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 invited for Neonatal Advanced Trainee positions commencing in February 2027.

To be eligible for a Neonatal Advanced Trainee position (equivalent to a ‘provisional fellow’ position), applicants must be PGY7+ at the commencement date of the role and have at least one year of neonatal intensive care experience.

The Department provides tertiary neonatal care to the ACT and surrounding region, serving a population with approximately 10,000 births annually. Canberra Hospital is the region's principal referral centre for high-risk pregnancies, with around 3,500 deliveries each year. The Centre for Newborn Care has 39 beds (21 NICU/HDU and 18 Special Care Nursery) and admits 700-800 infants annually, including approximately 300 requiring respiratory support. The department is staffed by ten Neonatologists (7.1 FTE), four Neonatal Advanced Trainees, one Senior Career Medical Officer, one Career Medical Officer, ten Neonatal Registrars, 4 transitional nurse practitioners and three Senior Resident Medical Officers. Opportunities for neonatal research are available and strongly encouraged

The Neonatal Advanced Trainee will gain broad experience across all aspects of tertiary neonatal care in a supportive and dynamic environment. Training opportunities include neonatal surgery (excluding cardiac surgery), neonatal retrievals through NETS ACT/NSW, clinician-performed ultrasound, and attendance at NICU Growth and Development Clinics. These positions are accredited for 2 years of Advanced Training in Neonatal and Perinatal Medicine with the RACP.

A key focus of the advanced trainee role is developing transition-to-consultant skills through leadership of ward rounds, participation in the after-hours and on-call roster (including first on-call responsibilities for Neonatology and NETS), high-risk antenatal counselling, quality improvement, open disclosure, research, and clinician-performed ultrasound.

The successful applicant will contribute to the supervision, teaching and professional development of junior medical staff and medical students, and participate in the department's active teaching, quality improvement and research programs. They will participate in the after-hours and on-call roster and support key administrative functions, including maintaining accurate discharge summaries and coordinating registrar and journal club rosters. The trainee will be responsible for ensuring timely and accurate discharge summaries, and for coordinating registrar and journal club rosters

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 and direction 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 after hours, retrieval and on call roster.
• Contribute to clinical audit and quality improvement activities 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 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

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the following.

• Work within and provide leadership to the multidisciplinary clinical team. Maintain a co-operative relationship with referral centres and other departments at the Canberra Hospital including paediatric medicine, paediatric surgery, emergency department, anaesthetics, and adult intensive care.
• Demonstrate progress in training in the specialty including participation in the neonatal teaching program and activities, timely completion of assessments and involvement in research.
• Participate in the supervision, training and professional development of junior medical staff including paediatric trainees, basic trainees and SRMOs.

Qualifications

Essential

• MBBS or equivalent
• Registered or eligible for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).
• To be eligible for this position you must be PGY 7+ at the commencement date of the role
• At least one years’ clinical experience in neonatal intensive care.

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.
• 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 clinical experience and sound knowledge of evidence-based practice in Neonatology.
2. Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development, including the maintenance and advancement of skills relevant to Neonatology through continuing education, quality improvement and clinical governance activities.
3. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team and demonstrate leadership appropriate to level of training and experience.
4. Demonstrated interest in research, audit or quality improvement, with evidence of previous involvement or a commitment to undertaking projects during the appointment.
5. Commitment to education and teaching, including the supervision and support of medical students, junior medical staff, nursing, allied health and other healthcare professionals
6. Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to safety and quality in healthcare, including Work Health and Safety principles, patient-centered care, and behaviors consistent with Canberra Health Services' values of being 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.