Top End Health Service specialities and rotations

Introduction


Message from the Executive Director, Medical Services

The Top End is an extraordinary place to work and live. The Top End Health Service (TEHS) offers unique and diverse training and employment possibilities for doctors, and has inherited a long and proud tradition of meeting the healthcare needs of communities within the Northern Territory.

TEHS training sites include Royal Darwin Hospital, TEHS regional hospitals in Palmerston, Katherine and Gove, Primary Health Care and the Top End Mental Health. Working within TEHS affords the opportunity to obtain unparalleled clinical experience and training in acute care, rural and remote health, Indigenous health, and tropical health. Training is supported by motivated, welcoming and highly committed medical colleagues, who work in collaboration with the other exceptionally dedicated members of the TEHS health care team.

Working in the NT provides an opportunity to make a difference.

We hope that you will consider a longer-term plan for joining us and become part of the NT medical workforce.

Dr Charles Pain
LRCP (Lond.), MRCS (Eng.), MSc, FFPH (UK), FAFPHM, FACHSM, FISQua

Contact

Please peruse information available about the various positions, or email MedicalRecruitmentRDH.THS@nt.gov.au


Anaesthesia positions in TEHS


Top End Health Service (TEHS) anaesthetists enjoy a varied workload, everyone rotates around and gets the opportunity to do a variety of things from scopes to complex vascular neurosurgical lists. Key experience:

  • broad, generalist practice in anaesthesia
  • difficult airways
  • complex patients with co-morbidities
  • outreach opportunities to Gove and Katherine (for more complex or paediatric patients).

The anaesthetists at Royal Darwin and Palmerston Regional Hospital (RDPH) support Katherine and Gove hospitals, providing opportunities to fly to remote locations to support the general practice (GP) anaesthetist with complex cases.

Training positions available in anaesthesia offer a range of experience hard to match anywhere else in Australia:

  • about 12,000 procedures per year are done in ten operating theatres
  • 15% of cases are paediatric and there is a large number of maxillofacial surgery allowing development of fibre-optic intubation skills not readily available elsewhere
  • there is a large amount of trauma including neuro-trauma managed completely within the hospital
  • many of the obstetric cases are complicated including patients with severe rheumatic heart disease
  • outside of theatre work includes electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), radiology, and cardiac cath lab.

The department can provide:

  • training for anaesthesia relating to the acute pain service, radiology procedures including Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and ECT for mental health
  • exposure to chronic pain management and hyperbaric medicine.

The department has links to the Retrieval Service operated by Careflight and the intensive care unit, and can facilitate training and clinical exposure to these areas for suitably experienced doctors.

The types of conditions you are likely to see include:

  • all major surgical specialties except for cardiac surgery
  • complex obstetrics
  • regular Paediatric exposure, including visiting paediatric surgeons
  • difficult airway management (very high incidence of facial trauma, and late presentations of head/neck cancer).

Trainees are well supervised and those showing aptitude will be given some independence with ready access to assistance. Many of the staff have an interest in regional anaesthesia with access to ultrasound to assist with nerve blockade as well as evolving point of care cardiac assessment. Residents are closely supervised and supported in theatre, always being paired with a consultant or senior registrar.

The department is very close knit and supportive, and the rosters provide the flexibility for you to enjoy a great work life balance.

  • We have specific Introductory Training sessions (for introductory registrars and RMOs), part 1 and part 2 exam teaching.
  • We are involved in teaching anaesthetic nurses, interns, RMOs and other subspecialty trainees.
  • Our staff include ALS2 instructors and Emergency Trauma Management Course (EMST) instructors, trauma centre.
  • There is a high pass rate for part one exam (which is difficult). There are not many trainees sitting part 2.

There are research and audit opportunities available in order to fulfil the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) scholar role requirements, including being part of more major multi-centre trials.

The department has registrar positions that are accredited for training with the ANZCA. Trainees rotate from the South Australian/Northern Territory Rotational Anaesthesia Training Scheme (SANTRATS) in Adelaide as well as with the Northern Rotation of the Queensland Anaesthesia Rotational Training Scheme (QARTS). Additional positions are for Royal Australasian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) advanced rural skills posts training to be general practice anaesthetists. There remains the ability to appoint anaesthesia trainees directly to RDPH who have significant experience elsewhere in Australia or overseas.

The RDPH Department can also appoint senior registrars/provisional fellows to meet ANZCA requirements.

Weekly anaesthetic tutorials are conducted with 3 hours of protected teaching time. Special tutorials for the primary and fellowship examination are also arranged.

Supervision is always readily available, with specialists rostered on-site until 10pm, 7 days per week and on-call after that time.

TEHS offer anaesthetic positions for Resident Medical Officers for three month terms or six months for GP Anaesthetist in preparation to be a Registrar. (six months RMO prior to six months registrar). These can be part of a critical care stream or for advanced emergency trainees accredited to their training. For more junior trainees we create a supportive environment and provide a high level of supervision.  For more senior trainees/fellows the rotation provides a bridge to consultant-hood – independent practice with supportive supervisors.

GP Anaesthetists are trained to be prepared to meet the Joint Consultative Committee on Anaesthesia (JCCA) requirements of ANZCA, RACGP and ACCRM. Weekly anaesthetic tutorials are conducted with three hours of protected teaching time.

Trainees have been involved with medical student, and junior doctor education (As well as nursing staff), to fulfil teaching scholar role activities.

Accredited training positions

  • Ten registrars from rotational programs (SANTRATS and QARTS).
  • Two independent positions (all accredited).
  • Involved in training GP anaesthetists (JCCA).

Prevocational doctor placements

  • RMO - 2 positions (average 13 week rotation).

We also have trainees rotating from ICU, ED, and RMOs from the critical care and rural generalist streams.

Career in Anaesthesia

College

Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (RNZCA) College website

Entry requirements

  • Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery
  • General medical registration with AHPRA
  • At least one year post graduate medical experience in relevant rotations such as anesthetics, ICU, pain medicine

Duration

  • Five years

Assessments

Exam:

  • Primary/part 1 and fellowship/part 2

Other assessments:

  • specialised study units
  • workplace based assessments
  • case based discussions
  • multi source feedback
  • MiniCEX.

TEHS accredited training

RDPH/TEHS is accredited to provide 104 weeks training plus time in ICU

For further information on resident or registrar positions you can contact the director of anaesthesia by emailing AnaestheticAdminRDH.DOH@nt.gov.au.


Emergency medicine positions in TEHS


The Emergency Department at the RDPH sees about 70,000 patients a year of which about 25% are children. The case mix is unlike other tertiary EDs in that the patients are younger and the levels of trauma and severe sepsis are amongst the highest in Australia. Indigenous Australians account for 30% of attendance and 50% of admissions. The emergency department staff are supported by a psychiatry team, social worker, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, pharmacist, indigenous liaison officer, security staff and hospital police constable.

RMOs, interns and medical students are supervised by registrars and consultants. Staffing of the department consists of consultants, registrars, residents, interns and medical students.

The roster is 40 hours per week in 10 hour shifts so there is plenty of time to visit the sights in and around Darwin on your three days off per week. When in the ED there is a 24 hour registrar presence. Consultant staff aim to provide a supportive, enthusiastic, educational and safe working environment. They are available 24 hours a day with extensive "on the floor" presence.

For general information about positions contact:

Education

Formal teaching opportunities include:

  • Weekly RDPH Hospital Grand Rounds
  • Weekly RDPH ED Resident teaching (Rostered)
  • Exam focused training program
  • Wellness program
  • Weekly simulation training

Careers

Emergency Medicine Certificate positions

  • RMO
  • Registrar

Emergency Medicine Diploma and Advanced Diploma positions

  • Registrar

Prevocational Doctor placements

  • Intern – 7 positions (avg 10 week rotations)
  • RMO – 17 positions (avg 13 week rotations)

Entry Requirements

College

Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) College website

Entry requirements

  • the successful completion of an AMC recognised   medical degree General medical   registration with AHPRA
  • the successful completion of 24 months   pre-vocational training
  • current general registration as a medical   practitioner in Australia or New Zealand
  • completion of at least one term ED as a PGY2+,   in the last two years and,
  • at least two terms in non ED disciplines.

Duration

Provisional Training (12 months total)

  • six months training in a single approved ED within the first 12 months
  • six months other approved training

Advanced Training (48 months total)

  • six months minimum in major ED
  • six months minimum in urban   referral/rural/regional ED
  • early phase – 12 months in accredited ED
  • late phase – 18 months in accredited ED
  • six months critical care - ICU +/-   Anaesthetics
  • six months accredited non-ED time.

Exams/Assessments

Primary Exam

  • Anatomy, pathology, physiology and   pharmacology
  • Written MCQ exam + oral viva exam.

Fellowship Exam

  • Written and clinical exam

Candidates are only allowed 3 attempts at each part of the exam (written and clinical).

Other Assessments

  • Paediatric Log Book (need to see 400 children)
  • Research Requirement
  • In-Training Assessments
  • Work Based Assessments

TEHS Accredited Training

You can complete your entire specialist training in emergency medicine in Darwin although we recommend you train in multiple sites.

  • RDPH Emergency & Trauma Centre – 24 months accreditation as a tertiary ED including paediatric logbook (this is the maximum accreditation for an ED)
  • PRH ED – six months as a linked site
  • Multiple accredited rotations in RDPH

Other courses of study available

Emergency Medicine Certificate (EMC) PGY2+

  • six months competency-based training program
  • Workplace based assessments
  • Procedural checklist
  • Online learning modules.

Emergency Medicine Diploma (pre req -  EMC or equivalent)

  • 12 months
  • Workplace based assessments + Procedural checklist
  • Online learning modules
  • Audit requirements

Emergency Medicine Advanced Diploma (pre req -  EMD or equivalent)

  • 18 months (12 months in ED, six months in Critical Care)
  • Workplace based assessments + Procedural checklist
  • Online learning modules
  • Audit requirements

RDPH ED is maximally ACEM accredited for specialist training as a Major Referral Hospital (24 months adult emergency medicine training and the paediatric log book). There are well established rotations to intensive care, anaesthetics, medicine and retrieval. Other rotations (e.g. paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, surgery, psychiatry, orthopaedics) can be arranged on an individual basis.

Registrars are rostered four hours of protected teaching time each week. There are separate teaching programs focusing on primary and fellowship exam preparation. Weekly simulation training is incorporated into the teaching program. The program is supported by three Co-Directors Emergency Medicine Trainees, a wellness program, a mentoring program and a gender equal consultant workforce.

National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre (NCCTRC) is located in Darwin. The NCCTRC conducts the following courses:

  • Early Management of Severe Trauma (EMST),
  • Advanced Life Support (ALS),
  • Advanced Paediatric Life Support (APLS),
  • Australian Trauma Team Training (ATTT) and
  • Major Incident Medical Management Support (MIMMS).

