Nursing and midwifery

Nursing and midwifery in the Northern Territory

Northern Territory (NT) Nursing and Midwifery represents the nursing and midwifery profession across the NT, including urban, rural and remote areas.

The key focus is maintaining professional standards of practice, providing professional development, training and ongoing support to nurses and midwives as well as recruiting and retaining passionate health professionals to the Territory's nursing and midwifery community.

NT Nursing and Midwifery’s programs and initiatives help to build and maintain a highly-skilled and sustainable NT workforce - one that is committed to providing person-centred care in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment.

Our values

Safe. Responsive. Kind.

Our vision

To empower an agile nursing and midwifery workforce to provide care at the right place and time.

Our commitment

Working together with community for health and wellbeing to implement person-centred care.

Mission

Nurses and midwives will lead contemporary compassionate, safe, evidence based person centred care across diverse geographical and cultural contexts.

This will be done in collaboration with individuals, families, communities and our health professional colleagues.

Nursing and Midwifery plan 2023 to 2028

The Northern Territory Nursing and Midwifery plan 2023 to 2028 sets out the values, vision and commitment of NT Nursing and Midwifery.

Aligning with the NT Health strategic plan, the Nursing and Midwifery plan sets out the key objectives and outcomes for nursing and midwifery for the 2023 to 2028 period.

View the Nursing and Midwifery plan 2023 to 2028.

Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer

The Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer (CNMO) provides professional leadership to nurses and midwives across the NT as well as holding the following roles:

  • represents NT nurses and midwives as a profession at a national and international level
  • provides advice and leadership on professional issues relating to nursing and midwifery for both government and non-government organisations in the NT
  • holds an operational role within the Department of Health as a system manager. This includes a number of direct responsibilities for nursing and midwifery practice and other professional areas for government services.

The CNMO is supported by the Office of the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer.

Office of the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer

The Office of the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer (OCNMO) draws on best practice and evidence-based nursing and midwifery standards to support professional and career development for NT nurses and midwives, outlined by the strategic vision for NT Nursing and Midwifery.

The office works at an operational level with industry stakeholders to improve service delivery across the areas of:

  • acute care
  • mental health
  • primary health care (including community health, remote health services, prisoner health and outreach services)
  • other government divisions and Department of Health services.

With the Department of Health executive leadership team and the NT Government, the OCNMO is responsible for identifying strategic workforce initiatives that will develop and support NT nurses and midwives and collaborate with the services that employ them.

Education

The OCNMO provides a pivotal link between NT Health, the largest employer of NT nurses and midwives, and NT-based education providers including:

  • Charles Darwin University
  • Centre for Remote Health (Flinders University)
  • Bachelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education
  • Fox Education and Consultancy
  • Menzies School of Health Research.

Contact

For all enquiries, email nursing and midwifery in the Northern Territory at nursingmidwifery.doh@nt.gov.au or by calling 1800 000 648.


Recruitment

Job opportunities are available throughout the Northern Territory (NT) for enrolled:

  • registered nurses
  • nurse practitioners
  • registered midwives.

Applications are made through the NT Government Employment Opportunities Online website.

Search for available jobs with the keyword 'nurse'. If you have a preferred location, you can add it to the location field.

To explore the opportunities in Northern Territory, go to the Clinical Recruitment website.

Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) registration

All applicants must hold current Australian registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board.

For more information, go to the Nursing and Midwifery Board website.

Immunisations

NT Health is committed to ensuring that all health care workers are protected from vaccine preventable diseases.

You must provide immunisation records before starting work.

Criminal history check and working with children

If you're offered employment you will need to submit a national criminal history record check and a working with children clearance (WWC) also called an Ochre Card, at your own expense.

National police check (NPC) issued by third party providers (such as Fit2Work, Healthoutcomes Australia and National Crim Check) are not accepted.

To apply for a WWC and NPC, go to the Safe NT Online services website.

International applications

All health professionals wishing to practice in Australia must hold Australian registration, have appropriate levels of education, skill and experience.

For more information about  Immigrating to the NT and the process for gaining professional registration visit the Migrating Internationally web page

For more information about working visas, go to the Australian Governments Immigration and citizenship website.

Salary

To find out more about career structure, salary (rates of pay) and remuneration packages go to the Northern Territory Government's Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment website.

View the NT Health service location map PDF (783.4 KB).

About the Central Australia region

The Central Australia region covers the largest geographic area of all the regions in the NT, spanning some 550,000 square kilometres and stretching to the Western Australian, South Australian and Queensland borders. The region is home to approximately 40,000 people, 42% of whom identify as Aboriginal. Alice Springs, located on Arrernte Country, is the major township and home to approximately 27,000 people. The balance of the population in the Central Australia region reside across 16 town camps, 27 remote communities, over 200 outstations, and on cattle stations and mining operations.

