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JMO Welfare

Looking after YOU helps us create exceptional health care together.

Working as a JMO is incredibly rewarding, but is also hard and stressful.  It's easy to feel alone in a crowd as a JMO, and it's easy to let things creep on top of you.  Adverse patient events and unpleasant interactions with colleges can really knock you around, particularly when you are just trying to find your feet in a complex system.

Fortunately, Canberra Health Services has a welfare support team dedicated to JMO welfare. 

The local team consists of the DPET, PMEO's, Blue Buddies and MOSCETU Education Support Officers.   Each site that JMO's are seconded to have their own equivalent support network as well (as below).

We are here for you!  Get in touch if you are having any issues or just want a chat or advice from a senior clinician.

Touch base early before things get out of control - it is absolutely not a weakness to seek help!

For more information about who we are, what we do and how we can help you, pop over to the 'The DPET' page.

The DPETs

Director of Prevocational Education and Training

The Director of Prevocational Education and Training (DPET) are responsible for providing medical leadership and oversight of the prevocational training period. The DPET is responsible for the education, training, supervision and welfare of junior doctors during the first two years of medical practice.

 

Director of Prevocational Education and Training:

Dr Luke Streitberg Luke.streitberg@act.gov.au

Hours - Monday 9 – 1, Tuesday 9-5, Thursday 9 - 5

Deputy Director of Prevocational Education and Training:

Dr Kirsty Rady | kirsty.rady@act.gov.au

Hours - Tuesday 9 - 1, Thursday 9 - 1

PMEOS

Prevocational Medical Education Officers

PMEO’s are a first point of contact on the ward for JMO’s experiencing personal or professional difficulties.

Dr Peta Pentony | peta.pentony@act.gov.au
Covers O+G, MHJADS, Paediatrics, Emergency
Hours – Monday 9 – 1, Friday – 9 – 1

Dr Selina Watchorn | selina.watchorn@act.gov.au
Covers surgical terms
Hours – Wednesday 9 – 5

Dr David Errington | david.errington@act.gov.au

Administers Education Program

Hours - Variable

GP Contact List

GP's in the ACT who are happy to see collegues as patients

All of us should have our own GP - not only as an inherent good, but also because it's an expectation as part of AHPRA's 'Code of Good Medical Conduct'.

Here is a list of GP's in the ACT who have specifically indicated that they are happy to see colleagues (and possibly medical students) as patients.

Other GP's may be happy to see doctors as patients, but those on this list have self selected for this explicitly.

Click here for the list

The EAP

The Employee Assistance Program

Employee Assistance Program Details - ACTPS Employment Portal

 

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers free, professional and confidential services to support you and your immediate family members through both personal and work related issues. You can access help now, or any time you need it.

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) panel of providers offers free, professional and confidential services to support you and your immediate family members through both personal and work-related issues.

All employees (permanent and temporary) and members of their immediate family and/or members of their household can access the services of the EAP free of charge with up to six sessions, per issue, for each employee/immediate family member every financial year. You could benefit from EAP support if you are experiencing work-related or personal issues relating to:

  • workload or work pressures including career concerns

  • emotional stress, anxiety, conflict, tension or depression

  • personal or professional relationship programs including dealing with separation or divorce

  • health and lifestyle issues (including addiction, alcohol and other drug issues)

  • grief and loss

  • interpersonal conflict, bullying and harassment, management issues or change in the workplace

  • child and family issues

  • general health and medical issues or

  • financial and legal strain.

You are encouraged to access the EAP service as early as possible. The sooner you seek support, the less likely it is that it will impact on your work and life or escalate into something more serious.

You are not required to seek approval before accessing the EAP service and you are under no obligation to tell anyone (e.g. manager, team leader, colleagues) that you are using the service. You must however, notify your manager if you are leaving the workplace during core hours and you could mention that you have a medical appointment.

The contact details for the EAP providers are found at the following site

Employee Assistance Program Details - ACTPS Employment Portal

DHAS ACT

The Doctor's Health Advisory Service ACT

The new Doctors Health Advisory Service ACT is operating to support all registered medical practitioners and students in the Canberra Region.

DHAS ACT is a new, standalone and free service, sensitive to the needs of doctors and medical students. It is a non-judgemental service dedicated to improving the health and well-being of those within the profession.  DHAS ACT provides confidential services for all doctors and medical students who have concerns about their health and well-being such as stress, mental health problems, substance use issues, or any other health issue.

DHAS ACT offers a 24/7 telephone call-back help line, providing independent and confidential advice. The 24/7 telephone call-back help line triages urgent callers to be dealt with immediately by a psychologist while less urgent callers receive a return call from a local ACT medical practitioner experienced and understanding of your health needs.  

