Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine
Document Name: POSITION DESCRIPTION – Clinical Forensic Medical Registrar
TITLE:
Clinical Forensic Medicine Registrar
CLASSIFICATION:
Registrar [under the AMA (Vic) Doctors in Training Agreement 2008-2012]
STATUS
3 - 6 month term
REPORTS TO
Head, Clinical Forensic Medicine
CONTEXT
The Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM) is a statutory authority within the Justice portfolio of the
Victorian Public Sector. The Director is the head of the Institute and holds the Chair of Forensic Medicine at
Monash University. The Institute also operates as the Department of Forensic Medicine at Monash University.
The work of the Institute can be described as a cycle of three parts:

Providing forensic medical & scientific services and tissue banking

Learning from this work

Researching and teaching
As a Clinical Forensic registrar you will be required to support the efficient and effective functioning of the
division of Clinical Forensic Medicine, providing an informed, impartial and competent forensic service to the
Victoria Police, the Courts and Office of Public Prosecutions, the Coroner, and the legal profession. You will be
required to provide authoritative professional advice and assistance on medical and medico-legal matters to
these Government agencies. The appointee will work as a member of a close knit, highly motivated team of and
will interact with a wide spectrum of other doctors, scientists, legal practitioners and other professionals as well
as the police and members of the public. The role involves service provision at a variety of sites across
metropolitan Melbourne and rural Victoria.
You will be required to fulfil the duties of this position in accordance with VIFMs mission and values.
The VIFM Mission
We will be recognised for excellence in what we do.
The VIFM Values
Underpinned by ethical principles, our purpose is to:
- provide independent forensic medical services to the Victorian Public and justice system;
- contribute more broadly to community health and safety (of communities in Australia and overseas);
- increase knowledge through training and research; and
- enable the provision of high quality human tissue grafts for transplantation.
Respect
We respect all people, our history, our calling and the law.
Openness
We are open-minded. Open to each other and open to knowledge and learning.
Service
We provide services for the community; services which are dedicated, responsive and client focused.
Integrity
We will be beyond reproach. We commit to truth, confidentiality, impartiality, and accountability. We commit to
systems, which are secure, reliable, accurate, valid and safe.
Innovation
We are creative and curious. We are not afraid to do things differently. We will continue our search for
knowledge and truth.
CLINICAL FORENSIC REGISTRAR
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Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine
Document Name: POSITION DESCRIPTION – Clinical Forensic Medical Registrar
QUALIFICATIONS
Qualified as a Medical Practitioner currently in training.
DUTIES
1. Participate in the provision of a 24-hour forensic medical service to Victoria Police including (but not
necessarily limited to) the:
a. Examination of adult victims of physical and sexual assault
b. Assessment of police detainees for fitness to be interviewed
c. Collection of biological specimens
d. Preparation of medico-legal reports and statements
e. Provision of advice to police and others regarding clinical forensic matters
2. Provide expert medico-legal opinions to the police, Office of Public Prosecutions and other legal
professions.
3. Prepare and present to the courts on evidence derived from examinations and/or expert opinions.
4. Comply with and actively participate in the Institute’s quality programs and activities to ensure a reliable high
quality forensic service.
5. Provide prompt, courteous, timely and professional forensic medical services that take full regard of the
needs of the justice system and issues of privacy, confidentiality and security as per VIFM policies.
6. Contribute to the Institute and the wider medical and scientific community by undertaking research, teaching
and other academic activities.
7. Be aware of and comply with legislation and literature relevant to the duties of a forensic medical officer.
8. Comply with the occupational health and safety procedures of the Institute.
CLININCAL DUTIES/PATIENT EXPOSURE
ADULT VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT
Activities:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Diagnosis and initial treatment of acute medical problems
Documentation of injuries
General and genital examination
Collection of forensic specimens
Provision of counseling/advice
Provision of emergency contraception
Provision of STI prophylaxis including Hep B, immunoglobulin & HIV chemoprophylaxis
Photographing injuries
Provision of medico-legal reports
Provision of evidence in court
CLINICAL FORENSIC REGISTRAR
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Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine
Document Name: POSITION DESCRIPTION – Clinical Forensic Medical Registrar
ADULT VICTIMS OF PHYSICAL ASSAULT
Activities:
•
•
•
•
•
General examination and documentation of injuries
Provision of opinion upon likely/possible cause of injuries
Diagnosis and treatment of acute/missed medical problems
Photography of injuries
Provision of formal medico-legal report/police statement
CUSTODIAL MEDICINE
Activities:
•
Fitness for Interview
- Examination of suspects in police custody prior to formal interview by police
- Specific issues to be addressed include: drug intoxication or withdrawal, psychiatric illness
(acute psychosis) and intellectual impairment.
•
Specimens
- Blood samples, buccal swabs, hair samples may be taken from victims/offenders
TRAFFIC MEDICINE
Activities:
•
•
•
Taking blood alcohol samples from drivers incapable of providing breath analysis samples
Examination of survivors of fatal motor vehicle collisions to assist in placement of that person
within the motor vehicle where driver identity is in doubt
Clinical assessment of alcohol and drug effects on drivers
PSYCHIATRIC CASES
Activities:
•
•
•
Effectively assessing the mental state of victims or offenders of crime
Liaising with appropriate services including the CAT teams
Certification of the psychiatrically unwell
SUPERVISION
The registrar will receive orientation to the clinical and administrative aspects of the work and be supervised in
