essential to patient care and medical services. Examples include:

• Medical receptionists: Those who manage appointments and patient enquiries.
• Dental assistants: Those supporting dentists with patient care, equipment sterilisation, and clinical tasks.
• Practice managers: Those ensuring healthcare practices run smoothly, from staff management to financial oversight.
• Pharmacy technicians: Those assisting in medication management and dispensary operations, supporting pharmacists.

On-hire employees

On-hire or agency employees in the health sector are hired by one company (such as a staffing agency) but work temporarily within another healthcare setting on an as-needed basis. Examples include:

• On-hire nursing assistants: Those providing patient care support in various healthcare environments temporarily.
• Temporary medical administrators: Skilled administrators working across different medical offices to support peak periods or cover staff shortages.
• Agency allied health assistants: Those supporting allied health professionals on temporary assignments in various settings.

Trainees employed by group training employers

Trainees in the health sector gain hands-on experience supported by a group training organisation, blending work-based learning with formal education. Examples include:

• Dental assistant trainees: Those gaining practical dental care skills while pursuing formal qualifications in dental assistance.
• Healthcare administration trainees: Those applying learning in real-world medical office settings, emerging as professionals in healthcare administration.
• Allied health assistant trainees: Those working alongside allied health professionals, gaining practical experience and skills in patient care and support.

Who isn’t covered under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award?

Understanding the award’s exclusions and limitations is crucial. Here’s an overview of those who fall outside this award's coverage:

• Employees excluded from modern awards: This category includes individuals in roles specifically excluded by the Fair Work Act, such as high-level executives or senior managers, such as the Chief Executive Officer of a healthcare organisation.
• Employees under modern enterprise awards or instruments: This category includes those covered by bespoke enterprise agreements tailored to their organisation or industry. This may include, for example, staff at a large private hospital operating under its own enterprise agreement.
• State reference public sector employees: This category covers those governed by awards specific to public sector roles within their state. For instance, nurses working for a state government health department under the State Public Sector Nurses Award. 

• Medical practitioners: This category includes those with specialised roles covered under different arrangements. This may include, for example, General Practitioners (GPs) covered by the Medical Practitioners Award.
• Award classification based on work performed: If multiple awards might apply, the award that most closely matches the employee's actual job duties and work environment will take precedence. For example, a health data analyst in a hospital might be covered by an award more appropriate to IT professionals than general health service staff.

Health Professionals and Support Services Award coverage: Practical example

Sarah is a clinical administrator at a private health centre, whose job includes managing patient records and supporting medical staff with administrative tasks, such as scheduling appointments, coordinating patient referrals, preparing medical documentation, and assisting with billing and insurance claims.

Analysis

Despite the healthcare setting, Sarah’s role is predominantly administrative within the health sector. This places her under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award.

Steps to determine coverage

Below, you can find steps to follow when determining appropriate award coverage:

1. Identify responsibilities: Document the employee's main responsibilities.
2. Compare with awards: Review definitions and classifications in the Health Professionals and Support Services Award and other relevant awards.
3. Predominant Function Test: Evaluate whether the primary function of the employee's job is delivering health professional services or involving specific medical practitioner tasks. 
4. Check exclusions: Review exclusions in the Health Professionals and Support Services Award and relevant industry awards.
5. Review other employment agreements: Check enterprise agreements or contracts for award applicability.
6. Consult experts: Consult industrial relations or legal experts if unsure about coverage.
7. Maintain thorough records: Document analysis, awards considered, advice received, and the rationale for the final decision.

Distinctions within Health Professionals and Support Services Award coverage

Nuances concerning apprentices and trainees are not the only aspects of the award likely to catch employees and employers off guard. Key areas to be mindful of include:

• Coverage across Australia: The award extends nationally, but allowances must be made for state—or territory-specific public sector awards. For instance, public health clinicians in Victoria might be governed by different conditions than those in private clinics in Western Australia.
• Exclusion of medical practitioners: Medical practitioners, such as general practitioners and specialists, are excluded. They’re covered under the Medical Practitioners Award, necessitating careful consideration to ensure correct award application.
• Specific definitions of health industry roles: Schedule A—Classification Definitions provides detailed classifications for health support roles, which can cause confusion. Employers must accurately align job descriptions with the correct classifications. For example, a healthcare assistant primarily involved in patient care might be classified differently from one focused on laboratory support.

Simplifying Health Professionals and Support Services Award coverage compliance with Rippling

Navigating the intricacies of award coverage requires careful management to ensure compliance and fair treatment of employees. Rippling’s unified platform provides comprehensive tools to help your business stay on top of award coverage requirements, with ease. Key features include:

• Automated employee classification: Automatically classify employees according to the appropriate awards.
• Real-time compliance alerts: Stay updated with any changes in award coverage.
• Detailed reporting: Generate reports to ensure compliance and maintain accurate records.
• Custom templates: Use pre-built and customisable templates for various awards.
• Audit support: Access historical data and audit trails to support compliance audits.

Disclaimer: Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.