ROI - Medical Officer - Office of Chief Medical Officer

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) was established in 1979 by the AFP Act and is the Australian Government’s primary law enforcement agency. It is Australia’s international law enforcement and policing representative and the chief source of advice to the Australian Government on policing issues. The AFP also provides community-policing services to the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) through a policing arrangement with the ACT Government. Information on AFP’s activities can be found at www.afp.gov.au.

The Office of the Chief Medical Officer (OoCMO) responsibilities include:

• Protect and promote a healthy and resilient workforce through implementation of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy – Beyond 2024
• Support the health and wellbeing of our workforce by building systems and governance that are data-informed and evidence-based
• Undertake health threat analysis and operational health planning in support of domestic and global operations.

The Key objectives of the OoCMO are to:

• Provide evidence informed technical health advice to the OoCMO, SHIELD (direct health service delivery), AFP Commands and the organisation
• Enable AFP Commands to realise their full capability, by supporting the creation and maintenance of a healthy and resilient workforce
• Provide the organisation medical recommendations, based on health risk, to ensure potential AFP appointees, AFP Appointees and / or their dependants are fit to be employed or travel internationally for the purposes of AFP operational needs.
• The OoCMO sits parallel to the SHIELD program within the AFP’s People Command. The OoCMO and SHIELD work in partnership to provide organisational health services, clinical governance and health and wellbeing support to the AFP.

Position Purpose

Medical Officers are contracted to the AFP and operate under the technical authority of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO) to deliver high-quality clinical expertise, occupational health expertise, and strategic health leadership across OoCMO, SHIELD, and AFP Commands, both domestically and internationally.

Medical Officers assure that AFP appointees (sworn and unsworn members) can safely engage in all work-related activities with minimal risk to the organisation, to operational capability or to individual health and safety.

Medical Officers assess clinical information and provide health risk recommendations regarding fitness for work, fitness for participation in pre-employment and internal courses, and suitability for overseas deployment or travel. They provide clinical advice to the organisation and engage with managers and appointees about sickness, absence and rehabilitation or appointees both domestic and internationally.

Medical Officers will understand the AFP's inherent requirements, hazards and risks associated with the many roles and responsibilities of appointees. Medical Officers in AFP may assess injuries and function but do not provide clinical care to patients or prescribe. The AFP does not have a primary health care service or a deployable health capability.

Clinical Governance, Leadership and Capability Development

• Contribute to the development and implementation of clinical frameworks, governance systems, and policies supporting OoCMO, SHIELD, and AFP Commands.
• Provide clinical oversight, leadership, and guidance to multidisciplinary teams, including allied health professionals.
• Work collaboratively to establish, develop and continuously strengthen healthcare capability within OoCMO and SHIELD.
• Develop and maintain professional networks within AFP and with external health agencies and providers, acting as a key liaison point.

Operational Health Support and Advisory

• Provide timely and authoritative occupational health advice to AFP Commands and management to support operational decision-making, manage health risk, and optimise workforce capability.
• Be available, as reasonably practicable, to advise on health issues impacting operational readiness.
• Deliver expert advice on fitness for continued duty, ensuring safe and effective workforce participation.
• Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Advice Provide advice relating to workplace hazards including:
• Infectious materials
• Animal handling
• Radiation exposure
• Respiratory agents
• Noise-induced hearing loss
• Musculoskeletal injuries
• Asbestos exposure
• Ensure AFP compliance with OHS legislative requirements and relevant occupational health regulations.
• Assist in the design and delivery of practical occupational health and safety risk treatments to enhance workplace safety and wellbeing.
• Support Return to Work programs for appointees returning from injury or illness.

Medical Service Delivery

• Deliver preventative healthcare, clinical assessment, triage, diagnosis, and care planning for AFP appointees.
• Conduct role-specific physical examinations to enable early intervention for injury and chronic conditions.
• Support recruitment medicals and workforce health monitoring.

• Undertake or oversee medical assessments and clearances as directed by the DCMO, including:
• Overseas deployment clearances in line with Comcover requirements
• Clearance for Operational Safety Assessment (OSA) training and certification
• Ensure personnel meet medical fitness and operational safety standards required for duty.
• Assess Change of Health Notifications and provide clinical expertise.

Health, Wellbeing and Prevention Programs

• Contribute to the review of policies, procedures, guidelines and health information resources to ensure relevance and effectiveness.
• Support the delivery of a comprehensive occupational health and wellbeing plan, including preventative and remedial programs across the AFP.
• Work with stakeholders to ensure coordinated delivery of diverse health and wellbeing services across the organisation.

Health Promotion, Culture and Communication

• Support a positive culture of health and wellbeing across the AFP through targeted health promotion initiatives and campaigns.
• Contribute to positioning the AFP as an employer of choice, demonstrating commitment to workforce wellbeing, ethical practice, and social responsibility.
• Provide health briefings and guidance to AFP appointees and their families, including preparation for overseas deployments.

Program Delivery and Operational Support

• Support the implementation and ongoing delivery of OoCMO and SHIELD programs and initiatives.
• Undertake additional duties consistent with organisational priorities and operational requirements.

Key selection criteria

• Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery.

• Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners or the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine is desired however appropriate alternative qualifications may be considered. Other qualifications that are highly desirable include; speciality qualifications in Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Public Health, Travel Medicine, Sports Medicine.
• Experience in Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
• Experience in Travel Medicine.

• Evidence of experience, commitment to, and promotion of, organisational health and wellbeing programs.
• Willingness to engage in ongoing professional development in Occupational and Environmental Medicine or Health Systems management.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team.
• Outstanding relationship management and consulting skills, including the ability to interact with, influence and negotiate with stakeholders both within and external to the AFP.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse population.
• The ability to work flexibly, allowing for peak work periods where additional hours may be required and periods where taking of leave may be restricted.

This is a Register of Interest only for potential Part Time/ Casual/ Contractor opportunities and not a merit based process. Applicants will not receive any feedback or outcome regarding their application. You may be contacted by the AFP should we wish to discuss any upcoming opportunities in regards to the medical officer role.

We're all individuals and we love that. At the AFP we value the different perspectives, approaches and lived experiences of our people, and recognise that our collective intelligence and diversity is what makes us stronger. As such, we encourage applications from people from all walks of life, including people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, First Nations people, women, the LGBTQIA+ community and people with disability.