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.

The CHS Division of Medicine provides a range of medical specialties and allied health services. A strong emphasis is placed across all sections on accessible and timely care, delivered to a high standard of safety and quality. This is underpinned by the Division’s commitment to research and training.  The Division works in partnership with professional colleagues, consumers, and a range of government and non-government service providers to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients.

Clinical Forensic Medical Services (CFMS) is a locally based well established clinical service that provides forensic medical care to patients from the ACT and surrounding areas. CFMS comprises of Clinical Forensics ACT (CFACT), a contracted medical service to the AFP, Forensic and Medical Sexual Assault Care (FAMSAC), the ACT Health based sexual assault service, and Fitness To Drive Medical Clinic (FTDMC). CFMS is a medical unit within Canberra Health Services, with requirements and support for ongoing professional development of all staff.

Under the direction of the CFMS Medical Director, the Forensic Medical Officer role is responsible for the provision of a comprehensive range of medical forensic care services for individuals affected by sexual assault and/or domestic violence, persons in custody, police officers, and assessing a patient’s medical ability and/or capacity to drive within the Medical Standards for Licensing and Clinical Management Guidelines.

Note:  These are 12-month temporary part-time positions from sixteen (16) hours to sixty-four (64) hours per fortnight with the possibility of extension. These positions will be required to participate in afterhours, on call and/or rotation roster.

Key responsibilities

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

• Ability to participate in both a daytime and an after-hours roster to provide high quality clinical forensic medicine and related services including:
  • Assessment of individuals as requested by the AFP (including death scene attendance, provision of medical care to detainees in the Regional Watch House and those allegedly involved in sexual and general assaults).
  • Obtaining of biological samples with patient consent.
  • Assessment of an individual’s fitness to be interviewed and fitness for custody.
  • Providing advice to police and nursing staff on psychiatrically disturbed or intellectually impaired persons (where no other appropriate services are available).
  • Provision of medico-legal reports for CFMS cases. Including expert evidence and opinions for the purposes of legal process and to the courts.
  • Adherence to relevant legislation, policies and procedures regarding the duties of forensic medical officers.
  • Participation in educational and audit activities in the field of clinical forensic medicine.
  • To provide expert evidence in legal jurisdictions including criminal and civil proceedings.
  • Other medical services as requested.
• Provide comprehensive forensic and medical care for women and men who have experienced a recent sexual assault including the medico-legal examinations and comprehensive documentation and associated medico-legal reports.
• Willingness to participate in CFMS after-hours on call rosters. Must undertake a minimum of fifty-two (52) after hours shifts per year, including weekends and public holiday shifts unless approved leave has been taken.
• Provision of general forensic medical services under the CFMS service agreement to the Australian Federal Police including working with and supervision of nursing staff employed by the Clinical Forensic Medical Services.
• Ability to assess capacity to drive against the Medical Standards for Driver Licensing and Clinical Management Guidelines.
• Participate in ongoing educational activities in the field of forensic medicine.
• Participation in data entry, audit activities, quality improvement activities related to patient care in clinical forensic medicine, sexual assault and sexual health.
• 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

• Excellent interpersonal skills with a proven ability to provide leadership and education to colleagues in a clinical setting.
• Drive for ongoing personal and professional development.
• Demonstrated strong organisational skills with a high degree of drive and a positive attitude.
• Adaptability and flexibility to accommodate change and provide support to colleagues in a clinical environment.
• Understanding of the limitations of practice and working within the individual’s scope of practice.
• An ability to receive feedback and actively participate in reflective learning practices.

Qualifications

Essential

• MBBS or equivalent
• Must have full medical registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency or be eligible for the competent authority pathway.
• Current Driver’s Licence.
• Must undertake pre-employment psychometric assessment as determined by CFMS.
• Must be eligible to pass and maintain an AFP security clearance (i.e. no previous criminal history).
• Must be undertaking or willing to undertake the master’s degree in forensic medicine.
• Must participate in ongoing education and case review as determined by CFMS.

Desirable

• Experience in providing forensic medical services and expert opinions.
• Possession of a higher medical qualification as provided for, in Canberra Health Services Medical Officers Agreement
• 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. Demonstrated high-level communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to provide leadership while working as a team member in a multidisciplinary environment.
2. Ability to provide expert evidence-based opinion in general forensic medicine and sexual assault case management including experience in sexual health care screening, treatment and HIV prophylaxis.
3. Experience in medical consultations for sexual assault, sexual health and clinical forensic medicine including the ability to manage and refer clients in crisis, use advocacy appropriately, and apply basic counselling skills.
4. Previous experience in assessing capacity to drive against the Medical Standards for Licensing and Clinical Management Guidelines.
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.