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.

Clinical Forensic Medical Services (CFMS) is a well-established clinical service providing forensic medical care to patients from the ACT and surrounding areas. CFMS comprises of Clinical Forensics ACT (CFACT), contracted medical services to the AFP, Forensic and Medical Sexual Assault Care (FAMSAC), the ACT Health based sexual assault service, and ‘Fitness To Drive Medical Clinic’ (FTDMC). CFMS is a medical unit within Canberra Hospital and Health Services, with requirements and support for ongoing professional development of all staff.

This staff specialist role will provide comprehensive medical and forensic care to diverse clients, supervising junior staff and multidisciplinary teams, delivering forensic medical services to the Australian Federal Police, and preparation of expert reports for legal and coronial processes. The position also contributes to education and training in clinical forensic medicine and supports broader organisational operations as required.

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 the limited direction of the CFMS Unit Director, you will:

• Deliver comprehensive medical and forensic care to individuals affected by sexual assault, domestic and family violence, general assault, and those in custody, including oversight of clinical staff in complex cases.
• Work collaboratively with the Director to manage day  o day operations of Clinical Forensic Medical Services.
• Participate in FAMSAC and CFACT after hours on call rosters as first on call (minimum five shifts per month) and as a senior second on call supervisor.
• Deliver confidential forensic medical services under the CFACT agreement for the Australian Federal Police, including supervision of medical and nursing staff.
• Provide expert assessment and opinion for both routine and complex fitness-to-drive medical cases.
• Prepare high quality medicolegal reports for FAMSAC, CFACT, FTDMC, coronial matters, and provide expert evidence within the legal system.
• Contribute to education and training in clinical forensic medicine for AFP personnel, ANU medical students, medical officers, nursing staff, and community groups.
• Undertake additional duties, as directed by the Medical Director to support effective organisational operations.

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:

• 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;
• Excellent effective communication skills and the ability to develop and maintain networks across Canberra Health Services and with external parties and key stakeholders;
• Ability to work within multi-disciplinary and management teams and adapt quickly to a changing environment;
• Strong organisational and reporting skills with a high degree of drive;
• Applies quality and safety principles to deliver the highest standard of patient centred 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.

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).
• Eligible for a Baseline Australian Federal Police security clearance;
• 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.
• 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

• Hold or be working towards fellowship of a Royal Australasian College with a specialist medical qualification.
• 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

• Extensive experience in a clinical setting relevant to Clinical Forensic Medicine (for example emergency, general practice or sexual health);
• Experience in the treatment of patients reporting sexual assault;
• Experience working in diverse team environments with demonstrated leadership qualities towards multi-level engagement with medical students, medical officers, nursing staff and community groups;
• Experience working with highly vulnerable patient populations and demonstrated adaptable clinical skills;
• Experience in preparing expert medicolegal reports.

Desirable

• Experience working collaboratively in multidisciplinary team environments;
• 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.
7. The role includes participation in after hours on call rosters

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.
• The successful applicant will need to be available for the on-call roster, including weekend and 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. We’re seeking an outstanding medical specialist with:

1. Advanced, adaptable clinical expertise to deliver comprehensive medical and forensic care for patients affected by sexual assault, physical assault, domestic and family violence, and those in custody including oversight of medical and nursing staff in complex cases.
2. Strong operational leadership, working closely with the Director to support the day to day management of Clinical Forensic Medical Services.
3. Exceptional communication skills, producing high quality medicolegal reports for FAMSAC, CFACT, FTDMC, coronial matters, and providing credible expert evidence within the legal system.
4. Experience working with highly vulnerable populations and applying trauma informed, flexible clinical practice.
5. A commitment to education, with demonstrated ability to deliver specialised training to police, medical students, clinicians, nursing staff, and community groups.
6. Reliability in an on call environment, performing effectively as both first and senior second on call within required response times.
7. A collaborative mindset, thriving in multidisciplinary teams and building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
8. Demonstrates understanding of, and adherence to, safety and quality standards, work, health and safety (WH&S) and the positive patient experience. Displays behaviour consistent with CHS’s values of reliable, progressive, respectful and kind

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

Where possible include specific relevant examples of your work.

To be considered for a Senior Specialist position, in addition to the above Selection Criteria, you will be assessed against two or more of the following:

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.