Medical Specialist - Medical Oncology
MELBOURNE, VIC, AU, 3000
Visiting Medical Oncologist 0.2EFT, Preventing Cancer with Medications (PCMed) Telehealth Service (Fixed term 2 years)
Join our innovative, patient-centred telehealth service as a Medical Oncologist and help drive contemporary models of care at the forefront of precision breast cancer prevention.
The PCMed Service supports women at increased breast cancer risk to access evidence-based prevention medications that are endorsed in national and international guidelines but still underused in routine care. PCMed provides specialist-led assessment, initiation of prevention medications, and shared-care with GPs over the multi-year course of therapy.
Now in its third year, PCMed has a proven track record of increasing appropriate uptake of prevention medications and is highly valued by women and clinicians.
We are accepting applications from outstanding candidates who are practising Medical Oncologists. Experience in breast cancer care is essential. On-the-job training in breast cancer prevention will be provided by medical oncologist and cancer prevention expert, Professor Kelly-Anne Phillips. A detailed position description is attached. We look forward to receiving your application to join our expert, innovation-driven team.
Please note that the recruitment process may conclude prior to the advertised closing date if a suitable applicant is secured.
For further information and any questions about this exciting position please contact:
Professor Kelly-Anne Phillips MBBS (Hons) MD FRACP FAHMS
Breast Cancer Prevention Specialist
Co-Lead Breast Medical Oncology and Preventing Cancer with Medications Service
Senior Strategic Research Leader
National Health and Medical Research Council Leadership Fellow
Enquiries to: Jana Reed (Kelly Phillips’ assistant) Jana.Reed@petermac.org
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Position Summary
Several medications are efficacious in reducing the risk of breast cancer by up to 60%. However, they are currently infrequently prescribed in Australia, at least in part due to clinician knowledge gaps. The Preventing cancer with Medications (PCMed) Service helps fill this existing evidence-implementation gap by providing specialist support to initiate prevention medications where appropriate. The Service was initiated in late 2023 and has been shown to be effective and highly acceptable to women and their clinicians.
The Visiting Medical Oncologist (VMO) uses and facilitates evidence-based practice to triage, provide advice and education to patients, and prescribe breast cancer risk-reducing medications where appropriate, in collaboration with the nurse practitioner, medical consultants and wider PCMed service. They will provide patient assessment and management (predominantly by telehealth), and coordination of care in the clinics. They demonstrate leadership and innovation in clinical practice. It is recognised that this is a specialised skill set and on-the-job training will be provided.
The VMO, PCMed Service will be a medical oncologist with experience in the management of patients across the cancer treatment and care continuum. Key responsibilities of the VMO, Breast Cancer Prevention role will be:
• Provide clinical service delivery within the PCMed service in collaboration with the medical and care team.
• Assist admin staff with triaging new referrals to the PCMed service.
• Prioritise equity of access to the service.
• Review clients’ breast cancer risk assessment data (using iPrevent (www.petermac.org/iprevent) and other validated tools).
• Assess client suitability for medications that reduce breast cancer risk.
• Provide evidence-based information about risk-reducing medications that is personalised to the individual client.
• Prescribe medications to reduce breast cancer risk and manage side-effects in conjunction with GPs and others in the client’s treating team.
• Staff a hotline telephone service to promptly address queries from GPs, other referrers and PCMed clients, regarding management of medication side-effects.
• Lead development of information and education resources for clients, GPs and other referrers.
• Understand the psycho-social impact and needs of patients attending the PCMed Service and liaise with GPs.
• Promote the service to potential referrers nationally.
• Participate in data collection and quality assurance activities.
• Present at internal and external peer reviewed forums.
• Maintain and update standard operating procedures, policies and guidelines relevant to the current and future direction of the PCMed Service.
• Assist with development of clinician training materials as the Service scales up.
Enterprise Agreement
Hospital Specialists
Classification or Salary Range
As per Award/EBA
Immunisation Risk Category
Immunisation Category A
Key Relationships
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Key Accountabilities
| Key Accountabilities |
Demonstrated by / Key Performance Indicators |
| 1. Provides high quality patient care using an evidence based, cost effective approach 1.1 In the clinical setting, conducts comprehensive screening, assessment planning implementation and evaluation. 1.2 Establish and maintain effective communication with other health professional and support staff, patients’ families, the community, and external care providers. 1.3 Collaborate with other health professionals to ensure the patient’s safe and effective care. 1.4 Lead and facilitate the development of systems and processes to support the planning and coordination of treatment, education, and support needs for patients. 1.5 Contribute to the development of local, national, and international evidence-based care guidelines, policies and procedures and patient resources. 1.6 Support and promote excellence and autonomy in clinical practice and patient care. 1.7 Ensure referrals are triaged in a timely fashion. |
• Attends PCMed clinic. • Continuously reviews and improves quality processes and protocols. • Oversees the ongoing revision of Treatment Policy Guidelines in relevant clinical services. • Actively and regularly participates in peer review patient related activities • Participates in Institute Quality Assurance activities. • Patients and their families experience timely, personalised, and evidence-based care. • Demonstration of knowledge and skill in educating and managing patients at risk of cancer. • Excellent communication between patients, carers, inpatient and outpatient multidisciplinary teams. • Excellent communication with the multidisciplinary team and referring clinicians as relevant to role. • Timely response to hotline enquires. • Continue to provide thorough education and assessment throughout planning, treatment and post monitoring phase. • Use of evidence based pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical treatment interventions. • Comprehensive management of side effects related to treatment. • Provide ongoing education on PCMed to inpatient and outpatient departments. • Provide support and preceptorship opportunities to primary care and other speciality groups for PCMed education. • Maintain and update PCMed precinct wide policy and procedures. • Contribute to the development of evidence-based position statement or papers, recommendations, and guidelines where appropriate both nationally and internationally. • Referrals are triaged within 1 week of receipt of referral and supporting documents. • Evidence based assessment tools are completed for new patients. |
Key Accountabilities (Contd..)
| Key Accountabilities |
Demonstrated by / Key Performance Indicators |
| 2. Provides intellectual leadership | • Contributes to clinical, translational and/or laboratory research that meets the Institute’s needs. • Manages research activities according to relevant Occupational Health and Safety guidelines and Institute policies and procedures. |
| 3. Supervises and trains registrars, residents, medical students, nursing and allied health staff and participates in other educational activities | • Provides appropriate educational support to registrars and residents and provides supervision and mentorship for them, as required. • Participates in hospital wide educational programs, including affiliated organisation’s programs. • Participates in resident, nurse, and allied health education programs. |
| 4. Promotes the interests of the Centre | • Contributes to relevant professional organisations. • Expertise is recognised locally, nationally, and internationally. • Contributes to PMCC goals by developing and achieving unit and divisional goals. • Works effectively with internal and external stakeholders. |
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For further information about this opportunity, click Apply to be redirected to the Peter Mac Careers page where you can review the position profile. Alternatively, please contact us for a confidential discussion.
Peter Mac is a child safe organisation and has a commitment to child safety and wellbeing.
WHY WORK FOR PETER MAC
- Peter Mac offer a range of benefits which support our people both personally and professionally.
- Our staff benefits include award winning facilities, professional development and events, a health and wellbeing program, flexible work practices and policies and financial benefits such as salary packaging.
- We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, all members of the LGBTQI community and people with a disability.