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.

The Capital Region Retrieval Service (CRRS) provides the medical crewing for the principle rescue helicopter for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and Greater Southern New South Wales (NSW). The SouthCare Helicopter is one of eight identical aircraft that service the rescue and retrieval functions for the southern half of NSW and the ACT. The helicopter service has a high primary trauma workload and a significant secondary retrieval workload. The CRRS also undertakes a small number of road retrievals in ACT and NSW.

Opportunities exist for Senior Registrars who are advanced in their training to be appointed to the CRRS on a one-year part time contract or six-month full-time contract commencing either February 2027 or August 2027. Suitable applicants may also hold a current Registrar appointment (4th year specialty trainee or higher) within either the Intensive Care Unit, the Emergency Department, or the Department of Anaesthesia & Pain Management, which would be negotiated at time of employment with CRRS. Clinical time would be equally divided between the Retrieval Service and the other critical care specialty. The position is accredited for training with ACEM, CICM and ANZCA.

The Retrieval Registrar will be operationally and professionally responsible to the Medical Director of the CRRS through the on duty supervisory Retrieval Consultant and their alternate employer when not working for CRRS.

The Retrieval Registrar must have recent clinical experience commensurate with that equivalent to a 4th year specialty trainee in the appropriate discipline of Anaesthesia and/or Intensive Care and/or Emergency Medicine.

Key responsibilities

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

• The Retrieval Registrar is operationally and professionally responsible to the Medical Director of the Capital Region Retrieval Service through the on duty supervisory Retrieval Consultant.
• Provide timely and appropriate clinical management to the patient under the supervision of the on duty Retrieval Consultant. This may include patient care and transport of patients in a number of environments, including pre-hospital and regional referral hospital.  Transport may occur by rotary wing, fixed wing and road vehicles.
• Work within and support a multidisciplinary clinical team including the maintenance of cooperative relationship with ACTAS, helicopter crew, NSWAS, ACC, ACT and regional healthcare facilities.
• Participation in a supervised rotating roster operating from the Hume helicopter base during day and night shifts. The roster is to be structured in accordance with the current ACT Public Sector and Medical Practitioners Union Collective Agreement and AMA safe hours provision.
• Participation in the CRRS familiarisation program, ground school training, Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET) and any other program deemed necessary to support and maintain safety and skills acquisition. Adherence to OH&S principles especially those requested by the aircraft operator or ambulance and scene manager and the correct application of safety clothing, helmets and other equipment as supplied by the service.
• Active participation in ongoing Pre-hospital and Retrieval Quality Assurance and Trauma Service Quality Assurance initiatives. While ongoing research is encouraged.
• 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 organisational skills with a high degree of drive
• Adaptability and flexibility with a strong ability to problem solve
• Able to function well in a diverse team
• A reasonable level of fitness and a competent swimmer

Qualifications

Essential

• MBBS or equivalent
• Registered or eligible for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).
• For a registrar role:
  • Have completed the equivalent of at least three years of relevant full time clinical experience
• For a Senior Registrar role:
  • Have completed the equivalent of at least seven years of relevant full time clinical experience
  • Has completed at least 48 months of (full time equivalent) experience in recognised Registrar training position and substantially completed fellowship training

Desirable

• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.
• Fulfil the responsibilities of this role in alignment to the CHS Exceptional Care Framework, Clinical Governance Framework, Partnering for 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 commensurate with that equivalent to a fourth year post graduate trainee in the appropriate discipline in a medical emergency health environment.
2. Proven recent experience in Anaesthesia and/or Intensive Care and/or Emergency Medicine at Advanced Trainee Registrar level.
3. Demonstrated sound skills in resuscitation, airway management and clinical assessment of the critically ill and/or injured patient.
4. Proven highly developed written and verbal communication skills in the areas of medical record keeping with an appreciation for medical ethics and patient confidentiality, clinical handover and the timely and efficient liaison with the on-duty Retrieval Consultant.
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.