JOB DESCRIPTION
MEDICAL OFFICER SPECIALIST SCALE
Bay of Islands Hospital
Position Title:
Medical Officer
Organisation Unit:
Bay of Islands Hospital
Location:
Bay of Islands Hospital, Northland District Health Board
Responsible to:
Operations Manager, Bay of Islands Hospital, Northland District
Health Board
Primary Functions of
the Position:
The Medical Officer Special Scale, Paediatric and Adult
Medicine shall be responsible for providing a medical service to
a high standard at Bay of Islands Hospital. The MOSS will also
take a role in maintaining and enhancing the existing services
and will be expected to co-operate in the development of any
new service; and together with colleagues, provide a medical
paediatric and adult medical service for Bay of Islands Hospital.
Functional Relationships
The Medical Officer will develop and maintain excellent relationships with:
Internal
External
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Nursing Staff
Clerical Staff
Laboratory Staff
Radiology Staff
Physiotherapy Staff
OT Staff
Medical Officer Specialist Scale
Bay of Islands Hospital
January 09
Visiting Specialists
GP’s
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Key Responsibilities and Expected Outcomes
The position of Medical Officer encompasses the following major functions or key result
areas:
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Clinical Duties
General Duties
Other Duties
Treaty of Waitangi
Health and Safety
The outcome requirements of the above key responsibility areas are outlined below:
Key Responsibility Area
Expected Outcomes
Clinical Duties
MEDICAL
 The day-to-day management of medical inpatients.
 Assessment, treatment and/or referral of acute medical
admissions.
 Daily ward rounds in Medical Ward.
 Fracture clinic (usually one per week).
 Daily minor injury clinic.
 Assessment of GP outpatient referrals as required.
 Liaise with local GPs and specialists.
 Inpatient documentation and documentation of OPD
visits/discharges meets Northland Health standard.
 The provision of a terminal care service.
 Attend multi disciplinary meetings
PAEDIATRIC
 The day-to-day management of paediatric ward medical
cases.
 Assessment, treatment and/or referral of acute medical
paediatric admissions.
 Daily ward rounds.
 Inpatient documentation meets Northland Health standards
 Liaison with local GPs and visiting specialists.
PSYCHIATRIC
 Management and observation of acute psychiatric
admissions.
 Daily ward rounds.
 Adequate inpatient documentation.
 Outpatient follow up clinics as required with adequate
documentation.
 Liaison with local GPs and visiting specialists
GERIATRICS
 Day to day management of medical problems affecting
geriatric residents.
 Management of geriatric rehabilitation, including weekly
ward meetings and assessment together with rehabilitation
team.
Medical Officer Specialist Scale
Bay of Islands Hospital
January 09
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MEDICAL EMERGENCIES
 Management of medical emergencies requiring resuscitation
and transfer (in liaison with Specialists at Northland Base
Hospital).
 Assistance
with
management
of
major
trauma
cases/surgical emergencies requiring resuscitation and
transfer (in liaison with surgeons).
General Duties
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Other Duties
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Medical Officer Specialist Scale
Bay of Islands Hospital
January 09
Keep patient hospital stay to minimum compatible with high
standards of care.
Maintain effective personal relationships with patients and
handle problems sensitively, being aware of the role of
patient advocates, cultural concerns and patients’ rights.
Inform patient of treatment and procedures proposed and
give the opportunity for them to ask questions relevant to
their particular needs.
Advise patient on the advantages of health lifestyles and
specific measures that might help the patient avoid
recurrence of ill health.
Involvement in peer review activities.
Involvement in QA activities - monthly Morbidity and
Mortality meetings, audits.
Ongoing medical education to ensure a safe, efficient
service.
Familiarisation with the Hospital’s procedure manuals:
o Bay of Islands Policy Manual
o Medical Staff Manual
o Emergency Medicine Manual (A&E)
o Emergency & Disaster Plan
o Occupational Health & Safety
o Infection Control Manual
o Big Blue Blood Bank Book (transfusion practice)
Fostering of activities that facilitate collaboration among
inter/interdisciplinary colleagues, particular with General
Practitioners.
