Monash Health Position Description Principal Scientist Last Updated: July, 2017

Position Title: PRINCIPAL SCIENTIST Classification: SA2 Reports to: Director of Pathology through Operations Manager Department: Anatomical Pathology, Biochemistry, Haematology, Microbiology Y0007, Y0263, Y0361, Y0410

About Monash Health Monash Health provides a world of healthcare across south eastern Melbourne, uniquely integrating primary, secondary and tertiary health services, as well as world-renowned research and teaching facilities in one organisation.

Our health service provides access to public health services for a greater community of 1.3 million residents or 24 per cent of Victoria’s population. Monash Health also has a wider official specialist role for greater Melbourne, regional Victoria and interstate in such specialties as paediatrics, cardiology, transplants and neonatal intensive care, with extensive university affiliations.

More than 16,000 staff work at more than 40 care locations across south eastern Melbourne, including Monash Medical Centre, Moorabbin Hospital, Dandenong Hospital, Casey Hospital, Kingston Centre, Cranbourne Centre, and an extensive network of rehabilitation, community health and mental health facilities.

Our care in 2015-16:  We provided 3.47 million episodes of care to our community.  More than 251,372 people were admitted to our hospitals.  More than 218,272 people came to our three emergency departments for treatment.  We responded to more than 53,026 ambulance arrivals.  We performed more than 47,436 surgical procedures.  We delivered more than 9,896 babies.  More than 39,628 children were admitted to our Monash Children’s Hospital.

About Monash Health Pathology Service The Monash Health Pathology Service operates under the brand name of Monash Pathology and is an integral part of Monash Health. It is one of the largest providers of Pathology services in the state and currently operates 4 laboratories. The largest of these is located at the Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, with additional facilities being located at the Dandenong, Moorabbin and Casey Hospitals. There are currently 12 collection centres based within the hospital sites and community settings. Services are provided to the Public and Private sectors, and other laboratory services.

Issue Date: 24.07.2017 053761e88d00df7a0713656e1b23ce8f.doc Page 1 of 9 Job Summary (Purpose /Key Result areas/Scope)

Key result Areas

. Responsible for the day-to-day and long term functions of the Unit including excellence in teaching, research and professional activities. . Provides supervision and leadership within the laboratory . Ensures that internal and external customer requirements regarding availability, reliability, security, performance and accessibility are satisfactorily delivered. . Prioritises the activities of staff, ensuring that service delivery and system enhancements are satisfied or completed in a timely manner. . Implement approved new services, standard of care testing, and develop capacity using new technologies. . In conjunction with Pathology Leadership ascertain priorities and develop and implement strategies and for innovation and advancement in service delivery.

Scope

Key relationships Internal External . Director of Pathology . Clients . Clinical Lead . Medical Practitioners . All Pathology Staff . Diagnostic Supply companies . All Monash Health staff

Responsibilities/Accountabilities

Operational / Clinical Quality and Safety

. The incumbent will be an active member of the “Senior Leadership Team” pathology. . The incumbent will be required to maintain a high level of knowledge in the application of current and potential applications that will enhance and improve the activities of the service. . The incumbent will be required to recommend and advise the Director of Pathology and the Pathology Leadership Team on issues, directions, developments and options as they relate to laboratory services. . The incumbent will be expected represent the Pathology Service at appropriate forums as requested from time to time by the Director of Pathology. . Take a leading role in the planning and implementation of in-service education and training and research to develop capacity using new technologies. . The incumbent will be responsible for the management and actions of their team in the day to day responsibilities outlined below to ensure and provide the following: (a) Ensuring that services have minimal downtime. (b) Ensuring adequacy of performance and access to users. (c) Investigation and resolution of technical difficulties. (d) Ensures that the security and integrity of the data on these systems is maintained at the highest possible level. (e) Ensures that management is informed of all difficulties, delays or errors that may impact on the performance of the laboratories or on patient care. (f) Provide relevant billing, financial management and research data as appropriate. . Prepare and maintain documentation for accreditation requirements, including standard operating procedures. . Implement new technology systems in order to provide a nationally recognised service.

