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.

We are committed to workforce diversity and creating an inclusive workplace.

Canberra Hospital is seeking a 0.5 FTE part-time permanent Staff Specialist in Medical Oncology. It is expected that the applicant will have general experience and expertise in Medical Oncology, with the ability to provide cover across a variety of solid tumour subspecialities, and will also have appropriate training and experience to lead the development and operation of the planned Medical Oncology Phase I unit. Responsibilities will include outpatient and inpatient care, participation in the consultant on-call roster, supervision of trainees/junior medical staff/medical students, attendance at multidisciplinary meetings and participation in research activities of the unit.

The appointee will join the Department of Medical Oncology of the Canberra Region Cancer Centre. The Unit is located within the Canberra Hospital and provides a Medical Oncology service to the Australian Capital Territories and South-Eastern NSW.

Canberra Hospital is the single tertiary teaching hospital for the Australian Capital Territory and surrounding NSW region serving a population of over half a million. It is a modern 600-bed hospital providing most trauma services, most medical and surgical sub-specialty services and is the principal teaching hospital for the Australian National University Medical School (ANU).

The unit supports an active clinical trials research program and has developed translational research links to the John Curtin School of Medical Research at the ANU as well as the Queensland Institute of Medical Research. These collaborations include biomarker development (cancer stem cells and gene panels), compound screening, novel cancer targeting methods (epigenetic and ribosomal biogenesis) and immunotherapeutics. Phase I clinical trial capability is also being developed, which the successful candidate will take leadership of. Skills to be able to integrate clinical service and research are essential.

http://www.health.act.gov.au/our-services/cancer-services/health-professionals/medical-oncology

The position holder is expected to operate within the Public Sector Management Act (1994), the ACT Public Service Code of Conduct and the professional requirements specified by the appointee’s Specialist College.

Key responsibilities

Under limited direction of the Divisional Clinical Director you will:

• Manage the assessment and treatment of patients with solid organ cancers, by conducting outpatient clinics, management of inpatients and supervision of cancer treatment.
• Work collaboratively with all members of the clinical team to maximise patient care and treatment outcomes.
• Participate in the Medical Oncology consultant on-call roster.
• Lead the development and ongoing operations of the Medical Oncology Phase I unit.
• Contribute to the education and training of the clinical team and actively participate in the supervision and training of junior medical staff including interns, resident medical officers and registrars.
• Be familiar with and observe all relevant ACT Health Care policies and guidelines.
• Undertaking other duties as directed, within the approved scope of clinical practice ensuring the delivery of high-quality person and family centred, safe and high quality patient care.
• 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 Medical Oncology to be recognised as a Fellow of the Royal Australian college of Physicians (RACP), the preferred candidate will have:

• Strong organisational skills with ability to manage multiple priorities.
• High level of compassion, empathy and sensitivity.
• Relevant training and experience with the conduct of Phase I clinical trials and Phase I unit operations.
• An active research interest in the mechanisms of cancer and therapeutic targeting.

In addition to a commitment to work, health and safety (WH&S) and contributing to the CHS positive patient focus displaying behaviours consistent with the organisational 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:
   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.

Qualifications

Mandatory

• Be registered or be eligible for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).
• Not be the subject of an unresolved scope of clinical practice review by a Medical Dental Appointments Advisory Committee or a current inquiry by AHPRA.
• Relevant training and experience with the conduct of Phase I clinical trials and Phase I unit operation.
• Medical specialist qualifications (FRACP or equivalent) in Medical Oncology and eligibility for membership of the RACP and Medical Oncology Group of Australia.
• 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

• Have an understanding of how the National Standards and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.
• Fulfil the responsibilities of this role as detailed in the CHS Exceptional Care Framework, Clinical Governance Framework, Partnering With Consumers Framework and all other related frameworks.
• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.
• Be recognised as a specialist Medical Oncologist by Services Australia to claim MBS items.

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 specialty 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.
• Comply with Canberra Health Services Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination policy.
• Comply with Canberra Health Services Medical and Dental Appointments Advisory Committee (MDAAC) 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.
• Adherence to agreed attendance hours including agreement to annual job planning for clinical operational requirements is required.
• It is expected that the successful applicant will have a track record as a successful member of a clinical team and demonstrate a strong commitment to teaching at all levels including medical, nursing and allied health professional staff and students. There is opportunity to be involved in teaching at the Australian National University Medical School.

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.

Your statement of claims against the selection criteria should summarise how your skills and experiences would enable you to fulfil the responsibilities of the position. It is therefore in the interests of candidates to present their application in a way that demonstrates significant outcomes associated with each of the criteria, as well as the capabilities and behaviours that underpin them.

1. Demonstrated ability in clinical practice of Medical Oncology based on sound education and training, with proven ability to practice competently in the specialty, to manage the required caseload and case mix, and to practice safe medicine.
2. Demonstrated relevant training and experience in the conduct of Phase I clinical trials and operation of a Phase I unit.
3. High-level communication and interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to provide leadership and work as a team member in a multidisciplinary environment. It is expected that the successful applicant will have a track record as a successful member of a clinical team.
4. Demonstrated commitment to the maintenance and further development of skills in the speciality, including involvement in further education, research and continuing professional development.
5. Demonstrated strong commitment to supervision and teaching at all levels including medical, nursing and allied health professional staff, and evidence of prior experience in supervision and teaching or relevant skills and interest.
6. Demonstrates understanding of, and adherence to, safety and quality standards, work, health and safety (WH&S) and the positive patient experience. Displays behaviour consistent with CHS’s values of reliable, progressive, respectful and kind.

Where possible include specific relevant 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.