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.

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

Under broad direction and as a member of the Neurosurgery Department, the successful candidate will provide tertiary services to patients of NSW and the ACT, with respect to management of neurosurgical conditions. The successful candidate will participate in the provision of acute and non-acute surgical services, including acute surgical presentations, and in-patient and outpatient surgical services. They will also provide support to other disciplines and departments within CHS and the wider community with regards to acute surgical services.

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, post graduate and undergraduate teaching activities, continuing education, research, health outcomes.

CHS maintains strong research links with the ANU, University of Canberra, and the Australian Catholic University. The hospital has well developed post graduate teaching programs. A fully equipped medical library is available on site with a large collection of hard copy and online journals and textbooks. Candidates may be considered for conjoint positions at the ANU at an academic level commensurate with their qualifications and experience. Academic positions are held for the duration of the candidate’s CHS employment and will be subject to regular performance reviews.  No remuneration is attached to the university position.  The employee will be responsible to the university on academic matters and to CHS for clinical/ research matters. For more information about to conjoint positions with the ANU please contact Professor Paul Fitzgerald, Director, ANU School of Medicine and Psychology ANU College of Health and Medicine (EA - Cheryl Morse: cheryl.morse@anu.edu.au).

Medical Staff at CHS enjoy excellent conditions. Our Enterprise Agreement is available at https://www.health.act.gov.au/careers/applying-work-us/enterprise-agreements. 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. In general, the numeration package offered is very competitive compared to other states and territories across Australia and New Zealand and the package can be negotiated based on the level of experience.

The Neurosurgery Department is a busy service supported by excellent imaging and diagnostic facilities. It manages on average 900 patient separations per annum. The Neurosurgical faculty currently consists of 3 full time staff specialists, 1 part-time Staff Specialist, 4 Neurosurgical Registrars (2 SET Trainees and 2 Non-accredited), 1 SRMO and 3 Junior Medical Officers. In-patients are managed in a dedicated Neurosurgical ward (which includes a high dependency area); nursing and allied health staff are specialty trained. State-of-the-art Neurosurgical equipment is available in the dedicated Neurosurgical operating room – which has an intraoperative MR Scanner and intraoperative angiography. There is close partnership with an Interventional Neuro Radiology service run by 3x neuro-interventionalists.

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:

• Provide specialist neurosurgical services at the Canberra Hospital.
  • Regular elective operating lists
  • Outpatient clinics
  • MDTs (spine, oncology, +/- pituitary, +/- neurovascular)
  • Educational activities (neuroradiology, neuropathology, joint neuroscience meetings)
• Contribute to and participate in unit management, clinical audit procedures, quality improvement, utilisation reviews and educational activities within the unit at the Canberra Hospital.
• Ensure high standards of medical record keeping for patients of the unit including completion of casemix reports if appropriate.
• Assist in and/or supervise the educational and professional development of nursing staff, undergraduate students, post graduate students, resident medical staff and registrars associated with the Department.
• Assist in the development of policies and procedures for the Department to ensure high standards of clinical care and maintenance of a Centre of Excellence.
• Develop and maintain liaison with other centres, providers and professionals within and outside of the Department and provide high standards of professional advice/opinions in relation to the service.
• Represent the unit on committees and working parties relevant to the Department if appropriate and/or required.
• 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:

• Registered as a medical practitioner with the Australian Health Practitioner’s Regulation Agency (AHPRA), in the relevant specialty with no conditions, undertakings or reprimands.
• Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons (RACS) in Neurosurgery. Post Fellowship training / qualifications in complex Spinal Surgery, Neuro-oncology, stereotactic/functional neurosurgery or paediatric neurosurgery.
• 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.
• Not be the subject of an unresolved scope of clinical practice review of by a state/territory credentialing and scope of clinical practice committee (such as the CHS Medical and Dental Appointments Advisory Committee) 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.

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 Australasian College of Surgeons or an equivalent higher specialist qualification
• 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

Mandatory

Post-FRACS (fellowship) training in one or more of:

• Spine Surgery
• Neuro-oncology
• Stereotactic and functional neurosurgery
• Paediatric neurosurgery
• Clinical experience commensurate with the required qualifications and key selection criteria listed in this duty statement.
• Be registered or be eligible for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).

Desirable

• Experience or knowledge of the CHS Exceptional Care Framework and all other related frameworks
• Hold a current ACT driver’s license.

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 in the practice of Neurosurgery, with a Demonstrated commitment to the maintenance and further development of skills applicable to the area of Neurosurgery, including involvement in further education and quality assurance activities.
2. Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to manage people, including the ability to work as part of a team, provide leadership to staff and work across multidisciplinary issues.
3. A strong commitment to the importance and provision of teaching at all levels, including medical, nursing, scientific and allied health professional staff, both postgraduate and undergraduate.
4. Demonstrated commitment to quality improvement and continuing medical education.
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.

To be considered for a Senior Specialist position, you will also be assessed against two or more of the following selection criteria:

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:
3. a demonstrated ability to be effective in leading safety and quality activities, including experience relevant to specialist college accreditation
4. providing senior medical input to the safety and quality activities of the medical unit and clinical division, and
5. participating actively in specialist college accreditation, as overseen by the Australian Medical Council.
6. Teaching: Provide senior input using demonstrated experience in the development and provision of teaching and training at CHS and services in the surrounding region.
7. Research: Undertake speciality-specific research and/or have relevant publications of research in a respected health or medical journal.

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.