JOB AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
(MANAGERIAL)
TITLE OF POSITION:
ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT:
Consultant Psychiatrist - Perinatal
Southern Adelaide Health Service
Classification: MDO2
Health Unit: Various
Temp:
Division: Southern Mental Health
Classification Reviewed:
Department / Section: Various
Position No: FM 3291
Hours: 18.75
Position Created:
July 2009
Position reviewed:
Job and Person Specification Approval
_______________________________ _____/_____/_____
CEO or Delegate
Date
A signature below indicates you have read, understood and accept this job and person specification.
Acknowledged by Occupant:______________________________ Date:_____/_____/_____
JOB SPECIFICATION
1.
PREAMBLE
SOUTHERN ADELAIDE HEALTH SERVICE
The Southern Adelaide Health Service (Southern Health) was established in 2004. It brought
together Flinders Medical Centre, Noarlunga Health Services and Drug and Alcohol Services
Council. It includes Population & Primary Health Care, Southern Mental Health and Southern
Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services, and works closely with other health providers in the
southern area. Repatriation General Hospital, a public teaching hospital, formally joined
Southern Health in July 2008, further consolidating the working relationship formed over the
past four years.
With an annual budget in excess of $500M, Southern Health provides care for around 330,000
people living in the southern metropolitan area of Adelaide as well as providing a number of
state-wide services, and services to those in the regional areas.
More than 7,000 skilled staff provide high quality patient care, education, research and health
promoting services.
ACUTE HEALTH
The region provides a range of acute and sub acute health services for people of all ages.
Southern Health has three acute sites: Flinders Medical Centre, Noarlunga Hospital and
Repatriation General Hospital.
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Flinders Medical Centre is a 566-bed specialist referral public teaching hospital collocated with
the Flinders University School of Medicine and the privately owned Flinders Private Hospital.
The hospital is the major referral centre for acute care and emergency services in the southern
region of Adelaide. It is one of two major trauma centres in South Australia, providing an around
the clock emergency retrieval service to bring people to hospital by road or helicopter. Flinders
also provides a number of statewide services including the SA Liver Transplant Service and the
SA Eye Bank. It provides cardiac surgery services to the South East and to the Northern
Territory.
Noarlunga Hospital consists of an 85-bed public hospital and a 26-bed private hospital and is
collocated with a range of primary health care services. The hospital provides medical and
surgical services, a satellite dialysis service, outpatient and Emergency Department services.
Repatriation General Hospital is a 300-bed acute care public hospital specialising in the care
of older people and veterans. The hospital provides a range of general medical and surgical
services to people living in Adelaide, and offers high quality integrated care from the acute
stages through to rehabilitation.
POPULATION AND PRIMARY HEALTH CARE
Population and Primary Health Care is responsible for the delivery of a range of primary health
care services across the southern region.
Health Service Integration is responsible for developing and delivering out of hospital
strategies, hospital avoidance and substitution programs, chronic disease management
programs and aligning aged care services at the acute / community interface, all aimed at
reducing demand on hospitals.
Southern Primary Health focuses on providing preventative and health promoting programs in
the community. Southern Primary Health has sites at Aldinga (Aldinga GP Plus), Clovelly Park
(Inner Southern), Woodcroft, Seaford and Noarlunga, in addition to a women’s health service
(Southern Women’s at Noarlunga), a regional Aboriginal health team (also based at Noarlunga)
and a youth health service (Marion Youth Centre).
SOUTHERN MENTAL HEALTH
Southern Mental Health provides a range of integrated services across community and hospital
settings, targeted at all age groups. Services are provided in collaboration with non-Government
organisations and the Southern Division of General Practice. Specialised statewide services
include those for eating disorders and gambling.
DRUG AND ALCOHOL SERVICES SOUTH AUSTRALIA (DASSA)
Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia provides statewide services and advice for tobacco,
alcohol and other drug issues, including pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs. DASSA’s mission is to
develop and deliver best practice in preventing the uptake of harmful drug use; reducing the
harmful effects of licit and illicit drugs; and offering pathways out of harmful drug use.
2.
SUMMARY OF THE BROAD PURPOSE OF THE POSITION and its responsibilities/duties
Southern Mental Health (SMH) is a directorate of Southern Adelaide Health Service, providing a
range of inpatient and community mental health services to the population of the southern
metropolitan area of Adelaide based on key directions and planning derived from federal, state
and local policy and priorities.
