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 2026, for a period of 12 months with possible extension. To be eligible for this position you must be PGY3 by February 2027.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• To be eligible for this position you must be PGY3+ by February 2027.
• Applicants will be shortlisted, followed by interviews, and placed on a merit list. The same recruitment round and merit ranking will be used to offer accredited registrar and unaccredited registrar positions, subject to the number of vacant positions available in 2027.
• PGY3 applicants, who are not successful for an accredited Junior registrar position, will revert to a Senior Resident Medical Officer classification*

Mental Health, Justice Health and Alcohol and Drug Services (MHJHADS) of Canberra Health Services (CHS) delivers health services directly and through partnerships with community organisations, spanning prevention, treatment, recovery, maintenance and harm minimisation. Consumer and carer participation is embedded in service planning and delivery, with MHJHADS working closely with consumers, carers, and government and non‑government providers to achieve optimal client outcomes. Services are delivered across multiple settings, including hospital inpatient and outpatient services, community health centres, detention centres and other community-based locations, including people’s homes.

If appointed to an accredited psychiatry training position, you will work across a series of RANZCP accredited psychiatry training posts under the supervision of accredited RANZCP supervisors. All RANZCP Fellowship requirements can be completed within the ACT RANZCP Training program, and ACT RANZCP trainees will have access to the ACT RANZCP Formal Education Course, which is free and exclusively offered to trainees of the ACT RANZCP Training Program.

Key responsibilities

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

• Provide competent and efficient clinical management of clients of MHJHADS under the supervision of more senior medical staff, including:
  • assessment and management of people presenting to the emergency department and admissions,
  • providing in-patient care, including working in the multidisciplinary team to plan treatment and care.
  • attending outpatient clinics to review patients and plan appropriate treatment/management, including appropriate follow-up care.
  • supporting interdisciplinary consultations to the general hospital, and
  • undertaking clinical handover, including clinical documentation and discharge letters.
• Work within and support the multidisciplinary clinical team, and collaborate with other areas within the service, including the Emergency Department, hospital wards and other agencies.
• Demonstrate progress in RANZCP training, including participation in the relevant education program and activities, and timely completion of assessments.
• Involvement in research and quality improvement activities.
• 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 the supervision, training, and professional development of junior medical staff, including unaccredited registrars, resident medical officers, interns and medical students.
• Maintain currency in all essential CHS training, including Basic Life Support.
• Participate in the after-hours, ECT, and on-call registrar rosters.
• Comply with the policies and requirements of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and policies of the ACT Health Directorate. This includes the promotion and application of workplace relations, workplace equity and diversity and workplace safety.
• 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 reflective capacity with an ability to incorporate feedback into lifelong learning.
• Clinical curiosity which drives the attainment of knowledge and skills and improves understanding of individual clients in a recovery framework.
• Compassion and empathy for the clients of the service, and their families and carers.
• Adaptability and flexibility to accommodate change and provide responsive services to meet health service and client needs.
• Demonstrated 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

• Must have an Australian MBBS medical degree or equivalent
• Registered or eligible for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).
• Eligible to join RANZCP training or be eligible by the time of commencement of the post
• Must have completed at least two years clinical practice

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. Demonstrated well-developed communication and interpersonal skills.
2. Demonstrated experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team, including provision of leadership where required
3. Demonstrated participation in research, teaching, and involvement in further education and quality assurance activities.
4. Demonstrated an interest in, and commitment to, the continued development of skills relevant to Mental Health practice.
5. Demonstrated understanding of, and adherence to, safety and quality standards, Work Health and Safety requirements, and the delivery of positive patient experience, with behaviour consistent with Canberra Health Service values of reliable, progressive, respectful, and kind.

How to apply

Because of the small size of the ACT RANZCP training program, applications for a Psychiatry Registrar position with Canberra Health Service (CHS) and applications for RANZCP training are considered concurrently.

Applying for a position with Canberra Health Services

• Applications must be submitted via CHS e-recruitment system.
• Applications must include:
  • A current resume`
  • A pitch of no more than two pages outlining your skills, knowledge, experience, and suitability for the role.
• When preparing your pitch, address the ‘key selection criteria’ and where possible, include clear and relevant examples from your clinical and other experiences.
• If you are applying to RANZCP training for the first time, please review the “How to Apply” section on the RANZCP website to confirm you meet entry requirements.

Applying to commence RANZCP training

Please email CHS.PsychRegTraining@act.gov.au to request an ‘Application to Commence RANZCP Training – ACT RANZCP form’. This form must be completed and submitted as part of your application.

Applying to transfer RANZCP training to the ACT

If you are a current RANZCP trainee seeking to transfer to the ACT RANZCP program, you only need to apply for the position with Canberra Health Services.

• You are encouraged to clearly outline in your application:
  • Your RANZCP training trajectory/RANZCP training record
  • Your RANZCP training needs and outstanding mandatory training requirements.

Referee requirements

• A single set of referee reports will be used for both CHS employment and RANZCP training.
• Three referee reports are required and must be submitted on RANZCP referee report forms.
• At least one referee must be your current direct supervisor.
• Referee details must be included in the initial application or resume`.

Trainees transferring to the ACT must also provide:

• A referee report from their current or most recent RANZCP Director of Training.
• A letter of good standing from their training zone outlining their training record.
• RANZCP referee report forms can be requested and should be completed by referees and sent directly to CHS.PsychRegTraining@act.gov.au

ACT RANZCP Branch Training Committee and Director of Training Office Contact:

ACT RANZCP Branch Training Contact: Office of Director of Psychiatry Training

Email: CHS.PsychRegTraining@act.gov.au

CHS, MJHHADS Medical Recruitment Team-  CHS.MHJHADSMedicalRecruitment@act.gov.au

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.