The region has a semi-arid climate, offering hot sunny days most of the year, with winter nights able to drop below freezing, and the possibility of witnessing spectacular spring storms. You won’t be able to resist the impulse to explore spectacular ranges, gorges, swimming holes and ancient desert landscapes under endless blue skies.

For more information about living, working and what’s available in the Central Australian region, go to the Northern Territory website.

About the Barkly region

The Barkly region stretches over more than 320,000 square kilometres, reaching from Barrow Creek in the south, to Newcastle Waters in the North, and east across to the Queensland border. This vast desert landscape has a population of only 8,000 people, over 70% of whom identify as Aboriginal and representing more than 15 language groups. Three thousand five hundred people reside in the main township of Tennant Creek on Waramungu Country, located 500km north of Alice Springs and 1,000km south of Darwin on the Stuart Highway, with the rest of the population distributed across the town of Elliott, 13 remote communities, 74 outstations, pastoral stations, and mining operations.

Though the region is considered semi-arid with 4 seasons, the Barkly region sits above the Tropic of Capricorn and often experiences sub-tropical weather similar to the Top End - days are hot and sunny, while winter nights remain mild, and spring can bring spectacular thunderstorms and cool evenings. The awe-inspiring desert landscapes, rock formations and endless blue skies will tempt you into the great outdoors.

Read more information about living, working and what’s available in the Barkly region on the Northern Territory website.

About the Big Rivers region

The Big Rivers Region is the 3rd largest region in the NT, covering some 350,000 square kilometres. It stretches west to the border with Western Australia, south to Elliott, east to Numbulwar and north to Hayes Creek. There are 18,600 people residing in the region, and the population is highly diverse with 56.7% of residents identifying as First Nation people, contributing to a culturally expressive community. The main township is Katherine, with a population of approximately 9,700 residents, marking the point where the traditional lands of the Jawoyn, Dagoman and Wardaman people converge, and the remainder of the population live across more than 20 remote communities, 100 outstations, cattle stations, and mining sites in the region.

The region is predominantly tropical with heavy monsoonal downpours and spectacular lightning displays in the wet season, and the clear skies, and perfect temperatures the dry is famous for, tempting you out to explore spectacular surrounds, including national parks, gorges and swimming holes.

Read more information about living, working and what’s available in the Big Rivers region on the Northern Territory website.

About the East Arnhem region

The East Arnhem region covers the north-east corner of the NT, incorporating Groote Eylandt and Elcho Island. There are 14,500 people residing across the East Arnhem region with over 70% of residents identifying as First Nation people. The main township of Nhulunbuy is located on the Gove Peninsula with a population of approximately 3,240 people, and the rest of the population is spread across 10 remote communities and over 70 outstations.

The Yolŋu people are the traditional owners of the East Arnhem Region. Yolŋu Matha is the main language spoken, and with more than a dozen different dialects is representative of the linguistic diversity of the region generally. The East Arnhem region experiences a tropical climate, stretching from the heavy monsoonal downpours and spectacular lightning displays (as well as increased cyclone activity) of the wet season, to the clear skies, mild sea breezes and perfect temperatures of the dry, tempting you out to explore breathtaking rugged coastlines, extensive white sandy beaches, crystal clear water and awe-inspiring rock formations.

Read more information about living, working and what’s available in the East Arnhem region on the Northern Territory website.

About the Top End region

The Top End region covers the north-west of the NT, and includes the Greater Darwin, Daly, Tiwi and West Arnhem areas, stretching from the remote communities of Wadeye in the west to Maningrida in the east. Of the approximately 166,000 people living in the region, 148,000 reside in the highly multicultural Greater Darwin area - 12% identify as Aboriginal, and 25% were born overseas. Across the rest of the Top End region Aboriginal people represent 75% of the population, which is distributed across 6 townships, 17 remote communities, 4 town camps and 138 outstations.

The Top End experiences a tropical climate, stretching from the heavy monsoonal downpours and spectacular lightning displays (as well as increased cyclone activity) of the wet season, to the clear skies, mild sea breezes and perfect temperatures of the dry tempting you out to explore spectacular parks, coastlines, waterways, waterfalls and water holes.

Read more information about living, working and what’s available in  Darwin, Palmerston and surrounds on the Northern Territory website.