Issue Date: 24.07.2017 053761e88d00df7a0713656e1b23ce8f.doc Page 2 of 9 . Provide technical advice by identifying and where possible, rectifying actual or potential problems in the performance systems. . Provide advice in the selection, evaluation and validation of new equipment and technologies. . Perform quality assurance testing on new technologies prior to their implementation into routine use. . Take an active role in the postgraduate activities of the Unit, including training and presentations to laboratory and clerical staff on the operation of the system(s), new technology. . Take part in professional development activities, preferably by active membership of appropriate professional bodies, and keep abreast of new developments by reading relevant technical literature. Attend appropriate seminars, courses and conferences. . By mutual agreement, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, staff members may be called upon to perform duties for which they are appropriately qualified at any Hospital with Monash Health. . Take part in annual reviews of performance in line with Monash Pathology and Monash Health policy. Undertake other activities as requested by the Director which one would normal consider within the capabilities and skills of the incumbent. . Works in partnership with other scientific disciplines in Monash Pathology to achieve a high quality, financially efficient service.

Core Responsibilities . Ensures continuity of service by supervising: 1. Supply of consumables 2. Rostering of staff 3. Approvals of leave . Takes a leading role in ensuring accuracy of the laboratory service by supervising quality assurance with responsibility for acceptable internal quality control procedures. Responsible for enrolment and regular participation in and review of, external quality assurance programs. . Competent in the concepts and practices of Total Quality Management, quality assurance and continuous quality improvement. Takes a leading role in such projects involving the Unit, other Units within Monash Pathology and external users of Monash Pathology. . Maintains up-to-date knowledge of equipment, techniques and analytical methods to ensure the most cost- effective delivery of laboratory services. Attends conferences and seminars as appropriate to maintain technical expertise. . Takes a leading role in the selection, evaluation and validation of new methods and techniques for tests within their Unit, including the provision of written reports. Critically review current analytical methods and protocols for optimum performance with the aim of continuous quality improvement. . Monitors utilisation of Unit resources by: (a) assessment if workload statistics (b) evaluation of budget reports (c) investigating excessive or unusual rises in costs (d) Negotiation with suppliers to ensure lowest possible costs commensurate with quality output. (e) Supports the Trials co-ordinator in ensuring that all trials and research assays are accounted for and billed appropriately. . Ensures that the laboratory meets all Occupational Health & Safety requirements. Monitors and acts on safety and security issues affecting laboratory staff. Liaises with staff OH&S officers and fire wardens. . Monitors and approves all changes to methods and techniques in conjunction with relevant supervisory scientists. Ensures records of changes to methods are kept, including correlations between methods, to maintain traceability of laboratory quality over time. . In conjunction with the Director, takes a leading role in the planning and implementation of in-service education and training, as well as research into new or improved methods and techniques with presentation of findings to staff and the wider scientific community. . Strives at all times to keep the scientific output of the Unit at the highest level. . Takes a major role in setting performance standards for staff and carries out regular review of staff performance. Is responsible for counselling and discipline of staff in the first instance, as well as maintaining and improving staff morale.

Issue Date: 24.07.2017 053761e88d00df7a0713656e1b23ce8f.doc Page 3 of 9 . Take part in professional development activities, preferably by active membership of appropriate professional bodies, and keep abreast of new developments by reading of scientific and medical literature. Attend appropriate scientific or medical seminars and conferences with presentation and publication of original work, if possible. Maintain technical skills and theoretical knowledge. . Communicates results of abnormal findings and clinical significance to these findings to relevant health professionals. When appropriate, suggests further tests and participates as required in relevant clinical meetings. Has overall responsibility for the interpretation of abnormal and unusual findings and for the generation of informative reports. . By mutual agreement, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, staff members may be called upon to perform duties for which they are appropriately qualified at any Hospital with Monash Health. . Take part in annual reviews of performance in line with Monash Pathology and Monash Health policy.

Financial Management

. Ensure that there is financial responsibility and accountability across the functions under the position’s control and develop and implement financial strategies that will ensure budgetary targets and key performance indicators are met. . Prepare monthly KPI reports for presentation at Operations meeting. . Initiate and implement actions to improve the financial effectiveness of all functions, under the positions control.

