Position Title: Classification: Reports To: Department: Award / Enterprise Agreement: Hospital Medical Officer Hospital Medical Officer HM13 Director of Emergency Services Emergency In accordance with the AMA Victoria Victorian Public Health Specialists Enterprise Agreement 2013 and subsequent variations About Bass Coast Regional Health Bass Coast Health is the major public healthcare provider within the Bass Coast Shire in South Gippsland. The service has provided quality service and care for residents of the Bass Coast Shire for over 100 years. It is an integrated health service providing emergency services as well as acute (medical and surgical), sub-acute and residential inpatient beds along with an extensive array of community and primary care services. Services are also provided from a number of sites including Wonthaggi, San Remo, Inverloch and Cowes. The service is committed to working in partnership with its community, and with other health services, local government and state government. Bass Coast Health is committed to embracing the diverse life experiences and perspectives of all members of our community regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, cultural background, disability, religion or sexual orientation. Our Values Value Person Centred Focus Integrity What this means at Bass Coast Regional Health Having the patient/client/ resident/customer at the CENTRE of everything we do Honesty and reliability in our work Trust Doing what we agree to do; not letting our colleagues down Respect Quality and Safety Accountability Working Together Having regard for and valuing others views and opinions and acting accordingly; accepting differences Safety for patients, clients, residents and staff is a top priority. All work is focused on doing the best job possible and looking for ways of improving. Every staff member is accountable for their work and what they do every day; following through with tasks. Recognising that we are a team and that nobody can work alone successfully in a health care environment Page 1 of 6
Position Summary The HMO is the medical officer responsible for the initial assessment and management of patients attending the Emergency Department The HMO will be responsible for the admission of patients to the medical and surgical inpatients units and review ongoing care of patients under supervision of Visiting Medical Officers Key Responsibilities 1. Responsible to the Director of Medical Services to whom he/she is accountable for his/her overall performance. Bass Coast Regional Health s Senior Medical Officer and Visiting Medical Officers (VMOs) appointed to the Health Service provide clinical supervision. 2 The HMO should seek consultation from the Senior Medical Officer, the patient s General Practitioner or an appropriate rostered specialist, whichever is most appropriate if the patient is non-critical. An appropriate rostered specialist may then be contacted if directed to do so by the General Practitioner. 3 Patients should not be referred to other hospitals without consultation with the appropriate Senior Medical Officer and/or VMO. 4 The surgical and medical HMOs are clinically responsible to the admitting VMO [GP or specialist] for the day-to-day management of surgical or medical inpatients. Duties: 1 Directly responsible for patients who attend the Emergency Department: To assess and treat patients in order of medical priority To order all appropriate investigations of patients in consultation with the Senior Medical Officer and/or patient's VMO or Specialist To consult with the appropriate VMO in the event of a second opinion being required upon a patient To organise transfer of patients to another hospital when required To attend to the emergency department patients as the first priority except in the event of a medical emergency involving an inpatient To follow the administrative and clinical guidelines set out in the Emergency Department Procedure Manual To provide a clinical hand over for HMOs rostered to the next shift in the Emergency Department 2 Responsible for the care of surgical and medical inpatients under supervision of the relevant VMO GP or specialist: To admit patients to the health service under the orders of the supervising GP or specialist To participate in ward rounds with GPs and specialists To participate in discharge planning as part of the multidisciplinary team To provide a clinical hand over for HMOs rostered to the next shift in the Inpatient Units Page 2 of 6
To follow the administrative and clinical guidelines set out in inpatient unit procedure manuals 3 General responsibilities as part of HMO role at Bass Coast Regional Health: To maintain adequate medical records appropriate to the area of care in the health service To complete clinical incident reports as required To participate in the emergency responses and disaster response of the hospital as set out in the emergency procedures manual To participate in postgraduate educational activities as required To participate in quality improvement activities as required To undertake other duties as required from time to time including relieving other HMOs Organisational Relationships 1. Internal Liaisons: As a member of the Emergency Department and Inpatient Teams, the Hospital Medical Officer is required to develop strong working relationships with the Emergency Department Nursing and Administrative Staff, Ward Nursing Staff, Allied Health Staff and Staff generally across the Health Service. 