Position Overview

Canberra Health Services (CHS) is focused on the delivery of high quality, effective, person-centered care. We provide acute, sub-acute, primary and community‐based health services, to the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and surrounding regions

We aim to deliver anaesthetic services to patients and clients of North Canberra Hospital (NCH), guided by current evidence based medical practice and patient care outcomes.

We are a friendly team committed to the practice of anaesthesia, perioperative medicine and acute pain services care. We offer lists in ophthalmology, O&G, general surgery, elective orthopaedics, urology, ENT, endoscopy and some dental and plastic surgery. We aim to provide:

• Safe, efficient and effective specialist anaesthetic services.
• Comprehensive perioperative service.
• Acute pain management.
• Teaching and training to all professional groups and opportunities in association with ANU and the University of Canberra.
• An opportunity for you to explore aspects of your anaesthetic career which interest you.

Key responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following under limited direction of the Clinical Director you will:

1. Provide specialist anaesthetic services at North Canberra Hospital.
2. Contribute to the on call/after-hours roster, in conjunction with other Anaesthetists.
3. Actively engage in clinical governance to ensure services are high quality and safe, adhere to the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards and participate in/represent the Department of Anaesthesia on relevant committees and working groups as required.
4. Contribute to and participate in unit management, clinical audit procedures, quality improvement activities, policy and procedure development, utilisation reviews, research and educational activities in the Department of Anaesthesia.
5. Utilise digital health and health information systems to enable the provision of safe and timely access to care including ensuring high standards of medical record keeping.
6. Assist in and/or supervise the educational and professional development of nursing staff, undergraduate students, post graduate students, resident medical staff and registrars.
7. Involvement in teaching at registrar level, providing guidance in examination preparation and mentoring for future career development to this cohort.
8. Develop and maintain productive relationships with other centres, providers and professionals internal and external to the department and provide high standards of professional advice/opinions in relation to the service.
9. 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

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• In addition to meeting the core competencies for Anaesthetists to be recognised as a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA), the preferred candidate will have:
• Strong organisational skills with a high degree of drive.
• Adaptability and flexibility to accommodate and manage change.
• A responsive approach to meeting the needs of patients and the organisation.
• A strong commitment to practising holistic medicine that considers, and is sensitive to, clients’ unique psychological, spiritual, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Ability to work constructively and positively in a team, with staff at all levels and across disciplines.

Position Requirements / Qualifications

Mandatory

• Registration with AHPRA as a specialist in Anaesthesia.
• Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA).
• Clinical experience commensurate with the required qualifications and key selection criteria listed in this duty statement.
• 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.

Desirable

• Demonstrated ability to competently practice the speciality of Anaesthesia at a senior level
• Demonstrated commitment to high quality patient care
• Demonstrated high-level communication and interpersonal skills, including an ability to provide mentorship and work as a team member in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Participate in research, audit and quality assurance activities of the profession.
• Experience in clinical governance and an understanding of the National Quality and Safety Standards in Anaesthetics.
• Experience and expertise in teaching and training of registrars for both independent specialist practice and for specialist examinations.
• 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 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.
• Comply with Canberra Health Services Credentialing and scope of clinical practice requirements for medical professionals.

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.

What you Require (Key Selection Criteria)

These are the key selection criteria for how you will be assessed in conjunction with your CV and experience.

1. Extensive experience in the practice of Anaesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine and Pain Management with an active interest and sound knowledge of evidence based medical practice within the specialty.
2. Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to work as part of a team, provide leadership, and work in a multidisciplinary environment.
3. Demonstrated understanding of clinical governance and the ability to engage in quality assurance, audit and service improvement initiatives/projects.
4. Demonstrated strong commitment to teaching (medical, nursing and allied health) and a commitment to participate in and engage with clinical 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.

For consideration at the Senior Specialist level, you will require the above and: 

1. Clinical: Show advanced clinical expertise in their speciality area, which may include the ability to work without supervision, as recognised by their peers.
2. Safety and Quality: Provide leadership through:
3. demonstrated ability to be effective in leading safety and quality activities, including experience relevant to specialist college accreditation.
4. providing senior medical input to the safety and quality activities of the medical unit and clinical division, and
5. participating actively in specialist college accreditation, as overseen by the Australian Medical Council.
6. Teaching: Provide senior input using demonstrated experience in the development and provision of teaching and training at CHS and services in the surrounding region.
7. Research: Undertake speciality-specific research and/or have relevant publications of research in a respected health or medical journal.
8. Administrative functions: Support the medical unit director in the administration of the unit and provide senior medical input to the development of policies and practices of the unit.

Senior Specialist applicants must also provide two detailed supporting statements from referees including:

1. A supporting statement from the relevant medical unit director or equivalent, attesting to:
2. the applicant’s ability to work at a senior level in the relevant unit or department,
3. ability to comply with CHS policy and guidance documents, and
4. behaviour consistent with CHS’ values.
5. A supporting statement from a second referee who is a Senior Specialist.

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.