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.

We are committed to workforce diversity and creating an inclusive workplace.

This position is for a February 2027 commencement for a period of 12 months with possible extension. To be eligible for this position you must be PGY7+ by February 2027.

The Canberra Hospital and affiliated hospitals invite applications for the position of Senior Orthopaedic Trauma and Arthroplasty Fellow. This is a 12-month fellowship providing extensive experience in Orthopaedic Trauma Care and Elective Hip and Knee Arthroplasty under the guidance of senior and experienced Arthroplasty Surgeons. This position will also gain experience in Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgery as CHS embarks on the implementation of a paediatric orthopaedic service based in the ACT.

This position offers a comprehensive training opportunity in trauma and arthroplasty, preparing fellows for advanced orthopaedic practice in both elective and trauma settings.

Key responsibilities

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

The Trauma Fellow will be actively involved in the care and management of complex trauma cases, including:

• Pelvic fractures, complex upper and lower limb injuries, and foot and ankle fractures.
• Arthroplasty procedures in a trauma setting.
• Coordinating trauma operating lists to enhance efficiency within the trauma service.
• Overseeing the evaluation, diagnosis, preoperative planning, and surgical progression of trauma cases.
• Participating in parallel operating lists.
• Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, including General Surgery, Interventional Radiology, Plastic Surgery, and Intensive Care, to enhance the management of critically injured patients.

During the Hip and Knee Arthroplasty placement, the Fellow is required to:

• Continue daily Trauma ward rounds and review post-surgical radiographs.
• Teach medical students, junior doctors, and orthopaedic registrars.
• Perform and supervise Orthopaedic Trauma surgeries if required by the on-call surgeon or department.

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

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the following.

Orthopaedic Trauma Fellowship

Research & Academic Contributions

• Undertake at least one research project per term, aiming for national-level presentation and subsequent publication.
• Access to the Trauma and Orthopaedic Research Unit for clinical and basic science research.
• Maintain and develop the Orthopaedic Trauma Database for audit and research purposes.
• Dedicated quarantined research time to ensure high-quality research output.

Role & Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate orthopaedic trauma patient care at Canberra Health Services (CHS) under supervision of Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeons.
• Assist in managing the trauma/non-elective orthopaedic surgery waiting list in conjunction with the on-call Orthopaedic VMO.
• Train and supervise junior medical staff, including Registrars, Resident Medical Officers, and Medical Students.
• Participate in clinical governance, including clinical audits, morbidity and mortality reviews, and evidence-based medical practice.
• Engage in multidisciplinary meetings and Quality Assurance activities.
• Conduct daily ward rounds and ensure effective handover of trauma cases.
• Participate in after-hours on-call/recall duties.
• Undertake additional duties as required to support the organisation's operation.

Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Integrated Fellowship

• Exposure to a high volume of primary joint replacement surgeries.
• Opportunity to gain experience in hip and knee revision cases.
• Development of skills in Hip/Knee Arthroscopy and Robotic-assisted Arthroplasty.
• Hands-on surgical experience, including parallel fellow operating lists (subject to demonstrated competency).
• Participation in Elective Hip and Knee clinics and private consultations with surgeons.
• Attendance at teaching sessions, seminars, and case discussions focused on:
  - Complex and challenging cases.
  - Surgical techniques and skills.
  - Preoperative planning, infection control, and rehabilitation
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Displays behaviour consistent with CHS’s values of reliable, progressive, respectful and kind.

Qualifications

Essential

• MBBS or equivalent
• Registered or eligible for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
• FRACS (Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons) or an equivalent qualification.
• Overseas candidates must comply with Australian immigration and medical registration requirements.
• Completion of approved training in Orthopaedic surgery
• Minimum six months experience in lower limb Arthroplasty at registrar level.
• At least six months accredited Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgery Fellowship in Australia or Overseas

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.
• Six months of Experience at Post graduate fellow/ Senior registrar level
• Interest in Research as evident through presentations and publications

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 experience in a leadership position
2. Demonstrated strong work ethic and enthusiasm towards meeting desired goals and outcomes
3. High level communication skills
4. Prior experience at Post Graduate Fellow / Senior Registrar level and demonstrate commitment to research
5. Demonstrates understanding of, and adherence to, safety and quality standards, Work Health and Safety and the positive patient experience. Displays behavior 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.