POSITION DESCRIPTION

Senior Resident Medical Officer

Organisation NSW Health

Local Health District / Agency Northern Sydney Local Health District
Position Classification JMO Senior Resident Medical Officer
State Award Public Hospital Medical Officers (State) Award
Category Medical Officers | Rehabilitation Medicine
Vaccination Category A+
Website www.nslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/

PRIMARY PURPOSE
The primary purpose of the role is to provide effective medical services to patients under supervision in a complex
clinical environment. The Rehabilitation/Palliative Care /Aged Care Senior Medical Officer (SRMO) is the key person
who works closely with all members of a multi-disciplinary team and deals with matters of an urgent or sensitive
nature, whilst exercising discretion, sensitivity and maintaining confidentiality. Decision making and supervision will be
at the appropriate level according to the SRMO skills, knowledge and experience. They will be expected to adopt a
progressively more independent approach to patient management according to their experience, under the guidance
of and at the discretion of the appropriate Attending Medical Officer (AMO). All patients managed within the hospitals
of the health service are under the direct care of a specialist medical practitioner. All decisions regarding a patient's
care are to be clearly communicated with the specialist responsible for that care.

COVID-19 VACCINATION COMPLIANCY

All NSW Health workers are required to have completed a primary course of a COVID-19 vaccine which has been
approved or recognised by the Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA). Additionally, Category A workers are
required to receive a booster dose three months after completing the primary course of COVID-19 vaccinations. New
applicants must have completed the vaccination course prior to commencement with NSW Health, or provide an
approved medical contraindication certificate (IM011 immunisation medical exemption form) certifying the worker
cannot have any approved COVID-19 vaccines available in NSW.
Acceptable proof of vaccination is the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) Immunisation History Statement or AIR
COVID-19 Digital Certificate. Booster doses are highly recommended for all health care workers who have completed
the primary course of COVID-19 vaccinations.
For Category A applicants, if dose 3 is not yet due they can sign the undertaking form to confirm they will receive the
vaccine within 6 weeks of the dose due date.

RESPIRATOR USE
NSW Health workers may be required to use a respirator, as part of their appointment with NSW Health. Where a
respirator is required for use, workers will be instructed in their safe use; including donning, doffing and fit checking.
Staff may be required to complete fit testing to selected respirator/s to assess their facial fit/seal.

At all times when a health worker is required to use a respirator, the health worker must not have any facial hair
present. Processes are in place to support workers that need to keep facial hair due to religious observance
requirements and/ or health conditions.

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ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

• MBBS or equivalent, currently registered or eligible for registration with the Medical Board of Australia in
an appropriate registration category
• Completion of at least two postgraduate year's post graduate experience including local experience in
rehabilitation, palliative care or geriatric medicine and an interest in rehabilitation medicine or
palliative care.
• Understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and health issues.
• Competent in the following procedures:
o Safe and appropriate use of IV drugs, blood products and IV and subcutaneous fluids.
o Advanced skills in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation
o Medical Emergency Team Skills
o Venepuncture
o Blood sampling for arterial blood gas analysis
o Insertion of a NG tube/or gastric tube
o Intravenous cannulation
o Suturing
o Produce appropriate discharge summaries (electronic and written)
• This position is subject to an appropriate supervision level which can be supported by the health agency.
• Sufficient clinical experience in order to undertake the key accountabilities for this role
• Valid Working with Children Check
• Cleared National Police Check
• Aged Care Check for Australian Government funded positions
• To be employed by NSW Health you are required to provide evidence of vaccination to comply with the
NSW Health Occupational Assessment, Screening & Vaccination against Specified Infectious Diseases
Policy, this includes any amendments made from time to time.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
1. To provide high quality, safe, patient-centred care service to patients under supervision of Senior Medical
Staff.
2. Responsible for reviewing all results/diagnosis and treatment of patients, including liaison with other
health professionals involved in the patients care within the Departments and also upon transfer of care
to ongoing medical teams.
3. Ensure that instructions of visiting medical officers and other visiting medical practitioners providing
consultative care in ARU / BRU / Palliative Care are strictly carried out.
4. Communicate patient-relevant information in a timely and clear manner to patients and their
families/carers and all staff involved in the patient's care, to facilitate shared decision-making, timely
information transfer, and hence ensuring quality patient care. This includes escalating issues when
required, and respecting confidentiality and privacy.
5. Prepare and oversee accurate documentation in relation to patient care, maintaining confidentiality and
privacy, to ensure timely and efficient communication of patient information, and to ensure patient records
are effective and accurate for current and future use. This includes preparing treatment plans,
correspondence with other treating practitioners, entry into medical records, referrals, discharge
summaries, reports for coroners, death certificates and any other documentation in relation to patient
care and management.
6. Teach other clinical staff, to ensure an optimal learning environment, promote growth and development of
others. Teaching may include running formal education sessions, providing learning experiences on the
job, and giving constructive feedback and informal instruction.
7. Supervise other clinical staff, to enable them to develop the competence and knowledge required for
responsible practice, to ensure quality patient care and treatment, promote team building and a
supportive environment, enhance the performance of those being supervised, and monitor their welfare.

