Independent Hospital Pricing Authority
Application
Pack
Senior Advisor, Hospital Costing
From the Acting Chief Executive Officer
Thank you for considering a job at the Independent Hospital Pricing Authority (IHPA). Our
dedicated team are currently working hard to determine the national efficient price – a key
pillar of the Council of Australian Governments (COAGs) National Health Reform agenda.
Our vision is for Australians to have access to a sustainable locally controlled health system
that funds public hospital services using activity based funding, where practicable, based on
a national efficient price. I am seeking enthusiastic people to join us on this exciting and
challenging journey.
At IHPA we are committed to the values of independence, transparency, integrity, fairness,
respect, collaboration, accuracy and accountability. Our values are consistently
demonstrated in our interaction within IHPA, with our stakeholders and the community.
You will find more information about the position and application process in the attached
pack.
Please contact the nominated officers if you require more information to assist you in
completing your application.
I look forward to receiving your application and wish you well in your future career.
Kindest regards,
James Downie
Acting Chief Executive Officer
Independent Hospital Pricing Authority
Senior Advisor, Hospital Costing
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Table of Contents
Application pack ................................................................................................................. 4
Privacy notice...................................................................................................................... 4
Position Description - Senior Advisor, Hospital Costing ................................................. 5
Useful information .............................................................................................................. 7
Personal details .................................................................................................................. 9
Application checklist ........................................................................................................ 13
Senior Advisor, Hospital Costing
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Application pack
The following documents are included in this pack:
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A Position description - for the advertised position which includes selection criteria
you need to address.
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Useful information - for preparing your application.
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A Diversity information form – this enables us to provide appropriate facilities for
people attending interviews. It will not be used as part of the assessment for the
position.
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Your application form - this document is used to make your claims against the
selection criteria. You must respond to all of the criteria in order to be considered for
interview.
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A Checklist to ensure you have successfully completed your application.
A Personal details form - which provides basic details about you, your recent
employment history and details of referees who are able to provide information about
your work performance.
Privacy notice
The Independent Hospital Pricing Authority (IHPA) will collect the personal information you
provide here and in accompanying documents for the purpose of assessing your application
for employment at IHPA. IHPA may also need to collect personal information about you from
third parties to complete pre-employment checks. If IHPA does not collect this personal
information, it will not be able to assess your suitability for employment with IHPA. IHPA may
disclose personal information about you to third parties when it conducts pre-employment
checks. IHPA does not usually disclose personal information to overseas recipients, unless it
needs to conduct pre-employment checks with overseas recipients as part of its preemployment checks. For more information about our privacy practices, including how to
access or correct your personal information or make a complaint, see our Privacy Policy on
our website or contact us on 02 8215 1100.
Senior Advisor, Hospital Costing
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Position Description
Senior Advisor, Hospital Costing
Position number:
20023108
Classification (Grade):
Executive Level 1 (EL1)
Type of employment:
Ongoing, Full-Time
Branch:
Activity Based Funding
Section:
ABF, Hospital Costing
Salary:
$97,546 to $111,253 + Superannuation
(Relocation assistance may be available for
successful applicants recruited from outside
Sydney).
Reporting relationships:
This position reports to: Director, Hospital Costing
(EL2)
Financial delegations:
Nil
Direct reports:
Direct reports: Nil
Location:
Sydney, Australia
Security classification:
Nil
Date PD finalised:
November 2015
Prepared by:
Human Resources Section
Valid from:
November 2015
Contact officer:
Stathi Tsangaris, 02 8215 1108
Operating context
IHPA is an independent agency governed by the Pricing Authority IHPA’s mission is to
promote improved efficiency in, and access to, public hospital services through setting the
national efficient price and levels of block funding for hospital services.
The ABF Branch develops the classification, counting and costing systems that underpin any
ABF systems, as well as the costing modelling and pricing work required to determine the
National Efficient Price (NEP) each year.
The Hospital Costing Section develops and implements costing methodologies in
coordination with states and territories and private hospitals. This includes the collection,
analysis and reporting of the National Hospital Cost Data Collection (NHCDC). The NHCDC
is a primary input into the national pricing models.
Purpose of position
This position provides strategic input and expert advice to support in all components of the
NHCDC, from specification and design, to finalisation of cost results used by internal and
external stakeholders. The role focuses on providing comprehensive technical knowledge of
hospital patient costing practices.
This position works with private and public sector stakeholders to develop and refine patient
costing standards. The ability to clearly communicate, listen actively, and understand and
adapt to different audiences is an important requirement of this position. The key functions of
this position include but are not limited to:
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Representing IHPA at working groups and steering committee meetings and
providing expert advice on patient costing methodologies and NHCDC data;
Senior Advisor, Hospital Costing
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Developing and providing strategic advice on various projects, costing standards,
critical plans, priorities and work practices;
Providing direction and recommending improvements for all components of the
NHCDC cycle including forecasting, benchmarking and performance reporting;
Managing relationships and providing subject matter expertise to internal and
external stakeholders around costing methodologies, contemporary practice, cost
analysis, variance analysis and reporting on issues related to NHCDC; and
Maintaining and developing the Australian Hospital Patient Costing Standards and
rules for each NHCDC Round.
