Position overview

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.

Applications are sought for the 2026 clinical year, commencing February 2026 for one year with possible extension. To be eligible to apply for this position, you must be PGY3+ by February 2026.

The Anatomical Pathology Department provides Histopathology, Cytopathology and Perinatal autopsy services to Canberra Health Services and the ACT region in addition to delivery of the Anatomical Pathology curriculum for the Australian National University, School of Medicine and Psychology. The Department is the official pathology provider to ACT BreastScreen. There are 12 FTE Anatomical Pathologists and six Registrars/Junior Registrars. Anatomical Pathology provides comprehensive training including adult tissue pathology, cytopathology, perinatal autopsies, laboratory techniques, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, molecular techniques, electron microscopy, quality assurance, medical school teaching and research.

Preference will be given to applicants who have passed the Basic Pathological Sciences Examination set by the RCPA.

Key responsibilities

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

• Perform surgical cut-up (grossing) as per the Department protocols and as per instructions from the consultants.  Ensure that the specimen cut-up descriptions are accurately transcribed.
• Triage fresh tissue sample and liaise with other pathology Departments as required.
• Report on surgical pathology specimens under supervision by Pathologists.
• Provide teaching to Clinical Registrars at Canberra Hospital, laboratory staff and medical students and actively participate in the teaching sessions organised by the consultants for Registrar teaching.
• Attend intraoperative frozen section examinations.
• Participate in collection of Fine Needle Aspiration specimens in Medical Imaging Department, from inpatients at Canberra Hospital and outpatients in ACT Pathology.
• Perform autopsies on Hospital cases (mainly perinatal cases) at Canberra Hospital.
• Attend and present at Departmental Quality Assurance meetings. Multidisciplinary Team Meetings and other Clinicopathological meetings as directed.
• Demonstrate commitment to training and continuing professional development including participation in relevant teaching programs, activities, and feedback opportunities, involvement in research, and teaching of junior medical staff and/or medical students
• Actively participate in Medical research activities
• Undertake other duties appropriate to this level of classification which contribute to the operation of the organisation

About you

CHS is committed to workforce diversity and to creating an inclusive workplace. As part of this commitment, we welcome applications from all diversity groups. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability and people who identify as LGBTQIA+ are particularly encouraged to apply.

Competencies

• Strong organisational skills with a high degree of drive.
• Adaptability and flexibility to accommodate change and provide responsive services to meet clients’ needs.
• Ability to work in a collegiate and team environment.
• Commitment to completing RCPA fellowship requirements

Qualifications

Essential

• Must have an Australian MBBS medical degree or equivalent
• Registered or eligible for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).
• Have completed the equivalent of at least two years of relevant full time clinical experience
• Enrolled or intention of enrolment in the 2026 clinical year into a vocational training program

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, Clinical Governance Framework, Partnering for Exceptional Care Framework and all other related frameworks.

Please note prior to commencement, successful candidates will be required to:

• Undergo a pre-employment National Police Check.
• Comply with Canberra Health Services Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination policy.

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.
• Be available for weekend and/or after-hours work.

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, experience and referee reports.

1. Excellent communication skills and demonstrated ability to liaise effectively with other health professionals.
2. Demonstrated ability to ensure timely completion of assessments, learning and professional development requirements and completion of research commitments.
3. 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.