Senior Medical Officer (Rural Generalist) - CHARTERS TOWERS

Townsville, QLD

Permanent,Temporary

$182106 - $266677

Senior Doctor/SMO - Non Specialist

Senior Medical Officer (Rural Generalist) - CHARTERS TOWERS

Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS) is passionate about improving the health and lives of the North Queensland community; striving to be a leader in health care, research and education for regional Australia, and, as one of the region’s largest employers, we are also proud to be a part of the community that we serve.

THHS is one of the most geographically dispersed catchments, extending west to Richmond and Hughenden, north to Cardwell, south to Home Hill and east to Magnetic and Palm Islands; supporting a population of almost 250,000 people, motivating us to work together and strengthen our health system.

Charters Towers Health Service is a 23-bed facility located in Charters Towers, Queensland, offering a variety of services to the community including accident and emergency care, general in-patient medical, surgical and paediatric services.

The Opportunity

The role of Senior Medical Officer (SMO) involves provision of emergency and inpatient medical services for the Charters Towers Hospital: in-patient (acute and long-stay), outpatient and emergency. Telehealth services reduce the need for patient travel. The local multidisciplinary team is supplemented by visiting specialist medical, dental, nursing, and allied health services from Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS), Non-Government Organisations and Private Providers.

Non-clinical duties include quality activities, mandatory training, supervising, teaching and research. The successful applicants will lead and manage the provision of medical services in accordance with the standard of the speciality, the ethics of the profession and in accordance with the THHS and Queensland Health (QH) policies.

Qualifications & Conditions

Registration as a medical practitioner, qualifications in speciality areas, with the Medical Board of Australia (AHPRA).
A Fellowed and experienced Rural Generalist is highly desirable – FACRRM or FRACGP with appropriate rural/remote experience.
Demonstrated capability and experience in at least one of the following Advanced Skills disciplines is highly desirable: Emergency, Anaesthetics, Obstetrics, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, Remote Medicine, Internal Medicine, Paediatrics or Palliative Care.
Class C motor vehicle licence.
Travel to other rural hospital sites may be a requirement of this position.
Vaccine Preventable Disease (VPD) risk role: Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella and Pertussis.
Pre-employment screening will be conducted for the successful applicant/s.
6-month probationary period may apply.

Selection Criteria

Competence and capability in primary rural medical practice (particularly hospital-based practice) with certification of at least one (secondary) advanced rural skill specified above.
Ability to function in a multidisciplinary team, contributing to leadership and clinical governance.
Experience in education and training of medical staff and/or medical students.
High level of communication skills in clinical practice and corporate functions.
Commitment to improving standards and quality of health care and patient safety within the hospital and community.

Remuneration

Pro rata remuneration packages available up to a full-time equivalent value of $510,715 p.a., comprising:

Base salary rates: $87.25 to $127.77 p.h. (L13-L27)
Annual recreational leave with loading
Employer contribution to superannuation (12.75%)
Attraction and retention incentive allowance (35%-40% base salary)
Regional and rural attraction allowance (5% base salary)
Motor vehicle allowance of $21,000 or $25,500 p.a.
Professional development allowance of $21,500 p.a. + 3.6 weeks p.a. leave (accruable up to 10 years)
Inaccessibility allowance of $13,800 p.a.

Plus communications package and Salary Sacrificing options may be available

Permanent or temporary vacancies up to 2 years available - hours are negotiable.

Challenges & Opportunities

Medical Recruitment Challenges: Charters Towers has faced ongoing difficulties in attracting and retaining skilled medical professionals, resulting in a high reliance on temporary staff and increased pressure on existing teams.

Reputational Recovery: The health service is working to overcome past reputational damage, focusing on restoring trust within the community and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, consistent healthcare.

Reliance on Junior Doctors: Charters Towers Health Service has been heavily reliant on junior doctors to fill staffing gaps, which can lead to increased workloads, limited supervision.

Useful Links:

Townsville HHS Strategic Plan 2022 - 2026

Townsville HHS Website

Charters Towers Health Service