Workforce

. Participate and co-operate in consultative processes to improve health and safety. . Observe safe working practices and as far as you are able, protect your own and others’ health and safety. . Manage staff through effective recruitment, retention recognition and development strategies, ensure there are effective consultation and communication processes in place. . Monitor the operations and continuous improvement of the Monash Health Occupational Health and Safety Management System within area of responsibility and provide a safe and positive workplace . Provide leadership and support for direct reports, appraise their performance, ensure staff complete required training and are provided with professional training and development opportunities. . Complete all necessary personal training and professional development requirements. . Ensure compliance with relevant Monash Health clinical procedures and administrative policies and guidelines.

Person Specification

Qualifications/ Registrations/ Licenses (italics indicated desirable) . Fellowship (AACB/AIMS) in relevant discipline or relevant PhD

Technical Skills/ Knowledge / Experience . Appropriate postdoctoral or other postgraduate training and experience. . Demonstrated resource and personnel management skills. . Extensive experience as a laboratory leader and senior scientist in relevant discipline service provision and research. . Proven ability to manage a NATA accredited laboratory, and maintain NATA accreditation. . Proven ability to supervise laboratory staff and students. . Track record in designing and implementing new services.

Issue Date: 24.07.2017 053761e88d00df7a0713656e1b23ce8f.doc Page 4 of 9 . Peer-reviewed publications in disciplines of direct importance to Unit . Demonstrated leadership capability

Capabilities (Refer to Monash Health Capability framework)

Building Relationships . Offers to help others achieve their goals. . Actively seeks others’ ideas and suggestions for solution. . Encourages inter-professional relationships within the team to ensure goal achievement. . Recognises others’ contributions, and is proactive in demonstrating that all team members are valued. . Makes themselves available to others, setting aside time to “walk the floor” and listen to others’ concerns.

Working in Partnership . Generates additional options and seeks compromise. . Willingly shares resources to accomplish common goals. . Actively seeks other’ ideas and suggestions for solutions. . Provides timely updates and access to relevant information. . Encourages others to express their views. . Actively encourages inter-professional relationships within the team and in working towards common goals. . Takes steps to understand the goals and counterparts in other teams. . Considers the impact of actions and decisions outside the immediate team. . Establishes collaborative inter-professional networks across teams for mutual benefit.

Influencing Others . Conveys enthusiasm. . Builds on the suggestions of others or on previously agreed proposals. . Considers the timing of the message, exercising good judgement and sensitivity. . Demonstrates advantages and benefits of a course of action. . Uses evidence-based arguments. . Builds alliances with advocates to gain team acceptance and engagement. . Is willing to make appropriate concessions. . Anticipates areas of agreement/potential objections and prepares counter arguments in anticipation of objections.

Facilitating Open Discussions . Takes time to consider proposals/ideas before drawing conclusions. . Challenges behaviour that shuts down discussion. . Listens to and is prepared to discuss diverse and unconventional views. . Uses other people’s contributions to explore individual or group responses. . Listens without interrupting and monitors own tendency to dominate discussions. . Explores the thinking behind others’ ideas and any alternatives that they have considered. . Gives notice ahead of time to less vocal participants that their input is sought.

Resolving Conflict . Resolves issues within the team and minimises any recurrent themes. . Adjusts own approach with consideration to the situation and the individual. . Demonstrates an understanding of how you and others respond to conflict. . Assists others to clearly define the issue. . Expresses what can be done to assist, rather than what can’t. . Encourages others to reflect on different viewpoints and perspectives. . Acknowledges the differences and helps others identify common ground to seek agreement. . Encourages team members to look for alternative approaches and determine viable solutions. . Negotiates agreed actions to deal with the issue/s.