Hospital resident rotations through the ED are for three to six months at a time and can be arranged through TEHSEMDocJobs.DoH@nt.gov.au

For RMOs who want more emergency medicine experience (6 to 12 months) or want to enrol in the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine (ACEM) Certificate (six to nine months) or Diploma (six to 18 months) applications can be made through TEHSEMDocJobs.DoH@nt.gov.au

Residents in Emergency Medicine rotate through our majors, resuscitation, fast track, paediatric and extended emergency care areas.

RMOs will also rotate through the Palmerston ED which opened in August 2018. RMOs are rostered three hours of protected teaching time each week incorporating practical workshops, invited speakers and high fidelity simulation training.

There is additional training for ACEM Certificate and Diploma candidates.


Intensive care positions in TEHS


Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH) has the only Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in the Top End of the Northern Territory. It services a population of 180,000 in an area of more than 500,000 square kilometres with 6,200 kilometres of coastline, from East Arnhem to the Kimberley. RDH is the forward receiving hospital for Northern Australia and plays a major role in disaster management in the region through the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre.

RDH ICU is a mixed Adult/Paediatric Level 3 ICU with 18 beds. In addition to Paediatrics, the case mix includes sepsis, trauma, and neurosurgery. There are 1,200 admissions annually. The ICU Department employs eight ICU specialists, one ICU Fellow, seven ICU registrars and five ICU RMOs.

Indigenous Australians are one third of the population of the Top End but represent more than 50 per cent of the intensive care patients. Many Indigenous patients come from remote communities. There is a strong emphasis placed on cultural sensitivity in the ICU.

RDH ICU is accredited for general, paediatric (AP12), neurosurgery and trauma training in the new College of Intensive Care Medicine (CICM) curriculum. In addition CICM has recently accredited RDH ICU for a Transition Fellow position.

RDH ICU has cardiac echo qualified ICU specialists on staff, including CICM qualified assessors. The ICU runs an echo training program for registrars and the ability to provide support for higher ultrasound qualifications.

The unit is accredited for 12 months advanced training in the pre-2014 curriculum (C12).

We are an active member of the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society (ANZICS) Clinical Trials Group with a full time research coordinator and an active research program.

For further information on resident or registrar positions you can contact Director of ICU Training by emailing SurgicalRecruitment.THS@nt.gov.au

Opportunities in TEHS

Accredited training positions:

  • Registrar

Prevocational doctor placements:

  • RMO – five positions (avg 13 week rotation)

We have trainees rotating from ICU, ED, and RMOs from the Critical Care and Rural Generalist streams.

College

College of Intensive Care Medicine (CICM)

Entry requirements

  • Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery
  • General medical registration with AHPRA
  • 6 months experience in a CICM accredited ICU within three years

Duration

  • 6 years

Exams/Assessments

Exam:

  • Primary/Part one and Fellowship/Part two

Other Assessments:

  • Observed Clinical encounters
  • Formal project
  • Workplace Based Assessments
  • Online modules x 10
  • Advanced airway, communication, Echo and Ultrasound, Introduction to ICU Medicine, Donor awareness, Advanced Life Support, Advanced Paediatric Life Support, Management Skills Course

TEHS Accredited Training

RDPH/TEHS is accredited to provide:

  • Foundation time, Core training
  • Transition year
  • Elective
  • Anaesthetics (limited to one position per year for CICM trainees)
  • Medicine (can include six months of ED)
  • TEHS: rural
  • ICU specific rotation: paediatrics (12 months), neurosurgery, trauma

Unaccredited positions

  • Positions preferably provided to CICM, ANZCA, ACEM trainees.
  • Others (eg ACCRM or people not in a college training position) will be decided upon merits.

For further information on resident or registrar positions you can contact Director of ICU Training by emailing SurgicalRecruitment.THS@nt.gov.au

The Royal Darwin Hospital offers an RMO pathway to critical care training. This will generally be available to those who have demonstrated an extended service commitment greater than 12 months. Interested applicants will need to apply through RDH Medical Recruitment by emailing SurgicalRecruitment.THS@nt.gov.au

The registrar role is suitable for PGY 3-4 College of Intensive Care Medicine, Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists or Australasian College of Emergency Medicine trainees. It provides the opportunity to complete up to 12 months as ICU registrar and up to 12 months acute general medicine. One hundred percent of candidates who have sat the CICM Primary while at RDH have passed.

Successful candidates will have the opportunity to apply for 12 months anesthesia training. Trainees may also consider Careflight Registrar options.

Selection Criteria

RDH ICU registrar applicants will need to fulfill the following criteria:

  • PGY 3 to 4 or above
  • ICU experience of three to six months
  • Airway experience
  • College membership
  • Exam Progress:
  • For ICU trainees evidence of progress towards the CICM primary.
  • For ACEM registrars success at college primary. ACEM trainees not enrolled in CICM should apply through RDH Emergency Department in the first instance.
  • A mixture of other experiences in acute medicine/ED/paediatrics or remote medicine are also useful for potential ICU registrar applicants.

Courses such as ALS, APLS, EMST, and BASIC are good preparation for an ICU registrar post.


Medicine positions in TEHS


The Division of Medicine is a rapidly growing and dynamic area which is committed to providing holistic and safe medical care to our patients. There are a wide range of on-site and visiting specialist services currently provided through the division.

  • Current onsite services include General Medicine, Addiction Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Endocrinology, Neurology, Cardiology, Nephrology, Haematology, Oncology, Palliative care, Rheumatology, Immunology and Rehabilitation services.
  • Current visiting services include Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Thoracic and Sleep Medicine and Dermatology.

Practising general medicine in the Northern Territory is attractive due to the complexity of the medical illnesses as well as the challenging psychosocial circumstances. Advanced trainees in general medicine are encouraged to construct a two-year training programme at Royal Darwin hospital. Trainees have access to pure, true acute general medicine as well as rotations through subspecialty areas not readily available to non-subspecialty trainees in larger centres. General medical registrars have worked in haematology, oncology, nephrology, cardiology and intensive care at senior trainee level. The general medicine position attached to the infectious diseases team is also a popular and valued experience. The Public Health Unit (PHU) and outreach registrar positions are ideal for a general medical trainee in their final year.

The rich clinical experience at Royal Darwin and Palmerston Hospitals (RDPH) has resulted in a strong link between the Division of Medicine and clinicians from Oxford, UK. There are regular visiting specialists from UK who come for the unique tropical clinical experience. There is the possibility of our clinicians going to the UK also. We aim to develop close links with other Australian general medical units and neighbouring Asian countries (Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia) for the potential to share trainees and specialists in a mutually beneficial manner.

Provision of outreach services to the indigenous communities is an exciting part of the clinical work in the Division of Medicine.

Specialist clinicians, medical registrars, resident medical officers and interns make up the medical division work force.

There is a strong link with NT clinical school of Flinders University where most specialists hold academic positions. The division also works closely with the Menzies School of Health Research and number of our specialists are actively involved in research.

Division of Medicine at RDPH also works closely with other hospitals in the territory (Alice Spring Hospital, Gove District Hospital, and Katherine District Hospital) and there are plenty of opportunities to provide visiting services to these hospitals.

Education

Formal Teaching opportunities include;

  • Weekly RDPH Hospital Grand Rounds
  • Weekly RDPH Division of Medicine Grand Rounds
  • Weekly Division of Medicine Journal Club
  • Weekly Radiology meeting
  • RMO
  • Registrar

Opportunities offered in this specialty

Basic Physician Training positions

  • RMO
  • Registrar

Non Accredited Training positions

  • Registrar

Advanced Physician Training positions

  • Registrar

Prevocational Doctor placements

  • Intern – 14 positions (avg 10 week rotations)
  • RMO – 41 positions (avg 14 week rotations)

Career in General Medicine (Physician Training)

College

Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) College website

Entry requirements

  • Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery
  • General medical registration with AHPRA
  • Basic Physician Training
  • Advanced Physician Training

Duration

  • Three years full time Basic RACP training
  • Three years Full time Advanced RACP training

Assessments

  • Two exams (written and clinical) for BPT
  • Advanced Life Support (ALS)
  • ITAs, Personal qualitative reflections, Mini CEX x 4, Learning Needs Analyses and formal   assessments by supervisors need to be completed for both basic and advanced   training.
  • Advanced training also has research projects to be completed

TEHS Accredited Training

TEHS is accredited to provide the entire requirements and training time needed to complete BPT and APT.

Rotations offered in this specialty

For further information on resident or registrar positions you can contact the Director of Physician Training by emailing DivMedRecruitment.THS@nt.gov.au

Addiction medicine is the comprehensive care of people with a wide range of addiction disorders.It involves primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of harm related to the non-medical use of drugs, management of acute drug related problems and rehabilitation of people who have become dependent on drugs. Addiction medicine Physicians work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team of clinicians to improve health outcomes for patients.

Addiction medicine also plays an important role in shaping public policy in the areas of health protection, prevention and health promotion for improved public and population health outcomes.

Addiction medicine provides unique, rewarding and interesting career opportunities and provides accessibility to science-driven prevention and treatment for patients, families and communities.

Unhealthy substance use and addiction is one of the nation’s largest preventable health problems. You will be rewarded by knowing you are making a difference and helping eliminate the personal and public health consequences and the associated stigma of this preventable disease.

Working in the Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) team at TEHS enables good exposure to all AOD substance issues as well as opportunities to practice addiction medicine across the various realms of sociocultural, geographical and age backgrounds.

TEHS AOD service is accredited to provide the entire requirements and training time needed to complete advanced training in addiction medicine.

Education

Formal teaching opportunities include:

  • Weekly RDPH Hospital Grand Rounds
  • Weekly RDPH Division of Medicine Grand Rounds
  • Weekly Division of Medicine Journal Club
  • Weekly Radiology meeting

Entry requirements

College

Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) College website

Entry requirements

  • Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery
  • General medical registration with AHPRA
  • Advanced pathway through completion of Basic RACP training or

Following Fellowship of College, faculty or chapter of:

  • Australasian Chapter of Palliative Medicine (FAChPM)
  • Australasian Chapter of Sexual Health Medicine (FAChSHM)
  • Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (FACEM)
  • Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (FAFOEM)
  • Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine (FAFPHM)
  • Australasian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine (FAFRM)
  • Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetics (FANZCA)
  • Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (FACRRM)
  • Faculty of Pain Medicine (FFPMANZCA)
  • Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (FRANZCP)
  • Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP)
  • Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP)
  • Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (FRNZCGP)

Duration

  • Three years full time Basic RACP training
  • Three years Full time post Fellowship of other specialties

Assessments

  • AOD clinical work in Community based, inpatient and outpatient setting
  • Maintained cased log book through training
  • Project work and research activity/journal publication

TEHS Accredited Training

AOD is accredited to provide the entire requirements and training time needed to complete advanced training in Addiction Medicine

For further information on resident or registrar positions you can contact Dr Christine Watson, Director of AOD by emailing DivMedRecruitment.THS@nt.gov.au

Cardiology at Royal Darwin Palmerston Hospital (RDPH) is a strong and growing department. The high burden of cardiovascular disease and rheumatic heart disease remains an attraction for those interested in making a difference in the Territory.  We value professionalism, medical practice based on evidence, and running the Division on a collegiate basis. We are committed to providing holistic and safe medical care to our patients.