Selection criteria
Criterion 1: Demonstrated understanding of the role of IHPA, hospital operations and
patient costing.
Criterion 2: Demonstrated knowledge of clinical costing and strong working knowledge of
contemporary patient costing methodologies.
Criterion 3: Highly developed critical thinking and demonstrated problem solving skills and
ability to apply research/analysis to interpret administrative data and to prepare
comprehensive reports for internal use or for external publication.
Criterion 4: High-level written and oral communications skills including excellent
interpersonal skills to build and maintain effective working relationships.
Qualifications
Relevant qualifications or extensive industry experience in patient level clinical costing would
be highly regarded.
Key working relationships
IHPA Executive, management and staff, including internal and external stakeholders.
Senior Advisor, Hospital Costing
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Useful information
The Position Description will help you understand the responsibilities and tasks required in
the job. The selection criteria describes the personal qualities, skills, abilities, knowledge and
qualifications you need to be successful in the job.
Hints to improve your application
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Address each criterion using relevant examples to support your statements
Be clear and to the point
Be honest and factual
Do not write lengthy responses (you have a limit of 500 words for each criterion)
Do not rely on your resume alone to obtain an interview
Use the STAR model. For each criterion think about the following and use these
points to form sentences:

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Situation - Set the context by describing the circumstance where you used the
skills or qualities and gained the experience.
Task - What was your role?
Actions - What did you do and how did you do it?
Results - What did you achieve? What was the end result and how does it relate
to the job you are applying for?
Your resume
Your resume is an important part of your application. It must be lodged in MSWord as part of
your application.
The selection process
The selection process is designed to identify the most capable applicant based on all the
information available. This includes what you wrote in your application, discussions at
interview and what referees say about an applicant.
These decisions are made by a Selection Committee (of at least two people) appointed by a
delegate under the Public Service Act 1999. Once the committee has considered the claims
of all applicants, a report is provided to the delegate identifying the preferred applicant(s) for
each advertised position. If the delegate agrees, a legally binding offer of employment is
made to successful applicant(s). If accepted, the employment process commences.
Immediately after the due date, a Selection Committee will consider the applications. Each
application will be assessed to determine the shortlist of applicants selected for interview.
Once the shortlist has been determined, you will be contacted and informed of the outcome
of your application.
The interview
If you have been selected, you will be contacted to arrange a suitable time to attend an
interview. Interviews will last for approximately 45 minutes.
You will be asked a series of questions designed to provide you an opportunity to present
your claims to the job. Each question will relate to one of the selection criteria. You will be
asked for examples of what you have done that demonstrates your specific capability. It may
be helpful to the committee if you used the STAR model when responding to the interview
questions.
You may also be asked to complete a “Work Sample Test” which may take up to an hour
immediately before or after the interview.
Senior Advisor, Hospital Costing
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If this is included you will be advised at the time your appointment is made. The test is
designed to explore your ability to complete the sort of tasks you will be required to do “on
the job”.
Referees’ reports
Once interviews of all selected applicants have been completed, the Selection Committee
will decide on who the preferred candidates are for the position(s). If you are in that group, at
least one of your nominated referees may be contacted to discuss your performance in
certain situations.
Outcomes
Once the delegate has approved the Committee’s report, unsuccessful applicants will be
advised in writing of the outcome.
Successful applicant(s) will then be contacted by phone or email and a formal, legally
binding, Letter of Offer of employment will follow. If you have decided not to continue with
your application, you should advise in writing (email) at this stage. If you accept the offer by
signing and return the Letter of Offer, arrangements for your employment will commence.
Useful links
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The APS Values, Employment Principles and Code of Conduct
(http://www.apsc.gov.au/working-in-the-aps/your-rights-and-responsibilities-as-anaps-employee)
Australian Public Service Commission- Fact sheet 5: Addressing Selection Criteria
(http://www.apsc.gov.au/publications-and-media/current-publications/cracking-thecode/factsheet5)
Applying for jobs in the APS
(http://www.apsc.gov.au/publications-and-media/current-publications/cracking-thecode/factsheet-4)
IHPA’s website (www.ihpa.gov.au)
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Personal details
(Please complete all shaded boxes)
I am applying for
Position title (on Position Description):
Position number:
Classification:
Division/Branch/Section:
My personal details
Title (circle / delete as appropriate):
Mr / Mrs / Ms / Miss / Dr / Other
Given name(s):
Preferred first name(s):
Family name:
Street address:
State:
E-mail address:
Preferred contact number (include area
code):
Mobile number (for SMS contact only):
Are you willing to undergo a police
check as part of the pre-employment
screening process?* (circle / delete as
appropriate):
Are you willing to undergo a security
clearance at any time during your APS
career? *(circle / delete as appropriate):
To be considered for this position, you
generally need to be an Australian
Citizen or a Permanent Resident who is
eligible to apply for citizenship **
Do you hold a current security
clearance?
