POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE : / HMO generic position - casual
REPORTS TO : / HMO Manager (and departmental clinical staff for each rotation)

AWARD:

(eg. Registered Nurses) / Australian Medical Association (Victoria) Doctors in Training Agreement 2013-2017

CLASSIFICATION

(eg. Registered Nurse Grade 2):
HOURS PER WEEK : / As required

PERIOD of ESTABLISHMENT

(complete if position temporary): / 28/06/2015 – 31/01/2016

1. ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT

Austin Health is comprised of Austin Hospital, Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital and Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre. Austin Health is a major teaching and research centre with numerous university and research institute affiliations.

Catering to diverse multicultural and veteran communities, Austin Health delivers vital statewide services to Victorians and a vast array of specialty services to the people of Melbourne’s north-eastern corridor in a safety-focussed, team-orientated and stimulating work environment.

With the recent addition and partnership of the Mercy Hospital for Women, Austin Health continues expand and develop its health services to the community.

2. LOCAL WORK ENVIRONMENT

The position is a joint appointment with the various health services within the Central North West Consortium. Rotations include those located at the Northern Health (Epping) Bendigo HealthCare and Echuca Regional Health.

Rosters are flexible and may be changed during the year providing suitable swaps are arranged at no inconvenience to the clinical unit/s concerned and sufficient notice is given.

Our Medical Education Unit delivers diverse training and education sessions, both targeted to specific training programs and general development session covering generalist skills

There are handbooks for all rotations outlining hours, duties, and basic common drug protocols for the unit, staff (medical and nursing), clinic and ward details. These may be found on the intranet through the Medical Education site.

3. POSITION OBJECTIVE

·  To provide safe and timely patient care in accordance with Austin Health policies, procedures and mission statement of the organisation

·  To provide a learning experience for the HMO consistent with the Australian Curriculum Framework for Junior Doctors

·  To provide opportunity to develop professional skills, including clinical management and coordination, documentation proficiency, management of admission and discharge procedures and patient assessment skills

5. POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Patient Care

1.  Complete a comprehensive patient history by obtaining a history from the patient and from other relevant sources (e.g. medical record, family, nursing home, general practitioner, ambulance transfer sheet). It is important to distinguish between factual and presumed information, and to verify presumed past diagnoses. Many patients have chronic illnesses or functional problems which impact on their social situation, so it is important to gain a full social and psychological history.

2.  Document the full history, physical examination and progress notes even if a covering HMO admits the patient. The progress notes must be Legible, accurate and signed.

3.  Formulate a management plan for each patient.

4.  Ensure that appropriate investigations are ordered and checked and that the management plan is altered as necessary.

5.  Design a discharge plan containing clearly identified and attainable goals.

6.  If a patient is admitted to the ward, the HMO will be responsible for communicating the appropriate management of the patient with ward staff.

Organization

1.  Have an understanding of the National Triage Scale.

2.  Check results of important tests of the day and that decisions made earlier in the day have been carried out.

Communication

1.  Develop and maintain good communication with nursing, allied health staff and other staff.

2.  Be especially aware of the need for culturally sensitive communication with patients, families and other care providers. Ensure that the patient’s relatives are aware of the patient’s condition.

3.  Ensure that death and cremation certificates and discharge summaries are completed as soon as possible in the event of a patient’s death. (Consider need for death to be referred to the coroner).

6. KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential for Performance of the Position

Appropriate tertiary medical qualification from either Australian University or recognised overseas training.

Provisional Registration with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA): (note eligible applicants will be assisted through this process)

Dedication to delivering excellent service – to patients, all colleagues (nursing, medical, managerial, support staff), GPs and other contact points.

Desirable but not essential for Performance of the Position

Australian citizenship or permanent residency.

7.  OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION

Pre-Existing Injury

Prior to any person being appointed to this position it will be required that they disclose full details of any pre-existing injuries or disease that might be affected by employment in this position.

8.  DOCUMENT REVIEW DETAILS

Date Position First Documented (if known): ____/____/____

Date of this Position Description Review: ____/____/____

Signature of Manager: Date: ____/____/____

Signature of Employee: . Date: ____/____/____

Revised March 2011