On site cardiologists provide services throughout the Territory including Central Australia. There is a strong working relationship with Cardiology services at Flinders Medical Centre, SA. They provide RDPH with revascularisation services, visiting services, back filling, weekly cardiac conference as well as advanced trainee cardiology registrars.

Other services we provide in conjunction with Darwin Private Hospital are echocardiograms (transthoracic and trans oesophageal) which frequently reveal the high burden of valvular heart disease, diagnostic coronary angiogram (more than 700 per year) with approximately 50% of patients requiring revascularisation, pacing services (permanent pacemakers and defibrillators are implanted at Royal Darwin Hospital).

We also provide an outreach service which consists of a cardiologist, registrar, echocardiogram technician, and a nurse educator. This service regularly visits indigenous communities to provide clinical and echocardiography services. Visiting cardiology services are also provided to other regional hospitals in the territory.

Education

Formal Teaching opportunities include:

  • Weekly RDPH Hospital Grand Rounds
  • Weekly RDPH Division of Medicine Grand Rounds
  • Weekly Division of Medicine Journal Club
  • Weekly Radiology meeting

For further information on resident or registrar positions you can contact Director of Physician Training by emailing DivMedRecruitment.THS@nt.gov.au

The Medicine-DPH RMO provides general medical ward cover for both medical and surgical patients admitted to DPH under the supervision of the Admitting Specialist.  The position provide a unique learning and training opportunity to work in the private sector and interact directly with broad range of DPH Specialists.  The RMO works a seven day 12 hour shift rotating roster (one week on / one week off).

Clinical experience

The Medicine-DPH RMO is exposed to variety of acute and subacute medical conditions, and assists in the medical management of surgical patients that require stabilisation.  The most common medical admissions to Medicine-DPH are those related to chronic diseases such as ischaemic heart disease and diabetes and acute medical conditions including infections such as pneumonia, or the acute exacerbations of chronic conditions.

The Medicine-DPH RMO carries out the same general roles as a medical RMO including clinical assessment and admissions, investigation, prescribing, and fluid and electrolyte management.

The RMO gains experience in:

  • the recognition, assessment and management of common medical presentations, medical problems in surgical patients including perioperative medicine.
  • the recognition, assessment and management of critically ill medical patients both at presentation and as a result of deterioration during admission and gains practical experience in their initial investigation and treatment.

The RMO has the opportunity to observe and develop skills in common medical procedures similar to those of a general medical RMO.

Medicine-DPH has a dedicated allied health team which enables the RMO to develop an understanding of the roles and functions of the multidisciplinary clinical team in the management of complex medical problems.

Education

Formal teaching opportunities include:

  • Weekly RDPH Hospital Grand Rounds
  • Weekly RDPH Division of Medicine Grand Rounds
  • Weekly Division of Medicine Journal Club
  • Weekly Radiology meeting

For further information on resident or registrar positions you can contact Director of Physician Training by emailing DivMedRecruitment.THS@nt.gov.au

RDPH provides the opportunity for RMOs, and Basic Physician Training (BPT) trainees the opportunity to diagnose, treat and manage a variety of skin diseases including skin cancer, crusted scabies, acne, eczema, psoriasis, skin infections, and  childhood skin conditions. As dermatologists have a wide variety of treatments at their disposal (creams, liquid nitrogen, various types of surgery), they are able to deliver specific treatment for skin cancers.

Education

Formal teaching opportunities include:

  • Weekly RDPH Hospital Grand Rounds
  • Weekly RDPH Division of Medicine Grand Rounds
  • Weekly Division of Medicine Journal Club
  • Weekly Radiology meeting

Entry requirements

College

The Australasian College of Dermatologists (ACD)

Entry requirements

  • Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery
  • General medical registration with AHPRA
  • Minimum two years postgraduate experience in both medicine and surgery, dermatology experience is looked upon favorably

Duration

  • Four years full time

Exams

  • Fellowship exam in fourth year
  • MCQ and essays
  • Short cases, histopathology, dermoscopy

TEHS Accredited Training

TEHS is part of the SA Faculty for training - one full time employee (FTE)

TEHS non Accredited positions

2 x 0.5 FTE GP Registrar extended skills position

1 x FTE RMO

For further information on resident or registrar positions you can contact Director of Physician Training by emailing DivMedRecruitment.THS@nt.gov.au

During the six months of Public Health experience the trainee will be attached to the Darwin Public Health Unit (PHU). The PHU in the Northern Territory provides a range of services to monitor, control and prevent communicable and non-communicable diseases that affect the population of the NT and also our international neighbours in the region.

The position addresses the public health training needs of future general physicians who will work in remote and resource limited settings, including internationally. The PHU placement will afford exposure to clinical management of cases of TB, leprosy, non-tuberculous mycobacterial disease, HIV and other STIs, hepatitis B and C as well as programmatic control via public health responses for more than 60 different notifiable conditions.

This will include community involvement, health promotion, healthcare colleague support and education around conditions such as measles, mumps, meningococcal disease, malaria, arbo-viral diseases, rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease, acute post streptococcal glomerulonephritis and trachoma. The experience will provide an invaluable public health perspective aimed at enhancing a physician's day to day clinical practice.

In addition to the clinical service related to TB diagnosis and treatment there will be involvement in protocol based screening of illegal fisherpersons apprehended in Northern waters. It will also involve clinics in the regional centres of Katherine, Gove and Maningrida. There will be an educational component to this position with trainees expected to teach medical students, physician trainees, nurses and aboriginal health workers.

The trainee will gain experience in writing ministerial and press briefings, as well as fact sheets. Project work will also be undertaken with an expectation of publication in the "NT Disease Control Bulletin".

Education

Formal teaching opportunities include:

  • Weekly RDPH Hospital Grand Rounds
  • Weekly RDPH Division of Medicine Grand Rounds
  • Weekly Division of Medicine Journal Club
  • Weekly MDM
  • Weekly Radiology meeting

For further information on resident or registrar positions you can contact Director of Physician Training by emailing DivMedRecruitment.THS@nt.gov.au

This is an exciting opportunity for advanced training in endocrinology in Darwin and is accredited as one year core training by endocrine SAC.

Our endocrinology and diabetes team at RDPH consists of 3 consultants, a diabetes educator and an Aboriginal health worker. We also have strong links to the Menzies School of Health Research.

Inpatient responsibilities

  • Provide consultation service to inpatients at RDPH as a member of the multi-disciplinary diabetes team. This includes patients under care of medical, surgical, orthopaedic and obstetric teams. Approximately 60% of diabetic inpatients at RDPH are Aboriginal people hence a large amount of work in the area of Indigenous Health.
  • Manage inpatients admitted under endocrine team, especially patients with DKA or hyperosmolar states.

Outpatient responsibilities

  • RDPH
    • Diabetes Clinic- weekly
    • High-risk foot clinic- weekly
    • Endocrine Clinic- weekly
    • High-risk medical antenatal clinic- weekly
  • Community
    • Urban Outreach- monthly diabetes clinic with Louise Maple-Brown at Danila Dilba Aboriginal Medical Service
    • Remote Outreach- opportunities for general medical and diabetes outreach to regional hospitals and larger Aboriginal communities are available
    • Liaison with primary care - telephone advice to urban and remote GPs and other health professionals on endo/diabetes management

Likely clinical cases

  • Plenty of diabetes, metabolic syndrome, PCOS - forms majority of inpatient work and 50% of outpatient work
  • Large amount of thyroid - approximately 30% of outpatient work
  • Other endo (pituitary, osteoporosis, reproductive) - forms remaining 20% of outpatient.

This job includes the potential for flexibility within the above structure depending on particular interests of the registrar (eg. Obstetric medicine, paediatric endocrinology, general medicine).

Education

Formal teaching opportunities include:

  • Weekly RDPH Hospital Grand Rounds
  • Weekly RDPH Division of Medicine Grand Rounds
  • Weekly Division of Medicine Journal Club
  • Weekly Radiology meeting
  • Weekly endo clinical meeting/journal club
  • Weekly general medicine clinical meeting

For further information on resident or registrar positions you can contact the Director of Physician training by emailing DivMedRecruitment.THS@nt.gov.au, or the Head of Endocrinology at anna.wood@nt.gov.au.

The Division of Medicine at RDPH is committed to providing training opportunities to general practice trainees and has a special mission to provide appropriate hospital experience to practitioners who wish to work remotely. We are happy to work with other areas of the hospital to facilitate a broad training program which may be required for people who will work in an environment where a skills set across medicine, surgery, obstetrics and paediatrics are required.

Education

Formal teaching opportunities include:

  • Weekly RDPH Hospital Grand Rounds
  • Weekly RDPH Division of Medicine Grand Rounds
  • Weekly Division of Medicine Journal Club
  • Weekly Radiology meeting
  • Specialist training dependant on rotation
  • Research opportunities

For further information on resident or registrar positions you can contact Director of Physician Training by emailing DivMedRecruitment.THS@nt.gov.au

In Advanced Training in Geriatric Medicine (GEM), you will explore in-depth specialty training in the diagnosis and management of complex and/or multifactorial internal medicine disorders that impact the cognition and functional status of the older person. Although the population of the NT is generally younger than in other states, the complexity of medical conditions experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians adds a unique case mix to this speciality.

The Geriatric service is based at the Palmerston Regional Hospital and has a 24 bed purpose build ward for Geriatric patients.  Palmerston’s GEM service aims to improve the quality of life and functionality of geriatric patients who have been affected by serious illness. It provides short term inpatient rehabilitation care by a multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses and allied health staff.

Services consist of specialist consultation and assessment, inpatient and ambulatory (outpatient) services including a dedicated constant care team, and community outreach support services.

Education

Formal teaching opportunities include:

  • Weekly RDPH Hospital Grand Rounds
  • Weekly RDPH Division of Medicine Grand Rounds
  • Weekly Division of Medicine Journal Club
  • Weekly Radiology meeting

For further information on resident or registrar positions you can contact Director of Physician Training by emailing DivMedRecruitment.THS@nt.gov.au

The haematology position at RDPH is unique. It is a combined clinical and laboratory training experience affording excellent exposure to a wide range of malignant and non-malignant haematological diseases. Additionally there is an active Territory wide transfusion service.

