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.

Canberra Hospital:

The Division of Women, Youth and Children (WYC) within Canberra Hospital provides a broad range of primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare services. Service provision is based on a family-centred, interdisciplinary approach to care, in partnership with consumers and other service providers.
The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Canberra Hospital provides tertiary level obstetrics and gynaecological services to the ACT and surrounding regions. The Centenary Hospital for Women and Children has more than 3,700 births per year and is a level 6 referral centre for high-risk pregnancies for the region.

North Canberra Hospital:

The Women and Children Division within North Canberra Hospital is a level 4 service that provides inpatient, ambulatory and community care across maternity, gynaecology and neonatal (level 3 Special Care Nursery) services to the ACT and surrounding regions. NCH has approximately 2000 births per year. Service provision is based on a family-centred, interdisciplinary approach to care, in partnership with consumers and other service providers.

WYC and WC are undergoing a program of continuous business improvements to inform best practices in the models of care as well as ensuring that the workforce and services are safe and sustainable. Both sites are committed to rebuilding a positive workplace culture and are confident that we can deliver excellent health care to the community if we work together.

CHS are seeking permanent Staff Specialist(s) capable of generalist practice across both Obstetrics and Gynaecology, with the ability to develop special interests as a proportion of their work schedule including laparoscopic / endometriosis surgery. CHS are seeking candidates to work at Canberra Hospital and/or North Canberra Hospital.

Key responsibilities

Under the limited direction of the Clinical Director, You will:

• Provide clinical expertise in both Obstetric and Gynaecological practice.
• Conduct clinical duties including oversight of the birthing suite, acute gynaecology, outpatient services and the operating theatre and demonstrate participation in non-clinical duties that contribute to the growth of the Department/s, such as teaching, supervision, audit, research and committee representation.
• Manage inpatients, conduct regular teaching ward rounds and provide ward support to the team of registrars and junior medical officers
• Participate in the on-call roster for both Obstetrics and Gynaecology at a pro-rata basis according to service requirements.
• Work in a collaborative partnership with the Medical, Nursing, Allied Health and Administrative Leads to deliver safe, high quality clinical services and contribute to the education and training of all members of the clinical team.
• Provide leadership and coordination in clinical governance by developing evidence-based guidelines; ensuring high level staff performance; and overseeing quality improvement and risk management activities.
• Provide leadership in standards of practice, including professional development, teaching and training and research and innovation, and maintain own knowledge through participation in learning and development opportunities.
• Undertaking other duties as directed, within the approved scope of clinical practice ensuring the delivery of high-quality person and family centred care.

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 organisational skills with a high degree of drive.
• Flexible approach to work including the ability to embrace challenges and provide innovative solutions to problems.
• Highly conscientious and professional in all aspects of work.
• Ability to work within multi-disciplinary and management teams and adapt quickly to a changing environment, including managing confidential and sensitive information.

Qualifications

Essential

• Be registered or be eligible for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
• Hold a Fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) or an equivalent higher specialist qualification.

Desirable

• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.
• Fulfill 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.

Experience

Essential

• Strong organisational skills with a high degree of drive.
• Flexible approach to work including the ability to embrace challenges and provide innovative solutions to problems.
• Highly conscientious and professional in all aspects of 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.

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.
• 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.
• 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. Proven extensive experience in the practice of evidence-based Obstetrics and Gynaecology with a demonstrated commitment to the maintenance and further development of skills in this area, with involvement in further education, teaching and continuing professional development post Fellowship.
2. Demonstrated high level communication and interpersonal skills.
3. Demonstrated ability to provide leadership, teaching and training for junior staff, and ability to work as a team member in a multidisciplinary environment.
4. Demonstrated understanding of, and commitment to all aspects of clinical governance including conducting and leading research and/or audit in relevant areas of practice.
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 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.