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 Division of Surgery is responsible for delivering inpatient and outpatient surgical services to the ACT and surrounding region. The Division includes surgical specialties, the ACT Trauma Service, Intensive Care Unit, Capital Region Retrieval Service, the Trauma and Orthopaedic Research Unit and the Pain Management Unit. These Units are supported by administration support officers.

The Canberra Hospital ICU, with annual admission rate of 2500 to 2800 patients, holds unlimited accreditation with the College of Intensive Care Medicine (CICM) of Australia and New Zealand for training in intensive care medicine and has advanced trainees providing after-hours cover. The unit meets all College requirements for training in Neurosurgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery and Trauma. The unit has a strong commitment to undergraduate and postgraduate education and clinical research offering excellent opportunities for clinicians to engage in high-quality academic activities.

The Canberra Hospital ICU is developing a new 4-bed Paediatric Intensive Care Unit and provides short-term (24-48 hours) support and monitoring for children, either aiding in their recovery or preparing them for transfer to a higher-level PICU. With an increasing number of paediatric ICU admissions, it collaborates with interdisciplinary teams, including Paediatric Medicine, Paediatric Surgery and tertiary PICU referral networks at Sydney Children Health Network (SCHN).

This position is responsible for providing critical care to children in the ICU and a strong focus on PICU service development for the region. The specialist will be supported by adult ICU specialists (who have specific paediatric interest and experience) and paediatric anaesthetists as required.  Based on interest and level of adult experience, the position may also include participation in the adult ICU roster.

A performance assessment will be conducted within three months following commencement of employment. At least every twelve months, a performance review will be undertaken that includes expectations in respect of management responsibilities, quality improvement and clinical governance activities, postgraduate and undergraduate teaching activities, continuing education, research, health outcomes.

Applications must be submitted through the e-recruitment system. Applications must include a copy of a current resumé, and a response to the key selection criteria (detailed further below). Additional supporting statements must also be included for consideration of Senior Specialist (detailed further below). Where possible include specific relevant examples of your work.

Key responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the following.

Under limited direction and in collaboration with the Clinical Director of the adult ICU, you will:

• Deliver high-quality clinical care to the expectation of an experienced medical practitioner in the discipline of Intensive Care Medicine, in line with CICM Guidelines.
• Lead a multidisciplinary team delivering care to critically ill children, including those with life-threatening single and multiple organ system failure, those at risk of clinical deterioration, and those requiring resuscitation in other clinical areas within the hospital.
• Contribute to effective day-to-day operations of the service and support the achievement of clinical, strategic and key performance indicators.
• Communicate professionally and effectively with patients, families, other team members and stakeholders across and outside of CHS (Paediatricians, Paediatric Surgeons, NETS and Sydney Children Hospital Network) to enable effective relationships and foster collaborative and multidisciplinary practice.
• Contribute to specific paediatric education and skills training, participate in supervision of the ICU multidisciplinary team including nurses, senior and junior medical officers, and allied health professionals and participate in broader unit activities that promote a positive workplace culture and psychological safety.
• Facilitate and participate in research, quality assurance (QA) and quality improvement (QI) activities in line with the ICU’s research and QI program.
• Participate in the CHS performance management program and undertake duties appropriate to this level of classification that support the effective operation of the organisation.
• Undertake other duties as directed, within the approved scope of clinical practice ensuring the delivery of high-quality, person- and family-centered, safe patient care.

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 for Intensivist to be recognised as a Fellow of the College if Intensive Care Medicine of  Australia and New Zealand (CICM), the preferred candidate will have:

• Adaptability and flexibility to accommodate change and provide responsive services to meet patients’ needs;
• Displays critical thinking skills and forms sound conclusions based on evidence and sound judgement;
• Effective communication skills and the ability to develop and maintain networks across Canberra Health Services and with external parties
• Ability to work within multi-disciplinary and management teams and adapt quickly to a changing environment.
• Experience in the practice of Intensive Care Medicine.
• Strong organisational skills with a high degree of drive
• Good understanding of the principles of quality and safety to deliver exceptional care

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.

Qualifications

Essential

• Registration or eligible for registration as a specialist with the Australian Health Practitioner’s Regulation Agency (AHPRA), with no conditions, undertakings or reprimands.
• Fellowship of the College of Intensive Care Medicine (CICM) of Australia and New Zealand with proven experience and skill in managing critically ill paediatric patients.
• Current paediatric advanced life support certification.
• Not be the subject of an unresolved scope of clinical practice review by a state/territory credentialing and scope of clinical practice committee (such as the Medical Dental Appointments Advisory Committee (MDAAC) in ACT) or a current inquiry by AHPRA.
• Have had no substantiated performance or behavioural issues in the last three years, no such matters currently under investigation, and have not been found to display behaviours and/or performance inconsistent with CHS values.

Desirable

• Fellowship of CICM with endorsed paediatric or equivalent specialist qualifications, or provisional paediatric fellow of CICM who will be completing the fellowship requirement soon.
• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.

Experience

Essential

• Experience in a Paediatric ICU as a consultant or fellow for at least 12 months.

Desirable

• Experience in a tertiary ICU as a consultant or fellow
• 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.
• 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. Demonstrated clinical expertise in Intensive Care Medicine:
   • Proven experience and skill to deliver high-quality clinical care to the expectations of an experienced intensive care practitioner consistent with CICM guidelines
   • Demonstrated commitment to the maintenance and further development of skills applicable to the area of Intensive Care Medicine
   • Demonstrated understanding of safe clinical practice, professional standards and commitment to delivering person-centered care
2. Demonstrated leadership skills and high-level communication skills:
   • Capacity to remain calm and collaborative, and lead multidisciplinary teams to deliver safe, timely and effective care in high-acuity and high-demand settings
   • Excellent communication, interpersonal and problem-solving skills with the ability to engage respectfully and professionally with consumers, colleagues and other teams
   • Adaptability to change and ability to deliver responsive services that meet the evolving needs of clients and the organization
3. Demonstrated commitment to education, training and professional growth:
   • Committed to the delivery of education at all levels including medical, nursing, allied health, scientific, postgraduate and undergraduate learners
   • Experienced in delivering simulated training and simulation qualifications is highly desirable
   • Committed to fostering a positive workplace culture which is supportive and constructive with a focus on professional growth
4. Demonstrated strong commitment to quality and safety:
   • Understands the importance and performance of quality assurance activities
   • Involvement and achievement in measurable quality improvement initiatives
5. Demonstrated commitment to CHS operations, vision and values:
   • Able to contribute to improving service delivery and organizational performance
   • Understands and adheres to safety and quality standards, Work Health and Safety and the positive patient experience
   • Behaviours 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.