Position overview

Very few teams can say they are responsible for helping set the future direction of a large organisation. The Quality, Safety and Governance team is one of the few who can. The team leads and supports the development and implementation of organisation wide strategy, communications and related projects, provides leadership for quality and safety assurance, systems and processes, and supports all other clinical and operational areas across CHS to deliver exceptional health care. The area includes Quality and Safety, National Standards and Accreditation, Internal Audit, Risk Management and Compliance, Medico Legal, Strategic Communications, Policy, Consumer Handouts, Corporate Records and Strategic Projects areas.

The Policy and Consumer Handouts team is in the Policy and Strategic Projects area which leads and supports the development and implementation of organisation wide strategy, policy, and related projects. The Policy and Consumer Handouts is a great team with opportunities to work on challenging and complex issues – all of which matter to our local community.

The Senior Policy Officer position works as part of a dynamic team to inform, educate and support policy development and governance processes across CHS. This will provide you with a unique opportunity to be involved in both strategic and operational policy, contributing directly to safeguarding the high standards of care at CHS and improving the health of our community.

Key Responsibilities

Under limited direction of the Director, Policy and Consumer Handouts, you will:

1. Provide high level advice, education and support relating to strategic and operational policy and governance matters.
2. Edit, provide feedback on, and support with policy and guidance documents to authors from areas across Canberra Health Services.
3. Develop organisational wide policy documents, write reports and prepare Ministerial and Executive briefs.
4. Consult, negotiate and liaise with a diverse range of stakeholders, including clinicians, CHS executives, consumers, and non-government organisations, including convening working parties, and consultation forums.
5. Lead and coordinate high-level projects and work plans, including completing analysis, generating action plans, coordinating progress reporting, and delivering on key milestones.
6. 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:

• Communicate complex matters to a wide range of audiences.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to engage respectfully with staff and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
• Maintain a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Flexibility to accommodate change with critical thinking and analysis.
• Strong time management skills and the ability to adapt to a fast-changing work environment.
• Sound decision making skills.

Qualifications

Specific qualifications and experience include, but are not limited to, the following.

Essential

• N/A

Desirable

• Knowledge, acquired either through formal studies or work experience in relation to policy governance and development and evidence-based medicine as applied to the health setting.
• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.

Experience

Essential

• N/A

Desirable

• Previous experience and advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word and SharePoint.
• Previous experience developing and delivering information in accessible formats.
• 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:

• 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.

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 knowledge and demonstrated experience of strategic and operational policy governance, including ability to develop and review documents in a healthcare environment.
2. Proven high level organisational skills and the ability to prioritise the competing demands of concurrent policy development, governance processes, and project management.
3. Demonstrated high level oral and written communication skills, with experience providing advice and support to a diverse range of stakeholders on policy, governance, and related matters.
4. Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including the ability to handle sensitive issues and consult effectively.
5. 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.