Resident (RMO) positions

The Central Australia region is accredited by the Prevocational Medical Assurance Services (PMAS) on behalf of the Northern Territory (NT) Medical Board for intern training and has a dynamic clinical training program incorporating all junior medical officers. There are more than 50 RMO positions with 3, 6, 9 and 12 month rotations through a range of specialty and subspecialty areas, including rotations to Tennant Creek Hospital (TCH) and Primary and Public Health Care (PPHC). PGY3+ RMOs also have access to ‘streamed’ pathways into various registrar positions.

All rotations with PGY2 RMOs at Alice Springs Hospital will be accredited in 2025 to offer the new Australian Medical Council Framework.

Teaching

Central Australia region provides an outstanding junior doctor training program with an award-winning team of educators and clinicians deeply committed to offering the junior doctor a rich and diverse education and training program, reflecting the challenges that come with working in Aboriginal health in rural and remote locations. Strong intern and RMO representation on the Medical Training Committee offers support to the junior doctor experience.

Junior doctors attend regular education and up-skilling sessions, covering broad areas of professional development, including simulation, with all teaching and training in the purpose-built, state-of-the-art Research, Education and Training Centre, supplemented by up-to-date junior doctor departmental teaching.

RMO rotations

Participants can be in control of their own training and request rotations (subject to availability) to suit their learning needs. Whilst not a part of a formal training pathway support for specialty training program entry and development is offered.

RMO rotations available include

Applicants must rank rotations in order of preference. Rotations include:

• addiction medicine - 3 months
• anaesthetics - 3 months
  • (preference to internal applicants and those requiring anaesthetics for training)
• emergency medicine - 3 or 6 months, includes emergency certificate
  • streamed pathway available (12 months as rotational RMO/ED-SRMO followed by 12 months as registrar, if meeting required standard)
• general medicine - 3 months
• general Surgery - 3 months
• ICU - 3 months
  • preference to internal applicants
• obstetrics and gynaecology - 3 or 6 months
  • streamed pathway available (12 months as rotational RMO followed by 12 months as registrar, if meeting required standard)
  • note - RMOs are first call and receive supervision from consultant staff in person or by phone and require some ability to work independently
• orthopaedics - 3 months
• paediatrics - 3 months
• palliative care - 3 months
• psychiatry - 3 months
  • streamed pathway available (12 months as rotational RMO followed by 12 months as registrar, if meeting required standard)
• renal - 3 months
• remote primary care - 3 months
  • you will be based in Alice Springs and participate in community visits with a rural generalist/remote medical practitioner; visits range from day trips to 4 nights
• TCH - rural generalist term - 3 months.

Senior RMO rotations

For PGY3+ only:

• ED senior RMO - 6 months preferred but 3, 9 or 12-month positions available
  • must have completed 2 terms of emergency medicine since graduation
• ICU senior RMO - 6 months, only 2 positions available
  • selection will involve an additional interview with a representative from ICU
• streamed pathways - 24 month contracts available for potential rural generalism, obstetrics and gynaecology, emergency medicine, psychiatry trainees.

Career development

Central Australia offers many opportunities for career development for pre-vocational doctors. Rotations offer a general, well-rounded experience leading to a diverse range of vocational options. While contracts are offered on a 12-month basis, planning and pathways can be structured over one, 2 or 3 years, and take into account the needs of the individual junior doctor and tenure of employment.

Vocational training

Alice Springs Hospital (ASH) is accredited for the following:

