Position overview

Canberra Health Services (CHS) is focussed on the delivery of high quality, effective, person centred care. It provides acute, sub-acute, primary and community‐based health services, to the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and surrounding region. More information can be found on the CHS website:  https://www.health.act.gov.au/

The Division of Women, Youth and Children provides a broad range of primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare services. The provision of services is based on a family-centred, multidisciplinary approach to care in partnership with the consumer and other service providers.

Paediatrics at Canberra Hospital, co-located within the Centenary Hospital for Women, Youth and Children, can cater for up to 48 inpatients, and has an active medical and surgical day stay and clinical investigation unit, and a busy and growing outpatient department.

There is a tertiary accredited Level 6 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The hospital also offers subspecialty paediatric care in areas of Paediatric Respiratory Medicine, Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes and Paediatric Surgery.

The Outpatient department includes a range of multidisciplinary clinics and is actively supported by staff specialists and visiting consultants from Paediatric tertiary hospitals in Sydney.

The Community Paediatrics team and Paediatric forensic medical service is part of a multidisciplinary team that provides specialist health services to children, young people and their families or carers who have been affected by abuse and/or neglect. The medical staff work in collaboration with police, child protection services and community-based agencies to support the health and wellbeing of vulnerable children.

The preferred applicant may be considered for a conjoint appointment with the Australian National University at an academic level commensurate with the applicant’s qualifications and experience. The academic appointment will be held for the duration of the Canberra Health Services appointment and will be subject to regular performance reviews. No remuneration is attached to the University position. The appointee will be responsible to the University on academic matters and to (The Canberra Hospital/CHS) for (research/clinical) matters.

Duties

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following.

Under limited direction of the Unit Director (Paediatrics), you will perform the following:

1. Managing and ensuring a high standard of patient care for paediatric patients, including:

• General Paediatrics - inpatients and outpatients case loads.
• Undertake medical assessments and treatment of children and young people including when there is previous or imminent statutory Child protection service involvement.
• Work cooperatively as a member of the Community Paediatric Medical Service to deliver wholistic, trauma informed care, integrating medical and allied health wrap around services with a multidisciplinary team.
• Write medical reports and where necessary, attend case conferences and related meetings. When indicated participate in therapeutic interventions with children and families, offering consultation to other health professionals in therapeutic work on particular issues

2. Contribute to the on-call requirements in General Paediatrics and provide support for acute paediatric inpatients.

3. Initiate and manage clinical governance systems within the Paediatric Department by practicing evidence-based medicine, participating in clinical audit and morbidity and mortality review, quality improvement activities and contributing to the review and maintenance of policies and guidelines.

4. Contribute to and provide leadership and education to the students attending ANU Medical School, junior medical staff, postgraduate trainees and other members of the clinical team during the provision of clinical care and contribute to research in areas of medical interest related to the clinical practice or science of Paediatrics

5. Undertake other duties appropriate to this level of classification which contribute to the operation of the section with the delivery of high-quality person and family centred, safe and high-quality patient care. Promote a collaborative approach to care that enables all members of the clinical team to feel respected and valued and optimises patient care and treatment outcomes

6. 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.

Behavioural Capabilities

To be successful in this position, it is expected that the successful candidate will have the following attributes:

• Experience in the practice of paediatrics
• Strong organisational skills with a high degree of drive
• Good understanding of the principles of quality and safety to deliver exceptional care
• Adaptability and flexibility to accommodate change and provide responsive services to meet clients’ needs
• An ability to provide leadership and work respectfully in partnership within a multidisciplinary environment.

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.

Position Requirements / Qualifications

Mandatory

• Be registered or be eligible for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA),
• Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians or equivalent specialist qualifications,

Desirable

• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.
• Fulfil the responsibilities of this role in alignment to the CHS Exceptional Care Framework, Clinical Governance Framework, Partnering for 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.
• Prior to commencing this role, a current registration issued under the Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act 2011 is required.
• Comply with Canberra Health Services Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination policy.
• Comply with 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)

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

1. Proven experience in the practice of Paediatrics and paediatric service delivery and development.
2. Demonstrated high level of communication and interpersonal skills, including an ability to provide mentorship and work as a team member in a multidisciplinary environment.
3. 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.
4. An active commitment to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching of medical, nursing and allied health professionals.  While demonstrating ability to provide and promote leadership to all and by all medical staff within the Paediatrics department.
5. Experience in and or the ability in ensuring clinical governance excellence and operational integrity across a Paediatrics Department and maintaining all aspects of clinical governance across the 8 National Quality and Safety Standards in Paediatrics.

Where possible include specific relevant examples of your work.

For consideration at the Senior Specialist level, you will require the above and:

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.