Senior Medical Officer

Government of Western Australia Department of Health; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 268,000 - 308,000; Full time

Job summary

A government health department is seeking a Senior Medical Officer to lead the team at Derby Hospital. This role focuses on enhancing Aboriginal health outcomes in a cross-cultural environment, offering opportunities for professional growth and impactful community engagement. The position includes potential for full-time commitments and competitive salary packages, plus additional regional incentives.

Benefits

Competitive salary packages

Relocation support

Regional incentives and bonuses

Qualifications

• Experienced Rural Generalist, General Practitioner or Senior Medical Officer.
• Hold unrestricted General Registration with the Medical Board of Australia.
• At least two years of clinical experience in Australia.

Responsibilities

• Provide medical leadership and expert clinical advice.
• Oversee operational management of medical staff including rostering.
• Drive quality improvement and patient safety initiatives.

Skills

Clinical expertise

Leadership skills

Commitment to Aboriginal health

Team collaboration

Resilience

Education

General Medical Degree

Job description

Salary: SMO Level 1 to 4 - $550,858 to $631,005 (inclusive of base salary, 12% superannuation, on call allowance and PDL allowance)

Location: Derby

Unit/Division: WACHS - Kimberley > Medical Services

Work Type: Fixed Term - Full Time, Fixed Term - Part Time

Are you seekingan opportunity to advance your career while advocating for Indigenous health in a stunning location tailor-made for adventureenthusiasts?

WA CountryHealth Service is seeking a Senior Medical Officer to lead our teamat Derby Hospital in the beautiful Kimberley region of WesternAustralia.

We currentlyhave 1 FTE vacant and can provide a Fixed-Term Full-Time contractfor five years, with the possibility of extension(s) and / orpermanency.

About theRole

As the Senior MedicalOfficer (SMO) at Derby and Fitzroy Crossing Hospitals, you'll be anintegral member of the West Kimberley Executive Team, providingpivotal medical leadership and expert advice on clinical matters.Your role will encompass clinical governance, the operationalmanagement of medical staff, including rostering, and drivingquality improvement and patient safety initiatives.

In this key position,you’ll be working in a cross-cultural environment, whereAboriginal patients represent a significant part of our community.Your efforts will have a profound impact on Indigenous health,focusing on advancing Aboriginal health outcomes and bridginghealth disparities.

You’ll play a crucialrole in mentoring and supporting our District Medical Officers andRegistrars, ensuring the continuation of exceptional care.You’ll oversee up to ten doctors, working closely with adedicated team that includes the Derby Coordinator of Nursing andMidwifery, Clinical Nurse Managers, allied health professionals,administration, and support staff.

AboutYou:

You are an experienced RuralGeneralist, General Practitioner, or Senior Medical Officer who ispassionate about making a real difference in rural and remotehealth. With strong clinical expertise and proven leadershipskills, you thrive in challenging environments and bring a deepcommitment to improving Aboriginal health outcomes throughculturally sensitive care and genuine communityengagement.

You’ll be acollaborative leader who can guide and support a diverse medicalteam, fostering a culture of learning, safety, and continuousimprovement. Resilient and adaptable, you balance hands-on clinicalcare with strategic thinking, contributing to service planning andgovernance as part of the West Kimberley Executive Team.

This role is ideal forsomeone seeking professional growth in a unique cross-culturalenvironment, while embracing the adventure, lifestyle, and culturalrichness that the Kimberley has to offer.

You’ll be based atDerby Hospital which is the gateway to the iconic Gibb River Road.The facility boasts 35 inpatient beds, including a dedicatedemergency department, 22 acute care beds, and a state-of-the-artbirthing suite with four maternity beds. The hospital offers a widearray of services: Community Health, Allied Health, Home andCommunity Care, Maternity, Neonates, Medical Imaging, Child andAdolescent Services, General Medical, Aged Care, Dental, AlcoholRehabilitation, Aboriginal Health, Mental Health, Podiatry, GeneralSurgical, Outpatients, Community Drug Services, Ambulance, andVisiting Specialist Services such as Renal Physician,Ophthalmologist, General Surgeon and Cardiologist.

About theRegion:

The Kimberley is WesternAustralia's northernmost region, bordered by the Pilbara region tothe south and the Northern Territory to the east. Home to over35,000 people, with approximately 50% identifying as Aboriginal,the region is rich in cultural diversity andexperiences.

