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 position of Senior Resident Medical Officer in Rehabilitation Medicine commencing February 2027. Contracts will be offered for one year with possible extension. To be eligible for this position you must be PGY3+ by February 2027, prior to the commencement of the role.

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 daily management of patients admitted under their supervising unit with the support of registrars and senior specialist staff – clerkship (admission, discharge, ward round) and manage routine ward tasks with indirect supervision of Staff Specialist
• Provide support to other junior medical officers and members of a multi-disciplinary team on each ward.
• Provide supervision of junior medical staff and ANU medical students, performing their duties within the units.
• Demonstrate commitment to training and continuing professional development including participation in relevant teaching programs, activities, and feedback opportunities
• Participate in the HERO (Hospital Emergency Response Officer) team response to the deteriorating patient.
• 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

• Good communications skills- both verbal and written
• Be able to work with a multidisciplinary team
• Be approachable and professional when faced with complex demands

Qualifications

Essential

• MBBS or equivalent
• Registered or eligible for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).
• At the time of commencement of employment, must be in third postgraduate year or above in experience level, and have sufficient experience to supervise junior medical staff independently
• A Valid Driver’s Licence (will need to travel to other hospitals for consultation / liaison service).

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 clinical experience in Rehabilitation and/or General Medicine and/or General Surgery at a teaching hospital level.
2. Proven clinical experience in the management of medical emergencies with appropriate training or qualifications commensurate to level of experience.
3. Ability to communicate with carers, family members and other professionals regarding complex, multidimensional impairments, disabilities and activity participation restrictions.
4. 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.