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 purpose of this role to cover a period of 10 months maternity leave from November 2025 to mid-September 2026. To be eligible to apply for this position you must be PGY 4 or above and have completed your FRACP part 1 examination (written and clinical exams)

Canberra Health Services (CHS) is focused on the delivery of high quality, effective, person-centred care. It provides acute, sub-acute, primary and community‐based health services, to the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and surrounding region. More information can be found on the CHS website:  https://www.health.act.gov.au/

Medical Staff in the Canberra Health Services enjoy excellent conditions, and our Enterprise Agreement is available at: ACTPS Medical Practitioners Enterprise Agreement 2021-2022.pdf (sharepoint.com)

The Haematology laboratory at ACT Pathology/Canberra Hospital is a tertiary diagnostic facility offering a complete array of laboratory services in routine haematology, haemostasis and thrombosis, transfusion/blood banking, flow cytometry and haemopoietic stem cell processing as well as cytogenetics and molecular pathology through diagnostic genomics. Most of the consultant haematologists are accredited by both the RACP and RCPA as supervisors of advanced trainees, and all have a keen interest in post graduate education and training.

This is a full time haematology laboratory advanced trainee position with responsibility for haematology laboratory reporting in morphology, flow cytometry, special coagulation and bone marrow biopsies as well as use and interpretation of haematology laboratory investigations and transfusion support, perform bone marrow biopsy procedures, participate in multidisciplinary clinico- pathological meetings and haematology clinics as well as participate in the after-hours on call clinical haematology unit registrar roster that covers the ward and laboratory.

The position is suitable for sub-speciality joint training under the auspices of the Haematology CJCT (FRACP/FRCPA). The position is accredited by the CJCT RACP/RCPA for core laboratory training. Preference will be given to candidates for joint training who have completed their FRACP Part I examination (mandatory). Consultants within the unit have a keen interest in post graduate education, teaching and training. Applicants should have highly developed written and verbal communication skills. Familiarity with the use of computers and common software applications would be considered an advantage.

Key responsibilities

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

1. Report haematological morphology (including bone marrow and blood films), flow cytometry, specialised coagulation and other haematology laboratory tests under the supervision of the haematologists
2. Provide guidance to clinicians on appropriate use and interpretation of haematology laboratory investigations and transfusion support
3. Provide support to the laboratory, under consultant supervision, for selecting appropriate investigational approaches, reporting of laboratory tests and liaison with referring clinicians
4. Participate in bone marrow biopsy procedure lists, multidisciplinary clinico- pathological meetings and 2 haematology clinics which may occur in CHS.  Participation in quality management processes is essential.  Attendance and participation in laboratory management meetings is considered important.
5. Participate in the after-hours on call haematology unit registrar roster that covers the ward and laboratory
6. Maintain currency in an Advanced Life Support Course
7. Teaching and professional development activities are considered a major part of the department’s activities, and the appointee will be required to actively participate in weekly clinical presentations, the hospital grand rounds program, a departmental journal club, medical student supervision and teaching and tutoring of basic physician trainees at Canberra Hospital.
8. Undertaking other duties as directed, within the approved scope of clinical practice.

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

1. Strong organisational skills with a high degree of drive.
2. Adaptability and flexibility to accommodate change and provide responsive services to meet clients’ needs.
3. Ability to work in a collegiate and team environment.

Qualifications

Essential

• MBBS or equivalent
• Registered or eligible for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).
• Tertiary qualifications for medicine (MBBS) and passed the FRACP part 1 exams.
• Passed the FRACP part 1 exams (written and clinical exams)
• Interested in joint training with RACP/RCPA
• Demonstrated knowledge in general medicine with an interest in Haematological Pathology
• Demonstrated ability to provide supervision and teaching to junior medical officers, medical students and other medical staff.
• Commitment to ongoing professional medical education.
• Commitment to improvements in the quality and safety of patient care.
• Interest in medical research.  Demonstrates a commitment to work, health and safety (WH&S) and the positive patient experience and displays behaviour consistent with ACT Health’s values of Care, Excellence, Collaboration and Integrity.

Desirable

• ACT driver’s license
• 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. Passed the FRACP part 1 exams (written and clinical exams)
2. Interested in joint training with RACP/RCPA
3. Demonstrated knowledge in general medicine with an interest in Haematological Pathology
4. Demonstrated ability to provide supervision and teaching to junior medical officers, medical students and other medical staff.
5. Commitment to ongoing professional medical education.
6. Commitment to improvements in the quality and safety of patient care.
7. Interest in medical research.  Demonstrates a commitment to work, health and safety (WH&S) and the positive patient experience and displays behaviour consistent with ACT Health’s values of Care, Excellence, Collaboration and Integrity.
8. 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.