Position overview

The Medical Imaging Department at CHS operates 24 hours, seven days a week, providing a wide range of diagnostic imaging services. The service provides state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging, interventional radiology, and nuclear medicine services to patients in Canberra and the Southeast Region of NSW. The service is committed to providing patients with contemporary diagnostic and interventional radiology, as well as molecular imaging services with a strong commitment to research and training in advancing the use of imaging for diagnosis and treatment of disease.

The Medical Imaging Department forms part of the CHS Medical Services Group which also includes Pharmacy, Healthcare Technology Management, the Prevocational Education and Training, the Medical Officer Support, Credentialing, Employment and Training Unit (MOSCETU), the GP Liaison Unit (GPLU), ACT Blood Counts Program and the CHS Library and Multimedia service.

The MI4 Sonographer position requires a high level of specialist knowledge to provide novel, complex and crucial ultrasound service delivery under broad supervision of the Medical Imaging 5 (MI5) Ultrasound Manager. This is a clinical health MI4 role which requires the successful applicant to demonstrate a specialist level of ultrasound knowledge, skills, experience, and professional leadership. Independent professional judgement in problem solving and service management is required to deliver the essential ultrasound service of a major tertiary hospital.

This position may also be rostered to shifts based outside of the Canberra Hospital precinct at the Weston Creek Imaging Service, located at the Weston Creek Community Health Centre.

It is an exciting time to join CHS as we are undergoing a time of change and expansion which includes a new purpose-built critical service building that has been specifically designed to deliver state-of-the-art acute clinical services at the Canberra Hospital. New additions in this building include:

• A brand-new  Emergency Department with 129 treatment spaces
• Expansion of  medical imaging services with the addition of two Magnetic Resonance Imaging  (MRI) machines, three Computerised Tomography (CT) scanners, two Angiography  Suites, General Radiography and additional Ultrasound rooms
• An Operating  Theatre Complex with 22 theatres, including multiple Hybrid Theatres and  Interventional Radiology Suites
• Acute Coronary  Care Unit with interventional cardiac laboratories
• Four new inpatient  units with an additional 128 beds

Key Responsibilities

Specific competencies include but are not limited to the following:

Under limited direction of the Ultrasound Manager, you will deliver high level diagnostic sonographer services across a broad range of ultrasound examinations.

1. Provide clinical services within the Ultrasound modality, Medical Imaging Department at CHS.
2. Exercise independent professional judgement to perform novel, critical and complex ultrasound examinations for inpatients and outpatients, including interventional procedures.
3. Contribute to the development of clinical practices, procedures and protocols that support the continuum of care engaging cross-discipline referencing where relevant.
4. Participate in research and development programs.
5. Participate in education training and other mentoring to existing and new staff including Sonographers, Registrars and other vising Health Professional students.
6. Participate in Quality Assurance and Quality Control programs.
7. 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.

• Technical Proficiency in Ultrasound: Knowledge, competence and experience in sonography, including various ultrasound specialties (e.g., general (abdominal and pelvic), small parts, musculoskeletal imaging, obstetrics and gynaecology, vascular and paediatric). This includes staying updated with the latest advancements and best practices.
• Instructional Skills: Ability to effectively teach students or health professionals diagnostic ultrasound.
• Clinical Expertise: Perform diagnostic clinical sonography within boundaries of departmental guidelines and protocols.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills to convey diagnostic findings.
• Assessment and Feedback: Participation in clinical supervision framework and ability to work autonomously, seeking assistance when required.
• Leadership and Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team to delivery high quality ultrasound services.
• Continuous Professional Development: Commitment to ongoing learning and professional growth, including participating in continuing education, professional organisations and research to remain current in the field of ultrasound.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• Tertiary Qualification or related qualification in Medical Ultrasound.
• Registered or eligible for registration with the Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry (ASAR).
• A minimum of five years’ experience working professionally in the ultrasound speciality is preferred.

Desirable

• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.
• 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.
• Current registration issued under the Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act 2011
• 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.
• may need to participate in weekend and/or afterhours roster, including on-call.

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 ability to perform diagnostic ultrasound procedures independently, applying sound knowledge of anatomy and pathology for image interpretation and documentation of the sonographer’s report.
2. Ability to maintain high standards of accuracy, safety and day-to-day problem solving in all aspects of ultrasound within a busy working environment.
3. High level of liaison, consultation and communication skills with respect to members of staff, patients, and users of the Medical Imaging Department.
4. Proven ability to work cooperatively and effectively within a Medical Imaging Department.
5. Demonstrates understanding of, and adherence to, safety and quality standards, Work Health and Safety and the positive patient experience. Displays’ behaviours 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.