Position overview

The CHS Division of Medicine provides a range of medical specialties and allied health services. A strong emphasis is placed across all sections on accessible and timely care, delivered to a high standard of safety and quality. This is underpinned by the Division’s commitment to research and training. The Division works in partnership with professional colleagues, consumers, and a range of government and non-government service providers to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients.

As part of the CHS High-Risk Podiatry team, Diabetes Service, this position would be predominantly based at Canberra Hospital providing care to inpatients and outpatients experiencing acute high-risk foot complications. Under supervision you will be part of a friendly, dynamic and engaging interprofessional team and will be responsible for the provision of high-quality clinical assessment and intervention in a range of settings.

The high-risk podiatry team are integral to the Interdisciplinary high-risk foot service collaborating with Endocrinologists, Diabetes nurse educators, Diabetes Dietitians, Vascular Surgeons, Infectious Disease Specialists, Tissue Viability Nurses, Community Nurses and Orthotists to provide a team approach to care for people with complex foot conditions.

All Podiatrists within Canberra Health Services have strong peer support and supervision structures. We pride ourselves on our continual drive to deliver exceptional patient care. Our staff are committed to the delivery of health services that reflect Canberra Health Services values: Reliable, Progressive, Respectful and Kind.

Key Responsibilities

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

1. Provide a high level of appropriate skilled clinical assessment and interventions across a range of clinical areas.
2. Exercise independent professional judgment in solving problems and managing cases where principles, procedures and techniques require expansion, adaptation, or modification.
3. Liaise with carers and other service providers to facilitate effective service provisions.
4. Contribute to the planning, development and evaluation of clinical governance activities, quality improvement projects, research programs, and health promotion in areas relevant to service.
5. Contribute to the development, evaluation and analysis of policies and procedures applicable to professional practice.
6. Provide professional supervision and/or training to other staff and students as directed or required.
7. Complete clinical and administrative data collection and evaluation to standard.
8. Undertake other duties appropriate to this level of classification and within the approved scope of clinical practice which contribute to the operations of the organisation.

Competencies

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the following.

• Clinical expertise – experience in assessing and providing care to patients with diabetes foot disease and/ or foot complications associated with other chronic conditions.
• Knowledge of, or ability to upskill in the use of assessment and offloading tools and equipment to provide best-evidence based care.
• Communication skills- high level communication skills with the ability to communicate with all members of the multidisciplinary team, with the patient at the centre of the team.
• Continuous professional development – shows commitment to continuing professional education, clinical supervision, and the performance management process.
• Clinical supervision – provide supervision to students attending the high-risk podiatry service for clinical placement and AHAs – including interdisciplinary students.
• Teamwork – ability to work collaboratively as part of a interdisciplinary team to meet the needs of patients and families.
• Ethical and legal practice: Demonstrates ethical and legal practice requirements in line with organisational standards and policies.
• Professional practice: Demonstrates professional conduct aligned with the Podiatry Board Professional Capabilities and works within professional scope of practice.

Qualifications

Essential

• Tertiary qualifications (or equivalent) in Podiatry.
• Registered or eligible for registration with the Podiatry Board of Australia (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).

Desirable

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

Experience

Essential

• Applicants must have a minimum of one year post qualification experience.

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.
• 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 and must be addressed in your application:

1. Proven knowledge and ability to provide appropriate podiatry assessment, intervention, and education across a range of chronic disease conditions.
2. Demonstrated ability to deliver person-centred services that meet national safety and quality standards
3. Demonstrates effective communication skills, including the ability to utilise a range of information technology applications to maintain documentation and data collection.
4. Demonstrates interpersonal skills and ability to work as an effective team member within, and across teams to coordinate patient care and foster a positive work culture.
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.