POSITION NUMBER
20023602
POSITION TITLE
Senior Project Officer
CLASSIFICATION
EL 1 or EL2 (depending on the experience of the applicant)
SALARY
From $94,705 (plus 15.4% superannuation)
EMPLOYMENT TYPE:
Full-time, 12 month temporary
REFERENCE NUMBER
14-0002
LOCATION
LEVEL 5, 255 ELIZABETH ST, SYDNEY
____________________________________________________________________
Contact Officer:
Margaret Banks
Phone number:
(02) 9126 3684
Submission Details:
Applications are to be submitted via email to
ACSQHCHR@safetyandquality.gov.au
Should you experience any difficulties with submitting your
application please phone (02) 9126 3681
Closing Date:
Wednesday, 29 September 2014
NOTE:
This position is only available to people of Aboriginal or
Torres Striate Islander heritage.
Introduction
1. The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (the ACSQHC) was
established to lead and co-ordinate improvements in safety and quality in health care at a
national level. The ACSQHC identifies issues and policy directions and recommends
priorities for action. It has responsibilities to report publicly on the state of safety and quality,
disseminate information and knowledge, consult widely and provide strategic advice to
Health Ministers on ‘best practice’ thinking to drive quality improvement. The Commission is
an agency operating under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (PGPA)
Act 2013 and is funded jointly by the Commonwealth, States and Territories.
The ACSQHC currently undertakes programs in a number of key safety and quality areas,
including accreditation, healthcare acquired infections, medication safety, clinical handover,
and recognising and responding to clinical deterioration.
This position will primarily be responsible for driving the project to improve the health care
provided to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in mainstream health services using
the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards. The initial focus will be
on acute health service organisations but may include community-based health services.
The Project objectives are to develop best practice resource for use in health service caring
for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people using the NSQHS Standards as the safety
and quality framework;. identify the safety and quality issues associated with the care of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in mainstream health services that cannot be
directly addressed from the current requirements in the NSQHS Standards; and consider
how the NSQHS Standards could be enhanced or amended to address the needs of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in mainstream health services, as part of a
process of revision of the NSQHS Standards
This project is funded jointly by States, Territories and the Commonwealth through a funding
agreement, with some jurisdictions are providing in-kind support. The Commission will report
on this project to the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Standing
Committee (NATSIHSC).
Position Description
Position Title:
Senior Project Officer
Position Level:
Executive Level 1 or 2
Employment Type:
Full-time, 12 month position
Reporting To:
Margaret Banks, Senior Program Direction – Accreditation
Location:
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
Level 5, 255 Elizabeth Street, Sydney.
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Purpose of the Position
This position supports the work of the Commission, through the Accreditation Program. The
Senior Project Officer will be responsible for undertaking a range of research, analytical,
writing, planning and consultation activities. Under the direction of the Program Manager, the
Senior Project Officer will be expected to work independently, with limited supervision to
achieve agreed deliverables and timelines..
Position Responsibilities
1.
Plan, draft and implement the project documentation to achieve the project objectives
Support the implementation of the National Safety and Quality Accreditation
Standards, including stakeholder engagement, consultation on supporting
documentation, training and education of the surveyor workforce.
2.
Support the implementation and application of the processes and procedures for the
NATSIHSC project on national coordination of accreditation.
3.
Manage projects to implement the development of National Safety and Quality Heath
Service (NSQHS) Standards resources, including the development of implementation
plans, project budgets and timelines, production of project deliverables, monitoring and
reporting.
4.
Prepare written reports, briefs and other documents for a range of audiences to a high
standard, in particular for key Commission committees, NATSIHSC and AHMAC.
5.
Consult with experts and stakeholders including coordination of formal consultation
processes where required to achieve the objectives of the program.
6.
Participating in and presenting to committee meetings, forums and workshops on
relevant topics.
7.
Providing secretariat support to the work of relevant committees and expert groups.
8.
Undertaking project management activities including project planning and
documentation, implementation, monitoring and reporting on progress of the project;
providing recommendations about managing risk, identifying problems and proposing
possible solutions.
9.
Keeping the Program Manager and Chief Executive informed about progress on
projects, and strategic implications.
Skills Required
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High level writing skills
High level research, analytical and interpretation skills
Effective oral communication and presentation skills
Understanding of the delivery of care in Australian health services
Well-developed negotiation, influencing and consultation skills
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Well-developed project management skills
Strong resource and time management skills
Sound decision making skills, incorporating initiative and professional judgement
where necessary
Qualifications and Experience

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Experience in health safety and quality including areas such as community care
Knowledge of accreditation.
Clinical experience
Experience in developing policy
Extensive experience in writing for different audiences and in different formats
Experience in literature reviews and searches
Project management experience
Relevant tertiary qualifications
Critical Knowledge

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Knowledge and understanding of the issues regarding safety and quality in health care
Knowledge of the Australian healthcare system, particularly the role of accreditation in
that system
Knowledge of workplace participation, diversity, occupational health and safety
principles and practice
Judgement and Decision Making
The Senior Project Officer will be required to make decisions in relation to:

project management and planning

day to day activities and organisation of work

priority setting and work flow management

draft content of reports and other document
Decisions which are referred to the Program Director include:

any decision that will substantially alter the outcomes, timeframe or funding
requirement of individual projects

major policy issues or conflicts arising in the course of project and representational
duties

all matters that require a higher delegated authority such as approval for expenditure,
appropriation of resources and/or travel

sign-off of correspondence, reports and papers for public distribution

matters requiring submission to the Chief Executive, Commission or committees.
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Relationships
With:
Purpose
1. Program Director
This position will directly report to the Program Manager
responsible for the Commission’s work on Standards and
accreditation.
2. Program Team
This position will work in collaboration with relevant program
team members to develop and implement program
initiatives.
3. Commission Chief
Executive and staff
This position will provide support and advice as required to
Commission staff on matters related to the topics of interest.
4. Commission members
and Standing
committees
This position will provide advice and support to Commission
committees as required to assist with decision making
processes, and utilise the skills and expertise of
Commission staff in progressing projects, as relevant.
5. Content experts and
stakeholders
This position will be responsible to identifying, developing
and maintaining effective working relationships with content
experts and key stakeholders to ensure the development of
the project deliverables.
Selection Criteria
1.
Extensive knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health organisations, in
particular organisations addressing the safety and quality of health for Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander people.
2.
Knowledge and understanding of the Australian Healthcare delivery system, including
accreditation and the regulatory health environment.
3.
Extensive experience in all aspects of project management.
4.
Highly developed oral and written communication skills including demonstrated ability
to prepare high level briefing documents and submissions in a variety of writing styles
to meet the needs of different audiences.
5.
Ability to work effectively with a broad range of government and non-government
stakeholders and support the work of committees.
6.
Highly developed interpersonal and organisational skills, with a demonstrated ability to
work independently and within a team.
7.
Knowledge of, and demonstrated commitment to, the principles and practices of
workplace diversity, workplace participation and occupational health and safety.
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