Position overview
The People and Culture Division is responsible for providing strategic leadership, advice and operational implementation of human resource strategies relating to a diverse range of human resource and industrial relations functions across CHS.
Working closely with CHS Divisions, the People and Culture portfolio delivers strategically aligned workforce solutions in areas including people policy and strategies, change management, human resource management, organisational development, diversity and inclusion, general clinical and leadership training, workforce planning, industrial and employee relations, pay and benefits, rewards and recruitment. The Division also plans, designs, communicates and monitors CHS Workforce Strategy with a focus on building organisation and change management capability, and providing workforce data to support strategic decision-making to enable CHS to deliver on its strategic agenda.
The Work Health Safety Unit provides strategic leadership, advice and effective coordination and implementation of work health safety (WHS) management strategies, frameworks and activities. The unit provides WHS advisory and support services and oversees the implementation of systems and processes that assist Canberra Health Services to become a safe and accountable healthcare environment.
Canberra Health Services staff, people who use our services and visitors have the right to feel safe and be safe in Canberra Health Services workplaces.
Key Responsibilities
Under the direction of the Senior Director, WHS, you will play a key role in ensuring that Canberra Health Services provides a safe working environment for staff, clients and others. You will:
- Provide high level advice to ensure a consistent approach to Work Health Safety (WHS), hazard identification and risk management, and to ensure compliance with relevant legislation and standards.
- Lead the delivery of WHS programs and initiatives to ensure a safe work environment in Canberra Health Services.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with key internal and external stakeholders through effective communication, liaison, and consultation.
- Investigate WHS incidents and risks and determine appropriate control measures to prevent similar incidents and mitigate risks.
- Review, analyse and research complex WHS issues and provide appropriate recommendations and guidance.
- Contribute to the development and maintenance of WHS support resources including policies, procedures, presentation and guidance materials.
- Persuade and influence management and key stakeholders to support WHS recommendations, initiatives and projects through appropriate consultation, liaison and negotiation.
- Undertake other duties appropriate to this level of classification which contribute to the operation of the organisation.
Competencies
Specific competencies include but are not limited to the following.
- Strong organisational skills with a high degree of drive.
- Demonstrated leadership qualities in managing and positively influencing key stakeholders and teams, process and practice improvement in a human services environment.
- Ability to mentor more junior staff and external parties in a collaborative and influential manner.
- Competent negotiation and influencing skills in dealing with complex situations.
Qualifications
Specific qualifications include, but are not limited to, the following.
Essential
- Must hold a current driver’s licence.
Desirable
- Qualifications in WHS and/or substantial experience in managing WHS are desirable.
- Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.
- Fulfil the responsibilities of this role in alignment to the CHS Exceptional Care Framework, and all other related frameworks.
Experience
Specific experience includes but is not limited to the following.
Essential
- N/A
Desirable
- N/A
Prior to commencement
Appointment to this position is conditional on being granted and retaining appropriate clearances:
- Undergo a 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.
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.
- Proven record of achievement in the delivery of high-quality client focused WHS services and support to a large and complex organisation.
- High level analytical and research skills, including the ability to provide quality advice and support consistent with relevant legislation, standards and contemporary WHS practice.
- Demonstrated ability to develop WHS governance, support and guidance resources to support safe work practices and safe work environments.
- High level interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to negotiate, persuade and influence management and stakeholders to support WHS recommendations, initiatives and projects.
- 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.
| Administrative | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Telephone use | Frequently |
| General computer use | Frequently |
| Extensive keying/data entry | Frequently |
| Graphical/analytical based | Occasionally |
| Sitting at a desk | Frequently |
| Standing for long periods | Occasionally |
| Psychosocial demands | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Distressed People e.g. Emergency or grief situations | Occasionally |
| Aggressive & Uncooperative People e.g. drug / alcohol, dementia, mental illness | Occasionally |
| Unpredictable People e.g. Dementia, mental illness, head injuries | Occasionally |
| Restraining e.g. involvement in physical containment of clients/consumers | Never |
| Exposure to Distressing Situations e.g. Child abuse, viewing dead / mutilated bodies; verbal abuse; domestic violence; suicide | Occasionally |
| Physical demands | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Distance walking (large buildings or inter-building transit) | Occasionally |
| Working outdoors | Occasionally |
| Manual handling | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Lifting 0 - 9kg | Occasionally |
| Lifting 10 - 15kg | Occasionally |
| Lifting 16kg+ | Never |
| Climbing | Never |
| Running | Never |
| Reaching | Occasionally |
| Kneeling | Occasionally |
| Foot and leg movement | Frequently |
| Hand, arm and grasping movements | Occasionally |
| Bending/squatting | Occasionally |
| Bend/Lean Forward from Waist/Trunk twisting | Occasionally |
| Push/pull | Occasionally |
| Sequential repetitive movements in a short amount of time | Occasionally |
| Travel | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Frequent travel – multiple work sites | Frequently |
| Frequent travel – driving | Occasionally |
| Specific hazards | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Working at heights | Never |
| Exposure to extreme temperatures | Never |
| Operation of heavy machinery e.g. forklift | Never |
| Confined spaces | Never |
| Excessive noise | Occasionally |
| Low lighting | Occasionally |
| Handling of dangerous goods/equipment e.g. gases; liquids; biological. | Occasionally |
| Slippery or uneven surfaces | Occasionally |
Directorate: Canberra Health Services
Division: People and Culture
Business Unit: Work Health Safety
Position number: P62912
Position title: Senior Advisor, Work Health Safety
Classification: Senior Officer Grade C
Location: Canberra Health Services
Reporting relationships: Direct Manager: Director, Work Health Safety
Manager +1: Senior Director, Work Health Safety
Canberra Health Services (CHS) is focussed on the delivery of high quality, effective, person-centred care. We provide acute, sub-acute, primary and community‐based health services, to the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and surrounding regions. More information can be found on the CHS website.
Our Vision: creating exceptional health care together
Our Role: to be a health service that is trusted by our community
Our Values: Reliable, Progressive, Respectful and Kind