The 24/7 help line can be contacted on 1300 374 377

DHAS ACT is here to help you find the support you need – whether it be referrals to specialist practitioners, online resources, or other services. DHAS ACT handle calls relating to stress and mental illness, drug and alcohol problems and relationship and other personal issues. No problem is too trivial or too serious.

https://www.ama.com.au/act/dhasact

DHAS ACT is supported by the Australian Medical Association ACT

Blue Buddies

Neer to Peer Mentor

Blue Buddies act as an informal near to peer mentor by providing support, advice and information.  Advice may relate to any issues faced by the JMO, including: inappropriate workplace behaviours, having difficult conversations, debriefing after a difficult event, how to manage work life balance, time management, strategies for applying to training programs.  The Blue Buddy is not a clinical supervisor, informal provider of medical care to JMO’s, responsible for managing JMO under performance or an investigator of alleged bullying or sexual harassment.

Blue Buddies wear a blue coloured name badge to make them easily identifiable.

Other Site DPETS

DPETs at secondary sites

Calvary DPETs - Dr Shaun Zhai and Dr Malli Reddy

South East Region (Bega) - Dr Nathan Oates | nathan.oates@health.nsw.gov.au

Moruya Hospital - Dr Louise Tuckwell | Louise.tuckwell@health.nsw.gov.au

Goulburn Hospital - Dr Ganesh Ramenathan | Ganesh.Ramanathan@health.nsw.gov.au

The JMO In Difficulty

The JMO In Difficulty Handbook

The ‘JMO in Difficulty’ Handbook is a practical guide designed to help the Director of Prevocational Education and Training (DPET), the Clinical Supervisor and the Prevocational Medical Education Officer (PMEO) and other senior medical staff supporting JMO’s deal with prevocational trainees who are  experiencing difficulties.

It provides information about:

  • How trainees experiencing difficulties present

  • Assessing the severity of the problem

  • The range of underlying issues

  • Speaking to the prevocational trainee and other key individuals

  • Formulating, implementing and reviewing an action plan for identified issues

This document can be found here – ‘The JMO In Difficulty’ 

MyHealth Site

The MyHealth Intranet Site

The MyHealth site is an ACT Health website that includes workshops, resources and research about how to optimise your health and wellbeing.

This site is accesible here - https://healthhub.act.gov.au/employment-resources/myhealth

Respect at Work

ACT Health is committed to maintaining a positive work environment and a safe, healthy workplace free from inappropriate behaviour.

As staff we all have a responsibility to ensure we are aware of, and comply with, the standards of behaviour expected of us.

ACT Health has a responsibility to support staff in meeting their obligations and to take appropriate action to address behaviour that doesn’t meet expected standards.

The attached links provide a useful resource for all staff on how to identify and resolve workplace issues from low-level, one off incidents through to more serious or on-going issues.

If you experience inappropriate behaviours we encourage you all to talk to someone- this could be to your registrar, supervisor, PMEO, DPET, any MOSCETU staff, RED Contact Officer, Blue Buddies, People and Culture, Workforce Relations, Director of Medical Services or the Chief Medical Officer.

External support Sites

Other Support Service Contacts:

  • Doctor's Health Advisory Service - 1300 374 377

  • Beyondblue – call 1300 22 4636

  • Lifeline – call 13 11 14

  • MensLine Australia – call 1300 789 978

  • Suicide Call Back Service – call 1300 659 467

  • SANE Australia Helpline – call 1800 18 SANE (7263)

  • ACT Mental Health Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team- call 1800 629 354

  • The Way Back Support Service – call 1800 929 222

Early Intervention Physiotherapy

The Early Intervention Physiotherapist is able to provide assistance to staff with musculoskeletal injuries by way of treatment and advice.

Treatment

  • Musculoskeletal assessment

  • Exercise programs

  • Manual Therapy

 

Advice

  • Self management and education

  • Injury prevention

  • Referral

 

Eligibility for treatment

  • Full or part-time paid STAFF of Canberra Health Services.

  • Work and non-work related injuries.

  • Work injuries prior to workers compensation claim acceptance.

  • Injuries to other body part area unrelated to workers compensation claim.

 

Exclusions

  • Ongoing worker’s compensation claim.

  • Home visit requests.

 

Limitations

  • Visits are limited to 4-6 sessions per episode.

 

Other services available

  • Workplace ergonomics assessments, consultancy and problem-solving.

  • Workplace assessments: limited capacity according to workloads and other demands.

  • Group talks, presentations and health promotion regarding office workstation set-ups, exercise and injury prevention.

  • Project work

 

Contact details

Administrative Officer at Work Health Safety
Phone: 512 49038
Location: Building 23, Ground Floor, Canberra Hospital.
Email: CHS.WorkHealthSafety@act.gov.au


Time to attend

Please note that all appointments and attendance at the Early Intervention service should be regarded as work-time. Should a staff member choose to attend the service outside of their usual working hours this should not be accrued as work-time.

