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 Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine (DRSM) provides both inpatient and outpatient services to the ACT and surrounding region. Our service includes the full range of care including respiratory and sleep diagnostic investigations and therapeutic interventions, interventional bronchoscopy (including EBUS) and specialised services for sleep disorders, TB, cystic fibrosis, severe asthma, interstitial lung disease and respiratory infections.

It is expected that approximately 80% of the staff specialist’s time will be focused on their substantive clinical service delivery role in respiratory medicine, and approximately 20% to non-clinical duties.

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 under limited direction of the Unit Director:

• Manage patients referred to the outpatient clinics, including timely triaging, consultation, diagnosis, reporting and treatment of respiratory and sleep conditions.
• Report respiratory function tests and sleep studies and be involved with testing when indicated. The role also includes provision of support to the allied health team for timely triaging of respiratory function assessment requests both inpatient and outpatient services.
• Contribute to direct DRSM inpatient care, patient consultation requests from other units and timely ward rounds to ensure patient management is safe, optimal and expedited.
• Contribute to bronchoscopy services per operational requirements (if selected candidate is chosen for this operational requirement).
• Assist the DRSM Unit Director to ensure appropriate clinical governance mechanisms are in place for the Department.
• Actively engage in quality and safety activities, service redesign, and model of care development (including sub-speciality services) for the Department and the Division.
• Contribute to teaching and training of the clinical team, and clinical research within the DRSM.
• 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 Royal Australasian College of Physicians, the preferred candidate will have the following attributes:

• 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 Respiratory Medicine.
• Good understanding of the principles of quality and safety to deliver exceptional care.
• Strong organisational skills with a high degree of initiative and drive.

Qualifications

Essential

• Be registered or be eligible for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
• Hold a fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in Respiratory Medicine.
• 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.
• 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.
• Knowledge of the responsibilities of this role in alignment to the CHS Exceptional Care Framework, Clinical Governance Framework, Partnering for Exceptional Care Framework and all other related frameworks.

Desirable

• Significant expertise in interventional pulmonology
• Have completed 12 months of core training in Adult Sleep Medicine and as is recognized by Services Australia as a Sleep Physician and is able to claim billing of MBS items for sleep.
• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.
• Fulfil the responsibilities of this role in alignment to the CHS Exceptional Care Framework and all other related frameworks

Experience

Essential

• Experience in outpatient and inpatient clinical patient management.
• Participation in the on-call roster.
• Participation in ward service.

Desirable

• Knowledge of the responsibilities of this role in alignment to the CHS Exceptional Care Framework, Clinical Governance Framework, Partnering for 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. - Requirements for fractional on-call will be subject to clinical operational requirements and will be negotiated at the time of appointment on an individual basis.
• 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.

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. Extensive clinical experience in the practice of respiratory and sleep medicine to manage the varied caseloads and case mix, and to practice evidence-based person-centered care, along with a demonstrated commitment to the maintenance and further development of these skills.
2. Demonstrated understanding of, and commitment to, all aspects of clinical governance relevant to the specialty.
3. Demonstrated high-level communication and interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to provide leadership and work as a team member in a multidisciplinary environment.
4. Demonstrated experience in research, with the skills 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.