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.

An exciting opportunity exists for suitably qualified neurologists to join the Neurology Department at the Canberra Hospital. There are currently multiple vacancies available across a range of sub-specialities, including epilepsy, clinical neurophysiology and neuroimmunology.

The Department of Neurology at Canberra Hospital is a well-established service with consultant medical staff positions supported by two accredited Neurology Advanced Trainees and two unaccredited Neurology Fellows, in addition to Basic Physician Trainees, Junior Medial Officers, specialist nurses, and neurophysiology scientists.

The neurology department provides inpatient and outpatient services to the ACT and surrounding region. It is level 6 acute stroke centre providing 24/7 endovascular clot retrieval (ECR) service to the region. The department manages approximately 2,300 in-patient admissions annually, with a dedicated ward, and an acute stroke unit. The neurology outpatient service provides up to 3,800 episodes of care annually in general neurology and sub-speciality areas of neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis, Movement Disorders, Botulinum Toxin, and clinical neurophysiology. There is a close working relationship with Neurosurgery, Radiology, General Medicine, Cardiology, the Acute Medical Unit, and public partners at North Canberra Hospital.

The current focus of the department is to grow the neurology sub-speciality services to meet the needs of our community and augment models of care across the region. The positions are most suited for candidates with sub-speciality interest in one or more areas of neurology, passion for high quality care and proven commitment to teaching and/or research. Sub-speciality interest and fellowship training in epilepsy, neuroimmunology or clinical neurophysiology (EEG and/ or EMG) would be highly desirable.

Level 2 or 3 ANZAN accreditation in EEG and/or NCS/ EMG would be required for appointment as a clinical neurophysiologist. Preference will be given to the sub-speciality areas that align most with the operational requirements of the neurology department.

It is expected that approximately 80% of the staff specialist’s time will be allocated to their substantive clinical service delivery role, and approximately 20% to non-clinical duties with some teaching, research and administrative responsibilities.

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.

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 inpatient and outpatient clinical services to clients and participate in the on-call rosters for the Neurology service (including the stroke service) including weekends and after-hours work. This includes:
  • Management of patients referred to the neurology outpatient clinics, including timely triaging, consultation, diagnosis, and reporting of diagnostic tests.
  • Contributing to direct neurology inpatient care, patient consultation requests from other units and timely ward rounds to ensure patient management is safe, optimal and expedited.
• Contributing to the planning, development, and provision of the relevant neurology sub-speciality service(s) at CHS.
• Assist the Neurology Unit Director 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 of Medicine.
• Contribute to regular teaching and training of Neurology Advanced Trainees, Fellows, Junior Medical Officers, Specialist Nurses, and Allied Health Staff.
• 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 Neurologists, to be recognised as a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP) in Neurology, 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 Neurology.
• 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 in Neurology (FRACP) or an equivalent higher specialist qualification
• Fellowship training in one or more sub-speciality areas of neurology. Relevant ANZAN accreditation in clinic neurophysiology.
• 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 completed at least 12 months of advanced training in Neurology and be recognised as a specialist XXX by Services Australia to claim MBS items.
• 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 in a similar role and environment in Australia.
• Knowledge of the RACP training and accreditation requirements.

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.
• 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 Neurology and one or more sub-specialty areas of neurology with demonstrated ability to manage the varied case mix, implement care pathways, and to provide evidence-based, person-centred care, and a 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.  This includes quality, safety, clinical audit, clinical risk, resource effectiveness and interdisciplinary working with other professional groups and support services.
3. Demonstrated high-level communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to provide leadership while working as a team member in a multidisciplinary environment.
4. Demonstrated interest and commitment to teaching at all levels including medical, nursing, and allied health professional staff.
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.