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, for a period of 12 months, with possible extension. To be eligible to apply for this position you must be PGY7+ by February 2027.

The Canberra Hospital is a tertiary referral and teaching hospital within the ACT. The Department of General Surgery is part of the Division of Surgery, which comprises all the major surgical subspecialties most with accredited training programs.

The Department of General Surgery exists of three elective units (General Surgery/Breast & Endocrine, Colorectal and Upper GI & HPB) as well as an Acute Surgical Unit and the Shock Trauma Service. As the Post Graduate Fellow, you will be working alongside unaccredited and accredited registrars and consultants with the aim to deliver a 24/7 comprehensive service to the community.

During the year you will rotate in four months rotations in Emergency General Surgery Unit at The Canberra Hospital, Emergency General Surgery Unit at North Canberra Hospital and The Trauma Service.

Key responsibilities

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

• Provide competent and efficient clinical management of patients of Canberra Health Services under the supervision and direction of Consultant Medical Practitioner. The clinical management includes acute admissions, in-patient care, outpatient clinics, inter -disciplinary consults and clinical handover
• Participate in the supervision, training and professional development of junior medical staff and participate in undergraduate & postgraduate teaching as directed by Professor of Surgery/Unit Director. Maintain adequate and legible medical records and ensure that the clinical team completes discharge summaries in a timely manner
• Demonstrate progress in training in the specialty including participation in the relevant teaching program and activities, timely completion of assessments and involvement in research
• Currency in an Advanced Life Support Course to be attained within three months of commencement with annual refreshers
• Contribute to clinical audit and participate in changes that improve quality and safety of patient care
• Comply with the policies and requirements of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and the policies of Canberra Health Services. This includes the promotion and application of workplace relations, workplace equity and diversity and workplace safety
• 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

• A drive to excel.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills, with an ability to negotiate and manage conflict.
• Self-reflective, with a capacity to scan for new ideas.

Qualifications

Essential

• Must have an Australian MBBS medical degree or equivalent
• Registered or eligible for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).
• To be successful in this position, it is expected that the successful candidate will follow the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons core competencies:
  • Collaboration and Teamwork
  • Communication
  • Health advocacy
  • Judgment – clinical decision making
  • Management and Leadership
  • Medical expertise
  • Professionalism and Ethics
  • Scholarship and Teaching
  • Technical expertise

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. Demonstrated commitment to the maintenance and further development of skills applicable to the area of Surgery, including involvement in further education and quality assurance activities.
2. Post graduate surgical and academic qualifications and experience relevant to the position.
3. A commitment to the importance and provision of teaching at all levels, including medical, nursing, scientific and allied health professional staff, both postgraduate and undergraduate.
4. Demonstrated commitment to research.
5. Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team and provide leadership where required
6. 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.