The West Kimberley isrenowned for its dramatic landscapes, including towering cliffs,rocky headlands, and pristine waterways. With easy access to theFitzroy River and King Sound, residents and visitors can enjoyfishing, crabbing, and boating in the region's clear, untouchedwaters. On weekends, you might explore the rugged islands of thenearby archipelago or camp at Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek,where you can immerse yourself in the natural beauty and adventurethat the Kimberley has to offer.

• Strong CommunitySpirit: You’ll become part of a vibrant andclose-knit community, the people of the Kimberley are known fortheir warm hospitality.
• Easy Access toPerth: Need to travel to the city? Perth is only ashort 2 ½ hour flight away from Broome, with regionalresidents entitled to capped price flights.
• CompetitiveSalary Packages: Among the highest inAustralia.
• RegionalIncentives: Additional entitlements for working in arural location such as district allowance, accommodationsubsidies, air conditioner subsidies, travel days and, generousannual leave entitlements.
• Salarypackaging: Up to $9,010 for living expenses + $2,650for meals.
• Novatedleasing and 12%superannuation
• RelocationSupport: If you are coming to work from overseas orinterstate:
• You willbe eligible to be reimbursed for costs related to therelocation of yourself and your immediate family (conditionsapply and subject to regionalapproval).
• We canoffer a range of employee-sponsored work visas including PR(conditions apply).

Applicants seeking flexiblework arrangements are welcome to apply and will be consideredwithin operational requirements.

We value your contribution -and back it with benefits that support your lifestyle, growth, andlong-term career.

For FurtherJob-Related Information:

If you're interested in this roleand want to learn more, we encourage you to contact Dr John Robson,A/Regional Medical Director by phone on 08 9194 2853 or by email [e-mail]

And for a firsthandperspective, hear from Dr. Prue Plowright about what it's like tolive and work in Derby!

• Due tothe limited supervision capacity at Derby Hospital,supervised practice placements for Specialist InternationalMedical Graduates (SIMGs) cannot be supported for thisopportunity. Preference will therefore be given toapplicants currently residing in Australiawho:
  • Holdunrestricted General Registration with the MedicalBoard of Australia, and
  • Have at leasttwo years of clinical experience in Australia or arecognised Competent Authoritycountry.
• Exceptional overseascandidates may be considered on a case-by-casebasis.
• Australian citizenshipor permanent residency is an essential requirement forapplicants to be considered for permanentpositions in the public sector. Applicants on a visa can beappointed on a fixed-term contract.
• Comprehensiveand Current Curriculum Vitae (CV) outliningqualifications, training, and relevant experience,demonstrating how you meet the requirements of therole.
• Two ProfessionalReferees including names and contact details. One mustbe your current supervisor or line manager.
• 2-3 Page maximumStatement addressing the Essential Work-RelatedRequirements (see attached jobdescription).

OtherConditions

Whilst this selectionprocess will initially be used to fill the above vacancy, it mayalso be used to fill other "similar" vacancies throughout thehealth service. In addition to this, should the successfulapplicant decline or vacate the advertised vacancy, then the nextmost suitable applicant may also be selected from this process.Both of these options remain valid for a period of twelve (12)months from when the authorised delegate endorses the recruitmentdecision.

We are committed tofostering a diverse and inclusive workforce where every employeefeels valued and empowered. We believe that a diverse team bringsunique perspectives and drives innovation to meet ourcommunity’s needs. We welcome applicants of all backgroundsand experiences to join us in shaping a more equitable future andas a measure to achieve equality under of the Equal Opportunity Act1984.

WA Health engages staff inpositions of trust and responsibility. WA Health policies requireapplicants to undertake criminal records screening and integritychecking as part of the appointment process. Referees may also beasked to comment on an applicant’s integrity and pastdemonstration of ethical behaviour.

Please note this recruitmentprocess requires completion of satisfactory Pre-Employment HealthAssessment (PEHA). Any offer of employment with WA CountryHealth Service (WACHS) is conditional on satisfactory PEHA toensure you can perform the inherent requirements of the position.An unsatisfactory PEHA will result in the offer of employment beingwithdrawn. Please see the attached WACHS PEHA Policy forfurther information.

Late or emailedapplications will not be accepted.