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The perinatal psychiatrist will at times be responsible for perinatal clinical services in the
Division of Mental Health SAHS, providing a consultation-liaison service to inpatients and
outpatients, and teaching to staff of this Division.
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Clinical services to community agencies in regard to perinatal mental health.
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Teaching on a range of topics related to perinatal mental health and other workers throughout
South Australia
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Research as relevant to perinatal mental health
3. REPORTING/WORKING RELATIONSHIPS (to whom the person reports, staff for whom the
person is responsible, and other significant connections and working relationships within the
organisation)
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Responsible to the Clinical Director for clinical and professional practice.
Ultimate responsibility to the Executive Director, Southern Mental Health, via the
Clinical Director
Supervision of Psychiatric registrars, medical officers and interns.
Performance will be assessed regularly based upon the outcomes of the position as detailed
in the job and person specification. A process for performance management will be
negotiated between you and your line manager, Clinical director, Inner South, SAHS
4. SPECIAL CONDITIONS (such as non-metropolitan location, travel requirements, frequent
overtime, etc)
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Job and Person Specifications are reviewed regularly as part of the ongoing Performance
Development process.
Will be required to work within other locations of the Southern Adelaide Health Service.
Some out of hours work may be required.
Support values consistent with the aims of the Region, including honesty, respect and
integrity.
Will be required to undertake a health assessment prior to commencement.
Appointment will be subject to a satisfactory Offender History Check
A current Driver’s licence is required and must be willing to drive.
Comply with the Principles of the Code of Fair Information Practice, adopted by the
Department of Health, which regulate the collection, use, disclosure, storage and transfer of
all personal patient/client information within the Department and throughout its funded service
providers.
As perinatal mental health services are State-wide, travel throughout the metropolitan and
rural areas of South Australia may be required at times
5. STATEMENT OF KEY OUTCOMES AND ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES (group in to major areas
of responsibility / activity and list in descending order of importance).
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The perinatal psychiatrist is responsible for achieving optimal patient care outcomes by
providing high standards of clinical services and expertise including:
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Providing psychiatric assessments, therapy and management of adult patients presenting
with perinatal health problems.
Maintaining and evaluating standards of patient care and health promoting practice.
Providing consultation on complex cases.
Contributing to changes in psychiatry practice by planning, managing and evaluating specific
projects related to patient care outcomes.
Maintaining adequate clinical records which document significant patient management
decisions.
Providing clinical and consultation-liaison services to people located in the community and to
community agencies working in primary care. Providing a expert psychiatric service in
perinatal psychiatry
In relation to the practice of Psychiatry:
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Providing direct expert patient care.
Establishing, maintaining and evaluating standards of patient care and health promoting
practice.
Ensuring that clinical practice adheres to accepted standards consistent with ACHS and the
National Standards for Mental Health Services, within budgetary parameters.
Providing consultation on complex cases.
Providing consultations to clinicians, clients and General Practitioners as required.
Supervision of psychiatry trainees.
Provide appropriate support, direction and training to Trainee Medical Officers by:
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Providing direction and supervision to Registrars, thereby ensuring the appropriate
management and treatment of day patients and community patients as appropriate.
Maintaining close links with the statewide perinatal services initiative and feeding back any
recommendations to the Clinical Director and SAHS Mental Health Executive.
Contributing to the evaluation and improvement of services by:
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Supporting quality management activities at SAHS Divisional and organisational level. These
will evaluate, analyse and improve work processes and patient outcomes ensuring the
participation of all relevant workers.
Participating in processes designed to maximise the participation of consumers in planning
and evaluating services provided at the Unit level.
Initiating, implementing and contributing to research.
Communicating across disciplines and Divisions by:
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Developing and maintaining effective processes for collaborating and liaising with other health
professionals on Unit policy and service issues.
Engendering a consumer focus in service delivery by:
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Ensuring consumers are able to exercise their rights and responsibilities.
Ensuring that patients/families are given adequate information upon which to base treatment
decision and follow-up.
Being responsive to patient and relative complaints.
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Promote undergraduate and postgraduate training in the discipline of psychiatry by: Participating in relevant teaching programmes in aspects of perinatal psychiatry for registrars
and postgraduates as well as other staff attached to the departments.
 Teaching and supervising medical and allied health students where appropriate.
 Participating in the accreditation of teaching programmes in consultation with the University of
Adelaide and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatry.
 Supporting and contributing to continuing education programmes within the departments.
