Position overview

This position is responsible for the coordination of patients referred by specialist services, through the publicly funded bariatric surgery pathway, and will work closely with specialty units and services within the Divisions of Medicine and Surgery. Clinical service delivery may include group and individual therapy for people living with Class III Obesity.

The position will suit an experienced Dietitian who has previously worked within multidisciplinary teams to assist clients with obesity to improve their health status. The position will work and liaise closely with relevant specialty services and the Bariatric Surgical Service to triage, assess, educate, and prepare patients for bariatric surgery and facilitate their return to the specialist service for ongoing management. The role will involve reporting and evaluation of the clinical service related to identified key performance and quality indicators.

Key Responsibilities

Under limited direction of the Department of Bariatric Medicine Clinical Coordinator and Unit Director, you will:

1. Provide leadership in coordinating and managing the referral, assessment, education, preparation, and discharge of bariatric surgery patients.
2. Provide high level skilled clinical assessments and interventions across a range of clinical areas, in particular, the management of patients pre and post publicly funded bariatric surgery.
3. Work independently, and as part of a team, to establish effective working relationships with other health professionals, service administrators and community organisations to ensure the delivery of person-centred, safe, and effective care to those patients who undergo publicly funded bariatric surgery.
4. Encourage and support patients to prepare for publicly funded bariatric surgery and assist with post-surgical patient follow-up as per Department of Bariatric Medicine protocols, and specific to a Dietitians professional scope of practice.
5. Develop patient and staff communication and education strategies for bariatric surgery.
6. Develop and lead ongoing quality improvement and service enhancement projects, as well as coordinate evaluation and research activities including collection and analysis of data.
7. Participate in professional supervision and training of staff and students, continuing professional development and performance management.
8. Undertake other duties appropriate to this level of classification and professional scope which contribute to the operation of the organisation.

Qualifications/Experience

Essential

• Tertiary qualifications in Nutrition and Dietetics and eligibility for membership of the Dietitians Association of Australia.
• Applicants must have a minimum of 5 years post-qualification experience and prior experience in the area of Bariatric surgery.
• Current ACT or NSW driver’s licence.
• Registered under the Working for Vulnerable People Act.
• Fulfil the responsibilities of this role in alignment to the CHS Exceptional Care Framework and all other related frameworks.

Desirable

• Previous clinical experience working with obesity and chronic disease is desirable.
• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.
• Display critical thinking skills and forms defensible conclusions based on evidence and sound judgement.
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information.
• Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team and adapt quickly to a changing environment.

Prior to commencement

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

• Pre-employment National Police Check.
• Current registration issued under the Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act 2011 is required.
• Comply with Canberra Health Services Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination policy.
• Comply with CHS credentialing and scope of clinical practice requirements for allied health professionals.

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.
• Comply with all relevant clinical and/or competency standards.

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 high level leadership in the delivery of individual and group-based interventions in the management of patients living with Class III Obesity, including pre and post bariatric surgery preparation.
2. Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a multi-disciplinary team, while establishing priorities, exercising initiative, and delivering outputs within agreed timeframes.
3. Proven ability to communicate effectively with patients, carers, and health professionals, including demonstrated experience in establishing and developing effective relationships with key stakeholders.
4. Proven experience in leading ongoing quality improvement, research and service enhancement projects.
5. Demonstrated understanding of, and adherence to, safety and quality standards, work, health, and safety (WH&S) 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.