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 Department of Anaesthesia facilitates over 24,000 anaesthetic elective and emergency procedures each year. The breadth of procedures undertaken are all encompassing (cardiac, neurosurgery, and neonatal surgery) with the exception of solid organ transplant. We operate in several facilities, primarily Canberra Hospital which is the largest tertiary and trauma facility in the region, as well as North Canberra Hospital, Calvary John James Hospital, National Capital Private Hospital and other private surgery locations in Canberra.

As the primary teaching hospital and major trauma centre for ACT and the Southern NSW region, exposure to interesting cases is a certainty.

CHS is a partner in teaching with the Australian National University, the University of Canberra and the Australian Catholic University. Due to these partnerships and the flexible nature of this employment opportunity, excellent research opportunities are available.

These Anaesthetist position(s) in the Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine will support the anaesthesia roster on weekends, public holidays, rostered after hours work and additional emergency lists as required. Part-time hours and the number of anaesthetic sessions will be considered and can be negotiated on offer/acceptance of a position/contract.

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 anaesthetic services at CHS including Canberra Hospital and other facilities which the Department of Anaesthesia services.
• Contribute to the on call/after-hours roster, in conjunction with other Anaesthetists.
• Actively engage in clinical governance to ensure services are high quality and safe, adhere to the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards and participate in/represent the Department of Anaesthesia on relevant committees and working groups as required.
• Contribute to and participate in unit management, clinical audit procedures, quality improvement activities, policy and procedure development, utilisation reviews, research and educational activities in the Department of Anaesthesia.
• Utilise digital health and health information systems to enable the provision of safe and timely access to care including ensuring high standards of medical record keeping and 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.
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with other centres, providers and professionals internal and external to the department and provide high standards of professional advice/opinions in relation to the service.
• Undertake other duties appropriate to this level of classification which contribute to the operation of the organisation.
• 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.

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 Anaesthetists to be recognised as a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA), the preferred candidate will have:

• Strong organisational skills with a high degree of drive.
• Adaptability and flexibility to accommodate and manage change.
• A responsive approach to meeting the needs of patients and the organisation.
• A strong commitment to practising holistic medicine that considers, and is sensitive to, clients’ unique psychological, spiritual, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• The ability to work constructively and positively in a team, with staff at all levels and across disciplines.

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

• Registered or eligible for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).
• Fellowship with the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (FANZCA) or equivalent qualification enrolled in the ANZCA Specialist pathway leading to attainment of FANZCA.
• 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.
• 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

• Clinical experience commensurate with the required qualifications and key selection criteria listed in this duty statement.

Desirable

• Experience or knowledge of the CHS Exceptional Care Framework and all other related frameworks
• Experience in Clinical Research and Clinical Trials.
• Formal training in Simulation.

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 Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine and Pain Management with an active interest and sound knowledge of evidence based medical practice within the specialty.
2. Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to work as part of a team, provide leadership, and work in a multidisciplinary environment.
3. Demonstrated understanding of clinical governance and the ability to engage in quality assurance, audit and service improvement initiatives/projects.
4. Demonstrated strong commitment to teaching (medical, nursing and allied health) and a commitment to participate in and engage with clinical 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 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.