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 2027 clinical year commencing February 2027 for a period of 12 months with possible extension. To be eligible to apply for this position, applicants must be PGY4+ by February 2027.

The Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit at Canberra Hospital, the tertiary referral hospital for ACT and southeastern NSW, provides consultative and endoscopic services for persons with digestive diseases, including liver and biliary tract disease.

The Unit provides:

• Inpatient care of patients with gastroenterological diseases
• Consulting service
• Endoscopic procedures (including ERCP and EUS)
• Clinics for patients with liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, inherited gastrointestinal cancer and complex gastrointestinal disorders and pancreato-biliary disorders; and
• Clinics, support and follow up for participants in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.

This is a one-year position intended for a trainee who has completed their basic physician training and is looking for further advanced training in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, with potential for extension. The position is accredited for Gastroenterology and Hepatology training with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP), Gastroenterology. Successful applicants are expected to be committed to completing training in gastroenterology.

The primary function of the position is to provide high quality clinical care to both inpatients and outpatients within the Canberra Health Services network. The successful applicant will be expected to contribute to the unit’s on-call roster, inpatient care and endoscopy service as well as playing a leading role in the scientific and quality assurance meetings.  They will be expected to play a major part in the multi-disciplinary care of patients, particularly those that are acutely ill.  They will also be involved in education and research activities, will provide clinical support and set a professional example to more junior clinical staff.

An advanced training position is a leadership role with significant responsibility. As an advanced trainee, you represent the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology in your hospital, as well as your respective consultants. You should be an exemplary role model for all basic trainees and always find time to mentor your junior colleagues. You should present yourself as the consummate professional with patient care, safety and confidentiality at the heart of everything you do. You will be required to manage both inpatient and outpatient care simultaneously and delegate effectively where appropriate.

It will be expected that the successful applicant will take up the position with a research plan already developed and that they will publish at least one paper in a peer reviewed journal during the year and present at a national or international conference. Applicants are advised to familiarise themselves with the research interests of the Unit and to make specific enquiries regarding their proposed research. A developed research plan is likely to be highly regarded by the Appointments Committee. In addition to several ongoing areas of clinical and endoscopy research, the Unit has a well-developed laboratory-based research program in liver research (fatty liver, hepatocellular carcinoma, and ischaemia-reperfusion injury), inflammatory bowel disease (macrophage function) and gastrointestinal cancer.

Key responsibilities

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

• Provide competent and efficient clinical management of patients under the supervision and direction of Consultant Physicians. Clinical duties will include assessment and management acute presentations, in-patient care, diagnosis and management of patients in outpatient clinics, consultations and clinical handover.
• Participate in the supervision, training and professional development of junior medical staff and participate in the teaching of medical students attached to the GEHU.
• Demonstrate progress in training in the specialty including participation in the relevant teaching program and activities, timely completion of assessments and involvement in research.
• Have currency in an Advanced Life Support Course or attain this within three months of commencement with annual refreshers.
• Participate in the GEHU after-hours and on-call roster including weekend shifts.
• Contribute to clinical audit and participate in changes that improve quality and safety of patient care.
• Comply with the policies and requirements of the Medical Board of Australia and the policies of Canberra Health Services.
• 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

Qualifications

Essential

• Must have an Australian MBBS medical degree or equivalent
• Hold General Registration with the Ahpra and trainee registration with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP)
• Successful completion of the RACP written and clinical examinations and basic physician training
• Has completed the equivalent of at least three years of relevant full time clinical experience

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.

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 theoretical knowledge and clinical judgment
2. Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary clinical team - diligence, punctuality, organization, record keeping, time management, problem solving skills, teamwork
3. Excellent communication (verbal and written) with patients, their families, medical and non-medical colleagues
4. Demonstrated ability to provide empathetic and expert clinical care.
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.