Participating in research by:
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Conducting research projects through data collection, and research programme development
and implementation, in consultation with relevant other staff.
OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:
Ensure that a safe and healthy work environment, free from discrimination is provided for
employees by:
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implementing departmental human resource policies
ensuring that the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity and Ethical Conduct are a
normal part of doing business
managing industrial relations issues appropriately as they arise
I agree to accept and undertake the responsibilities stated above:
Occupant
Witness
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PERSON SPECIFICATION
1. ESSENTIAL MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
(those
characteristics
considered
absolutely
necessary)
Educational/Vocational Qualifications
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Fellowship of Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists or equivalent
Registrable as a Psychiatrist with the Medical Board of South Australia with unconditional
specialist registration
Personal Abilities/Aptitudes/Skills
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Clinical ability in the speciality of perinatal psychiatry
Demonstrated competence in psychiatric practice
Familiarity and understanding of legislation affecting psychiatry practice
Current knowledge of contemporary health system, professional, medical and practice issues
Current knowledge of, and experience in, clinical practice and management in health care
delivery
Demonstrates a flexible approach to working with clients and within a multi-disciplinary team
Demonstrated ability to liaise and work in cooperation with a range of community
organisations to ensure an appropriate continuum of care
Demonstrated skills in problem solving and decision making at the organisational and
individual level
Demonstrated commitment to worker and consumer participation in service planning
Demonstrated ability to be positive about and able to adapt to change
Physically able to do the job
Positively promote the mission, values and ongoing work of the Division of Mental Health
Experience
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In perinatal psychiatry at a major public hospital or significant adult psychiatry experience
Knowledge
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Knowledge of administrative policies and practices of a Public Hospital.
Sound knowledge of Occupational Health, Safety & Welfare principles and procedures.
Skills
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Working with family systems
Working with complex clinical problems involving multiple health and other agencies
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2. DESIRABLE CHARACTERISTICS (to distinguish between applicants who meet all essential
requirements)
Educational/Vocational Qualifications
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An appropriate and relevant tertiary qualification.
Experience
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Previous experience in a perinatal psychiatry and / or infant mental health setting.
Knowledge
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Knowledge of mental health promotion and primary health care.
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INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for considering applying for a position with the Southern Adelaide Health Service
(Southern Health). Recruitment and Selection processes at Southern Health reflect best practice and
a commitment to a selection based on merit. This means treating all applications in a fair and
equitable manner that aims to choose the best person for the position.
The following information is provided to assist you when applying for a position with Southern Health.
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST IMPRESSION
A well presented, easy to read application will allow the panel to assess the information they need
from your application. To give yourself the best opportunity to reach interview, the application should
clearly and concisely demonstrate to the selection panel that you are suitably equipped to perform
the role, and that you possess all of the stated minimum essential skills, abilities, knowledge,
experience and educational qualifications (where required).
We suggest the following format:
 A covering letter of up to 2 pages introducing yourself to the selection panel and describing
your skills, abilities, knowledge, qualifications and experience in relation to the position. The
covering letter should clearly state the job vacancy number, position title, your name and your
contact details;
 A curriculum vitae that includes your personal details, relevant employment history,
education, training courses, qualifications and professional memberships. Your CV should
also include your nominated referees, their position and their contact details.
THE JOB AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
Selection for interview will be based on an assessment of your application against the requirements
of the position as outlined in the Job Specification, and against the criterion detailed in the
accompanying Person Specification. It is recommended that you carefully read the Job and Person
Specification to understand what the position entails before proceeding to apply for the position, and
ensure that your written application reflects your suitability for the position.
Note for Nursing/Midwifery applicants: Applicants applying for positions at the Clinical Nurse (level 2)
classification are required to demonstrate by way of example/evidence that each of the criteria contained in the
statement of key outcomes and activities of the Job Specification are met in their application.
Please ensure that your written application includes sufficient information for the panel to make an
informed determination.
REFEREES
It is recommended that you advise your referees of the position you are applying for as the panel
may seek their opinion of your capability to perform the requirements of the position. At least one
referee should be your immediate supervisor/manager in your current position, able to provide
current feedback about you to the selection panel.
SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS
It is generally preferable that applications are not bound or in folders, and that the requested number
of applications be provided when posting. Please ensure that applications are addressed as
indicated in the job advertisement, and that you allow sufficient time for your application to reach us
by the closing date/time specified. Late applications may not be considered.
We take this opportunity to wish you success with your application!
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