RDPH is a major trauma centre and the haematology department provides high-level transfusion medicine input into this integrated service.

Imported malaria is of major public health interest in the Top End due to our geographical location. Trainees have the opportunity to improve their malaria microscopy skills.

Trainees participate in consultant lead outreach haematology clinics to Alice Springs.

Education

Formal teaching opportunities include:

  • Weekly RDPH Hospital Grand Rounds
  • Weekly RDPH Division of Medicine Grand Rounds
  • Weekly Division of Medicine Journal Club
  • Weekly Radiology meeting

For further information on resident or registrar positions you can contact Director of Physician Training by emailing DivMedRecruitment.THS@nt.gov.au

RDPH offers clinicians the opportunity to diagnose, treat and manage patients will allergies and other immune diseases.  Our immunologists treat all allergic and autoimmune conditions, including:

  • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
  • Sarcoidosis
  • Scleroderma
  • Raynaud’s disease
  • CREST syndrome
  • Sjogrens syndrome
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Other arthritis
  • Allergy
  • Urticaria
  • Anaphylaxis
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome

Education

Formal teaching opportunities include:

  • Weekly RDPH Hospital Grand Rounds
  • Weekly RDPH Division of Medicine Grand Rounds
  • Weekly Division of Medicine Journal Club
  • Weekly Radiology meeting

For further information on resident or registrar positions you can contact Director of Physician Training by emailing DivMedRecruitment.THS@nt.gov.au

Positions within the Infectious Diseases team are highly sought after due to the unique opportunity of gaining exposure to rare tropical and infectious disease within Australia. The unit is staffed by clinician researchers who also conduct research out of the Menzies School of Health Research.  Within Menzies the research is separated into two divisions: Tropical and Emerging Infectious Diseases Division and the International Health Division. Through working with this team of clinicians you will gain exposure to diseases such as melioidosis, cryptococcal meningitis, rheumatic heart disease, crusted scabies, tuberculosis, endocarditis rheumatic fever, pneumonia, HIV, hepatitis, malaria, dengue and much more.

The Infectious Diseases team has a strong academic and research culture within the unit with multiple teaching sessions per week and opportunities to participate in research activities and local guideline development.

The team is comprises of two unit heads, 12 consultants, three accredited registrars and a basic physician trainee (BPT) RMO.

Key learnings from this rotation

  • Unique Infectious diseases experience
  • Strong links to Microbiology department, CDC and Menzies school of health research.
  • Opportunities to participate in research activities
  • Opportunities for outreach clinics
  • Cultural diverse population

Education

Formal teaching opportunities include:

  • Weekly RDPH Hospital Grand Rounds
  • Weekly RDPH Division of Medicine Grand Rounds
  • Weekly Division of Medicine Journal Club
  • Weekly Radiology meeting
  • Multiple education and teaching opportunities with weekly case presentation meetings, journal club and registrar teaching sessions.

For further information on resident or registrar positions you can contact Director of Physician Training by emailing SurgicalRecruitment.THS@nt.gov.au

If you are a skilled decision maker, team builder, strategic thinker and lead clinical and medical services in a health organisation, then you should consider training towards Fellowship in the specialty of Medical Administration. RACMA Fellowship is a specialist qualification recognised by the Australian and New Zealand Medical Councils.

RDPH offer one Medical Administration Register training position.

To apply for Fellowship Training Program, go to the RACMA website.

Education

Formal teaching opportunities include:

  • Weekly RDPH Hospital Grand Rounds
  • Weekly RDPH Division of Medicine Grand Rounds
  • Weekly Division of Medicine Journal Club
  • Weekly Radiology meeting
  • Speciality Teaching via video conference from Queensland

For further information on resident or registrar positions you can contact the Director of Medical Services by emailing SurgicalRecruitment.THS@nt.gov.au

The role of the Medical Education Registrar (MER) is to participate in a range of academic development activities, and professional development programs designed to promote excellence in clinical teaching with the Royal Darwin Hospital Palmerston Regional Hospital (RDPH) Clinical Dean and other Northern Territory Medical Program (NTMP) staff by coordinating teaching provided by medical staff at RDPH to students from the NTMP and other Australian medical schools.

Under the direction of the Clinical Dean, the MER will work with the Medical Education Unit to contribute to the delivery of the education program for medical students. This interaction involves, co-ordinating the delivery of teaching by RDPH clinicians to all NTMP students, providing teaching, mentoring and supervision of students at RDPH, providing oversight of the year four preparedness for Internship program, facilitating interactive sessions with groups of students to support achievement of learning objectives, contributing to the preparation of written examinations and practical clinical examinations, participation as an examiner, participation in team meetings and participation in health service teaching programs. Responsibilities are inclusive of but not limited to the coordination of clinical placements, planning of ward based medical student assessment processes, Contribution to curriculum development, and Policy development relevant to medical student placements.

Education

Formal teaching opportunities include:

  • Weekly RDPH Hospital Grand Rounds
  • Weekly RDPH Division of Medicine Grand Rounds
  • Weekly Division of Medicine Journal Club
  • Weekly Radiology meeting

For further information on resident or registrar positions you can contact the Director of Medical Services by emailing SurgicalRecruitment.THS@nt.gov.au

Renal medicine is one of the most fascinating areas of medical practice in the Territory. In addition to ward-based care the renal team provides a clinical service to a large geographical region across the top end. Registrars travel to Gove, Katherine and the Tiwi Islands to conduct clinics.

As well as a 10 bed dialysis unit within the hospital there are patients on home dialysis and satellite dialysis units in Nightcliff and Palmerston which the registrar and consultants visit regularly.

A collaborative project with the palliative care services exists to provide sensitive end of life care when required. The registrar participates in this service using teleconferencing as a tool to facilitate communication with patients in remote communities.

Registrar clinics include a weekly chronic kidney disease clinic, a transplant clinic and an immunosuppression clinic. The trainee will become skilled in vascular access techniques, renal biopsies, management of peritoneal dialysis catheters and fistulas. There is also a weekly vascular access round with the surgical team. There is a traditional weekly teaching ward round held on Wednesdays.

Education

Formal teaching opportunities include:

  • Weekly RDPH Hospital Grand Rounds
  • Weekly RDPH Division of Medicine Grand Rounds
  • Weekly Division of Medicine Journal Club
  • Weekly Radiology meeting
  • Weekly teaching ward rounds

For further information on resident or registrar positions you can contact Director of Physician Training by emailing SurgicalRecruitment.THS@nt.gov.au

The Neurology team provide expertise in Neurology for General Medicine and other departments including ED. We support the investigation and management of patients with neurological conditions.

The growing neurological service provides research opportunities to develop and implement programs and initiatives including protocols.

Education

Formal teaching opportunities include:

  • Weekly RDPH Hospital Grand Rounds
  • Weekly RDPH Division of Medicine Grand Rounds
  • Weekly Division of Medicine Journal Club
  • Weekly Radiology meeting
  • Weekly lectures

Testimonial

Provided by Dr Benjamin Watson, Advanced Trainee General Medicine, 2019:

“The Neurology rotation at RDPH allowed me to become comfortable and proficient investigating and managing neurological conditions in a supportive environment. It is a great rotation for a Gen Med Trainee but would also be invaluable as a specialty Neurology trainee. The opportunity to manage the acute neurological conditions such as stroke and status along with more complex conditions including inflammatory encephalitis and myelitis, as well as numerous learning opportunities to perform and interpret tests such as NCS and EMG, and interpreting EEGs. Furthermore, the outpatient clinics provide an environment of supervised assessments, also allowing procedures such as Botox injections or nerve blocks. Depending on an area of interest there are plenty of opportunities to develop skills and knowledge.

The Top End Health Service provides medical care to a large and diverse population including a high proportion of Aborigines. Diseases more common in the Top End include neurological manifestations of autoimmune disease, in very atypical forms, as well as delayed presentations with significant illness. There are always patients on the Neurology consulting list that are interesting and challenging diagnostically, the team frequently have discussions that are intellectual stimulating with good comradery within the unit. After my experience in Darwin, I plan to complete specialty training and return to the Top End as a consultant."

For further information on resident or registrar positions you can contact Director of Physician Training by emailing SurgicalRecruitment.THS@nt.gov.au

The Cancer service at RDPH has expanded in recent years, the team consists of an Oncologist, Haematologist, a McGrath Foundation Breast Care nurse, Cancer Support Nurse, Chemotherapy nurses, Clinical Trials nurse, Dietitian, Social Worker and Administrative Officer.

Multi-disciplinary meeting (MDM)

Each week the Surgical Oncology MDM is held and many of the new cancer cases in the Top End are discussed to form a comprehensive treatment plan for each patient. The MDM in Darwin includes: oncologist, haematologist, general surgeons, palliative care, nursing, dietetics, social work and the visiting radiotherapist when he is in Darwin.

Chemotherapy

Cancer patients receive most of their chemotherapy as outpatients enabling them to have as little disruption to everyday life whilst undergoing treatment. Symptom management is improving continually and chemotherapy is better tolerated. The Cancer Support Nurse and the Chemo Suite nurses support patients throughout their chemotherapy treatment. Currently chemotherapy is only administered in Darwin but as part of the CanNET project the team is working toward the safe delivery of chemotherapy for patients closer to home and community. The Chemo suite is located at Darwin Private Hospital on the first floor as a public hospital service.

Radiotherapy

RDPH offers patients radiotherapy treatment for patients in the Northern Territory.

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are offered at Royal Darwin Hospital, two are available to Oncology patients and two for Haematology patients.

Education

Formal teaching opportunities include:

  • Weekly RDPH Hospital Grand Rounds
  • Weekly RDPH Division of Medicine Grand Rounds
  • Weekly Division of Medicine Journal Club
  • Weekly MDM
  • Weekly Radiology meeting

For further information on resident or registrar positions you can contact Director of Physician Training by emailing SurgicalRecruitment.THS@nt.gov.au or the Head of Medical Oncology at narayan.karanth@nt.gov.au.

Palliative Care is a multidisciplinary specialty, providing superior holistic care and treating patients rather than diseases. Palliative care has four main dimensions in patient care: Physical, Psychological, Social and Spiritual.  Each of these areas is addressed (where appropriate) during a patient’s hospice admission.

Territory Palliative Care (TPC) Top End consists of a multidisciplinary team based at RDPH and provides palliative services to the Darwin, Katherine, Arnhem, Daly River and Port Keats regions.

TPC offers inpatient and outpatient consultations to patients in RDPH, together with community palliative care support, in both urban and remote settings. Patients are accepted on to the program with both malignant and non-malignant conditions when they are unlikely to live longer than twelve months. We provide specialist palliative input to manage significant symptomatic problems or complex care issues.

