ORGANISATIONAL OVERVIEW Colac Area Health is a unique, integrated health service comprising of over 500 employees, providing Acute Care, Aged Care and Community and Allied Health Services to a catchment population of approximately 30,000.
Situated on the traditional lands of the Gulidjan people, we are in the Colac Otway Shire, one of the most picturesque Victorian municipalities. Colac Area Health (CAH) recognises the role of employees in driving a high-performance culture and a values-based organisation. Our commitment to Diversity and Inclusion We celebrate diversity and welcome a workforce that reflects the community we live in. We welcome all people regardless of ethnicity, faith, age, disability, culture, language, gender identity or sexual orientation. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as Australia’s First Peoples and as the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we work. We welcome lesbian, gay, trans, gender diverse and intersex (LGBTQIA+) people at our services. We pledge to provide inclusive and non-discriminatory services. Child Safety Responsibilities We are committed to being a child-safe organisation to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children, at all times.
We have specific policies, procedures, and mandatory training in place to support employees, volunteers, and contractors to achieve and adhere to these commitments. As a child safe organisation, employment is subject to a satisfactory national (and international where relevant) police check and appropriate Working With Children Check prior to commencement of any paid or unpaid work. POSITION SUMMARY Our Department / unit: Urgent Care Senior Medical Officer is responsible for providing senior medical decision-making support to all clinical staff, guiding resuscitation of critically unwell patients, managing basic and advanced procedures within emergency medicine scope of practice, and supporting the nurse in charge regarding flow decisions. The Senior Medical Officer is an active participant in the assessment and treatment of patients in the Urgent Care Centre. Primary Objectives: Urgent Care Services is inclusive of Urgent Care Centre, Short Stay Unit, and medical emergency-related responses within CAH. The Urgent Care Services provide an ambulance and walk-in service for patients with urgent medical conditions, operating 24/7 within the CAH site. There are approximately 11,000 attendances per annum to our Urgent Care Services, providing medical treatment and management for patients with urgent and semi-urgent medical conditions. All patients who attend Urgent Care are seen on arrival by Registered Nurse, Doctor, and/or Nurse Practitioner in order of medical priority. Pathology and Radiology services are routinely available to support patient management, and there is 24/7 on-call coverage by supervising General Practitioners. ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES Key Responsibilities Onsite presence, active involvement in assessment and care of all triage categories of Urgent Care presentations Senior medical oversight of flow within the Urgent Care, maximise effective utilisation of limited Urgent Care treatment spaces Screens for high-risk patients in waiting areas, responds to clinical escalation and high demand procedures, drives timely medical disposition planning and ensures the rationale use of investigations and management Senior oversight of Urgent Care’s short stay units, facilitate flow through Short Stay Unit, contribute towards improved length of stays/turnover/utilisation/disposition plans Supervision as required of junior medical officers and clinical staff in their care of Urgent Care patients, teaching on the run to the clinical workforce Oversight of potential inter-hospital transfers Lead and/or member of medical emergencies and code blues response teams throughout CAH Receive and provide clinical handover of patients requiring care of Urgent Care services Other Responsibilities Assume responsibility for quality patient care in accordance with the care model of the ward/unit, ensuring that clinical procedures are performed in accordance with CAH policy and procedure Ensure clear, relevant and contemporaneous notes are recorded in the hospital EMR Participate in resolving problems in care and to ensure that the Unit/ Department Head is aware of relevant issues and problems Participate in the development of discharge plans that reflects the needs of patients and their significant others and consider the role of community providers Ensure continuity of care by communicating appropriately with other practitioners including community general practitioners Ensure awareness of clinical experience and proficiency of junior medical staff delegated to deliver care and provide supervision for and be accountable for the care delivered Provide consistent and appropriate leadership and supervision to Junior Medical Staff Ensure that the care of all patients is handed over or other suitable arrangements for follow up, including follow up of results is in place when not on call Lead by example in the delivery and promotion of high-quality clinical care to all patients Actively participate in departmental or organisational wide quality and credentialing processes, including clinical work review groups Participate in developing department and personal priority goals and objectives consistent with the mission, philosophy and strategic plan of the organisation Ensure that any dealings with the media are approved and in accordance with policy, procedure and privacy legislation Contribute to creating and maintaining a work climate which is conducive to positive morale and employee growth, development and retention Ensure own health and well-being and seek assistance if impairment in physical or mental health is impacting on job performance Work collaboratively and respectfully with multi-disciplinary team members to achieve desired outcomes for patients through effective communication and attendance and participation in unit and site clinical meetings Build networks and participate in benchmarking to seek and share information to assist in developing best practices Always demonstrate a caring and empathetic approach towards patients