2 External Liaisons: The Hospital Medical Officer is required to liaise externally with General Practitioners in the Bass Coast region and beyond and with VMO's to fulfil their responsibilities. The position will also require the HMO to liaise with emergency departments in other hospitals in relation to the transfer of patients as required. Qualifications and Registrations Essential: MBBS or other qualification recognised by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency Specific registration from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency can be supported and sought for International Medical Graduates who are suitable candidates Key Selection Criteria The HMO should be able to: 1. Perform basic clinical skills e.g. history taking, examination, appropriate ordering of tests, good documentation 2 Demonstrate a professional and compassionate manner with patients, their families and carers 3 Demonstrate an appropriate professional rapport with other members of the Health Care Team, Medical, Nursing, Paramedical, Complex Care Co-ordinator, and Clerical Staff, including participation in development of multidisciplinary care plans for patients that frequently present. Page 3 of 6
4. Understand the concept of triage in Emergency Medicine 5. Understand the admission and discharge processes within the health service 6. Demonstrate an ability to develop a management plan for patients who present to the Emergency Department and for inpatients admitted to the health service. 7. Demonstrate a sound conceptual basis for managing patients who present with common emergency conditions, including: Chest Pain Shock CVA Cardiac Arrest Overdose Haematemesis and Melaena Abdominal Pain Head Injuries Spinal Injuries Wound Management Paediatric Respiratory Disorders Common Arrhythmias Anaemia Tetanus Prophylaxis Psychiatric Emergencies Chemical Exposure Myocardial Infection The Unconscious Patient Respiratory Failure Diabetic Ketoacidosis Jaundice Epilepsy/Fitting Drowning/Near Drowning Anaphylaxis Snake and Spider Bite Major Trauma Burns Asthma Common Fractures The Febrile Child Eye Injuries 8. Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of Airway Management CPR Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support Emergency Management of Severe Trauma 9. Demonstrate procedural proficiency in Venepuncture Intravenous Cannulation Arterial Blood Gases Application of Plaster of Paris Backslabs and Casts Wound Management and Suturing Appropriate use of Analgesia in the Emergency Department Examination of a child Bladder Catheterisation 10. Demonstrate an understanding of, and some practical ability in: Airway management Insertion of Nasogastric Tube Lumbar Puncture Pleural Tap Insertion of Intercostal Catheter Obstetric Management Knowledge of Mandatory Reporting frail elderly and children. Page 4 of 6
10. Interpret accurately and confidently the results of tests commonly performed in the Emergency Department and hospital inpatient units, with particular emphasis on interpretation of the ECG. Health Service Policies and Procedures You are required to be familiar with Bass Coast Health s policies and procedures. These can be accessed using the PROMPT document management system which is accessed via the intranet. Consumer Focus Each employee has responsibility to ensure an excellent standard of service is offered by partnering with patient, consumers and/or carers and the community at all levels of health care provision, planning and evaluation. Demonstrate a commitment to the patient Charter of Healthcare Rights. Recognise and respond to the needs and requirements of each individual patient, consumer and/or carer. Quality & Safety Maintain confidentiality in accordance with Bass Coast Health s Policies and Procedures and in accordance with relevant privacy and health records legislation. Each employee has responsibility to ensure patient and consumer safety and quality of care is the highest priority. Ensure any risks are identified and reported promptly and that prevention strategies are implemented to ensure the safety of all patients and consumers. Maintain a good working knowledge of the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards, take initiative to pursue opportunities for quality improvement, and actively contribute to accreditation of the service being delivered. Actively involve patients, consumers and/or carers in quality and safety improvement activities. Maintain infection prevention and control knowledge levels commensurate with the requirements of the position and adhere to the organisation s Infection Prevention and Control policies and procedures at all times. Comply with all legislative, regulatory and policy and procedural requirements to protect and enhance the health, safety and wellbeing of you, patients, consumers and colleagues whilst at work. This includes the appropriate and safe use of machinery, devices and personal protective equipment and that the principles of general and patient manual handling are adhered to. Employment Principles Bass Coast Health is committed to the employment principles that reinforce the public sector values. Page 5 of 6
These principles ensure: Employees create and develop a positive working relationship with team and colleagues Employees act in accordance with the Code of Conduct and Workplace Behaviour policies Actively participate in relevant professional development Acceptance of the Position I understand, agree to and accept the role as outlined in accordance with this position description NAME (please print): SIGNATURE: DATE: Executive Director of Medical Services Signed on behalf of Bass Coast Health NAME (please print) SIGNATURE: DATE: Note: Statements in this Position Description are intended to reflect general responsibilities and are not intended to be all-inclusive. Other duties may be required as part of this role. Page 6 of 6