Classification: Grade 4 Scientist plus in charge allowance
Business Unit/Department: Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine
Agreement: Victorian Public Health Sector (Medical Scientists, Pharmacists and Psychologists) Enterprise Agreement 2017 - 2021
Employment Ttpe: Full-Time, 40 hours (Incl ADO).
Position Purpose:
The Head Scientist is responsible for leading and directing the scientific laboratory-based activities of the Department, which include clinical diagnostic services provided by the Respiratory and Sleep Laboratories and those laboratory services pertaining to the VRSS. In addition, this role provides high level operational and project management support to the Department more broadly, contributes directly to the research and education outputs of the Department and leads quality and innovation initiatives within the Department.
For futher information and to apply please vist: www.austin.org.au/careers
Purpose & Accountabilites:
Role Specific:
QUALITY AND PATIENT CARE:
1.1 To strive for the provision of international best practice of care to all patients with respiratory and sleep diseases in the context of current professional knowledge and organisational resources.
1.2 To administer, plan and direct the activities of the Respiratory Laboratory, Home Oxygen Service, Exercise Laboratory, Sleep Laboratory and CPAP Clinic to ensure that they operate at a high standard, with a focus on quality and continuous improvement.
1.3 To ensure conformance of laboratory practices with regulatory standards and maintain appropriate accreditations, including but not limited to TSANZ Lung Function Laboratory Accreditation, ASA Sleep Laboratory Accreditation and NATA Blood Gas Service Accreditation.
1.4 To ensure maintenance of adequate medical records and ensure that there is prompt communication with relevant clinicians and health care providers.
1.5 To oversee the implementation of quality improvement activities for the laboratories and the wider Department to improve quality of patient care within the allocated resources.
1.6 To lead the development, evaluation and introduction of new technologies and diagnostic techniques into the clinical laboratories.
1.7 To lead the development and maintenance of the IT needs of the department, in particular the ResMed database and other in-house developed applications.
1.8 To engage in active ex-officio roles within the organisation, with external professional bodies, and as a NATA assessor.
2. SUPERVISION/EDUCATION:
2.1 To supervise the professional duties of students, scientists, HMOs and registrars in respiratory and sleep physiology in accordance with relevant policies.
2.2 To contribute to ongoing education in respiratory and sleep physiology by providing educational sessions to HMOs, advanced physician trainees and other healthcare staff as appropriate.
2.3 To provide quality undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in respiratory and sleep physiology.
2.4 To be responsible for the standard of professional conduct and quality of patient testing undertaken by all respiratory and sleep scientists engaged in physiological testing.
2.5 To be responsible for the initiation, planning, direction, presentation and/or publication of physiological research and development undertaken by scientific staff working in the Respiratory and Sleep Laboratories.
3. PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES:
3.1 To maintain appropriate credentials and experience in the fields of respiratory and/or sleep physiology, which may include, for example, respiratory function and allergy testing, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, arterial blood gas sampling and analysis, set up and analysis of a comprehensive range of diagnostic and treatment sleep studies; and equipment operation and troubleshooting.
3.2 To participate in professional review and development activities at service, Department and divisional levels as required.
3.3 To be responsible for the development and conduct of approved research in respiratory and/or sleep physiology within available facilities and resources. Collaborative and research strategy should be developed in consultation with the Director and other senior staff.
3.4 To interpret and verify respiratory function test results and prepare formal reports as required and/or to analyse sleep studies and assist in final report preparation.
3.5 To attend meetings and represent the Department and Health Service on committees. To contribute to the activities of professional societies relevant to respiratory and sleep physiology at national and international levels.
3.6 To commit to further professional development through completion of post-graduate studies and/or regular attendance and scientific contribution at national and international meetings/courses.
4. MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION:
4.1 To attend relevant meetings of the Department and provide lead administrative support to the Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine.
4.2 To be familiar with and comply with relevant clinical and administrative policies affecting patient care and other related matters.
4.3 To participate in the development and review of laboratory policies and procedures relevant to the provision of patient care in the Respiratory and Sleep Laboratories as requested.
4.4 To participate in management procedures as they relate to the resolution of incidents, complaints and errors in the Respiratory and Sleep Laboratories as a part of the Austin Health approach to clinical risk management.
4.5 To be responsible for the appointment, supervision, professional standard and personal development of all scientific staff and students (undergraduate and postgraduate) working in the Respiratory and Sleep Laboratories.
4.6 To be responsible for all physiological equipment and ensure that effective procedures are established and followed for their optimal operation, calibration, maintenance and quality control.
4.7 To assist the Director to manage budget expenditure and revenue setting in Respiratory and Sleep Laboratories.
4.8 To monitor and report key performance indicators which reflect all the important aspects of the laboratories’ functions.
4.9 To further the professional development of all scientific staff.
4.10 To be responsible for ensuring there is prompt, regular and thorough communication for Respiratory and Sleep scientists and others, both within and the hospital and to outside stakeholders, as appropriate.
4.11 To act as a resource for problem solving and troubleshooting of technical, staff and any other issues related to laboratory performance.
Essential Knowledge and skills:
• Demonstrated ability to provide strategic leadership in a laboratory that meets or exceeds NATA requirements and to provide expert training and guidance.
• Possess a relevant post-graduate qualification and substantial experience (>10 years) in clinical respiratory and sleep science.
• Proven record of achievement in respiratory and/or sleep science and demonstrated ability to apply an expert level of knowledge and skills in Respiratory and Sleep Science.
• Demonstrated ability to provide authoritative counsel in matters relating to respiratory and sleep science to stakeholders both within and outside of the discipline.
• Demonstrated personal qualities of leadership and knowledge, expertise and skill for the strategic management of human, financial and physical resources of specialised Respiratory and Sleep laboratories.
• High level IT skills including computer programming.
• A commitment to the Austin Health values.
• Commitment to a high standard of patient care.
• Experience in Human Resource issues, change and performance management.
• Demonstrated ability in budget management.
• Demonstrated initiative and enthusiasm, approachable, flexible nature.