Participate and contribute to improvement of policies, procedures and protocols and identify areas of improvement in clinical practice. Participate in clinical teaching and professional development of junior medical staff, medical students and students of all health professions and disciplines, including involving students in clinical care Maintain personal qualifications in accordance with continuing certification requirements of relevant medical college or other body Comply with CAH financial systems, policies and processes Maintain a high and accurate level of clinical and financial recording and ensure involvement in medical document audits Participate in departmental strategic and financial planning Participate in the development and monitoring of financial risk reduction and identify and implement strategies for cost control General Duties Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of duties in this job classification. KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS Provision of Clinical Care Demonstrated compliance with Medical Board of Australia, Colac Area Health and (Australian Curriculum Framework for Junior Doctors) standards, policy, and guidelines. Demonstrated assessment of urgent patients and non-urgent patients within 30 minutes and 2 hours respectively of the referral. Feedback from patients, carers and/or staff. Demonstrated maintenance of accurate medical records. Demonstrated understanding of the operation room/procedural process/environment (where required). Demonstration of utilisation of informed consent principles with patient management. Achievement of best practice standards. Teamwork Active ongoing contribution within multi-disciplinary team. Feedback from other relevant healthcare providers. Positive working relationships with external providers. Positive working relationships with non-clinical staff. Follow-up of investigation reports. Patient Care Standards and Clinical Skills Demonstrated competency in the management of basic life support techniques. 100% personal compliance with hospital policies and protocols. Demonstrated performance of the medical and surgical procedures listed in the Australian Curriculum Framework for Junior Doctors (under supervision). Feedback from patients, carers and/or staff. Performance review. Professional Development Demonstrated participation and attendance at required tutorials and grand rounds (For Junior Doctors). Completion of BLS/ALS/PLS check programs during the year as required (For Junior Doctors) CPD certification Feedback from patients, carers and/or staff. Managing Information 100% compliance of hospital information management policies. Demonstrated 100% compliance with Information Privacy and Health Records. Completion of discharge summaries on day of discharge. Follow-up of investigation results. Quality and Safety Demonstrated adherence to National Safety Quality Standards, Australian Curriculum Framework and professional code of conduct (For Junior Doctors) Active contribution and participation to the Quality Improvement Register. Other Duties Colac Area Health values modelled at all times. Participation in team meetings, working parties and committees. Feedback and performance review. Adherence to relevant health care or industry standards. Completion of mandatory training and education. ORGANISATIONAL REQUIREMENTS Risk Management Occupational Health & Safety Safety & Quality Promptly respond to and report health and safety hazards, incidents and near misses. Take reasonable care for your own health and safety, and health and safety of others to promote a positive safety culture by contributing to health and safety consultation and communication Demonstrates a commitment to continuous quality improvement and achievement of excellence in service delivery. Actively participates in accreditation programs. Infection Control Ensure all practice is conducted in accordance with infection control policies, procedures and standards. Workplace Behaviours Ensure that you engage in acceptable behaviour consistent with CAH policy and procedures. This includes treating other staff fairly, equitably and not subjecting anyone to any form of bullying, discrimination or harassment. Demonstrate and abide by CAH’s and the Victorian Public Sector Commission (VPSC) Code of Conduct. Participate in promoting a safe working environment. Ensure an appropriate level of customer service is provided, demonstrating a friendly and supportive approach to our consumers. Demonstrate an understanding of appropriate behaviours when engaging with children. Demonstrate an understanding of the Charter of Human Rights. Key Selection Criteria: Qualifications, Experience and Personal Attributes – Essential: Current AHPRA medical registration without restrictions Fellows of clinical Colleges (RACGP, ACRRM, ACEM, or RNZCUC), or having completed postgraduate Emergency Medicine training (Emergency Medicine Certificate, Emergency Medicine Diploma, Emergency Medicine Advanced Diploma equivalent) Critical Care, Emergency or Urgent Care clinical experience and competency for independent practice Experience in the support and supervision of Junior Medical Staff Rights to work in Australia Demonstrated ability to practice collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary health care team Effective organisational skills, with respect to time management and delegation Displays and expresses high level of ethics to patients, colleagues and the organisation Demonstrates skill and maturity in problem solving, negotiation and conflict resolution Demonstrates ability to make decisions and support rationale, clearly communicate decisions Maintains confidentiality of patient, institutional and employee information Commitment to professional development Analyses own performance in accordance with position expectations. Develops goals and implements a plan to meet those goals. Maintains and own knowledge and skills Participates in and contributes to committees, teams and projects in keeping with the organisation’s strategic goals Desirable: Knowledge of health issues and community needs in relation to CAH’s catchments Familiarity with CAH’s clinical workforce referral pathways Acknowledgement of CAH’s strategic themes