Issue Date: 24.07.2017 053761e88d00df7a0713656e1b23ce8f.doc Page 5 of 9 Patient First . Monitors patient/client experience and takes action to deliver exceptional care, outstanding outcomes. . Is responsive to patient/client feedback and lets them know it is valued and utilised. . Takes actions that reinforce the patient first focus of the team, encouraging inter-professional co-operation. . Role models quality patient/client care. . Initiates an inter-professional team response to the analysis of changing needs of patient/client requirements. . Is consistently patient centred in word and deed, . Reinforces a patient first focus through education, policies and/or procedures. . Recognises individual and team efforts in exceptional care and patient/client focus. . Engages across boundaries to create a seamless healthcare journey for all patients.

Harness Diversity . Focus on others’ strengths and common purpose. . Takes steps to eliminate prejudgements that are unfair and hurtful. . Recruits a diverse range of people to work together in a team. . Seeks diverse perspectives to add value to discussions and to the work environment. . Deals promptly with issues arising from people not feeling valued or included. . Expands own definition of diversity. . Looks at how decisions affect individuals and how people might view the same situation differently.

Adaptability . Looks for the potential benefits of a new approach. . Openly acknowledges that there are several ways to perform a task or achieve a goal. . Supports and guides individuals in adapting to new methods or processes. . Adjusts team priorities to accommodate changing circumstances. . Responds quickly and effectively to changing circumstances or in response to new information. . Works effectively, despite changing demands. . Readily alters plans or own position in response to changing priorities. . Anticipates unexpected events and challenges.

Driving Innovation . Identifies new solutions to familiar problems. . Suggests ways to achieve efficiency savings or opportunities for waste reduction. . Encourages people to question and explore options. . Looks to make improvements by constructively challenging other’s thinking. . Encourages team member input for solutions to workplace challenges, especially those raised in Give Me Five discussions. . Helps others to think differently when faced with familiar challenges. . Looks at different organisations for inspiration and breakthrough thinking.

Self-Management . Displays appropriate levels of confidence and doesn’t take criticism personally. . Challenges others appropriately when behaviours are not aligned with iCARE values. . Adapts own leadership style to fit the situation. . Demonstrates the values of Monash Health through their interactions with both internal and external contacts. . Seeks regular and specific feedback from all points of contact. . Deals constructively with mistakes and setbacks. . Is able to work effectively with ambiguity and uncertainty. . Holds themselves accountable for the decisions and actions they take on behalf of Monash Health and their teams.

Change Leadership

Issue Date: 24.07.2017 053761e88d00df7a0713656e1b23ce8f.doc Page 6 of 9 . Helps others to see what they are gaining. . Shares information with others in a timely and organised manner. . Recognises people’s change efforts and celebrates successful outcomes. . Understands the impact of change on day to day activities and takes the necessary steps to maintain operational effectiveness. . Communicates the connection between new behaviours and service/operational success. . Expects resistance and involves others in the shaping and planning stages. . Has a thorough understanding of change management tools and methodologies.

Safety Leadership . Takes responsibility for integrating safety, health and wellbeing into all projects, plans and decisions. . Investigates incidents and near misses to identify underlying causes and implement contracts to prevent reoccurrence. . Communicates OH&S and safety expectations, and reinforces behaviour through consultation and feedback. . Promotes transparency, and encourages own team to report safety issues and provides follow up and feedback on outcomes. . Engages in early intervention strategies and is proactively involved in the management of injured and return to work employees. . Encourages others to explore new ideas and tools to improve health and safety. . Provides recognition and reward for positive safety behaviour. . Effectively resolves complex health and safety issues that arise. . Is actively involved in initiatives to improve health and safety, effectiveness of incident investigation, improve injury management.

Builds Capability for the Future . Identifies opportunities for development through cross functional projects, acting roles and additional responsibilities. . Uses Give Me Five conversations to discuss career goals with others. . Holds development discussions with individuals within the team to track progress. . Delegates tasks/projects for the purpose of developing others. . Measures the impact that development opportunities have on the performance of individuals and the team. . Identifies and nurtures high performing talent and engages in succession planning. . Mentors/coaches talented managers.