The NT covers a vast land area and is home to only 1% of the total Australian population, with Aboriginal people representing about a third of all Territorians. The median age of our population is 34 years (compared to 38 years nationally), and over 43% of the NT population live in remote or very remote areas (compared to 22% nationally). Seventy per cent of people who live remotely are Aboriginal and reside in one of 600 communities or remote outstations, and language and culture are diverse with over 200 languages spoken.

Midwives in the NT cared for approximately 3,400 women and pregnant people on their pregnancy journey in 2021. Birthing services in the NT are provided in 4 geographical locations (Darwin, Alice Springs, Katherine, and Nhulunbuy). Antenatal, postnatal, and the occasional surprise intrapartum care is delivered right across the NT and can range from urban hospital-based clinics, to outreach clinic care - to the unmatched opportunity to live and work with mothers and babies in a remote community. When was the last time you took a light aircraft or 4WD to get to your clients?

Opportunities to advance your midwifery career abound and the lifestyle benefits across the NT are countless - come and join us for a unique adventure!

If you have any questions about working as a midwife in the NT or would like more information about working in a specific region, email us at nursingmidwifery.doh@nt.gov.au or call 1800 000 648 - we would love to hear from you.

Read about the hospital services in regional hospitals below.

Central Australia

The Central Australia region is serviced by the 183-bed Alice Springs Hospital (ASH) and health care encompasses acute care services, primary and public health care, and mental health and alcohol and other drugs. ASH provides emergency services, surgical and medical care, paediatrics and obstetrics.

Alice Springs and the Central Australia region are also serviced by 29 health clinics (some managed by Aboriginal community controlled health organisations including the Central Australia Aboriginal Congress, and others by NT Health).

The ASH maternity team assists approximately 800 women per year in their birthing journey, and care is offered across several models to address the variable needs of the population:

  • public hospital maternity care
    • antenatal care provided by midwives and/or doctors
    • intrapartum care provided by midwives with obstetric support as required
    • postnatal care provided by midwives and/or doctors both at ASH and in the community
  • midwives outback
    • provide care coordination for women living in remote communities
    • monthly travel to remote communities to provide antenatal/postnatal clinics
    • provide antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care for remote women when they travel in to Alice Springs
  • midwifery group practice
    • antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care provided by a publicly funded team midwifery or caseload model
    • collaboration with doctors in the event of identified risk factors
    • care can be provided in the hospital or home
  • privately practicing midwives
    • NT Health is currently working on policy, guidelines and a credentialing process to support endorsed midwives to practice across the NT
    • this includes establishing processes for private practicing midwives working for Aboriginal community controlled health organisations.

Barkly

The Barkly region is serviced by Tennant Creek Hospital, a 20-bed hospital (6 paediatric and 14 adult) with a 7-bed emergency department, a 17-chair renal dialysis unit, and an ambulatory care unit which hosts outpatient services, the GP clinic and visiting specialists. Tennant Creek and the Barkly region communities are also serviced by remote health clinics, some run by NT Health, and others by Aboriginal community controlled health organisations.

Though there aren’t any planned birthing services in the Barkly region, antenatal and postnatal maternity care is provided and coordinated by midwives - 3 midwifery group practice midwives based at Tennant Creek Hospital and 2 providing remote outreach care to remote communities. The midwives work closely with the Alice Springs Hospital obstetric team, and women transfer out of region for intrapartum care (generally to Alice Springs or to Mount Isa in Queensland) - though there are 5 to 10 unplanned births per year in Tennant Creek.

Big Rivers

The Big Rivers region is serviced by Katherine Hospital, a 60-bed hospital with a mixed paediatric and adult Emergency Department which provides a broad range of medical, surgical, emergency, paediatric, and maternity services to the Big Rivers region population. The hospital is staffed with ruralist general practitioners who specialise in anaesthetics, obstetrics or are generalists. Staff specialists from Royal Darwin Hospital and visiting specialists provide a range of services including ophthalmology, cardiology and gynaecological services. The region also encompasses urban and remote primary and public health care, and mental health.

The Katherine township and the surrounding communities are also serviced by one private general practice, a small number of NT Health-run remote clinics, and 3 Aboriginal community controlled health organisations (ACCHOs) - Wurli-Wurlinjang Aboriginal Health Service, Sunrise Health Service Aboriginal Corporation, and Katherine West Health Board. The majority of health centres in the Big Rivers region are governed by the ACCHO sector.

The Katherine Hospital maternity unit is a small, low to medium risk, woman-centred service that shares the birth journey with approximately 240 women per year. Maternity care is provided through a shared GP-obs/midwifery model, and the service is linked very closely with ACCHO partners in case coordination and collaboration, ensuring the best outcomes for our First Nation people. Midwifery care at Katherine Hospital encompasses antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care and enables midwives to work to their full scope of practice. The unit promotes a culturally safe environment in which to work with and learn from a culturally diverse population.

