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 you must be PGY4+ by February 2027.

Currently the Orthopaedic Trauma Service is provided by 10 on-call VMOs who supervise a team of five AOA-accredited registrars and 10 non-accredited registrars. During the day these registrars cover the operating room (both elective and non-elective), outpatient clinics (elective and fracture), emergency department reviews, a ‘registrar review clinic’ (urgent ambulatory conditions) and supervise junior medical officers looking after approx. 50 inpatients.

Key responsibilities

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

Inpatient Care and Ward Management

• Conduct daily ward rounds of all orthopaedic inpatients, including pre- and post-operative patients.
• Admit and examine all new admissions, taking a thorough history and performing a relevant clinical examination.
• Order and follow up all appropriate investigations (bloods, imaging, pathology) in a timely manner.
• Ensure clear, accurate, and contemporaneous documentation in all medical records.
• Initiate and coordinate discharge planning in collaboration with the patient, nursing staff, allied health, and family or carers.
• Arrange and document appropriate post-discharge follow-up including outpatient appointments, community referrals, and GP communications.
• Prepare and supervise timely discharge summaries in accordance with hospital policy.
• Communicate promptly with surgical registrars, advanced medical officer (AMO) or consultant regarding any clinically significant changes in a patient's condition.

Theatre and Procedural Duties

• Prepare patients appropriately for theatre, including completion of consent and pre-operative documentation.
• Assist with wound care, plaster/casting application, traction, and other ward-based procedures under supervision.
• Participate in after-hours and on-call theatre lists as rostered.
• Provide operative assistance as first or second assistant during elective and emergency orthopaedic procedures, unless otherwise directed.

Outpatient and Emergency Department Duties

• Liaise with the orthopaedic registrar or consultant on-call regarding Emergency Department referrals and urgent admissions.
• Assist with assessment and management of orthopaedic presentations in the Emergency Department, including trauma, joint infections, and acute musculoskeletal pathology.
• Attend fracture clinic and orthopaedic outpatient clinics as rostered (typically a minimum of twice per week).

Research and Education

• Participate in trauma-related research projects, with an emphasis on evidence-based patient care.

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

• Maintain a co-operative relationship with the Emergency Department.
• Participate in the after-hours and on-call roster.
• Demonstrate commitment to training and continuing professional development including participation in relevant teaching programs, activities, and feedback opportunities, involvement in research, and teaching of junior medical staff and/or medical students

Qualifications

Essential

• MBBS or equivalent
• Registered or eligible for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).
• You must be PGY4+ prior to the commencement of the role.
• Currency in an Advanced Life Support Course to be attained within three months of commencement with annual refreshers.

Desirable

• Post graduate surgical and academic qualifications and experience relevant to the position.
• 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, Clinical Governance 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 commitment to the maintenance and further development of skills applicable to the area of Orthopaedic Surgery, including involvement in further education and quality assurance activities.
2. 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.
3. Demonstrated commitment to research.
4. Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team and provide leadership where required.
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.