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.

Women, Youth and Children Community Health Programs delivers a range of primary health care community-based services to children, families and women.  These services include support, education and information; counselling, assessment and screening; early identification and referral; and the delivery of public health programs.  Services are delivered within a multi-disciplinary context if not by a multidisciplinary team.

The Neonatal Department at Canberra Hospital provides perinatal and surgical neonatal care to the ACT and surrounding regions. Canberra Hospital has more than 3700 deliveries per year and is a principal referral centre for high risk pregnancies. It is the only tertiary care neonatal unit in the region, which has a delivery population of 10,000. The Centenary Hospital for Women Youth can has recently undergone a redevelopment, which included a state of the art facility with a family integrated model of care. The neonatal department has 21 NICU/HDU and 18 SCN beds with 800-850 admissions per year, 300 requiring respiratory support. The Department has a busy developmental follow up clinic and forms the ACT branch of the NSW Emergency Transport Service.

The department is supported by six Neonatologists, one SCMO, four advanced trainees (fellows), nine Neonatal Registrars, and 3 residents.

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 and Neonatal Clinical Director you will:

• Manage the diagnosis, treatment and discharge plan for inpatients referred to the Department of Neonatology.  Liaise with all members of the clinical team to maximise patient care and treatment outcomes.
• Contribute to the on call requirements in the area of Neonatology including participating on the ACT NETS retrieval roster and conduct outpatient clinics to provide continuity of care for discharged patients.
• Participate in the education and training of junior medical staff, nursing/midwifery staff and all members of the clinical team. Contribute to the teaching program of the ANU Medical School under the broad direction of the Dean or delegate.
• Lead research and quality improvement in areas of medical interest related to the clinical practice or science of Neonatology.
• Strive for continuous professional development both in theoretical knowledge and practical skills and provide evidence of such to the Clinical Privileges Committee when requested.
• Provide senior leadership and promote a commitment to high quality, customer service principles, practices and attributes
• Undertake other duties appropriate to this level of classification which contribute to the operation of the organization.

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 Neonatologist to be recognised as a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Physicians (RACP), the preferred candidate will have:

• High level communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organisational skills with a high degree of drive
• Adaptability and flexibility to embrace and facilitate change and provide responsive services to meet clients’ needs
• An ability to provide leadership and work respectfully in partnership within a multidisciplinary environment.

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

Mandatory

• 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).
• Hold a Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of Physicians (FRACP) with an SAC in Neonatology
• Not be the subject of an unresolved scope of clinical practice review of by Medical Dental Appointments Advisory Committee or a current inquiry by AHPRA.
• The successful applicant will need to be available for rostered after hours and on call work.
• Hold a current driver’s license
• 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.
• Fulfill the responsibilities of this role in alignment to the CHS Exceptional Care Framework, Clinical Governance Framework, Partnering with Consumers Framework and all other related frameworks.

Desirable

• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) and Australian Council of Healthcare Standards (ACHS) clinical indicators align with this role.
• Fulfil the responsibilities of this role in alignment to the CHS Exceptional Care and all other related frameworks

Experience

Desirable

• Previous experience in a  similar role and role environment
• Fellows who have recently obtained their FRACP or Fellows close to completion of their FRACP requirements are encouraged to apply
• Demonstrated experience in clinician performed ultrasound (neonatal CCPU or equivalent.)
• Experience in long term developmental follow up including General Movements and Bayleys Developmental assessments.
• 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.
• 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.

Please apply online by submitting a copy of your CV along with a cover letter responding to the below Selection Criteria:

1. Extensive experience and sound evidence based knowledge in the practice of Neonatology, with demonstrated commitment to the maintenance and further development of skills in the area of Neonatology. Experience in clinician performed ultrasound and long term developmental follow up desirable.
2. Demonstrated high level of communication and interpersonal skills, including an ability to work as a team member in a multidisciplinary environment and to provide senior leadership and within the Department of Neonatology and the Division of Women Youth and Children.
3. Demonstrated strong commitment to the importance and provision of teaching at all levels including medical, nursing and allied health professional staff.
4. Experience in conducting and commitment to leading Research and Quality Improvement in a relevant area of neonatal clinical, operational or scientific practice.
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 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.