• Senior Rural Generalist Trainee / Rural Generalist / Senior Rural Generalist
• Katherine, Big Rivers Region
• Temporary, Full Time or Part time
• Total annual full-time remuneration package: $246,180 - $448,190* + plus superannuation + shift penalty rates & on-call allowance as per EBA
• If working in ED or community GP (KH-based): 50% of Medicare billings (Revenue Activity Incentive payment)

*comprised of

• Base Salary (SRGT1-2): 166,617 - $182,143
• Base salary (RG1-SRG3): $213,380 - $270,033
• Professional development allowance: $11,127 - $29,670
• Regional/remote attraction allowance: $25,670
• Regional/remote Retention allowance payable after 12 months service: $37,807
• Practitioner Allowance (30% of base salary): $64,014 – $81,000+

Katherine Hospital are looking for a Rural Generalist / GP Anaesthetist to join our team. GP trainees who have completed their JCCA/AC-RGA certification are encouraged to apply. This position will involve Anaesthetics for approximately 1-2 days per week, with the remainder of clinical work in either the Emergency Department, community General Practice, or both. There is flexibility with the rostering to suit applicant’s personal preferences and prior work experience.

The Top End of the Northern Territory offers diverse and exciting medicine, with presentations such as tropical medicine conditions not seen ‘down south’. The town of Katherine has a population of approximately 11,000 and services the Big Rivers Region, which has a population of around 22,000 and covers a geographical area larger than Victoria. Most people in the region outside of Katherine reside either in small remote communities, or on cattle stations. There is a large proportion of Indigenous patients, with Katherine town being at the junction of the Jawoyn, Wardaman, and Dagoman groups. Katherine also has a busy tourist season, and sees lots of travellers in the hospital throughout the Dry Season.

The Katherine region offers a multitude of outdoor, camping, fishing, four-wheel driving, hiking, and mountain biking activities. It is close to Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks, Katherine Gorge, and in relatively close proximity to other places such as the Kimberley, Gregory National Park, Mataranka hot springs, the Red Centre, and countless other bush camping sites. While offering these natural wonders, it is also only a 3 hour drive up the fully-sealed Stuart highway to the city of Darwin, which provides ample shopping and restaurant opportunities. The town has a young population, also being the service centre for the Tindal Air Force base – there are lots of cafes, playgrounds, a large pool, a library, multiple primary schools, and a two high schools.

There is opportunity to be able to make a huge difference to healthcare outcomes for patients in rural and remote areas. Working across theatre and ED or GP (or both) in a small town is rewarding, with continuity of care in the patient healthcare journey and the ability to make connections across differing family and cultural groups. Our patients have a high burden of chronic disease with complex comorbidities, and this makes for challenging and rewarding medicine.

Katherine Hospital has a supportive group of Rural Generalists, as well as offering existing strong relationships with departments at our tertiary referral centre of Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH). There are opportunities to be involved in teaching of medical students and junior doctors, as well as portfolios within the Anaesthetic department for those wishing to become more involved in non-clinical aspects. Our small department is striving to improve healthcare outcomes for our patients by developing a robust perioperative service and continuing to build a sustainable and long-term workforce.

From a theatre perspective, Katherine Hospital has visiting Surgical outreach visits from General Surgeons, as well as ENT, Ophthalmology, and Dental. There is also a local Gynaecologist with regular operating lists. There are GP Obstetricians on site with almost 300 births per year, so plenty of opportunity for Obstetric Anaesthetic skills maintenance including an epidural service. We have 2 theatres, with usually 1 running at a time, and between 2-4 elective theatre lists each week. There are also upskilling opportunities available at RDH theatres, as well as via visiting Anaesthetic consultants. On call duties comprise Obstetric anaesthesia, as well as support to the Emergency department for airway management, procedural sedation, and critical care.

This position has an attractive remuneration package, including base salary with on call and overtime allowances, rural/remote living and retention allowances, professional development allowance, and superannuation. There is allowance for 6+ weeks annual leave per year, as well as study/professional development leave. Most GPAs are eligible for the Rural Procedural Grants Program (applies to both Anaesthetics and ED) and the Workforce Incentive Program. There are also Medicare incentive benefits for those working in ED or community GP. The hospital can assist with relocation expenses and accommodation on arrival. FIFO arrangements can be negotiated.

For those wishing to work in the Emergency Department, there is varied and diverse medicine with approximately 16,000 presentations per year and a mix of adult and paediatric patients. The ED has a close relationship with Careflight retrieval service, and a developed teaching program for junior doctors. Senior Doctor colleagues in ED are a mix of FACEM and Rural Generalists.

For those wishing to work in General Practice, Katherine Hospital provides GP services to both Pine Creek and Numbulwar remote clinics, with outreach GP trips available to these clinics. Should an applicant wish to work in community GP in Katherine town instead (mainstream or Indigenous health), this can be negotiated.

Click the following links for videos about The Big Rivers Region in the NT & to see what our staff have to say:

• Big Rivers | Clinical Recruitment
• Hear from our doctors | Rural Generalist
• Big Rivers | Northern Territory, Australia

For further information about this vacancy please contact:

Dr David Wong, Acting Clinical Director GP Anaesthetics on 08 8973 9020 or [email protected] using the subject line: Rural Generalist / GP Anaesthetist - Katherine enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Quote vacancy number: 70250685

Applications should consist of a one page summary sheet, resume / CV and copies of relevant qualifications.

For a copy of the Job Description or to view career opportunities in the Northern Territory Government please visit https://jobs.nt.gov.au/Home/Search