East Arnhem

The East Arnhem region is serviced by Gove District Hospital, a 30-bed hospital which provides a broad range of medical, surgical, emergency, paediatric, respite and maternity services to the East Arnhem region population. The hospital is staffed with ruralist general practitioners who specialise in anaesthetics, obstetrics or are generalists. Staff specialists from Royal Darwin Hospital and visiting specialists provide a range of services including ophthalmology, cardiology and gynaecological services. It has a 5-bed Emergency Department seeing approximately 30 patients a day.

Nhulunbuy and surrounding communities are also serviced by one private general practice and 3 Aboriginal community controlled health organisations (ACCHOs) - Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation, Laynhapuy Homelands Aboriginal Corporation, and Marthakal Homelands Health Service. There are 10 remote health centres in the East Arnhem region with over 70 outstations. The majority of health centres in the East Arnhem region are governed by the ACCHO sector with support from retrieval and government services as required.

Maternity services at Gove District Hospital offer a dynamic and friendly workplace that provides collaborative GP-obs/midwifery woman-centred care to women from across the East Arnhem region. The maternity unit is a small, low to medium risk service that shares the birth journey with approximately 150 women per year. The service works in partnership with ACCHOs across the region to provide care that is both clinically and culturally safe. The small nature of the unit allows the midwives to truly connect with women and their families and share in the cultural journey that is pregnancy, birth and parenthood.

Top End

The Top End region is the largest healthcare provider in the Territory and encompasses acute care services, including Royal Darwin and Palmerston Hospital (RDPH), primary and population health care, mental health, alcohol and other drugs, oral health, hearing health and cancer screening.

Royal Darwin Hospital sits on Larrakia Country and is the main tertiary teaching hospital (a level 6 tertiary referral hospital), with 360 beds. Palmerston Regional Hospital consists of 116 beds and offers a 24/7 Emergency Department, day surgery and extensive rehabilitation and outpatient services. There are 23 primary health clinics within the Top End region, with 8 clinics managed by Aboriginal community controlled health organisations (ACCHOs) and 15 managed by NT Health.

We assisted families in the Top End region in their journey to birth approximately 2,300 babies in Darwin in 2021, and we have a number of different maternity models of care in recognition of the multicultural population and the varying needs of our clients:

  • public hospital maternity care
    • antenatal care provided by midwives and/or doctors in onsite or outreach clinics
    • intrapartum care provided by midwives in collaboration with obstetric support as required
    • postnatal care provided by midwives and/or doctors in onsite or outreach clinics and in the community
  • midwifery group practice (MGP)
    • antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care provided by a publicly funded team midwifery or caseload model
    • collaboration with doctors in the event of identified risk factors
    • care can be provided in the hospital, community, home or birth centre
    • MGP teams in Darwin provide targeted care for:
      • remote Aboriginal women travelling in to Darwin for acute or birthing care
      • clients with complex medical or psychosocial needs
      • clients planning a homebirth
  • privately practicing midwives
    • NT Health is currently working on policy, guidelines and a credentialing process to support endorsed midwives to practice across the NT
    • this includes establishing processes for private practicing midwives working for ACCHOs
  • remote outreach midwives
    • provide support to remote community-based midwives
    • provide case management for pregnant clients when the remote community does not have a community-based midwife
  • GP shared care
    • antenatal and postnatal care provided by client’s GP
    • intrapartum care provided by public hospital maternity care team
  • private obstetric care
    • Darwin Private Hospital.

Opportunities are currently available for nurses experienced in dialysis and with a passion for improving the health of Aboriginal people.

Employment is available across a network of locations in both government and non-government services in Central Australia, the Top End and the cross-border regions of South Australia and Western Australia.

Alice Springs renal services

Opportunities are available at Alice Springs Hospital for experienced haemodialysis nurses.

Alice Springs Hospital has dialysis units catering for more than 400 patients. The hospital is home to an 8‑chair acute unit, supported by an off-site 26‑chair satellite unit, along with a 36‑chair unit managed under a partnership arrangement.

The hospital-based acute dialysis unit operates 7 days a week with a 1:2 nurse to patient ratio, as does the satellite unit which operates on a 1:3 and 1:4 patient ratio. Staff from both units also contribute to the after-hours on-call service.

A number of specialist services are provided on a visiting basis as well as permanent nephrologists who provide oversight of all renal services, including pre-dialysis management, transplant services and home dialysis.

