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 Neonatal Department at Canberra Hospital is seeking applications for Neonatal Registrar positions for an initial period of 12 months from February 2027 or August 2027, with the possibility of extension. Applicants must be PGY4 or above at the commencement of the position.

Applications are encouraged from neonatal trainees, paediatric basic trainees, and paediatric advanced trainees. Advanced trainees in Emergency Medicine, Intensive Care Medicine, and Anaesthetics with relevant clinical experience are also encouraged to apply.

Canberra Health Services (CHS) is committed to delivering high-quality, effective, and person-centred care across acute, sub-acute, primary, and community healthcare settings throughout the ACT and surrounding regions. The Canberra Hospital provides tertiary neonatal services to the ACT and surrounding regions of New South Wales. With approximately 3,500 births annually, it serves as the principal referral centre for high-risk pregnancies and is the region's only tertiary neonatal service, supporting a population with approximately 10,000 deliveries each year.

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Special Care Nursery manage 700-800 admissions annually, including approximately 300 infants requiring respiratory support. The service comprises 21 intensive care/high-dependency beds and 18 special care nursery beds.

The department is supported by a multidisciplinary team including ten Neonatologists, four Neonatal Advanced Trainees, a Senior Career Medical Officer (SCMO), a Career Medical Officer (CMO) ten Neonatal Registrars, four transitional nurse practitioners and three Senior Resident Medical Officers (SRMOs).

Registrars will gain extensive experience across the full spectrum of neonatal care within a supportive, collaborative, and dynamic tertiary care environment. The department maintains a strong commitment to education, offering comprehensive teaching opportunities in both Neonatology and Paediatrics. Participation in teaching and research activities is strongly encouraged and well supported by our service.

Key responsibilities

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

• Provide competent and efficient clinical management of patients of the ACT Health Directorate under the supervision of Consultant Medical Practitioner(s). Clinical management will include acute admissions, in-patient care, outpatient clinics, inter-disciplinary consults, and clinical handover. Participate in the roster including day, evening, night, and weekend shifts.
• Contribute to clinical audit and participate in changes that improve quality and safety of patient care.
• Maintain adequate and legible medical records and ensure that the clinical team completes high quality, accurate discharge summaries and clinic letters in a timely manner.
• 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

• Demonstrate progress in training in the relevant specialty including participation in the neonatal teaching program and activities, timely completion of assessments and involvement in research.
• Participate in the supervision and education of junior medical staff (junior registrars and SRMOs) and medical students
• Demonstrate commitment to training and continuing professional development including participation in relevant teaching programs, activities, and feedback opportunities,
• Work within and support the multidisciplinary clinical team. Maintain a co-operative relationship with referral centers and other departments at the Canberra Hospital including paediatric medicine, paediatric surgery, emergency department and anesthetics.
• Comply with the policies and requirements of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and policies of the ACT Health Directorate. This includes the promotion and application of workplace relations, workplace equity and diversity and workplace safety.

Qualifications

Essential

• MBBS or equivalent
• Registered or eligible for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).
• PGY 4+ at the commencement of the position

Desirable

• Strong organisational skills with a high degree of drive
• Adaptability and flexibility to accommodate change and provide responsive services to meet clients’ needs
• 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. Demonstrated commitment to the maintenance and further development of skills applicable to the area of Neonatology, including involvement in further education and quality assurance activities.
2. Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team and provide leadership where required.
3. Demonstrate a commitment to research or audit with previous work or planned projects.
4. A commitment to the importance and provision of teaching including medical, nursing, scientific and allied health professional staff at all levels including postgraduate and undergraduate.
5. Demonstrates understanding of, and adherence to, safety and quality standards, Work Health and Safety and the positive patient experience. Displays behavior 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.