• addiction medicine (RACP)
  • full accreditation
  • accredited rotation for physician and general practice training programs
• anaesthetics (ANZCA)
  • accreditation for 26 weeks basic training on rotation from the South Australia (SA) and NT Anaesthetics Training Scheme
  • accredited rotation for emergency medicine, intensive care, physician and rural generalist (JCCA) training programs
• clinical forensic medicine (RACP)
  • accreditation currently pending
• emergency medicine (ACEM)
  • accredited for 18 months FACEM Training Program
    • plus rotations available for non-ED time training time including anaesthetics, ICU, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, medicine, addiction medicine, TCH
  • accredited for the ACEM emergency medicine certificate and diploma
  • accredited rotation for general practice, physician and rural generalist training programs
• general practice and rural generalist training (ACRRM)
  • fully accredited core hospital training
  • AST available in surgery (2 years), internal medicine (12+ months), emergency medicine, obstetrics, academic practice and anaesthetics (JCCA)
• general practice and rural generalist training (RACGP)
  • fully accredited hospital time plus 6 months extended skills
  • extended skills available in emergency medicine, internal medicine, palliative care, addiction medicine, and obstetrics and gynaecology/women’s health
  • AST available in surgery (2 years), internal medicine (12+ months), emergency medicine, obstetrics, academic practice and anaesthetics (JCCA)
• general surgery (RACS)
  • accredited for x2 SET positions, 6 months on rotation from interstate training sites
• intensive care medicine (CICM)
  • accredited for 6 months core training
    • plus rotations available for non-core time including anaesthesia (12 months), internal medicine (6 months), emergency medicine (6 months), retrieval medicine (6 months)
  • accredited rotation for emergency medicine and physician training programs
• medical administration (RACMA)
  • fully accredited
• obstetrics and gynaecology (RANZCOG)
  • accredited for:
    • 6 months basic training on rotation from SA obstetrics and gynaecology training network - pending
    • 2 years advanced training
  • Certificate of Women’s Health, diploma RANZCOG and advanced diploma RANZCOG
  • accredited rotation for general practice, rural generalist, emergency medicine, child health certificate training programs
• ophthalmology (RANZCO)
  • accredited for 6 months training on rotation from SA training network
• orthopaedics (AOA/RACS)
  • accreditation for one registrar position
• paediatrics (RACP)
  • accredited for:
    • basic training - up to 12 months on rotation from Women’s and Children’s Hospital Network (SA)
    • advanced training - up to 24 months
  • Diploma of Child Health
  • accredited rotation for emergency medicine, physician, general practice and rural generalist training programs
• physician training (RACP)
  • accredited for:
    • basic training - 12 months; application for 24 months accreditation pending 2020
    • advanced training - 12 to 24 months - general medicine, nephrology
  • accredited for AST in internal medicine (rural generalist) and Clinical Diploma Palliative Care
  • accredited rotation for emergency medicine, intensive care, general practice and rural generalist training
• psychiatry (RANZCP)
  • fully accredited
• public health medicine (RACP)
  • fully accredited
• retrieval medicine (ACEM/ANZCA/CICM/ACRRM/RACGP)
  • Conjoint Committee of Pre-Hospital and Retrieval Medicine (CCPHRM)
  • full Accreditation from 2021.

Further information for vocational training at ASH for each department can be found in the following links:

• anaesthetics
• emergency medicine
• intensive care unit
• Department of Medicine including:
  • general medicine
  • renal
  • addiction medicine
  • oncology
  • palliative care
  • rehab/continuing care
• obstetrics and gynaecology
• paediatrics
• surgery
• rural generalist at TCH.

Orientation

RMOs undertake an orientation program prior to commencing ward duties. Key elements include cultural competencies, use of electronic health systems, and an introduction to the management of complex patient presentations.

Orientation to specific departments and their teams takes place at the commencement of ward work.

Central Australia JMO term dates 2025

• Term 1: Monday 20 January to Sunday 20 April 2025
• Term 2: Monday 21 April to Sunday 20 July 2025
• Term 3: Monday 21 July to Sunday 19 October 2025
• Term 4: Monday 20 October to Sunday 18 January 2026.

Contracts

Central Australia supports workplace flexibility and shorter contracts to a minimum of 3 months can be negotiated.

For more information

Medical Recruitment
Phone: +61 8 8951 7989
Mail: PO Box 2234
Alice Springs NT 0871
MedicalRecruitmentASH@nt.gov.au

Overview

Top End region incorporating Royal Darwin and Palmerston Hospital (RDPH), Katherine Hospital and Gove District Hospital offers broad clinical experience and opportunities to improve practical skills as well as a great lifestyle, spectacular geography and unique medical opportunities. On site facilities at Royal Darwin include a beautiful 25m swimming pool, gym, squash and tennis courts.

