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 CHS Gender Service provides interdisciplinary support for children, young people, adults and their families with gender concerns or gender dysphoria in the ACT and surrounding regions. It aims to improve physical and mental health and quality of life outcomes for Trans and Gender Diverse people of all ages by providing care in which individuals feel safe, supported and listened to throughout their gender identity experience.

The CHS Gender Service is delivered by highly trained health workers using a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach that recognises the importance of protective factors, such as family and peer support, to reduce stigma and discrimination and optimise mental health outcomes.  The service has two arms: the Paediatric Gender Service (PGS) and Adult Gender Service (AGS).

The PGS GP Staff Specialist will work with a multidisciplinary team, including psychosocial staff, relevant medical specialists, and other members of the care team, to provide high quality evidence-based assessment, intervention and support for people with gender concerns, or gender dysphoria. The purpose of this position is to deliver high level clinical services as part of the Paediatric Gender Service.

The GP Staff Specialist will report to the Clinical Director, Women, Youth and Children. Please note, this reporting line may be subject to change

Key responsibilities

Under limited operational direction of the Clinical Director of Women, Youth and Children, you will:

• Work collaboratively with Nursing, Medical, and Allied Health professionals within the Paediatric Gender Services and within external agencies, including active participation in clinical consultation and team meetings, to ensure the delivery of safe and effective care to young people with gender dysphoria and gender concerns.
• Promote a commitment to high quality customer service principles, practices, and attributes, including participation in professional development and quality improvement activities, in accordance with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Quality Improvement and Continuing Professional Development Program.
• Contribute to the development of policy and procedures to inform the delivery of health care services within PGs and broadly across the CHS Gender Services.
• Model an exemplary level of professional and ethical standards in clinical interventions and provide leadership to uphold the National Quality and Safety Health Care Standards.
• Contribute to a positive workplace culture by building collegial professional relationships and demonstrating a commitment to proactively seeking solutions when issues arise. Including providing a contact point for local GPs supporting PGS patients.
• 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

To be successful in this position, it is expected that the successful candidate will include but are not limited to the following attributes:

• Strong clinical, organisational, and interpersonal skills
• Adaptability and flexibility to accommodate change and provide responsive services to meet clients’ needs.
• The ability to work respectfully in partnership with staff and stakeholder

Qualifications

Essential

• Full registration without conditions as a medical practitioner by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (APHRA).
• Hold a Fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of General Practitioners or an equivalent higher specialist 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.

Experience

Essential

• A minimum of five (5) years post fellowship working in in General Practice

Desirable

• Knowledge of and/or experience working with people with gender concerns and/or gender dysphoria and/or LBGTIQ+ community
• Fulfil 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.
• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.

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.
• 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.

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.

1. Knowledge and experience in the provision of high quality, evidence-based medical assessment, treatment and support to young people with gender dysphoria and gender concerns, and their families. Including assessment of gender identity, stage of puberty, medical comorbidities and overall health and wellbeing. Knowledge and experience in providing developmentally appropriate education regarding medical affirming treatment, including fertility counselling.
2. Demonstrated strong commitment to the principles of multidisciplinary, collaborative practice and the ability to work collaboratively with the other PGS medical, nursing and allied health professionals to deliver holistic, safe and evidence based care.
3. Demonstrated knowledge and experience in providing professional leadership within a quality improvement framework to deliver evidence based best practice.
4. Demonstrated high level of communication and interpersonal skills, as they relate to clinical record keeping, medico-legal reporting, collaborative practice, and the provision of consumer-focused care.
5. 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.

Where possible include specific examples of your work.

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.