their caseload and report writing duties. A Senior Forensic Physician is available in the office for advice to the
registrar during normal office hours and is on call after hours for advice and back-up. Registrars are
encouraged to seek advice at any time.
ONGOING EDUCATION
Formal and informal teaching opportunities are available every week, including involvement in clinicopathology
sessions, lectures on a range of medical, legal and social topics. Depending on the needs of the individual,
other specific training is also available on a range of topics; for example, clinical photography, computer skills,
and emergency medicine.
CLINICAL FORENSIC REGISTRAR
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Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine
Document Name: POSITION DESCRIPTION – Clinical Forensic Medical Registrar
TIME COMMITMENT
Registrars employed with the Division of Clinical Forensic Medicine will be expected to provide sessions in a
rotating cycle of day shifts and overnight shifts with an average roster of 38 hours per week (plus 5 hours
protected training time). There will be a requirement to be on-call after hours and weekends.
CARE OF THE REGISTRAR
Whilst on rotation at VIFM, the registrar may be exposed to graphic details and examinations of victims and
offenders of crime. Due to the nature of forensic work, this is often unavoidable and confronting. The office
runs on an ‘open-door’ policy and the registrar is encouraged to debrief and present their cases regularly.
Formal debriefing is possible on request. The office has daily informal meetings in order to facilitate discussions
of this type. This issue will be addressed during the supervision times. The Institute also provides staff with
access to a confidential Counseling and Critical Incident service.
CURRICULUM OUTLINE
At the end of this rotation, practitioners should be able to:
• Diagnose and treat acute medical problems in the forensic setting
• Confidently recognise and manage victims of family violence, sexual assault, physical violence
and child abuse
• Document injuries and assist in the determination of their likely cause
• Collect forensic specimens
• Provide STI prophylaxis, emergency contraception, counseling and advice
• Prepare medicolegal reports
• Identify issues in custodial medicine
• Be versed in assessing fitness to drive
• Understand the principle of delivering evidence in court
• Understand the application of medicine to law
OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION
1.
The successful applicant will be required to provide a recent National Name Police Check for sighting. For
further information and an application form, please refer to:
www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=274
2.
The successful applicant must have proven Hepatitis B immunization status (confirmed by titre test) prior to
commencement in the position.
3. Your application should address the Key Selection Criteria and include a resume.
4. The Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively encourages
diversity in the workplace.
5. Safety is everyone’s responsibility at VIFM.
6. You will need to disclose any pre-existing illness or injury that you know about which could be reasonably
foreseen to be affected by the described work duties. Pursuant to s82 (7) of the Accident Compensation
Act, failure to disclose such a condition will mean that if employed, you will not be paid compensation for
that condition.
7. The successful applicant must comply with the VPS Code of Conduct and will be employed pursuant to the
Victorian Public Service Agreement 2006 (Federal certified agreement).
CLINICAL FORENSIC REGISTRAR
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Document Name: POSITION DESCRIPTION – Clinical Forensic Medical Registrar
8. The successful applicant will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement.
9. The position is located at the Coronial Services Centre, 57-83 Kavanagh Street, Southbank.
10. The Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine operates as a smoke free environment.
11. As the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM) evolves to meet changing needs, so will the roles
required of its staff.
Accordingly, staff and applicants should be aware that this document might not
necessarily represent the full role that the occupant will perform in the long term. This document is intended
to provide an overview of the incumbent’s role as at the date of advertisement. In addition to this document,
the specifics of the incumbent’s role will be described in the local work area and project plans, and in
performance plans developed in conjunction with the relevant supervisor as part of VIFM’s performance
progression and development system.
12. The Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine requires declarations and personal information relevant to your
employment. The collection and handling of this information will be consistent with the requirements of the
Information Privacy Act 2000.
OHS and EEO responsibilities
The VIFM is committed to ensuring the health, safety and welfare of its employees, and the health and safety of
visitors and contractors. As such, all VIFM staff have OHS responsibilities, authority and accountabilities as
outlined in position descriptions, guidelines and procedures and as summarized in this document.
By identifying, reporting and addressing potential hazards in the VIFM environment, all staff can assist the
organization in taking every reasonable practicable step to provide a safe environment. In support of this, VIFM
will give appropriate priority and support to eliminate or mitigate risk and/or hazards that pose a threat to the
health and safety of all in the workplace.
Every person is obliged to ensure that neither by conscious design nor by omission, that they do not jeopardize
another person’s health and safety. This onus of care forms the basis of both common law duty of care and of
the legislative duties of care contained within the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) aims to ensure that all employment practices conducted within an
organization occur without discrimination. EEO means that all employees and potential employees are dealt
with in a fair and non-discriminatory manner.
This duty of care is central to occupational health and safety in our workplaces and it is placed on all persons in
accordance with their level of responsibility in the workplace.
All employees should ensure they:


