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 one year, with the possibility of extension. To be eligible to apply for this position, you must be PGY4+ by February 2027.

The Department of Paediatrics and Child Health is the principal centre for children’s medical and surgical services in the ACT. There is a large and energetic inpatient department for Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine and Surgery, with 44 beds. The outpatient department has been developed to reflect current out-patient models of care and gives trainees broad exposure to a range of general and subspecialty paediatrics, including paediatric endocrinology and respiratory and sleep medicine. Visiting subspecialists conduct clinics allowing for exposure to a broad range of other paediatric subspecialties including oncology/haematology, neurology, rheumatology and cardiology. The department also provides an innovative teaching program for students from the Australian National University Medical School.

The Department of Paediatrics provides general paediatric services to approximately 450 in-patients and 1800 out-patients each month. The Department is staffed by staff specialists (11 FTE General Paediatrics, 2.3 FTE Endocrinology, 0.8 FTE Gastroenterology and General Paediatrics, 0.6 FTEs Respiratory and General Paediatrics), a General Paediatric Senior Registrar, 12 Registrars and 10 SRMO/Residents. The Canberra Hospital has 44 in-patient paediatric beds (High Care, Medical, Adolescent and Surgical) and a busy 15 room outpatient department. It also has an 8 bed Hospital in the Home (HITH).

The department is accredited for training with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. The department is not a tertiary paediatric department.

We can offer rural rotations to Goulburn (NSW) and Albury, six-month rotations to NICU, three-month rotations through Paediatric Emergency at Canberra Hospital and three-month rotations to the Children’s Hospital at Westmead to fulfil college requirements.

Key responsibilities

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

• Provide competent and efficient clinical management of patients of the CHS under the supervision and direction of a Consultant Medical Practitioner(s). 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 medical students.
• Demonstrate progress in training in the specialty including participation in relevant teaching programs and activities, timely completion of assessments and involvement in research.
• 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.
• Contribute to clinical audit and participate in changes that improve quality and safety of patient care.
• Maintain adequate and legible medical record and ensure that the clinical team completes discharge summaries 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

• Excellent communication skills and demonstrated ability to consult effectively with other health professionals.
• Demonstrated enthusiasm for and abilities in teaching.
• Demonstrated commitment to further education and professional development.
• Basic computer skills

Qualifications

Essential

• Must have an Australian MBBS medical degree or equivalent
• Registered or eligible for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).
• Advanced Paediatric Life Support or equivalent
• Tertiary qualifications or equivalent in Australia and eligibility for membership of the appropriate professional organisation and must hold a current driver’s license.
• Has completed the equivalent of at least three years of relevant full time clinical experience

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 commitment to advanced clinical abilities and commitment in Paediatrics.
2. Excellent communication skills and demonstrated ability to liaise effectively with other health professionals.
3. Demonstrated capacity to work as part of a multidisciplinary team, whilst providing leadership in clinical care, systems management and participating in the mandatory requirements of medical officers within the division.
4. Proven commitment to the maintenance and further development of skills applicable to the area of specialisation, including involvement in further education, professional development and quality assurance activities
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.