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 a night CMO role for the 2027 clinical year, commencing February 2027, for one-year with possible extension. To be eligible to apply you must be PGY4+ by February 2027.

The successful applicant will be required for the night medical cover at UCH (2030-0830 hours) on a week-on, week-off roster.

The University of Canberra Hospital: Specialist Centre for Rehabilitation, Recovery and Research (UCH) is Canberra’s first, purpose-built rehabilitation hospital.

UCH is the largest rehabilitation centre in the ACT and surrounds, with capacity for 140 inpatient beds, 75-day places and additional outpatient services. The hospital brings together rehabilitation services and specialist staff from many locations across Canberra into one purpose-built location - making it easier for people to access the services they need. UCH provides subacute services including Rehabilitation (inpatient, outpatient, day programmes), Geriatric Evaluation and Management and Adult Mental Health Rehabilitation subacute services.

Staffing

Six Staff specialist Consultants in Rehabilitation Medicine and two Consultant Geriatricians will provide supervision for the Career Medical Officers, Registrars and Resident Medical Officers (RMOs). A team of Staff Specialist Psychiatrists (1.5FTE), one Psychiatry registrar and one RMO support the Adult Mental Health Rehabilitation Unit (AMHRU) during business hours.

There are currently 120 beds in the Rehabilitation Wards and 20 beds in an adjacent Mental Health / Psychiatry ward.

Stromlo Ward (30 beds)

• Neurorehabilitation: stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, neurodegenerative disease, peripheral neuropathy and neuromuscular / demyelinating disorders.

Majura Ward (30 beds)

• Geriatric evaluation and management, postoperative care following joint replacement or hip fracture, cognitive and functional decline, frailty

Namadgi Ward (30 beds)

• General rehabilitation: Musculoskeletal impairment, multiple trauma, amputation, joint replacement, physical deconditioning and sarcopenia

Cotter Ward (30 beds)

• Maintenance level care (weight bearing restrictions, post-rehabilitation care), awaiting community service provision or accommodation.

AMHRU (20 beds)

• Voluntary mental health admissions with subacute rehabilitation needs.

Key responsibilities

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

• Provide continuity of care overnight for patients admitted under their supervising units with the support on-site After Hours Hospital Manager (AHHM), On-call Staff Specialist, and in collaboration with JMO staff providing clinical handover (day / evening teams).
• Provide timely and comprehensive ward-based medical care (clerkship, diagnosis, management) and escalate / communicate new and acute medical concerns as appropriate (On-call staff specialist, emergency department, surgical, medical, psychiatry).
• Recognise and respond to acutely deteriorating patients in a subacute setting to initiate management and plan ongoing care as part of the Hospital Emergency Response Officer (HERO) team.
• 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 communications skills- both verbal and written
• Ability to work collaboratively with senior nursing and medical staff while managing the demands of an overnight subacute hospital
• Be approachable and professional when faced with complex demands.

Qualifications

Essential

• MBBS or equivalent
• Eligibility for unconditional registration as a Medical Practitioner with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra)
• Must be postgraduate year four or above in clinical experience

Desirable

• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.
• Proficient computer literacy skills, as you will be responsible for completing clinical documentation in the DHR and using other CHS IT systems.
• 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.
• Where required be registered under the Working with Vulnerable People Act

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.
• Maintain professional conduct in accordance with Ahpra and Medical Board of Australia guidelines.
• 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 clinical experience in Rehabilitation and/or General Medicine and/or General Surgery at a teaching hospital level.
2. Demonstrated ability to provide leadership and commitment to work as a team member in a multidisciplinary environment.
3. Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with carers, family members and other professionals regarding complex medical, physical and functional impairments and their management.
4. Demonstrated commitment to the maintenance and further development of skills applicable to the area of specialisation, including involvement in further education and continuing professional development.
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.