TPC Top End comprises of a dynamic and diverse team of professionals with Palliative Care Consultants, medical registrar and resident, a Clinical Nurse Manager, Clinical Nurse Consultants, Social Workers, an Aboriginal Health Worker, Bereavement, Pastoral Care and Volunteer Coordinators, occupational therapist, physiotherapist and dietician, a Palliative Care Network and Quality Coordinator, together with a fully staffed in-patient hospice unit. The case-mix and diversity of patients is unique in Australia with more than 40% of referrals being Aboriginal and 40% of referrals coming from rural/ remote communities.

The clinical work is challenging and exciting requiring the full range of palliative care knowledge and skills, with a 65: 35 malignant to non-malignant ratio of patients. TPC works closely with haematology, oncology, medicine, surgery, anaesthetic pain services and the chronic disease networks. TPC encourages continuing General Practitioner involvement with all patients throughout the end-stage care period.

Objectives

The goal of Territory Palliative Care is to provide high quality palliative care throughout the Territory, which is responsive to cultural and spiritual needs of clients.

Palliative Care objectives:

  • Affirms life and regards dying as a normal process
  • Neither hastens nor postpones death
  • Provides relief from pain and other distressing symptoms
  • Interrelates the psychological, emotional and spiritual aspects of patient care
  • Offers a support system to help patients live as actively as possible until death
  • Offers a support system to help the family cope during the patient’s illness and in bereavement.

The Hospice

Territory Palliative Care Hospice is a 12 bed in-patient facility which is available to palliative patients for symptom management, end of life care and more recently – respite admissions. The Hospice is a subsection of the RDPH medical division. All patients have a single room with a private bathroom and double doors opening to a patio. Visiting hours are unrestricted however we often request that families and carers restrict numbers to two for overnight stays.

Aims of the Hospice:

  • To allow patient to die with dignity in comfortable surroundings.
  • To provide quality of life as defined by patient.
  • To provide an environment that promotes family/carer involvement in care.
  • To provide access to a multi-disciplinary team.
  • To provide bereavement support to families before and after death

Education

Formal teaching opportunities include:

  • Weekly RDPH Hospital Grand Rounds
  • Weekly RDPH Division of Medicine Grand Rounds
  • Weekly Division of Medicine Journal Club
  • Weekly Radiology meeting
  • Weekly MDM

For further information on resident or registrar positions you can contact Director of Physician Training by emailing SurgicalRecruitment.THS@nt.gov.au

The RDPH Pathology Department offers tertiary level care to patients throughout the Northern Territory. We accept referrals from Katherine, East Arnhem, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs.

We are the only National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA)/RCPA Laboratory Accreditation Program accredited Category GY laboratory within the Northern Territory Government Pathology Service (NTGPS) that consists of laboratories located at hospitals in Darwin, Alice Springs, Katherine, Gove, and Tennant Creek.

Our service includes microbiology (bacteriology, mycobacteriology, mycology, molecular microbiology, parasitology, and serology), anatomical pathology, haematology, chemical Pathology and blood transfusion.

The types of conditions you are likely to see at RDPH include Malignant and non-malignant haematology, thromboembolism, bleeding disorders, critical blood loss, and laboratory interpretation of results.

A PC3 laboratory has recently been officially opened. Tests that cannot be performed on-site are referred to experts interstate. The tropical location combined with our patient population ensures medical staff will be exposed to a wide range of interesting and varied Pathology presentations.

Facility

The RDPH Pathology Department is linked to Royal Darwin hospital by a Lamson pneumatic delivery system. Blood gas analysers managed by the Pathology Department are also located in ICU, ED and SCN.  An outpatient collection centre is located on the ground floor of the main hospital block.

Consultants

The team comprises of positions covering each discipline: Director of Pathology, Director Anatomical Pathology, Director Microbiology, Director Forensic Services.

Registrars

The team consists of anatomical Pathology trainees and microbiology trainee. The Colleges currently recognise up to two years of service as part of their training program.

Medical Laboratory Scientists

We have a Supervising Scientist for each discipline as well as a manager for our client services area. Each area has a manager for our client services area. Each discipline has a range of scientific and technical staff.

Education

Formal teaching opportunities include:

  • Weekly RDPH Hospital Grand Rounds
  • Weekly RDPH Division of Medicine Grand Rounds
  • Weekly Division of Medicine Journal Club
  • Weekly Radiology meeting

For further information on resident or registrar positions you can contact Director of Physician Training by emailing SurgicalRecruitment.THS@nt.gov.au

The RAPU is designed to provide care for both medical and surgical patients admitted to the RAPU and there is no distinction between the assistance provided to the different specialties.

The RAPU RMO is exposed to variety of acute and subacute medical conditions. The scope is not dissimilar to that seen in a general medical rotation however the focus is more on the initial care and development of treatment plan. The most common clinical admissions to RAPU are those related to chronic diseases such as ischaemic heart disease and diabetes and acute medical conditions including infections such as pneumonia, or the acute exacerbations of chronic conditions.

Patients in RAPU remain under the care of the admitting general physician, and management plans are established on the post take ward round.

Supervision

Level one supervision of the RMO is provided by the Medical Division

There is a dedicated  RAPU medical registrar ( mostly a senior registrar) to manage both medical patients as well as medical problems  related to the surgical patients and provide supervision to the RMO. There is also a dedicated Consultant Physician who provides supervision in this unit.

Clinical Experience

The RAPU RMO carries out the same general roles as a medical RMO including clinical assessment and admissions, investigation, prescribing, and fluid and electrolyte management. The RMO

  • gains experience in the recognition, assessment and management of common medical presentations
  • the recognition, assessment and management of critically ill medical patients both at presentation and as a result of deterioration during admission and gains practical experience in their initial investigation and treatment
  • has the opportunity to observe and develop skills in common medical procedures similar to those of a general medical RMO

The unit has dedicated allied health team which enables the RMO to develop an understanding of the roles and functions of the multidisciplinary clinical team in the management of complex medical problems.

Education

Formal teaching opportunities include:

  • Weekly RDPH Hospital Grand Rounds
  • Weekly RDPH Division of Medicine Grand Rounds
  • Weekly Division of Medicine Journal Club
  • Weekly Radiology meeting
  • On Low Activity Friday, 2 hours dedicated teaching

For further information on resident or registrar positions you can contact Director of Physician Training by emailing SurgicalRecruitment.THS@nt.gov.au

The Rehabilitation Service at the RDPH is located on the new Palmerston hospital campus and provides a wide range of services with a variety of case mix. These include: stroke, amputees, brain injury, orthopaedic injury, multi-trauma, spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. Some of the unique cases include CNS, melioidosis, Hansen's disease and embolic stroke due to rheumatic heart disease. There is a high burden of illness among the indigenous population who represent over half of the inpatients.

There are fulltime specialists (AFRM fellows) who supervise the accredited registrar, registrar and RMO positions. There is also a multidisciplinary therapy team with its own therapy centre and access to hydrotherapy.

Palmerston Regional Hospital has a purpose built ground floor rehabilitation facility including a dedicated therapy space, a gym and hydrotherapy pool.

The rehabilitation service assists patients over the age of 14 years to regain or improve their function due to injury or disease and to help improve their quality of life. This includes assessment, triage, treatment, inpatient and outpatient services for conditions such as:

  • acquired brain injury
  • spinal cord injury
  • stroke and neurological conditions
  • vascular conditions and amputation
  • post-surgical and medical deconditioning
  • major burns
  • deconditioning.

Multi-trauma or orthopaedics injuries at Palmerston Regional Hospital’s rehabilitation service are provided by a multidisciplinary team of rehabilitation medical specialists, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, psychologists, dieticians and social workers.

Outpatient clinics are held involving chronic pain, amputees, spasticity and rehabilitation. Other services provided include botulinum injections for adults and paediatrics and Baclofen pump refills. Outreach clinics are held regularly to Katherine and Nhulunbuy (Gove).  The registrar is required to work Monday to Friday with no after hour’s responsibilities.

Medical students from Flinders and James Cook University spend time with the unit. There is a strong liaison with the Division of Medicine, Orthopaedic, High Risk Foot Service and Prosthetic/Orthotic Service.

Regular weekly education sessions are conducted and there is ample opportunity to access other education opportunities.

Entry Requirements

College

Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP)

Entry requirements

  • Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery
  • General medical registration with AHPRA
  • Minimum two years postgraduate experience in both medicine and surgery
  • Be offered a position as a Rehabilitation Medicine Registrar at an accredited training site

Duration

  • Four years full time

Exams

  • Primary examinations in first and second year
    • MCQ and Clinical OSCE stations
  • Fellowship exam in fourth year
    • Written examination – two papers
    • Fellowship Clinical Examination

TEHS Accredited Training

TEHS is accredited for three FTE positions for the full four years of training

TEHS non Accredited positions

TEHS offers non accredited positions

Education

Formal teaching opportunities include:

  • Weekly RDPH Hospital Grand Rounds
  • Weekly RDPH Division of Medicine Grand Rounds
  • Weekly Division of Medicine Journal Club
  • Weekly Radiology meeting
  • Weekly team education

For further information on resident or registrar positions you can contact Director of Physician Training by emailing SurgicalRecruitment.THS@nt.gov.au

The Respiratory and Sleep Medicine service at the RDPH provides a wide range of services with a variety of case mix. You are likely to treat Acute and Chronic Respiratory and Sleep Disorders. The team frequently travel to remote and regional communities to conduct regular clinics. This provides an excellent opportunity to coordinate with local medical teams and work with large Indigenous population.

Clinical Experience

Key learnings from the Respiratory and Sleep Medicine service include:

  • In-patient, out-patient and remote / outreach clinics
  • Assist / Learn pleural procedures
  • Lung function / Sleep study reporting
  • Bronchoscopy

Learning opportunities are widened by strong links and collaboration between:

  • Infectious Diseases unit (including tuberculosis services)
  • Cardiology
  • Radiology
  • Radiotherapy
  • ICU
  • Oncology
  • Thoracic Surgical Services.

Opportunities at TEHS

  • TEHS Accredited Training: TEHS is accredited for 1 FTE BPT position
  • TEHS non Accredited positions: TEHS offers 1 non accredited Registrar position

Education

Formal teaching opportunities include:

  • Weekly RDPH Hospital Grand Rounds
  • Weekly RDPH Division of Medicine Grand Rounds
  • Weekly Division of Medicine Journal Club
  • Weekly Radiology meeting

For further information on resident or registrar positions you can contact Director of Physician Training by emailing SurgicalRecruitment.THS@nt.gov.au

At RDPH you will explore a new depth of specialty training in the diagnosis and holistic management of people with diseases that affect joints, muscles and bones.  You will treat joint disease similar to orthopedists but do not perform surgeries. Common diseases treated by rheumatologists include osteoarthritis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic back pain, tendinitis, and lupus.

