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.

Mental Health, Justice Health, and Alcohol and Drug Services (MHJHADS) provide support to children, youth and adults via inpatient and outpatient settings, community health centres, justice health facilities and other community settings, including people’s homes. MHJHADS aims to be socially inclusive and operate within a recovery-focused and/or harm minimisation approach.

Forensic Mental Health Services (FMHS) provides services to the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC), Bimberi Youth Justice Centre (BYJC) and Dhulwa Mental Health Unit (DMHU).

FMHS is made up of the Mental Health Court Assessment and Liaison Service (MHCALS), Forensic Consultation and Intervention Service (FoCIS), Fixated Threat Assessment Team (FTAT) and Custodial Mental Health Services.

Key responsibilities

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

• Be available to participate in both a daytime and an after-hours roster to provide high quality clinical forensic mental health and related services
• Provide specialised assessment and care for people presenting to the above services within a multidisciplinary setting
• Provide clinical collegial support to the MDT clinicians
• Teach and supervise psychiatry trainees and medical students as relevant
• Liaise and collaborate with medical practitioners, non-government organisations and government agencies concerned with care of adults with mental illness
• Participate in clinical governance activities and as a medical representative of the Division as required
• 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

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the following.

• Adaptability and flexibility to accommodate change and provide responsive services to meet clients needs
• Displays critical thinking skills and forms defensible conclusions based on evidence and sound judgement
• Effective communication skills and the ability to develop and maintain networks across Canberra Health Services and with external parties
• Ability to work within multi-disciplinary and management teams and adapt quickly to a changing environment, including managing confidential and sensitive information.

Qualifications

Essential

• MBBS or equivalent
• Registered or eligible for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).
• Must have at least seven years (full time equivalent) clinical post graduate experience
• Minimum four years’ experience as a Senior Career Medical Officer
• Experience or knowledge of the CHS Exceptional Care Framework, Clinical Governance Framework, and all other related frameworks.

Desirable

• Prior experience in a forensic setting
• Knowledge of the Mental Health Act 2015 and other related legislation
• 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. Proven experience in the provision of specialist mental health care across a range of settings, including forensic, with a demonstrably strong commitment to working with consumers, carers and key stakeholders. This includes having a highly developed communication and interpersonal skills
2. Demonstrated commitment to the maintenance and further development of skills applicable to the area of specialization, including involvement in further education and quality assurance activities to the standard expected of a career medical officer
3. Demonstrated capacity to work as part of a multidisciplinary team, whilst providing leadership in clinical care, systems and MDT management and participating in the mandatory requirements of medical officers within the Division
4. Demonstrated experience and commitment in the provision of teaching at all levels, including medical, nursing, scientific and allied health professional staff, both postgraduate and undergraduates.
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.