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.

Canberra Health Services offers an exciting opportunity within our state‑of‑the‑art, fully integrated tertiary cardiology service providing comprehensive cardiac care to an estimated population of 620,000 across the ACT and surrounding Southern NSW Local Health Districts. The role is based in a contemporary, high‑acuity service that delivers excellence in teaching, research, service innovation and patient‑centred care.

Cardiology services at Canberra Hospital are centred in Building 5, incorporating the Acute Cardiac Care Unit (ACCU), Cardiac Catheter Laboratory (CCL) and specialist outpatient services. The ACCU provides advanced care for patients with acute coronary syndromes, valvular heart disease, heart failure and complex cardiac arrhythmias, supporting patients across the full spectrum of age, acuity, frailty and disability. The Cardiac Catheter Laboratory and Cardiac Day Unit deliver a comprehensive interventional and electrophysiology program, including primary PCI for STEMI, complex coronary intervention, electrophysiology studies, catheter ablation, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), and implantation of cardiac electronic devices such as pacemakers and defibrillators. The Interventional Cardiology Service operates two dedicated cardiac catheterisation laboratories, performing approximately 900 coronary interventions and 1,800 angiograms annually.

Diagnostic services include a comprehensive echocardiography program (>4,000 studies annually), cardiac CT (in collaboration with Radiology), and emergency echo capability.

These capabilities position the ACT as a tertiary referral hub for advanced cardiac diagnostics and interventions.

North Canberra Hospital (NCH) complements this service with a 6‑bed Coronary Care Unit and a broad range of outpatient cardiology services, including ambulatory blood pressure and Holter monitoring, ECG testing, chest pain clinics, general cardiology clinics, exercise stress echocardiography and exercise tolerance testing. With the progressive commissioning of the new Northside hospital, there is a significant opportunity to further strengthen and expand the role of NCH. Service design and future planning anticipates leveraging Northside infrastructure and capability to support the evolution of NCH as a leading hub for diagnostic and ambulatory cardiology services, aligned with broader territory‑wide clinical strategies and population needs.

Across both hospital sites, Cardiac Rehabilitation and Heart Failure Rehabilitation services provide continuity of care and support long‑term outcomes for patients living with chronic cardiac disease.

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 clinical services to clients and participate in the clinics and on-call rosters for the Cardiology service. This includes:
  • Management of patients referred to the cardiology outpatient clinics, including timely triaging, consultation, diagnosis, reporting and treatment of cardiac conditions (e.g., medical clinics, Holter monitoring, Exercise Stress Testing, and implantable device monitoring).
  • Participation in on-call rosters.
  • Participation in the coronary interventional services in the Cardiac Catheter Laboratories, including 24/7 primary PCI roster and regular Cath lab sessions Additional training and experience in structural heart intervention is desirable.
  • Contributing to the planning, development, and provision of coronary interventional services at CHS.
  • Participate in cardiac device procedures- including implantation, monitoring and management of basic and complex cardiac implantable electrical devices. Promoting same day procedures when feasible and safe. Providing support for device clinics, and work towards development of remote monitoring clinics and other innovations as necessary for efficient service delivery.
  • Contributing to direct cardiology inpatient care, patient consultation requests from other units and timely ward rounds to ensure patient management is safe, optimal and expedited.
• Assist the Cardiology Unit Directors 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 for the Department and the Division
• Contribute to regular teaching and training of Cardiology Advanced Trainees and the multidisciplinary clinical team including cardiac sonographers and promote clinical research within the Cardiology Department.
• 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:

In addition to meeting the core competencies for Cardiology, to be recognised as a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP),), the preferred candidate will have:

• 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 cardiology and a commitment to practicing holistic medicine that considers and is sensitive to a patient’s unique psychological, spiritual and socioeconomic background;
• Strong organisational skills with a high degree of drive;
• Good understanding of the principles of quality and safety to deliver exceptional 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).
• Hold a Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP) in Cardiology or an equivalent higher specialist qualification.
• Fellowship in interventional cardiology with adequate experience in managing routine and complex interventions. Additional training and experience in structural heart intervention is desirable.
• 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

• Experience and proficient skills in all aspects of interventional procedures is required.
• Experience and proficient skills in all aspects of cardiac devices is required. The candidate should have completed additional training in device implantation and management with adequate experience to manage both routine and complex device procedures.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively in a multi-disciplinary team environment in a clinical setting.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• An understanding of the principles of Clinical Governance and how they apply in Cardiology and hospital environments.

Desirable

• 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.

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. <Delete if not applicable>
• 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 clinical experience in the practice of General Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology/Cardiac Device Implantation to manage the varied caseloads and case mix, and to practice evidence-based person-centred 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 interest and experience in teaching and 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.