Position overview

The Work Health and Safety (WHS) Unit provides strategic leadership, advice and effective coordination and implementation of work health safety management strategies, frameworks and activities. The unit will advise on and oversee the implementation of systems and processes that assist Canberra Health Services (CHS) to continue to be a safe and accountable healthcare environment.
The role provides strategic leadership and direction across the WHS service delivery areas, including:

• WHS advisory & support to ensure compliance with WHS laws, regulations, and standards
• Development and implementation of the WHS Strategy & OV Prevention & Management Strategy
• Management and upkeep of the CHS Work Health Safety Management System (WHSMS)
• Coordination of the Health Safety Representative (HSR) Training & ongoing support to HSR's
• Oversight and support in WHS consultation & communication arrangements
• Management of the Staff Incident Reporting system and help desk support
• Staff Early Intervention Physiotherapy (EIP) Services

Key Responsibilities

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

1. Provide strategic leadership and direction in the provision of high quality, customer focused, cost­ effective WHS management services to Canberra Health Services.
2. Manage the CHS Work Health and Safety Management System, including development and facilitation of policies and procedures aimed at fostering a safe and healthy work environment across CHS.
3. Ensure the provision of high level WHS information and statistics to CHS Divisions and members of the Executive.
4. Ensure that the WHS team works collaboratively with other divisional leads to develop appropriate strategies and initiatives to identify, assess and control WHS risks.
5. Manage the delivery of the CHS WHS Strategy and CHS Occupational Violence (OV) Strategy and ensure that Divisions are provided with appropriate support to deliver requirements under these strategies.
6. Provide a lead role in the preparation for and participation in WHS audits relating to ComCare self­ insurance and in WHS requirements under health service Accreditation.
7. Manage the delivery of WHS advisory, Riskman support, early intervention physiotherapy services (including the provision of clinical services to support these activities)
8. Be responsible for ensuring that WHS operates within its budget, by managing the work health safety teams staffing and expenditure. Take a lead role in improving the quality, timeliness and cost of service provision.
9. Be aware of and actively monitor trends and developments in both the public and private sectors work health safety management frameworks (including risk management and security) and undertake research into contemporary best practice, as required.
10. Represent Canberra Health Services on working groups, as required, and as related to the development of reform in the policy, procedures and practices relating to workplace safety and management at an agency, portfolio and whole of government basis.
11. Show leadership and effective management of the team and undertake other duties appropriate to this level of classification which contribute to the operation of the team.

Competencies

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

• Strong leadership, time management, and organisational skills
• Adaptability and flexibility to accommodate change and provide responsive services to meet needs.
• Strong communication and influencing skills.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully leading a change management team in a complex environment, inspiring a collaborative team and ensuring compliance with all applicable regulatory and legislative requirements for such a role.
• Experience in shaping, guiding and strategically integrating strategic decisions in line with organisational objectives.

Qualifications

Essential

• Qualification in a business, human resource management, and/or disciplines relevant to work health and safety.

Experience

Essential

• Demonstrated experience, knowledge and success in coordinating and leading workplace safety management team(s) with a focus on providing high quality, accurate and timely services to an organisation.
• Understand how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.

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.

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. Demonstrated team leadership skills and a record of achievement relating to WHS management at a senior level within a large and diverse public/private sector organisation. Health Sector experience will be highly regarded.
2. A working knowledge of relevant WHS legislation and contemporary issues on WHS management.
3. Demonstrated experience in developing sound policy and procedures relating to WHS management issues.
4. Demonstrated ability to foster collaborative working relationships to deliver improved WHS outcomes.
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.