Position overview

The Decision Support Unit (DSU) is led by an Executive Group Manager reporting to the Chief Finance Officer within Canberra Health Services (CHS).

The DSU’s role includes:

• Promoting accountability to achieve strategic goals and building organisational capability to align Activity Based Funding (ABF) and Operational Planning
• provision of ICT Services for CHS
• provision of data quality
• provision of Health Information Services
• provision of decision support services to enable operational and non-operational planning and quality reporting.

Health Information Services (HIS) supports a wide network of tertiary health services such as The Canberra Hospital, University of Canberra Hospital, North Canberra Hospital, Mental Health, Justice Health, Alcohol and Drug Services, Walk in Centres, Community Health Centres and specialist outpatient services.  HIS provides a range of functions including scanning, health record management, release of information, patient identifier maintenance, chart correction, health record forms design and managing access to personal health information to facilitate patient care follow-up, quality improvement, education and hospital management purposes.

The Director, Privacy and Information Compliance is responsible for monitoring compliance with privacy legislation, and for coordinating, investigating, and reporting on breaches of privacy. This includes developing privacy policy and procedures, managing and coordinating reports of privacy breaches, conducting record access and privacy audits; liaising and corresponding with complainants and other stakeholders around allegations of privacy breaches; and providing education and training to CHS staff on confidentiality and privacy. The Director, Privacy and Information Compliance, is also responsible for ensuring compliance with legislation on the release of health information and is responsible for the strategic leadership of the HIS Release of Information (ROI) teams.

Key Responsibilities

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

Under limited direction of the Senior Director, Health Information Services you will:

1. Lead and develop privacy quality improvement programs and undertake privacy audits and subsequent investigations to monitor CHS staff compliance to appropriate use/access of personal health information.
2. Ensure CHS compliance with the Health Records (Privacy and Access) Act 1997 in the appropriate release of health information for ongoing care, clinical review, and medicolegal purposes.
3. Investigate complaints related to health records and alleged breaches of privacy or misconduct in relation to personal health information, collaborate with relevant Divisions including People and Culture and complete associated reports and briefs as necessary. Maintain the CHS Privacy Breach register and report confirmed privacy breaches to relevant committees.
4. Coordinate and liaise with internal and external stakeholders and provide expert advice to ensure consistent and informed decision-making on privacy and confidentiality in accordance with legislation.
5. Understand electronic privacy tools and access options within the current digital health record application and provide education and training to CHS staff as required.
6. Develop and maintain all CHS policies and procedures related to privacy and confidentiality and monitor compliance to these.
7. Undertake other duties appropriate to this level of classification which contribute to the operation of the organisation and the delivery of high-quality person-centered patient care.

Competencies

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the following.

• Work within established legislative and policy frameworks.
• Communicate and make decisions that are based on professional judgement, evaluating risks and in the context of a complex and changing environment.
• Develop and manage a range of stakeholder relationships.
• Provide specialist, expert advice on more complex areas of policy.
• Apply comprehensive work knowledge, precedent and established legislation, policy, procedures and guidelines to situations involving a high level of complexity and sensitivity which require considerable interpretation and analysis.
• Maintain professional knowledge and continue to develop knowledge and expertise in relation to professional skills.

Qualifications

Essential

• Tertiary qualification in Health Information Management or equivalent.

Desirable

• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.

Experience

Essential

• At least three years’ health record experience with extensive knowledge in privacy legislation.
• Current Australian driver’s licence.

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 and must be addressed in your application:

1. Demonstrated expert knowledge, interpretation and application of health record and privacy regulations, legislation, and experience in the development of policies, and procedures.
2. Demonstrated experience in conducting privacy investigations, high level written communication skills within the ability to write complex reports, briefings, external correspondence, policies, and procedures.
3. High level knowledge and experience with electronic and paper-based health record systems to present agile options to preserve patient privacy and confidentiality.
4. Exceptional interpersonal skills with proven expertise in conflict resolution, negotiation and experience working with a range of stakeholders including consumers, clinical staff and senior managers and superior written communication skills with the ability to write complex reports, briefings, external correspondence, policies and procedures.
5. Demonstrates 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.