Comply with all OHS policies and procedure requirements and take reasonable care to protect their own
health and safety and the health and safety of others in the workplace. All staff are obliged to
immediately report any incident, hazard or near miss to their supervisor/manager and actively
participate in hazard elimination where required.
Comply with Anti Bullying & Workplace Conflict and Anti Discrimination policies, procedures and
requirements, and undertake work and activities in a manner that ensures the workplace is free from
harassment, bullying behaviour and discrimination and supports the diverse skills, backgrounds and
values of others.
In addition, all employees with people management responsibilities should:

Be responsible for monitoring and improving the safety performance of their work area by investigating
incidents, identifying hazards, initiating actions and participating in the resolution of safety issues.
CLINICAL FORENSIC REGISTRAR
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Document Name: POSITION DESCRIPTION – Clinical Forensic Medical Registrar



Support the local issue resolution process and Health and Safety Committee and where required, liaise
with their work area OH&S Representative to ensure optimal safety performance.
Ensure the effective implementation of all OH&S policies and procedures, ensuring staff have adequate
training to perform their job safely and new employees are effectively inducted to minimise safety risks
within their area.
Comply with Anti Bullying & Workplace Conflict and Anti Discrimination policies, procedures and
requirements, and undertake work and activities in a manner that ensures the workplace is free from
harassment, bullying behaviour and discrimination through thoughtful behaviour and leading by
example and supporting the diverse skills, backgrounds and values of others.
MANAGER AUTHORISATION
Manager’s Name:
Signature & Date:
EMPLOYEE ACCEPTANCE
Employee’s Name:
Signature & Date:
CLINICAL FORENSIC REGISTRAR
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Date Effective: 21/06/2011