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 one year with possible extension. To be eligible to apply for this position, applicants must be PGY7+ by February 2027.

The Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit at Canberra Hospital provides consultative and endoscopic services for persons with digestive diseases, including liver and biliary tract disease.

The Unit provides:

1. Inpatient care of patients with gastroenterological diseases.
2. Consulting service.
3. Endoscopic procedures.
4. Clinics for patients with liver disease, IBD, inherited gastrointestinal cancer and complex gastrointestinal disorders; and
5. Clinics, support and follow up for participants in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.

The Hepatology Service

The hepatology service is very well established with 5 consultants and 3 full-time equivalent registered nurses who manage both inpatients and outpatients. The outpatient clinics are being expanded into a multidisciplinary service with access to dietetic and other allied health. There are several clinical and lab based research opportunities available, particularly in the field of hepatocellular carcinoma, MASLD, viral hepatitis and autoimmune hepatitis. There are fortnightly multidisciplinary team-based HCC meetings and weekly case discussions.

This is a one-year position intended for an RACP Post Graduate Fellow who has completed the three-year Gastroenterology Advanced Training program and has Conjoint Committee for the Recognition of Training in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (CCRTGE) Certification for gastroscopy and colonoscopy.

The Hepatology Training Program seeks to train the future leaders in hepatology management and will provide the Post Graduate Fellow with the opportunity to develop skills in managing complex liver patients and working collaboratively within MDTs.

To that end, the major goals are to:

• Develop expertise in the management of patients with acute and chronic liver diseases as both inpatients and outpatients.
• Participate in clinical trials of new agents for the treatment of these conditions.
• Develop skills in clinical and/or basic scientific research in these conditions.

Clinical duties will include outpatient liver clinics, ward consults particularly relating to liver patients, review of patients requiring regular paracentesis, attendance at weekly liver rounds and fortnightly multidisciplinary HCC meetings and other duties encompassed in the clinical management of liver patients.

In addition to this, the successful applicant would be required to lead a Rapid Access Clinic, a general gastroenterology clinic and independently perform at least two general endoscopy lists per week.   They will be expected to contribute to other activities including participating in the general on-call roster, inpatient care, as well as attend scientific and quality assurance meetings.

The successful candidate will be expected to spend 50% of time in a service role and 50% as the Hepatology Fellow.

The Hepatology Fellow will be expected to partake in active research projects that are currently in progress within the unit and to initiate their own projects. It is 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. The fellow would also be able to be expected to be involved in developing protocols for liver disease management

Key responsibilities

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

• Provide competent and efficient clinical management of patients independently and in consultation with other consultant physicians. Clinical duties will include assessment and management of 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.
• Assist in the training of specialty, including participation in the relevant teaching program and activities in addition to involvement in research.
• Participate in the GEHU after-hours and on-call roster as directed by the Director of GEHU.
• Contribute to clinical audit and participate in changes that improve quality and safety of patient care.
• Comply with the 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
• Registered or eligible for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
• Completed the three-year Gastroenterology Advanced Training programme and have the Conjoint Committee for the Recognition of Training in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (CCRTGE) certification for gastroscopy and colonoscopy.
• Have currency in an Advanced Life Support Course or attain this within three months of commencement with annual refreshers.
• Must be at least PGY7+ or equivalent

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. Proven excellent theoretical knowledge and clinical judgment regarding the management of IBD patients.
2. Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary clinical team - diligence, punctuality, organisation, record keeping, time management, problem solving skills, teamwork
3. Excellent communication (verbal and written) with patients, their families, medical and non-medical colleagues with the ability to provide empathetic and expert clinical care.
4. Demonstrated commitment to Advanced Training education, research, teaching and continuous quality improvement.
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.