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.

A permanent part-time position as Staff Specialist in Palliative Care is available at Canberra Hospital (up to 1.2 FTE total across at least two positions). The position provides specialist palliative care across consult care, inpatient care and outpatient clinics, contributes to multidisciplinary care and supports supervision of trainees, junior medical staff and medical students. The appointee will join the Department of Palliative Care within the Canberra Region Cancer Centre and contribute to holistic, person and family-centered care across Canberra Health Services in a dynamic and supportive unit. The opening of the Acute Palliative Care Ward at Canberra Hospital in 2027 and increasing integration of palliative care services across the ACT present opportunities for professional growth and leadership within the role.

The position of Medical Director of Palliative Care at Canberra Hospital will be filled via an internal Expressions of Interest process following appointment to these permanent roles.

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

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following.

The role is responsible for delivering specialist palliative care and contributing to the safe, effective and person-centered operation of the Palliative Care service.

• Manage the assessment and management of outpatients referred for palliative care support as inpatients and within outpatient clinics.
• Support patients of a variety of ages, including children, on infrequent occasions.
• Support the development of an inpatient model of acute palliative care, including through direct patient care once the model is enacted.
• Work collaboratively with all members of the clinical team to maximise patient care and treatment outcomes.
• Contribute to the education and training of the clinical team, including supervision and training of interns, resident medical officers and registrars.
• Be familiar with and observe all relevant Canberra Health Services policies and guidelines.
• Undertake other duties as directed within the approved scope of clinical practice, ensuring delivery of high quality, person and family-centred 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:

Priority competencies for this role include clinical expertise, collaboration, communication, leadership, supervision, safety and quality, and commitment to continuing professional development.

• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• High level of compassion, empathy and sensitivity.
• Ability to work within multi-disciplinary and management teams and adapt quickly to a changing environment, including managing confidential and sensitive information.
• Effective and high-quality communication skills and the ability to develop and maintain networks across Canberra Health Services and with external parties.
• Commitment to supervision, teaching, research and continuing professional development in palliative care.
• A 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.

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

• Medical specialist qualifications (FAChPM or equivalent) in palliative medicine and eligibility for membership of the RACP and ANZSPM.
• 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.
• 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 Medical Dental Appointments Advisory Committee or under a current inquiry by AHPRA.
• 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

• Experience in caring for children with palliative needs, including formal training or qualifications in paediatric medicine or paediatric palliative care, would be looked on favourably.
• Research interest in palliative care.

Experience

Mandatory

• Demonstrated ability in clinical practice of palliative care based on sound education and training, with proven ability to practice competently in the specialty, manage the required caseload and case mix, and practice safe medicine.
• High-level communication and interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to provide leadership and work as a team member in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to the maintenance and further development of skills in the specialty, including further education, research and continuing professional development.
• Demonstrated strong commitment to supervision and teaching at all levels, including medical, nursing and allied health professional staff.

Desirable

• Experience integrating clinical service delivery and research activities in palliative care.
• Experience in clinical trials or research collaborations relevant to palliative care.
• 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.

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.

1. Demonstrated ability in clinical practice of palliative care based on sound education and training, with proven ability to practice competently in the specialty, manage the required caseload and case mix, and practice safe medicine.
2. High-level communication and interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to provide leadership and work as a team member in a multidisciplinary environment.
3. Demonstrated commitment to the maintenance and further development of skills in the specialty, including involvement in further education, research and continuing professional development.
4. 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.
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.

Applicants for Senior Specialist 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.