News Flash

NEW PROFESSIONAL STRUCTURE WAS ALWAYS TO BE REVIEWED

On 12 December 2006 the PSA restated that the classification criteria for the Professional Stream (PO) and Medical Scientists (MeS) as proposed by government were always to be reviewed. The PSA web site has further details under the professional division news link.

In the first instance all those currently employed as Professionals and Medical Scientists will translate to the higher salaries in the new structure on a point to point basis on the 1^st pay period on or after 1^st October 2006. These WLDS will come into effect from 1 October, once agreement has been certified.

Consultation between the Government and the PSA in October and November, resulted in improved Work Level Definitions (WLDs) for Professional Stream and Medical Scientists which were included in the revised Government offer, which was overwhelmingly endorsed in the recent ballot process.

As this criteria replaced the previous criteria which had been in place for 15 years there needed to be ongoing discussions between the government agencies and health units and the PSA about how local management would use the new criteria for classifying positions.

In the first instance it is a local management decision to recommend at what level to classify a position, who to reclassify (managerial reclassification) and whose application to approve (personal reclassifications). Some areas have more proactive managers than others, so PSA has proposed processes to ensure consistency plus ease of implementation.

The Professional Stream (ie Schedule 3, SA Public Sector Salaried Employees (Interim) Award (1994) includes 55 Professional disciplines across many agencies and health units. The nuances of all Professionals must be catered for in ensuring their ability to progress on the basis of advanced practitioners and specialists as well as by having managerial responsibilities.

The PSA is also in ongoing discussions with The Minister Hon Jay Weatherill, regarding other members with Professional qualifications who are not currently classified in the Professional Stream.