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Supervision includes checking work is conducted to standards, providing constructive feedback,

contributing to professional development, assisting to solve problems, and clinical workload
management.
8. Contribute to research projects to contribute to scholarly knowledge that leads to better patient outcomes
and to develop skills and understanding of quality research.
9. Participate in quality assurance activities to ensure that appropriate standards are maintained, gaps in
meeting safety and quality standards are identified and raised, and to contribute to the continual
improvement of self, colleagues, the department and the service provided by the hospital.
10. Actively monitor and manage own safety and wellbeing, seeking assistance when needed.
11. Create a personal training or development plan, participate in available educational experiences, and
actively seek to learn and obtain feedback in order to maintain lifelong learning and continuing
professional development, to understand your own skills, knowledge and capability; and therefore to
experience professional growth, exercise judgement and know when to seek assistance.

KEY CHALLENGES

• Manage competing priorities and delegate/escalate appropriately within a complex clinical environment.
• Balancing professional development and hospital mandated training and education requirements with the
delivery of high level medical care and services in a challenging, demanding and varying environment.
• Participating in difficult and critical conversations with colleagues, patients, families, clients and carers.
• Participating in difficult and critical conversations with colleagues, patients, families, clients and carers.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Who Why

Patients/Consumers/Families/carers/guardians To communicate information regarding hospitalisation,

accompanying a patient treatment, and progress in a sensitive, timely, and clear nature
as essential for optimal patient care and experience.

Consultants providing clinical supervision To enable positive working relationships whilst under direct
supervision to facilitate professional development. To
participate in discussion and decisions, escalate issues,
propose solutions, receive guidance, and provide regular
updates regarding patients and their management.

Inpatient (ward) teams, including other clinical To co-coordinate patient care and follow up as part of a multi-
staff/streams/divisions across medical, nursing disciplinary team and across other supporting teams that is
and allied health timely, progressive and positive for each clinical care episode
To promote positive working relationships between inpatient
professional groups.

SELECTION CRITERIA
1. Qualifications and experience commensurate with the Essential Requirements for the role
2. Demonstrated ability to work independently in a supervised environment.
3. Adept ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team with an understanding of the roles of
the doctor and other members of the healthcare team.
4. Adept written and verbal communication skills and ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with

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patients, family members and others members of the health care team.
5. Adept good organisational and time management skills and ability to manage competing priorities in a
complex environment.
6. Demonstrated commitment to quality improvement, patient safety and risk management.
7. Evidence of continuing professional development and commitment to self-education.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Model the NSW Health CORE Values of Collaboration, Openness, Respect and Empowerment.
• Participate in a 24/7 roster and may be rostered to day, evening or night shifts across a seven day roster
• Move between services and geographical locations to deliver patient care
• Participate in ward rounds and clinical handover, to transfer information, accountability and responsibility
for a patient or group of patients, following the ISBAR protocol, National Australian Standards.
• Complete mandatory training as required by the hospital, local health district or specialty network, and
NSW Health
• Attend all applicable organization-wide, hospital, department and role orientation sessions
• Abide by all conditions/provisions of employment as outlined in the relevant Award
• Conduct all required responsibilities and tasks of the role in a manner that is consistent with legislation,
local and state-wide delegations, procedures, policies and manuals, which include but are not limited to
the following areas:
o NSW Health Code of Conduct
o performance management and development
o work, health and safety
o records management
o confidentiality and privacy
• All staff are expected to take reasonable care that their acts and omissions do not adversely affect the
health and safety of others, that they comply with any reasonable instruction that is given to them and
with any policies/procedures relating to health or safety in the workplace, as well as notifying any
hazards/risks or incidents to their managers.
• Act as role model and promote a culture and supporting practices that reflect the organisational
values through demonstrated behaviours and interactions with patients/clients/employees
• Comply with supervision requirements as set out by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation

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CAPABILITIES FOR THE ROLE
The NSW Public Sector Capability Framework applies to all NSW public sector employees. The Capability Framework
is available via the Public Service Commission website.

Capability Summary
Below is the full list of capabilities and the level required for this role. The capabilities in bold are the focus capabilities
for this role. Refer to the next section for further information about the focus capabilities.

NSW Public Sector Capability Framework

Capability Group Capability Name Level
Display Resilience and Courage Advanced

Act with Integrity Advanced

Manage Self Advanced

Value Diversity Advanced

Communicate Effectively Advanced

Commit to Customer Service

Work Collaboratively Advanced

Influence and Negotiate Advanced

Deliver Results Advanced

Plan and Prioritise Advanced

Think and Solve Problems Advanced

Demonstrate Accountability Advanced

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