Education

Formal teaching opportunities include:

  • Weekly RDPH Hospital Grand Rounds
  • Weekly RDPH Division of Medicine Grand Rounds
  • Weekly Division of Medicine Journal Club
  • Weekly Radiology meeting

For further information on resident or registrar positions you can contact Director of Physician Training by emailing SurgicalRecruitment.THS@nt.gov.au

Katherine

Katherine Hospital (KH) services 19,000 people over a geographical area of 220,000km in the Northern Territory. It has a busy 24hr emergency department with over 16,000 presentations per year. KH ED treats many complex patients including trauma, medical and surgical and interacts with aero-retrieval services on a daily basis.

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) or Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) Fellows interested in rural ED work or in utilising their skills in other areas of the hospital are encouraged to consider Katherine Hospital.

Recognised advanced skills qualifications in areas such as anaesthetics, obstetrics, ED, surgery, mental health or paediatrics are particularly welcome and attract additional allowances.

We believe our hospital provides an excellent environment for utilizing and developing these skills, and we consider the training and development of exceptional rural generalists a key hospital function.

Primary health care positions in NT Government Health Centres in the Katherine region (Pine Creek, Borroloola and Robinson River) are also available and may be combined with hospital work, and we are always very happy to discuss GP and RG options and opportunities.

Training positions

College

Training

Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM)

  • Primary Rural and Remote Training
  • Advanced Skills Training in Adult Internal Medicine, Anaesthetics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)

  • General Practice Terms
  • Extended Skills Posts in Adult Internal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology
  • Advanced Skills Training in Adult Internal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP)

  • Basic Physician Training - secondment site
  • Core A Advanced Training in General and Acute Care Medicine

Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (RANZCOG)

  • DRANZCOG (basic)

Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (RACMA)

  • FRACMA

Depending on availability, trainee positions may include Medical Officer or Registrar positions in ED, General Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics or Anaesthetics.

All trainees require the capacity to be able to work in in a rural emergency department and with occasions of off-site supervision.

With excellent local general practice and Aboriginal primary health care services, it is possible for RACGP and ACRRM trainees to undertake all of their training within the Katherine region.

From time to time, trainees taking a 24-month contract with Katherine Hospital may be supported to undertake 12 months of procedural skills training in either anaesthetics (JCCA) or obstetrics and gynaecology (Adv. DRANZCOG) at the Royal Darwin Hospital, followed by 12 months of consolidatory service at Katherine Hospital. Some positions are highly sought after and we suggest that you make enquiries as early as possible.

Gove

Gove District Hospital (GDH) in East Arnhem Land welcomes rural generalists, GP registrars and RMOs who choose to work with our team of procedural GPs in this beautiful cooler coastal region of the Northern Territory.

GDH is a 30-bed hospital providing Medical, Surgical, Paediatric, Obstetric and Emergency services to the mining town of Nhulunbuy and the remote Aboriginal communities of East Arnhem Land.

Education at Katherine and Gove

Formal teaching opportunities include:

  • Weekly RDPH Hospital Grand Rounds (video conference)

For further information on resident or registrar positions you can contact Director of Physician Training by emailing SurgicalRecruitment.THS@nt.gov.au


Mental Health positions in TEHS


Top End Mental Health Services (TEMHS) is responsible for the provision of psychiatric services to the Top End (top two thirds) of the Northern Territory. It offers a range of training terms accredited by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists.

Trainees are able to complete their entire Basic and Advanced Adult training experience within the Northern Territory. The terms available for registrar training currently include:

  • adult acute inpatient
  • adult community
  • consultation liaison
  • on call (emergency)
  • psychiatry
  • rural/remote psychiatry.

There are also advanced (extended training location) positions available for supervised rural training for the East Arnhem and Katherine regions.

The Acute Inpatient psychiatry rotation to the TEMHS inpatient unit, located on the Royal Darwin Hospital campus, has proved popular with interns and residents. Royal Darwin Hospital Trainees in other training schemes such as General Practice and Emergency Medicine have also found a three to six month term a valuable complement to their experience.

Career in mental health

College

Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) College

Entry requirements

  • Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery
  • General medical registration with AHPRA
  • Acceptance into Accredited Training position at a hospital accredited by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologist (RANZCOG)

Duration

  • Minimum five years

Exams/Assessments

MCQ Exam:

  • Essay style examination
  • OSCE

Workplace assessments:

  • Workplace based assessments
  • Entrustable professional activities
  • In-training assessments

Centrally administered assessments:

  • Psychotherapy written case
  • Scholarly project

TEHS Accredited Training

RDPH/TEHS is accredited to provide all training for the Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (FRANZCP) in the NT.

Unaccredited positions

TEHS offers unaccredited positions.

Contact

For further information on resident or registrar positions you can contact TEMHS Director of Psychiatry by emailing TEMHSandAODRecruitment.DoH@nt.gov.au


Obstetrics, gynaecology and paediatrics positions in TEHS


Obstetrics and Gynaecology

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology is a busy clinical unit at the RDH and provides a large range of services to the diverse population of the Top End.

Approximately 2000 births per year take place at RDH, with several hundred occurring at regional hospitals in Katherine and Gove. High-risk pregnancies are common, with a higher proportion of women experiencing pre-term birth, gestational diabetes, renal disease and rheumatic heart disease than in other locations.

Gynaecological services include colposcopy, urodynamic and advanced laparoscopy with an active outreach program to communities across the Top End.

There is an active program of education, audit and research available to all junior doctors who join our unit. This includes teaching for medical students from the Flinders University Northern Territory Medical Program.

Opportunities for junior doctors

RMO (resident medical officer) positions are available through the annual RDH RMO intake. Priority is given to those who will provide service to the NT population as future GPs, GP obstetricians or specialist obstetrician and gynaecologists. Prospective RMOs are encouraged to consider formal Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) certification pathways, including the Certificate of Women’s Health.

Prospective GP obstetricians considering future work in the NT should contact the Director of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Training directly to discuss opportunities to undertake the Advanced Diploma. These positions are highly sought after and expressions of interest are recommended prior to job advertisements.

Accredited registrar (including senior registrar and rural rotations) and unaccredited (service) registrar positions are available for existing and future specialist trainees with an interest in the diversity and challenges of the Top End. These positions are highly sought after and expressions of interest are recommended prior to job advertisements.

EOIs should be sent to the Director of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Training WCYAdmin.RDH@nt.gov.au with a CV and three referees.

Career in Obstetrics and Gynaecology

College

Royal Australian College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (RANZCOG) College website

Entry requirements

  • Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery
  • General medical registration with AHPRA
  • Acceptance into Accredited Training position at a hospital accredited by RANZCOG

Duration

  • Six years

Exams/Assessments

Exam:

  • Written and oral during ITP training

Other Assessments:

  • Logbook, eLearning, ITAs, DOPS, research project, workshops (Foundations of Surgery, Basic obstetric skills, neonatal resuscitation, communication skills, fetal surveillance), ultrasound training
  • Learning Plan (Advanced Training)

TEHS Accredited Training

RDPH/TEHS is accredited to provide:

  • Core training –  6mths rural term for candidates on the SANT/other jurisdictions training   pathways.
  • Advanced training – senior registrar training available on a case by case basis

Unaccredited positions

TEHS offers unaccredited positions including DRANZCOG Advanced.

The following unaccredited training positions are available for those undertaking certificate, diploma, advanced diploma, GP trainees who need three to six months for their training requirements, or anyone who just wants a little more Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

  • Certificate of Women’s Health,
  • Diploma RANZCOG and
  • Advanced Diploma RANZCOG.

For further information on resident or registrar positions you can contact Director of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Training by emailing WCYAdmin.RDH@nt.gov.au

Paediatrics and Child Health

The Department of Paediatrics at Royal Darwin and Palmerston Hospital (RDPH) is responsible for three wards: a general paediatric ward, an isolation ward, and special care nursery plus NICU with ventilated cots, and a neonatal retrieval service. It is a friendly, busy department, staffed with both full-time and part-time paediatricians, community paediatrician, local visiting specialists, visiting Interstate sub-specialists, registrars and residents.

The department has hospital positions accredited for rural training and core training in general paediatrics and positions accredited for developmental/community training by the SAC  for general paediatrics. All registrars applying for a hospital position must have completed a minimum of six months of neonatal training in a tertiary referral centre, and should ideally be an advanced trainee.

Clinical paediatric practice in Darwin is significantly different from other teaching hospitals in Australia, and the majority of our work is with indigenous children and their families. The spectrum of disease includes: severe gastroenteritis and other infectious diseases, chronic respiratory and middle ear diseases, malnutrition, very low birth weight infants, post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis and acute rheumatic fever.

In addition to acute and ambulatory medical services, the department provides outreach paediatric services to more than 40 remote Aboriginal communities in the Top End, and registrars are rostered to accompany consultants on these visits. We have an active teaching program for residents and registrars, including weekly Journal Club, Grand Rounds, radiology meeting, infectious diseases meeting as well as the opportunity to attend the lecture series at the Menzies School of Health Research (MSHR), which is on site. We enjoy a close relationship with MSHR and there are numerous research opportunities in Indigenous Child Health, as well as increasing potential to become involved in International Child Health.

We are part of the Northern Territory Clinical School which provides teaching for medical students from Flinders University and James Cook University.

You can contact the Director of Paediatric Training by emailing WCYAdmin.RDH@nt.gov.au.

Career in Paediatrics and Child Health

College

Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) College website

Entry requirements

  • Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery
  • General medical registration with AHPRA
  • an appointment to an appropriate training position at an accredited training site
  • discussed your application and received approval to apply for Basic Training from the hospital or network Director of Paediatric Education (DPE)

Basic Training positions are generally to be undertaken at RACP-accredited training sites.

Once you have secured a training position, you must prospectively apply for approval as per the Progression Through Training Policy.

Approval of training periods will be determined by the overseeing committee. To be approved, your individual training program must be consistent with the training requirements and appropriate for that stage in training.

Upon completion of each rotation or calendar year of training, the overseeing committee considers your progress according to the program requirements. If all requirements of training have been satisfactorily completed, the overseeing committee certifies the period of training.

Duration

Basic Training in Pediatrics and Child Health is the start of the minimum six-year training program to become a Paediatrician.

At the end of your Basic Training in Pediatrics and Child Health, you’ll have completed 36 months of certified training time consisting of work-based learning and assessment tools.

The Physician Ready for Expert Practice (PREP) teaching and learning activities are designed to support you in your reflective practice and self-directed learning. A variety of teaching and learning activities and assessments are used, catering to a range of learning needs, styles and situations that may arise in your workplace training.

