Speech Pathology External Advisory Committee

The Speech Pathology External Advisory Committee meets twice yearly and provides a forum in which academic and professional speech pathologists and others can discuss all aspects of the course.

Terms of reference

Current membership

Terms of reference

Background

The Speech Pathology Unit at JCU accepted its first group of students for the Bachelor of Speech Pathology in February 2005. The JCU Speech Pathology program aims to produce graduates who possess the skills, knowledge, interest and drive to practice in Northern Australia and beyond.

Purpose

  1. To provide a mechanism for ongoing review of aspects of the course as required (e.g. discussion with the Speech Pathology Australia Accreditation Committee).

  2. To ensure the relevance and ongoing development of the speech pathology undergraduate and post graduate programs through the maintenance of effective links with community practitioners and consumers.

  3. To provide general advice on aspects of the JCU speech pathology curriculum and clinical program which may include:

  • Content, including scope, timing and sequencing

  • Teaching and learning strategies and opportunities

  • Clinical placement strategies and opportunities

  • Assessment, particularly in relation to CBOS and accreditation requirements

  • Research opportunities and processes for Honours and Postgraduate students

  1. To assist in promoting the speech pathology course to the broader community.

  2. To explore options for way in which JCU can support continuing education for speech pathologists (e.g. venue, speakers, clinical educator training, seminars and research reports).

Meeting structure and processes

  1. The committee will meet twice a year, in February/March and September/October.

  2. A non-JCU member, elected by the committee, will chair the meetings.

  3. The JCU Head of Speech Pathology or delegate will facilitate the meeting, including organisation of the agenda, the taking of minutes, organisation of tele/videoconferencing, and other administrative functions as required.

  4. Attendance at meetings may be in person, or by teleconference or videoconference link for members located outside Townsville.

  5. The content of meetings shall include (but not be limited to):

  • Issues relating to program quality

  • A program report covering such items as:

    1. Student profile

    2. Staff appointments

    3. Subject and course reviews and changes

    4. Clinical education and placements

    5. Achievement of research outcomes

    6. Goals and plans for the coming year

  • Feedback from the professional community and consumers regarding:

    1. Patterns of practice

    2. Changing trends

    3. Continuing education

    4. New legislation and policies

    5. Opportunities for new areas of practice

Membership

  1. Committee membership will be by open invitation to the speech pathology and consumer community. Members will general serve a term of 2 years on the committee, with the option to renew membership of the committee.

  2. The committee will be comprised of the following:

  • JCU Speech Pathology staff.

  • Local agency speech pathologists and managers.

  • Speech Pathology Australia representative.

  • Referring agent to speech pathology services.

  • Rural/remote services representative.

  • Indigenous interests representative.

  • Consumer of speech pathology services.

  • JCU Speech Pathology student representatives: two to be elected from among Year representatives

Current membership

Local agencies

Melinda BowTownsville Speech Pathology Services

Ciara Butterworth Mt Isa Hospital

Bethany HookeKirwan Family Practice

Kerry HuntEducation Queensland

Julie FinkKirwan Community Health

Karen PhillipsThe Townsville Hospital

Megan Trickey

Katie WhitworthCatholic Education

Speech Pathology Australia representative

Karen PhillipsThe Townsville Hospital

Referring agent

Sreedevi AithalThe Townsville Hospital

Rural/remote services representative

Ciara ButterworthMt Isa Hospital

Indigenous interests representative

Selina MillerCatholic Education

Consumer of speech pathology services

Vacant

JCU staff

Louise Brown

Natalie Marx

Susan Morrison

Tom Mylne

Wendy Pearce

Bronwyn Reguson

Samantha Siyambalapitiya

JCU Speech Pathology student representatives

Rukmani Rusch

Meghan Walsh