Embrace the mission statement and philosophy of the
Hospital.
Be cognisant of the cultural values of all people and
consider these values in the management of patients and
their families.
Approachability and cognisance of the need to have good
working relationships with colleagues and other employees
within the Hospital.
Being readily contactable by the receptionist either through
cell phone or by direct information of whereabouts. The
Employee has the responsibility of informing the receptionist
when going to be absent from the Hospital - e.g. occasional
leave, half days or attendance at clinics or meetings
elsewhere.
Maintenance of registration with the Medical Council of New
Zealand and personal medical insurance (MDU or Medical
Protection Society).
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Key Responsibility Area
Expected Outcomes
Treaty of Waitangi
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Health & Safety
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Contribute to the promotion of the principles of Treaty of
Waitangi and the involvement if Maori within the decision
making process for their health and independence, within
District Health Board management processes and
procedures
Include the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi within all
aspects of the role and its outcomes
Ensure that consultation and engagement processes include
appropriate mechanisms to meet the need of Maori in a
culturally appropriate and safe manner
Attend the Northland District Health Board Treaty of
Waitangi Training
Ensure compliance with designated responsibilities detailed
in Northland District Health Board’s Health and Safety Policy
Promote an environment of physical, occupational, cultural,
ethical and legal safety
Observe safe work practices, rules and instructions relating
to work, and be pro-active in hazard management
Willingly co-operate in the achievement of all health and
safety goals and initiatives by:
 Practising and observing safe work methods;
 The use of safety equipment;
 Reporting unsafe conditions or equipment; and
 Reporting and documenting all accidents or incidents
Attend Good Stuff Day annually
Variation of Duties
Duties and responsibilities described above should not be construed as a complete and
exhaustive list as it is not the intention to limit in any way the scope or functions of the
position. Duties and responsibilities can be amended from time to time either by additional,
deletion or straight amendment by the Operations Manager to meet any changing conditions.
Medical Officer Specialist Scale
Bay of Islands Hospital
January 09
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Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
Desirable
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Medical Degree
ACLS
APLS
EMST
Experience
Essential
Desirable
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3 year post grad experience
General Medicine, Surgical and
Paediatric experience
Essential experience
Essential experience
Essential experience
Rural Hospital Qualification FRHMNZ
Diploma of Community Medicine
Desirable Experience
Desirable Experience
Awareness and Understanding of
Essential
Desirable
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The Treaty of Waitangi and its application
to the health setting
Privacy Act (1993) and Health
Information Privacy Code (1994)
Health and Safety in Employment Act
(1992)
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Health and Disability Commissioner
(Code of Health and Disability Services
Consumers’ Rights) Regulations (1996)
New Zealand Council of Healthcare
Standards
Skills & Personal Attributes
Skills
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Ability to communicate and reinforce a professional vision
Ability to support and encourage professional accountability
Ability to lead a team and work effectively as a team leader
Ability to empower others
Ability to communicate effectively with other health professionals
Medical Officer Specialist Scale
Bay of Islands Hospital
January 09
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Personal Attributes
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Enjoys a challenge
An organiser
Mediation and negotiation skills
Ability to work collaboratively
Ability to make decisions and be accountable for those decisions
Sense of humour
Foster harmonious interpersonal relationships within the Ward
Medical Officer Specialist Scale
Bay of Islands Hospital
January 09
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Performance Development Review
An initial review of performance will be conducted after three months, with an annual review
thereafter.
An individual Development Plan will be developed to reflect the contribution this position is
expected to make towards achieving the team’s objectives and measures. Key result areas
will be developed and agreed at this time.
Authorised by:
Date:
Acceptance
Acceptance of the position implies acceptance of this position description.
Position Title:
Signature of employee:
Date:
Medical Officer Specialist Scale
Bay of Islands Hospital
January 09
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