On and off site accommodation is available at Royal Darwin, Katherine and Gove hospitals for up 14  weeks, longer stays may be negotiated depending on individual circumstances and the location.

RDPH supports relocation costs.

RDPH offers RMO positions with rotations through:

• anaesthetics
• ICU
• general medicine
• renal medicine
• cardiology
• haematology
• oncology
• infectious diseases
• rehabilitation medicine
• rapid assessment and planning unit
• paediatrics
• obstetrics and gynaecology
• general surgery
• orthopaedic surgery
• psychiatry
• Darwin Private Hospital
• emergency medicine including ED certificate/diploma/advanced diploma
• Katherine Hospital
• Gove District Hospital including pro start anaesthetics training.

For more information, view Top End region specialities and rotations.

Training

Royal Darwin and Palmerston Hospital (RDPH) is a major teaching hospital located on 2 campuses. RDPH is co-located with Flinders NT University, Menzies School of Health Research and has strong links with the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre.

Junior doctors are encouraged to attend regular education and up-skilling sessions covering broad areas of professional development. Departments also have formal grand rounds, journal clubs and specific sessions such as radiology meetings each week, and junior doctors are supported in attending these. In addition, all our junior doctors receive a profession training allowance paid fortnightly to support individual training needs. Territory hospitals provide a comprehensive training program for junior medical officers. The training and experiences in PGY1 (post graduate year) and PGY2 years follow the Australian Curriculum Framework for junior doctors.

A variety of pathways are offered from PGY2 years, opportunities for rural and remote practice are a key feature of these pathways. Pre-vocational pathways offer a general, well rounded experience leading to a diverse range of vocational options, as well as tailored pathways leading to specific vocational programs. Pathways can be structured over one, 2 or 3 years.

Junior doctors can also complete the following post graduate qualifications:

• Diploma of Obstetrics
• Diploma of Paediatrics
• Certificate in Emergency Medicine
• Graduate Diploma of Indigenous and Remote Child Health.

A number of junior doctors also undertake further studies such as a Master of Public Health through the Menzies School of Health Research and James Cook University.

For more information, view Top End region specialities and rotations.

Orientation

RMOs undertake an Orientation program prior to commencing ward duties. Key elements include cultural competencies, use of the various electronic health systems used throughout the hospital, and an introduction to management of unique and complex patient presentations.

Orientation to specific departments and the team you will be attached to takes place at the commencement of ward work.

For general enquiries regarding RMO applications in Top End region, email RDHJMOWorkforce.DoH@nt.gov.au.

2026 Top End Region annual RMO Campaign

Recruitment opens 2 June 2025 to 29 June 2025, please apply on Jobs - Search for RMO and SRMO position.

During the campaign period expressions of interest will not be accepted.

2025 Central Australia region annual RMO campaign

Apply for RMO positions on the NT Government employment opportunities website - closes on 9 July 2024.

During the campaign period expressions of interest will not be accepted.

Note: Please check in the above application section, if EOIs are accepted in the relevant health service.

To express your interest in a medical officer position, please provide the following:

• application with 2 referees for Top End position and 3 referees for Central Australia position
  • NT Health will contact the referees of all short-listed applicants
• cover letter outlining your application, including:
  • why do you want to work in the Northern Territory (NT)
  • any rural/remote experiences you have had
  • links to the NT (eg. family or, friends)
  • commitment to the NT
• curriculum vitae (CV).

Email your cover letter and CV to:

• Central Australian - MedicalRecruitmentASH@nt.gov.au
• Primary Health Care - RMPAdmin.TERHMedical@nt.gov.au.

For positions with Top End, please use the careers in government website https://jobs.nt.gov.au/Home/Search

Please include the following in the email subject line: Medical officer EOI application (your name).