If yes, what year did you obtain the
security clearance, or most recently
have your security clearance renewed?
Yes/No
Yes/No
Are you an Australian citizen?
Yes / No
If no, are you a Permanent Resident in the
process of applying for citizenship? Yes / No
Yes / No
Level:
With which Agency:
dd / mm / yyyy
How did you first learn about this
vacancy? (circle/delete as appropriate)
APSjobs website / Career website (Seek,
MyCareer etc) / Referral from friend or family
member / IHPA website / Other (please specify)
What primarily attracted you to the
position? (circle / delete as appropriate)
Job role/Subject matter / Location / Pay /
Development opportunities / Employment
conditions / Opportunity to contribute to the
Authority’s outcomes / Career opportunities /
Reputation of the Authority
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Have you received a redundancy from
an Australian Public Service agency or
the Australian Parliamentary Service?
If yes, from which agency did you
receive the redundancy?
When does your calculated redundancy
benefit period end? ***
Yes / No
Agency Name:
dd / mm / yyyy
My current employment details
Current employer:
Period of employment:
Position title:
Current gross salary:
Current employment status ( e.g.
ongoing / non-ongoing / part-time / fulltime):
If you are an APS employee AGS Number:
Substantive level:
Have you ever been found to have
breached the APS Code of Conduct as
set out in s 13 of the Public Service Act
1999? If yes:
Date on which the determination of the
breach(es) was made:
Agency in which you were employed:
Yes / No
dd / mm / yyyy
Agency Name:
Referee details
(Include any written referee reports with this application)
Referee 1
Name:
Workplace:
Contact phone number:
Business relationship:
Referee 2
Name:
Workplace:
Contact phone number:
Business relationship:
* This is a condition of engagement for all APS employees unless the delegate has agreed,
in writing to the contrary.
** This is a condition of engagement for all APS employees, unless agreed in writing to the
contrary.
*** If your redundancy benefit period does not expire within 2 months from the closing date
of this advertised vacancy, you may be ineligible to apply for this employment opportunity.
Senior Advisor, Hospital Costing
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Diversity information
This information enables us to provide appropriate facilities for people during the interview.
Should you be selected for a position with IHPA, we have a workplace adjustment policy for
people who identify as having a disability. It is also used for statistical purposes.
It is not be used in any way as part of the assessment for the position.
Please note: It is not compulsory that you provide this information but you are encouraged to
do so.
Gender:
Are you of Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait
Islander descent or do you identify as an
Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
and are accepted as such by the community in
which you live or have lived?
Yes / No
Do you have a disability and/or medical
condition which may have an impact on your
ability to carry out the inherent requirements of
the role for which you have applied?
Yes / No
What is the first language used in your home, if
other than English?
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Your application
Use this document to make your claims against the selection criteria. You should ensure you
address each of the criterion. Keep your responses relevant and concise. Include one
example that best demonstrates your ability.
Privacy and Confidentiality
All information relating to selection processes is stored in a secure environment and only
accessible to people directly involved in the selection process. Some information may be
used for internal research and ongoing evaluation of our selection processes. This
information is not attributable to an individual as it is de-identified and aggregated.
Responses to the selection criteria
Word limit: do not use more than 500 words in your response for EACH Section.
Criterion 1
Demonstrated understanding of the
role of IHPA, hospital operations and
patient costing.
Criterion 2
Demonstrated knowledge of clinical
costing and strong working
knowledge of contemporary patient
costing methodologies.
Criterion 3
Highly developed critical thinking and
demonstrated problem solving skills
and ability to apply research/analysis
to interpret administrative data and to
prepare comprehensive reports for
internal use or for external
publication.
Criterion 4
High-level written and oral
communications skills including
excellent interpersonal skills to build
and maintain effective working
relationships.
By submitting this form, I certify that the statements made by me and any supporting
documentation are true and complete at the time of submission.
I understand and agree that any false or misleading statements made in my application may
disqualify me from employment or result in dismissal.
I consent to the Independent Hospital Pricing Authority conducting any pre-employment
checks, if required.
Signature:
Full Name:
Date: /
/
Senior Advisor, Hospital Costing
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(By lodging your application via email, having typed your name here and sent from an
address with the same name included in the address, you are considered to have “signed”
and therefore agreed to this statement).
Application checklist
Have you completed the following?
All fields of the Personal details form
☐
The Diversity information form (desired but not compulsory)
☐
Responded to all criterion in Your application form
☐
“Signed” the last page of Your application
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Compiled your application into one MSWord document?
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Attached your resume in MSWord format
☐
Email your application to [email protected] by midnight on the closing date. If
there are exceptional circumstances which prevent you from doing so, you should discuss
this with the contact person (listed on the position description) before the due date.
Emails received after that time will not be included for consideration unless prior agreement
has been obtained in writing from the IHPA.
Applications close on midnight, Monday 1 February 2016.
Thank you for considering employment with the Independent Hospital Pricing Authority.
Senior Advisor, Hospital Costing
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