Building Will . Utilises Values question in Give Me Five conversations and other opportunities to understand what motivates others and encourages development and learning opportunities. . Sees mistakes as opportunities for learning without apportioning blame. . Creates the culture where we all have daily responsibilities and making improvements. . Maintains an environment where input is welcomed and ownership for achievement is shared. . Says “thank you” for a job well done, and ensures that individual and team effort is recognised. . Addresses poor performance promptly and appropriately. . Expresses confidence in others’ ability. . Support others’ decisions where possible.

Outstanding Outcomes . Identifies obstacles to successful performance. . Provides specific and constructive feedback to others. . Assists others to identify priorities. . Clearly defines role expectations and assigns responsibility for tasks and decisions. . Utilises Give Me Five process to assist team in setting professional, personal and development goals for action. . Schedules performance discussions with team members at regular intervals. . Manages underperformance productively and promptly.

Issue Date: 24.07.2017 053761e88d00df7a0713656e1b23ce8f.doc Page 7 of 9 . Delivers service requirements against NATA and National Standard requirements. . Measures and monitors key performance indicators. . Aligns the selection and development of team members against role requirements. . Removes obstacles to successful performance.

Sustainable Resource Management . Identifies opportunities to reduce the impact on resources whilst maintaining or improving services. . Applies improvement models and principles when considering efficiency savings. . Effectively uses available resources, including staffing levels, to balance service delivery with organisational demands. . Encourages the responsible use of resources. . Prepares and monitors expenditure to budget. . Negotiates for necessary resources from corporate budgets and other sources. . Uses cost-benefit thinking to anticipate and manage resource priorities and risks for the discipline. . Focused on delivering high quality services while balancing competing demands.

Service Delivery . Seeks ways to improve services to our patients/clients and the community. . Identify the potential risks to service delivery. . Considers how actions or plans affect the delivery of service to patients/clients. . Prioritises team activities in the interest of patient/client. . Involve all stakeholders during planning process of projects and for services. . Builds contingency plans to mitigate risk. . Effectively manages risk to service delivery. . Looks beyond the obvious to provide outstanding patient/client service. . Makes decisions in light of the likely impact on the patient/client.

Problem Solving . Takes steps to learn problem solving techniques that will assist in identifying root cause. . Considers different perspectives when analysing problems and potential solutions. . Weighs relevance and accuracy of information from a variety of sources as input into problem solving and decision making. . Encourages and supports the team to utilise problem solving techniques that identify root cause problem. . Generates solutions taking into consideration team and functional resource limitations. . Develops ways to move issues forward when problems become ‘stuck’. . Liaises with key stakeholders encouraging an inter-professional approach to address problems and works toward a mutually beneficial outcome. . Uses analytical and conceptual skills to interpret complex core analysis trends and suggests solutions. . Researches issues thoroughly. Does not jump to quick conclusions or formulate opinions based on incorrect assumptions, or inaccurate/incomplete information.

Monash Health Values Integrity Honesty, open and transparent, admit mistakes, maintains confidentiality, fairness, builds trust. Compassion Empathy, sensitivity, concern for others, interacts with dignity, tolerance, anticipates needs Accountability Understands roles, uses resources wisely, delivers on time, timely decision making, achieves stretch goals, takes responsibility for performance Respect Builds relationships, courteous, listens and understands, gives & receives feedback, sensitivity & understanding, values difference & individual worth

Issue Date: 24.07.2017 053761e88d00df7a0713656e1b23ce8f.doc Page 8 of 9 Excellence Supports creativity & innovation, proactive & solution focused, seeks out opportunities, embraces quality improvement, professionalism

Other Position Requirements By mutual agreement, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, staff members may from time to time be called upon to perform duties for which they are appropriately qualified at any Hospital or location within Monash Health.

Confidentiality & Acknowledgement:

The results of all Pathology tests are highly confidential. Maintenance of confidentiality is the responsibility of all Monash Pathology staff members, I ______have read the above statement regarding confidentiality and agree to take all steps to ensure confidentiality of all details of tests carried out by Monash Pathology to the best of my ability.

I ______have read the above duty statement and agree to carry out those duties to the best of my ability.

SIGNATURE: ______

DATE: ______

Issue Date: 24.07.2017 053761e88d00df7a0713656e1b23ce8f.doc Page 9 of 9