Workplace Resolution and Support Service

The Workplace Resolution and Support Service (formerly known as the Employee Advocate) has two main functions. It provides:

  1. independent support and advice to employees experiencing serious workplace issues and unreasonable workplace behaviours. This can include but is not limited to interpersonal issues, workplace conflict, bullying, harassment and discrimination; and
     

  2. direct support to staff who are experiencing personal issues that impact the workplace. This includes but is not limited to supporting employees experiencing family violence, carer stress, mental health issues and those in high-risk categories (e.g. suffering from depression, exhibiting suicidal tendences etc.). This enables wellbeing checks including Suicide Risk Assessments to be conducted so staff can be provided with support tailored to their individual circumstances. 

 

The Service works with all parties to resolve the issues and is available to:  

  • provide you with support, information and advice about options and strategies to manage, address and achieve resolution of workplace concerns

  • help you make informed decisions and confidently progress with your chosen option/s

  • with your consent, connect you with other resources and supports to resolve your concerns

  • facilitate conversations to repair workplace relationships 

  • facilitate resolution meetings and mediations to settle disputes 

  • act as a liaison between parties 

  • refer matters for further assessment or investigation if needed.

The Service is impartial, independent and neutral and promotes the early and informal resolution of disputes where possible. 

Our team will work with you to identify the steps you wish to take to resolve your concerns in a safe, supportive and respectful manner.

 

Who can access the Service?

The Service is available to all Canberra Health Services (CHS) and Health Directorate (ACTHD) employees. 

This includes Visiting Medical Officers, staff on temporary contracts and students.  

How do I contact the Service?

To make an appointment contact 5124 3656 or CHS-HDWorkplaceResolution@act.gov.au 
Flexible appointment times can be arranged to accommodate your needs and shifts.

To ensure all staff have access to the service and that urgent matters are attended to quickly, requests may be triaged. You will receive a response to your initial contact within 24 business hours. If you feel your circumstance requires urgent assistance, please provide these details when contacting the Service.

What information is shared with others? 

Conversations are kept strictly confidential, except where there is a serious risk to someone's health or safety, or the law requires the service to escalate or report the issue (e.g. corruption, fraud, serious misconduct or child safety concerns). 

In some cases, in order to effectively resolve workplace issues, the service may need to discuss your concerns with the HR Business Partner, manager or a senior executive but this will only be done with your consent.

De-identified reporting on numbers and collective themes are provided to the respective heads of CHS and ACTHD. No identifying employee details are included in any internal or external reporting. 

Who does the Senior Director Workplace Resolution and Support report to? 

The position reports directly to the CEO of Canberra Health Services and works closely with the Director-General of the ACT Health Directorate.

The Service is a highly skilled team with Social Work, Mediation, Facilitation and HR backgrounds.

How is the service different to the Respect, Equity and Diversity Contact Officers (REDCOs)? 

REDCOs offer confidential support and information to employees experiencing workplace conflict, interpersonal issues or unreasonable workplace behaviour. As voluntary officers, the REDCO network is intended to promote the organisational values and provide information on available resolution options rather than actively assisting to resolve matters. 

This may include helping to communicate and promote the Workplace Resolution and Support Service and referring employees to the service whose concerns are yet to be resolved. 

The service works closely with the REDCO network to facilitate information exchange about policies, processes and frameworks to manage workplace concerns. 

Is the Workplace Resolution and Support Service the same as the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)? 

No, they are separate initiatives. The Workplace Resolution and Support Service assists employees experiencing issues in the workplace or personal stressors that impact the workplace, while the EAP (Converge) offers free, professional and confidential counselling services to support you and your immediate family members through both personal and work-related issues.

What other options are there to report unreasonable workplace behaviour? 

There are several other avenues available to staff experiencing issues in the workplace:

  • discuss the matter with your supervisor or manager, who has a responsibility to take the issue seriously and to act fairly. If this is not appropriate, you can seek advice from another manager who may be able to assist you. 

  • talk to a Respect, Equity and Diversity (RED) Contact Officer. RED Contact Officers can offer you support and information if you are experiencing workplace conflict, unreasonable behaviours or interpersonal issues in the workplace.  

  • contact the People and Culture Workforce Relations Unit for advice by emailing:

 CHS.WR@act.gov.au or calling 5124 9610 for CHS employees or

 HDHR@act.gov.au or calling 5124 9825 for ACTHD employees.

 

What other support is available?

Converge International (Converge) is the primary Employee Assistance Provider (EAP) for ACTPS staff and their immediate families. To access support, you can call 1300 687 327 (1300 OUR EAP). This number is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year.

Further information about support services available to staff is available on the Human Resources intranet page. 

CHS has processes in place to address workplace bullying. Further information can be found at:
 

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