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 for this position you must be PGY3+ from February 2027.

PLEASE NOTE:  This position is not accredited for radiation oncology training as prescribed by the Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Radiologists and will be based at the Canberra Hospital only.

For candidates currently undergoing palliative medicine training, accreditation can be sought from the Royal Australasian College of Physicians to recognize a six-month period towards their training.

The Radiation Oncology Department at the Canberra Hospital treats around 1800 new patients per annum and is equipped with four Varian megavoltage linear accelerators – capable of delivering cranial stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), with Brainlab Exactrac Dynamic Image Guidance, and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and a kilovoltage superficial machine. Available technologies include volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy, image guided radiotherapy (IGRT), cone-beam CT (CBCT), gated and free breathing 4D-CT. The medical team consists of 8.2 FTE Radiation Oncologists, 5-7 Registrars/SRMOs and 1 RMO. There are weekly/fortnightly clinical audit meetings, journal clubs, multi-disciplinary meetings for most tumour streams, and educational sessions. As an integral part of the Canberra Region Cancer Centre, the Radiation Oncology Department liaises closely with the departments of Medical Oncology, Haematology, Surgical subspecialties and Palliative Care.

The Radiation Oncology Department at the Canberra Hospital provides a robust in-house formal and informal registrar teaching program and encourages registrars and SRMOs to attend the Basic Sciences in Oncology Course (BSOC) in Sydney.

Responsibility Statement:

Responsible to: Clinical Director of Radiation Oncology Department, Director of Training (DOT), and Clinical Supervisors (Radiation Oncologists).

Responsible for: Management of patients in outpatient and inpatient settings under the supervision of Staff Specialist Radiation Oncologists, and for supervising junior medical officers on Radiation Oncology rotation

Key responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following, under the supervision of senior clinicians:

1. Purpose of Position:

   The position has a large clinical component and the SRMO is expected to:

   • provide outpatient and inpatient consultation services in the specialized field of radiation oncology.
   • provide safe and holistic care to our patients.
   • develop radiation treatment planning skills under the supervision of a Radiation Oncologist.
   • present patients in multidisciplinary and quality assurance meetings.
   • communicate effectively with all members of the multi-disciplinary team.
   • participate in clinical research.
   • achieve satisfactory term assessments.
   • participate in the after-hours radiation oncology registrar on-call roster.
2. Key Accountabilities:
   • Clinical: High level patient care, maintaining accurate and timely medical records.
   • Performance: Maintaining high standard of professional behaviour assessed with supervisor assessments and multi-source feedback.
   • Education and Training: Participate in training and education sessions within the Radiation Oncology Department.
   • Research: Participate in research and clinical trials.
   • Administrative: Presenting at multidisciplinary meetings, maintaining inpatient statistics, entering data into oncology information management systems.
3. Challenges/Problem Solving:
   • The SRMO will be required to effectively prioritise their clinical, training and research responsibilities and manage complex clinical problems under supervision.
4. Communication:
   • SRMO will be expected to communicate effectively with patients and their relatives, other medical staff, radiation therapist, medical physicists, nursing staff, clerical team, and allied health staff. They will be required to attend and present at multidisciplinary meetings and education sessions.
5. Decision Making:
   • SRMO will be responsible for management of patients in inpatient and outpatient settings of the cancer centre. They will be required to supervise the junior medical staff.  At all times SRMO will be assigned to one clinical supervi

• 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 written and verbal communication skills
• Strong critical thinking skills
• Ability to make informed sensible decisions

Qualifications

Essential

• MBBS or equivalent
• Registered or eligible for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).
• Successfully completed at least two years full time equivalent employment as a medical practitioner
• Medical work experience in Australia

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 excellent clinical skills, judgment, and expertise.
2. Demonstrated teamwork within a multidisciplinary team in a complex and challenging clinical environment, with high level time management, problem solving, and communication skills.
3. Preparedness and ability to work independently in a supervised environment.
4. Demonstrated interest and willingness to teach junior medical staff and participate in research.
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.