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.

A temporary 12-month General Surgery Staff Specialist locum position is available at Canberra Health Services. The position is suitable for a General Surgeon with postgraduate colorectal surgery training (at least 24 months surgical fellowship in colorectal surgery) and involves providing regular outpatient services, elective and urgent surgery, and contributing to the on-call General Surgery roster.

The Division of Surgery delivers inpatient and outpatient surgical services to the ACT and surrounding region. It includes the Surgical Bookings and Pre-Admission Clinic, Anaesthesia, Pain Management Unit, specialist surgical wards, medical and nursing outpatient services, ACT Trauma Service, Intensive Care Unit, Capital Region Retrieval Service, and the Trauma and Orthopaedic Research Unit. These services are supported by administration staff.

The General Surgery Unit at CHS provides tertiary-level surgical care to the ACT and surrounding region. This position will primarily be responsible for the provision of colorectal surgery as part of the General Surgery team. It will also be rostered to work in the Acute Surgical Unit and ACT Trauma Service and may include the provision of endoscopy services.

The successful applicant will demonstrate training, experience, and competence in the clinical areas listed above. This is an opportunity to work in a multidisciplinary team committed to delivering high-quality, evidence-based patient care, while engaging in teaching, training, and clinical research.

Key responsibilities

Under limited direction, you will:

• Provide specialist general surgery services to inpatients and outpatients, working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to deliver safe, person-centred care.
• Coordinate and contribute to the daytime and on-call/after-hours roster, in conjunction with other specialists, to ensure coverage throughout the year. This includes rostered work for the Acute Surgical Unit and ACT Trauma Service.
• Coordinate and contribute to multidisciplinary education and training, and actively participate in the supervision and teaching of interns, resident medical officers, and registrars within the Division.
• Actively engage in clinical governance to ensure services meet the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards. Participate in relevant committees, meetings, and regular audit activities.
• Develop, implement, and review best practice service models, such as Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols and the Binational Colorectal Cancer Audit (BCCA) database.
• Maintain continuous professional development and undertake research relevant to the science and/or clinical practice of the specialty.
• Utilise digital health and health information systems to ensure accurate and timely documentation, including maintaining accuracy within the colorectal cancer database.
• 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

In addition to meeting the core competencies to be recognised as a Fellow of the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine, (FACEM), the preferred candidate will have:

• Adaptability and flexibility to accommodate and manage change.
• A responsive approach to meeting the needs of patients and the organisation.
• A strong focus on person centred care and commitment to quality outcomes.
• Ability to work constructively and positively in a team, with staff at all levels and across disciplines

Qualifications

Essential

• Be registered or eligible for registration as a medical practitioner with the Australian Health Practitioner’s Regulation Agency, with no conditions, undertakings or reprimands (AHPRA).
• Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons or equivalent specialist qualifications.
• Training in colorectal surgery by the Training board of the Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSSANZ).
• Current accreditation to perform endoscopy with the gastroenterological society of Australia (GESA).
• The successful applicant will need to be available for on-call weekend and after-hours work on a rostered basis as per the Head of the department (or delegate)
• The successful applicant will need to be available for rostered weekend and after-hours work, and on call work.

Desirable

• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.

Experience

Essential

• At least 24 months of colorectal surgery fellowship experience and 12 months post-fellowship clinical practice as a general surgeon.
• Clinical experience commensurate with the required qualifications and key selection criteria listed in this duty statement.
• Clinical experience in the delivery of colorectal care as it relates to General Surgery and trauma.

Desirable

• Completed the ‘Operating with respect’ course offered by the RACS.
• Completed a Definitive Surgical Trauma Care (DSTC) Course.
• Experience or knowledge of the CHS Exceptional Care Framework and all other related frameworks.

For Senior Specialist we will also expect that you:

1. Have demonstrated advanced clinical experience outlined in a CV that clearly and comprehensively outlines the applicant’s professional history.
2. Have been employed at the equivalent of a Specialist Band 5 for a period of at least three years.
3. Have demonstrated their advanced ability to provide leadership to their colleagues through either clinical or administrative means.
4. Have gained demonstrable advanced experience and attained such ability in the relevant speciality that is acceptable to CHS, to justify a recommendation for advancement to Senior Specialist by the Review Panel.
5. Be able to demonstrate their ability to undertake duties and responsibilities deemed by CHS as those expected of a Senior Specialist.
6. Be able to demonstrate that they are performing at a level consistent with this competency framework.

Please note prior to commencement successful candidates will be required to:

• Undergo a pre-employment National Police Check.
• Current registration issued under the Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act 2011 is required.
• Comply with Canberra Health Services Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination policy.
• Obtain and maintain 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.
• Approval for second job will need to be submitted annually. Commitment to second job must not impact on the agreed clinical duties of the specialist at Canberra Hospital.

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 and experience.

1. Proven significant interest in Colorectal Surgery, General Surgery and acute/trauma care with proven ability to practice competently, manage required caseload and case mix, and to practice safe medicine. Specifically, high level skills in colorectal oncology, inflammatory bowel disease with advanced minimally invasive surgical and endoscopic skills.
2. Proven high-level communication and interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to provide leadership and work as a team member 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 interest in teaching and research and an ability to plan, conduct and supervise medical 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.

Where possible include specific examples of your work.

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:
   1. a demonstrated ability to be effective in leading safety and quality activities, including experience relevant to specialist college accreditation
   2. providing senior medical input to the safety and quality activities of the medical unit and clinical division, and
   3. participating actively in specialist college accreditation, as overseen by the Australian Medical Council.
3. Teaching: Provide senior input using demonstrated experience in the development and provision of teaching and training at CHS and services in the surrounding region.
4. Research: Undertake speciality-specific research and/or have relevant publications of research in a respected health or medical journal.
5. 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:
   1. the applicant’s ability to work at a senior level in the relevant unit or department,
   2. compliance with CHS policy and guidance documents, and
   3. behaviour consistent with CHS’ values
2. 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.