Position overview

Very few teams can say they are responsible for helping set the future direction of a large organisation. Quality, Safety and Governance is one of the few teams that can. The team leads and supports the development and implementation of organisation wide strategy and related projects, provides leadership for quality and safety assurance, systems and processes, and supports all other clinical and operational areas within the Canberra Health Services Network to deliver exceptional health care. It includes Quality and Safety, National Standards and Accreditation, Internal Audit, Risk Management and Compliance, Medico Legal, and Policy and Strategy areas. A great team with terrific opportunities to work on challenging and complex issues – all of which matter to our local community.

The Medico Legal Advisor, reporting to the Director will work as part of a small but dedicated team in supporting and coordinating medico legal related matters and requests for legal advice. This includes but is not limited to supporting processes for management of litigation and claims including third party claims and Coronial investigations. You will be responsible for the flow of information between the ACT Insurance Authority from a medico legal perspective and the ACT Government Solicitor. The role will also provide advice and support to CHS-network team members involved in medico legal processes and deliver education as required.

Key Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Provide coordination, advice, education, and support on medico legal, coronial and claims related matters to CHS team members, senior leadership and the executive team, including development of related documents and briefings.
2. Provide oversight and monitoring of medico legal, coronial and claims related matters including overseeing notifications of patient related clinical incidents to ACT Insurance Authority and liaising with the ACT Government Solicitor.
3. Coordinate and respond to requests for information made under the National Redress Scheme in response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
4. Foster and maintain productive working relationships with key stakeholders and CHS staff.
5. Support the appointed Senior Legal Counsel and support ACT Government Solicitor in obtaining information that assists in defending matters involving CHS.
6. Undertake other duties appropriate to this level of classification which contribute to the operation of the organisation.

Competencies

To be successful in this position, it is expected that you will have the following attributes:

• Self-motivated and ability to demonstrate initiative.
• Ability to think strategically and influence others in responding to change, process, and practice improvement in a service environment.
• Critical thinking and analysis, including ability to discern and communicate complex matters to a wide range of audiences.
• Adaptability and flexibility to deal with quickly changing work environments.

Qualifications

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following.

Essential

• N/A

Desirable

• Relevant tertiary qualifications and a minimum of 5 years’ experience working professionally in the public sector is preferred.
• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.

Experience

Essential

• N/A

Desirable

• Experience or knowledge of the CHS Exceptional Care Framework, and all other related frameworks.

Prior to commencement

Appointment to this position is conditional on being granted and retaining appropriate clearances:

• Pre-employment National Police Check.

Important information

All employees are required to:

• Adhere to the Canberra Health Services Values and the ACT Public Service Code of Conduct.
• Act in accordance and comply with all relevant Safety and Quality policies and procedures.

CHS is leading the drive to digitally transform health service delivery in Australia through the implementation of a territory wide Digital Health Record. Computer literacy skills are required which are relevant to this role as you will be responsible for completing required documentation and becoming a proficient user of the Digital Health Record and/or other Information Technology systems; once proficient, you will need to remain current with changes, updates, and contingencies.

What you Require (Key Selection Criteria)

These are the key selection criteria for how you will be assessed in conjunction with your resumé and experience.

1. Proven understanding and practical knowledge of medico legal processes and legislation in a clinical setting and how these link to risk and incident management processes.
2. Proven high level organisational and interpersonal skills, ability to liaise and negotiate with a diverse range of stakeholders, exercising sound judgement in sensitive matters.
3. Demonstrated ability to deliver complex tasks in tight timeframes working independently and within a team environment.
4. Demonstrated high level computer literacy, data collection and strong analytical skills.
5. Demonstrates understanding of, and adherence to, safety and quality standards, Work Health and Safety and the positive patient experience. Displays behaviour consistent with CHS’s values of reliable, progressive, respectful, and kind.

Work environment description

The following work environment description outlines the inherent requirements of the role and indicates how frequently each of these requirements would need to be performed. Please note that the ACT Public Service is committed to providing reasonable adjustments and ensuring all individuals have equal opportunities in the workplace.