TEHS Accredited Training

TEHS is accredited as a Paediatric Secondment Hospital to provide Level two or three requirements. The Townsville Hospital is the parent hospital.  A maximum of 12 months may be undertaken at RDPH.

For further information on resident or registrar positions you can contact the Director of Paediatric Training by emailing WCYAdmin.RDH@nt.gov.au


Primary health care positions in TEHS


If you want your career to go places then join Top End Health Services, Primary Health Care Service in the Northern Territory.  The challenges and opportunities in health and community care in the Territory are like no other in Australia, from remote Aboriginal health to tropical health and Australia’s National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre. Continued investment in Aboriginal health, remote health, acute care, child protection and community services offer many opportunities for health professionals who want to be part of making a difference.

We are flexible in our employment and are happy to discuss fly in fly out (FIFO).  The remuneration package is very attractive and recognises your qualifications and experience along with Commonwealth allowances in addition to the Medical Officer Enterprise Agreement.

Entry Requirements

College

Royal Australasian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) College website

Australasian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM)

Entry requirements

  • Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery
  • General medical registration with AHPRA
  • GP Training post with NTGPE or RVTS

Opportunities in TEHS

PHC Top End Central

This area includes clinics in Bathurst Island, Belyuen and Milikapiti, Pirlangimpi, Julanimawu on the Tiwi Islands. The Health Centres provide a level of service which is linked to the size and needs of the communities. Some have a resident General Practitioner and some have a visiting service. They may include 24 hours, seven day a week acute/emergency response through health staff on call and primary health care to the community: antenatal care; healthy under 5 program; childhood and adult immunization; healthy school aged kids program; preventable chronic disease program; well women’s and well men’s screening; infectious and communicable disease prevention and control.

PHC Top End West

This area includes clinics in Adelaide River, Batchelor, Daly River, Palumpa, and Wadeye. The Health Centres provide a level of service which is linked to the size and needs of the communities. Some have a resident General Practitioner and some have a visiting service. They may include 24 hour seven day a week acute/emergency response through health staff on call and primary health care to the community: antenatal care; Healthy Under five Kids Program; childhood and adult immunisation; healthy school aged kids program; preventable chronic disease (PCD) program; well women’s and well men’s screening; infectious and communicable disease prevention and control.

PHC Top End West Arnhem and Maningrida-Darwin

This area includes clinics in Jabiru, Minjalang, Warruwi, Gunbalanya and Maningrida. The Health Centres provide a level of service which is linked to the size and needs of the communities. Some have a resident General Practitioner and some have a visiting service. They may include The Health Centre provides 24 hours seven day a week acute/emergency response through health staff on call and primary health care to the community: antenatal care; growth assessment and action (GAA) program for infants and children under five; childhood and adult immunisation; healthy school aged kids program; preventable chronic disease (PCD) program; well women’s and well men’s screening; infectious and communicable disease prevention and control.

PHC Darwin Correctional Centre and Youth Detention

Primary Health Centre services to the Darwin Correctional Centre and Youth Detention.  An extremely dynamic team.

Public Health Unit and  Chronic Disease Control Medical

The Darwin Centre for Disease Control (CDC). Provides a range of services to monitor, control and prevent communicable and non-communicable diseases that affect the population of the NT and also our international neighbours in the region.

Offers public Health physicians the opportunity to work in remote and resource limited settings, including internationally. With exposure to clinical management of cases of TB, leprosy, non-tuberculous mycobacterial disease, HIV and other STIs, hepatitis B and C as well as programmatic control via public health responses for over 60 different notifiable conditions.

This will include community involvement, health promotion, healthcare colleague support and education around conditions such as measles, mumps, meningococcal disease, malaria, arbo-viral diseases, rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease, acute post streptococcal glomerulonephritis and trachoma. The experience will provide an invaluable public health perspective aimed at enhancing a physician's day to day clinical practice.

In addition to the clinical service related to TB diagnosis and treatment there will be involvement in protocol based screening of illegal fisherpersons apprehended in Northern waters. It will also involve clinics in the regional centres of Katherine, Gove and Maningrida. There will be an educational component to this position with trainees expected to teach medical students, physician trainees, nurses and aboriginal health workers.

The trainee will also gain experience in writing ministerial and press briefings, as well as fact sheets. Project work will also be undertaken with an expectation of publication in the "NT Disease Control Bulletin".

Education

Formal teaching opportunities include:

  • Weekly RDPH Hospital Grand Rounds
  • Weekly RMP Meetings
  • Biannual Face to Face RMP Forums
  • Montly Journal Club
  • Monthly Morbidity & Mortality Meetings

For further information on registrar positions you can contact Director Medical Services – Primary Health Care Branch RMPAdmin.TERHMedical@nt.gov.au


RDH pathology positions in TEHS


The RDH Pathology Department offers tertiary level care to patients throughout the Northern Territory. We accept referrals from Katherine, East Arnhem, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs.

We are the NATA/RCPA accredited Category GY laboratory within the Northern Territory Government Pathology Service (NTGPS) that consists of laboratories located at hospitals in Darwin, Alice Springs, Katherine, Gove, and Tennant Creek.

Our service includes microbiology (bacteriology, mycobacteriology, mycology, molecular microbiology, parasitology, and serology), anatomical pathology, haematology, chemical Pathology and blood transfusion.

A PC3 laboratory has recently been officially opened. Tests that cannot be performed on-site are referred to experts interstate. The tropical location combined with our patient population ensures medical staff will be exposed to a wide range of interesting and varied Pathology presentations.

Facility

The RDH Pathology Department occupies Building 13. It is a separate building linked to the main hospital by a Lamson pneumatic delivery system. Blood gas analysers managed by the Pathology Department are also found in ICU, ED and SCN.

Outpatient collection centre is located on the ground floor of the main hospital block.

Staffing

Consultants

There are currently consultant positions covering each discipline: Director of Pathology, Director Anatomical Pathology, Director Microbiology, Director Forensic Services.

Registrars

We have anatomical Pathology trainees and microbiology trainee. The Colleges currently recognise up to two years of service as part of their training program.

Medical Laboratory Scientists

We have a Supervising Scientist for each discipline as well as a manager for our client services area. Each area has a manager for our client services area. Each discipline has a range of scientific and technical staff.

The director or a deputised alternative is available at all times through the hospital switchboard.

Haematology Registrar

The haematology position at RDH is unique. It is a combined clinical and laboratory training experience affording excellent exposure to a wide range of malignant and non-malignant haematological diseases. Additionally there is an active Territory wide transfusion service.

The Royal Darwin Hospital is a major trauma centre and the haematology department provides high-level transfusion medicine input into this integrated service.

Imported malaria is of major public health interest in the Top End due to our geographical location. Trainees have the opportunity to improve their malaria microscopy skills.

The trainee participates in consultant lead outreach haematology clinics to Alice Springs.

Contact

You can Dr Ferenc Szabo, Haematologist by emailing SurgicalRecruitment.THS@nt.gov.au


Surgery positions in TEHS


The Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH) is the major teaching hospital in the NT and receives referrals from the entire Northern Territory as well as northern Western Australia with a catchment population of more than 250,000.  Flinders University has a four year post graduate medical school based in the NT and RDH also receives students from James Cook University.

Darwin offers a unique experience with complex pathology not seen elsewhere in Australia.

The Department of General Surgery covers not only the usual general surgery you will find elsewhere in Australia, but also Paediatric Surgery, Burns, and Thoracics as well as elements of Plastic Surgery, Urology, Acute Neurosurgery and Vascular Surgery alongside our resident subspecialists in these areas.

The Department extends to Palmerston Regional Hospital (PRH) and provides Outreach services to Katherine and Gove Hospitals as well as smaller communities.

Training with the Division of Surgery at Royal Darwin and Palmerston Hospitals (RDPH) offers excellent exposure to a wide range of surgical conditions and a unique opportunity to train in, or widen, exposure to the full range of surgical skills. RDPH has a high emergency load, a significant proportion of Indigenous patients and is a busy and productive department.

There are regular clinical education meetings, radiology meetings, audits and pathology sessions as well as opportunities for research.

Education

Formal Teaching opportunities include;

  • Weekly RDPH Hospital Grand Rounds
  • Weekly RDPH Division of Surgery Grand Rounds
  • Weekly Registrar Teaching/Tutorials in General Surgery
  • Weekly Radiology meeting
  • Weekly Oncology MDT
  • Quarterly Pathology meetings

Opportunities offered in this specialty

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Junior Doctors

The Department supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander junior doctors interested in pursuing a career in surgery. We are currently exploring opportunities to work with the RACS  Indigenous Health Committee to develop a program aiming to increase numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Surgeons in Australia.

Fellow positions

The Department in General Surgery currently offers four x 12 month positions as a Rural Fellow in General Surgery.  In addition, the Department supports the 12 month Trauma Fellow position administered by the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre (NCCTRC).  FRACS  is desirable, IMG’s on RACS pathway to Specialist Recognition welcome.

GP Registrar Trainee

The Department of General Surgery supports ACRRM and RACGP  trainees interested in pursuing Advanced Skills in Surgery.

Non-Accredited Registrar positions

There are currently 11 unaccredited surgical registrar positions working predominantly within the Surgical Acute Care Unit (SACU). This is a Consultant led Unit and the largest and busiest functional unit within the Department of Surgery.

Prevocational Doctor placements

  • Intern – seven positions (avg 10 week rotations)
  • RMO – 41 positions (avg 13 week rotations)

SET (Surgical Education and Training) positions

RDPH has five x six month positions in General Surgery, rotating from Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales as determined by regional training boards. There is also a single 12 month rotation for Paediatric Surgical Trainees to fulfil their adult general surgery requirement.

Career in General Surgery (Surgical Education and Training - SET)

College

Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) College website

Entry requirements

  • Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery
  • General medical registration with AHPRA
  • “Essential Surgical Skills” completion by end of   PGY2 year
  • Completion of Eligibility Report “Procedural skills and professional capabilities”
  • Completion of Surgical Sciences Generic Examination
  • Hand Hygiene completion
  • “Let’s operate with Respect” completion (eLearning)
  • Six plus months in General Surgery
  • Minimum 8 weeks in critical care including ED, ICU, Anesthetics
  • Recommended – completion of “JDocs” Program.

TEHS Accredited Training

TEHS is accredited to provide some of the requirements and training time needed to complete SET.

Find out more information on Surgical positions by emailing SurgicalRecruitment.THS@nt.gov.au

Rotations offered

The department consists of consultants, a senior fellow, a registrar from the South Australia ENT training program and a Resident Medical Officer ( RMO).

The department is a regional referral centre and offers advanced otology, rhinology and head and neck services to the entire Northern Territory. Based both at the RDPH but also with outreach visits to Indigenous communities as well as Katherine and Gove Hospitals.

Senior Fellow

This is an internationally recognised fellowship available to post fellowship surgeons in training. The position offers excellent exposure to all the subspecialties in Otolaryngology, but with an emphasis on Advanced Otology and Head and Neck surgery. There are significant teaching and administrative responsibilities which provide an excellent training base for soon to be consultants.

Appointments are for one year.

Registrar

This position is open to advanced trainees on the South Australia training program and is accredited. It is suitable for all years of the Surgical Education and Training (SET) program, and provides a very good exposure to both general and sub specialty ENT, again with a strong emphasis on Otology and Head and Neck.

Appointments are for six months.

Academic

Audit and research are constantly ongoing and are actively encouraged, with specific time allocated in the weekly timetable for research, audits and private study. Participation in national and international conferences and courses is also expected.

Outreach Program

The Northern Territory of Australia is like no other place in the world. Darwin is the major city and the while the Caucasian population exhibit similar disease demographics to other developed countries, the Aboriginal population are very different. They have an immensely ancient and rich culture and can live in remote communities often thousands of kilometres away from any ENT services. Middle ear disease is endemic in these communities.

ENT training at RDPH offers a unique opportunity to experience, help organise and deliver outreach services. Often flying in small single prop aircraft to remote communities, landing on dirt airstrips to provide ENT services to these communities, this outreach service provides the people of the community essential medical care, while providing the doctors with an exciting and rewarding experience.

Education

Formal Teaching opportunities include;

  • Weekly RDPH Hospital Grand Rounds
  • Weekly RDPH Division of Surgery Grand Rounds
  • Weekly Division of Surgery Journal Club
  • Weekly Radiology meeting

Find out more information on Surgical positions by emailing SurgicalRecruitment.THS@nt.gov.au

The Department of Maxillofacial/Head and Neck Surgery consists of three consultants, a senior fellow, registrars and an intern (sometimes a RMO gets posted).

The registrar and fellow positions are accredited towards Advanced Surgical Training in Maxillofacial Surgery by the Royal Australian College of Dental Surgeons (RACDS).

This is a busy department with annual figures of about 300 facial trauma patients and around 80-100 deep neck space infections.

The availability of hybrid CT scan for managing facial trauma has brought in a paradigm shift in the turnover of trauma patients.

The unit manages all cancers involving the oral cavity, oropharynx, salivary glands and thyroid and co-ordinates with the endocrine/renal team to perform parathyroid excision for primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Reconstructive surgeries involving the head and neck, including microvascular free flaps, regional flaps and local flaps are also performed accounting to around 40 cases in a year.

Senior Fellow in Maxillofacial/Head and Neck Surgery

This position is suitable for those who have completed their formal training in Maxillo-facial, Plastics, ENT or general surgery, and looking for exposure in facial trauma and head and neck oncology.  It is common for international medical graduates to join our department in this position to grow and finesse their facial trauma skills. The Fellow should be at least AHPRA level three supervision for this position. Previous fellows in this department have included surgeons with training in plastic surgery, ENT, and general surgery.

The Senior Fellow is expected to have basic surgical skills in one of three following areas:

  • head and neck malignancies
  • facial trauma.
  • Reconstructive surgery (microvascular skills)

The position carries training opportunities at the AO (Association of Osteosynthesis) course, and it is anticipated that the incumbent will be actively involved in clinical research and audit.

Current and previous fellows have been actively involved in teaching with an adjunct academic title available from Flinders University.

Involvement in research is actively encouraged. Presentation at two international conferences during the year is an established norm. The fellow is expected to play a leadership role in co-ordinating with various other departments in organizing the weekly multi-disciplinary team meetings.

This position is accredited by the Royal Australian College of Surgeons (RACS) or by the Dental College (RACDS) as is required.

Registrar in Maxillofacial/Head and Neck Surgery

The position of Advanced Surgical Trainee (AST) is available to dually trained persons with RACDS registration.

There is a second registrar position which is available to any surgically trained person with significant interest in the region of the head and neck.

There is significant potential for enhancing all aspects of Maxillofacial and Head and Neck surgical skills in this fully supervised position, and it is expected that the advanced trainee will present at least two papers at international conferences during the one-year tenure.

The registrar is expected to run a fortnightly MOPS list (LA cases) on a Friday afternoon.

The 2008 advanced surgical trainee from RDPH won the "Best Trainee Paper Prize" at the Australia-New Zealand Association of Maxillofacial Surgeons' Annual Conference in Christchurch.

This department has been well represented at the Trevor Taylor Competition (an annual event showcasing any research done within RDPH) and prizes have been won each year.

Professional gains

  1. Large volume of facial trauma
  2. Broad spectrum of pathology
  3. Research oriented

Our full time consultants ensure holistic supervision.

Education

Formal teaching opportunities include:

  • Weekly RDPH Hospital Grand Rounds
  • Weekly RDPH Division of Surgery Grand Rounds
  • Weekly Division of Surgery Journal Club
  • Weekly Radiology meeting
  • Presentation at the weekly Head and Neck MDT, monthly thyroid and parathyroid MDT

Find out more information on Surgical positions by emailing SurgicalRecruitment.THS@nt.gov.au

The Neurosurgery Department provides opportunities to practice and gain clinical experience at all professional levels in a unique neurosurgical environment.  The staff of three neurosurgeons ensures holistic supervision for one fellow, two pre-SET registrars and a resident.

Patients are drawn from the Top End of the Northern Territory and from the Kimberley region providing a unique demographic spread and illness profile.

Senior Fellow

A FRACS neurosurgeon or comparable International Medical Graduate is an important team member providing expert continuity of service for patients and both supervision and education for more junior personnel.  It is preferred that the Fellow is qualified to practice at AHPRA supervision level three or four.

Registrar

For registrars one attraction is the opportunity to have a higher level of responsibility for clinical assessment and surgical involvement, both elective and emergency, than might be available in other departments in Australia.  Having two Registrars is mitigated by the reduced after-hours call load compared with busier units.

Research and Education

The often remote and very remote nature of our patient referrals provides not only challenges but also research opportunities.  Current research is focussed on infections of the brain and spine and the characteristics of neuro trauma in the Northern Territory.

Education

Formal teaching opportunities include:

  • Weekly RDPH Hospital Grand Rounds
  • Weekly RDPH Division of Surgery Grand Rounds
  • Monthly Tele-Journal Club with Queensland units
  • Weekly tutorials

Find out more information on Surgical positions by emailing SurgicalRecruitment.THS@nt.gov.au

The Department of Ophthalmology at RDPH is accredited by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmology (RANZCO). It is comprised of consultants, registrars, orthoptist, nurses and a clerical staff member.

Consultants

Consultant and Head of Department, share the public and private workload providing supervision in theatre and clinics.

A consultant provides clinical and some surgical support with outreach responsibilities for remote indigenous communities, plus surgical lists in Gove and Katherine District Hospitals. There are ophthalmologists from Sydney and Adelaide visiting for a few days each year - covering oculoplastic, neuro-ophthalmology, complicated anterior segment, and cornea sub-specialties.

Registrars

Accredited registrars rotate three monthly from the Sydney Eye Hospital Training scheme.

Full and part time experienced non-accredited registrars provide specific expertise in medical retina, and for premature infants.

There are weekly tutorials and monthly departmental presentations.

Activity

Surgery - There is one full day operating list per week (two and a half sessions), plus limited use of the minor operating theatre in tandem. The annual figures are: cataract 650, glaucoma 15, pterygia 40, oculoplastic and lachrymal surgery 50, squint 25.

Clinics - There are more than 10,000 patients seen in clinics annually. Clinics are held at RDPH daily, Palmerston Medical Centre weekly, and at the renal dialysis unit when required.

Outreach - There are weekly outreach visits, covering 34 remote Communities and homelands as well as Gove and Katherine District Hospitals.

Education

Formal Teaching opportunities include;

  • Weekly RDPH Hospital Grand Rounds
  • Weekly RDPH Division of Surgery Grand Rounds
  • Weekly Division of Surgery Journal Club
  • Weekly Radiology meeting

Find out more information on Surgical positions by emailing SurgicalRecruitment.THS@nt.gov.au

Orthopaedics experience at RDPH is wide and varied. The hospital provides services for the whole top end of the Northern Territory providing opportunities for you to be exposed to a wide and varied experience which is unavailable anywhere else in Australia.

There is the opportunity to work in indigenous orthopaedics where access to elective surgery is being pursued in innovative ways. There are often unusual infections presenting with acute and chronic osteomyelitis and septic arthritis as well as a wide variety of late presenting trauma with both malunion and delayed union.

In addition there is a broad selection of elective procedures being performed including spinal surgery, paediatric surgery, joint replacement surgery, sports medicine and reconstructive surgery. There is sufficient trauma and other work to allow excellent experience to be gained.

The Orthopaedic Department is staffed with consultants, fellow, registrar and RMOs. Positions include one registrar whom is an accredited registrar from the South Australian Training scheme.

The RMO positions in the Orthopaedics department offer an excellent depth of experience. The doctor will be exposed to standard ward work but will also have ready opportunity to attend clinics to see new patients and to learn the basic management of orthopaedic conditions in the outpatient situation. There will also be opportunity to attending theatre from those with a special interest.

The department is well organised and has an emphasis on appropriate supervision and teaching at all levels.

At registrar level there are regular new patient clinics with consultant supervision and appropriate supervision for all outpatient clinics and operating lists. There is a journal club once a month and regular teaching in both formal and informal settings.

The RMOs are given the opportunity to work in the outpatients where new patients and review patients will be seen and this is at all times supervised by the consultant.

There are options for research within the department and the winner of the TEHS Junior Doctor Research Awards has on several occasions come from within the Orthopaedic department.

In summary the Orthopaedic Department at RDPH offers excellent teaching and supervision and prides itself on being a close knit and supportive team.

Education

Formal teaching opportunities include:

  • Weekly RDPH Hospital Grand Rounds
  • Weekly RDPH Division of Surgery Grand Rounds
  • Weekly Division of Surgery Journal Club
  • Weekly Radiology meeting
  • Monthly Orthopaedic Journal club meeting
  • Regular formal and informal teaching

Find out more information on Surgical positions by emailing SurgicalRecruitment.THS@nt.gov.au

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at RDPH is wide ranging and involves manipulation, repair and reconstruction of the skin, soft tissue and bone.  The Top End provides opportunities to practice and gain clinical experience at all professional levels in a unique environment.

Education

Formal teaching opportunities include:

  • Weekly RDPH Hospital Grand Rounds
  • Weekly RDPH Division of Surgery Grand Rounds
  • Weekly Division of Surgery Journal Club
  • Weekly Radiology meeting

Find out more information on Surgical positions by emailing SurgicalRecruitment.THS@nt.gov.au