Positions available

Full-time and part-time positions are available for registered nurses (dialysis) with a minimum of 2‑years recent dialysis experience.

A relocation allowance is provided to successful applicants.

Qualifications

Nurses with postgraduate qualifications are encouraged to apply.

Contact

For further information and to express your interest please contact:

Nurse management consultant
Renal Unit
Alice Springs Hospital
ashnurserecruitment.ths@nt.gov.au
Phone: 08 8951 7984

Tennant Creek renal services

The Tennant Creek Hospital Renal Unit, is a nurse-lead, single-standing 17‑chair renal dialysis unit, seeking applications for experienced haemodialysis nurses.

Tennant Creek is located 500km north of Alice Springs in the Barkly region of the NT. Tennant Creek hospital provides acute and long-term care to a town population of more than 3,500 with a further 8,500 residing in the Barkly region, including a large Aboriginal population.

The Renal Unit provides haemodialysis for more than 68 clients while nephrology management is provided in Alice Springs.

The unit operates Monday to Saturday on a 1:4 nurse to patient ratio, providing personalised care that encourages clients to achieve and maintain a level of independence, with attendance rates being very high.

Positions available

Full-time and part time positions are available for registered nurses (dialysis) with a minimum of 2 years recent dialysis experience.

A relocation allowance is provided to successful applicants, together with rent-free accommodation and significant subsidies such as electricity and freight. Fares out of Isolated Locations (FOILS – 2x/year), approx. value of $1,200, will be provided.

Qualifications

Nurses with postgraduate qualifications are encouraged to apply.

Contact

For further information and to express your interest please contact:

Nurse management consultant
Renal Unit
Tennant Creek Hospital
tchrenalcns.doh@nt.gov.au
Phone: 08 8962 4462
Mobile: 0438 851 578

Top End renal services

Exciting opportunities in renal nursing are available at Royal Darwin and Palmerston Hospital (RDPH) for experienced haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis nurses.

The renal service in the Top End of the NT is a large service and provides many unique opportunities to work in urban and remote locations (on the beautiful Tiwi Islands and other inland and coastal communities) while being based in Darwin. Swimming and fishing are common past times for staff visiting these areas or they simply enjoy the spectacular views and learn about the local culture.

The service is provided via:

Hospital based service (acute) service - provides inpatient ward services, haemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) plus haemodialysis services for intensive care, coronary care and provides plasma exchange treatments to haematology and renal patients. The 18‑bed ward operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week providing medical and nursing care to renal patients. The 9 chair/space acute haemodialysis service operates from 6am to 11:45pm, 7 days per week.

The Satellite services are operated and managed from the Nightcliff Renal Unit (NRU) (32 chairs). NRU is responsible for providing management and staff to the satellite units at Palmerston (PDU) (8 chairs) and Wurrumiyanga (Tiwi Dialysis Unit). The Palmerston renal unit is located within the Palmerston Regional Hospital and the Wurrumiyanga unit (7 chairs) is located on Bathurst Island on the Tiwi Islands and is staffed by fly-in and fly-out nursing staff.

Home based therapies – provides peritoneal dialysis training and management, self-care haemodialysis training and management, transplantation, supportive care and chronic kidney disease management. Staff manage patients in remote locations across the Top End and provide outreach visits to Katherine (approximately 300km south of Darwin).

Positions available

Full-time positions (part-time also accommodated) are available for registered haemodialysis and peritoneal nurses with a minimum of 2 years recent dialysis experience.

A relocation allowance is provided to successful applicants.

Qualifications

Nurses with postgraduate qualifications are encouraged to apply.

Employed model program

The employed model program is an exciting initiative through NT Health that supports registered nurses to gain employment, experience and certification in renal medicine.

Specifically, RDPH is offering registered nurses paid employment while completing their Graduate Certificate in Renal Medicine (1 year full-time or 2 years part-time study) and/or the Graduate Diploma of Renal Medicine (1 year full-time, 2 or 3 years part-time).

Staff employed under this model will be financially supported to complete their Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Renal Nursing through a recognised university

Transition to renal

There is exciting opportunities once employed in NT Health to access short transition to renal programs. These programs are designed to offer upskilling into renal specialty.

Contact

For further information and to express your interest please contact:

Nursing and Midwifery Recruitment
Royal Darwin and Palmerston Hospital
nursingrecruitmentrdh.ths@nt.gov.au
Phone: 08 8922 8118

Opportunities exist for skilled registered nurses who are passionate about providing high quality care to the diverse population of the NT. There are positions for nurses who have a range of mental health, and alcohol and other drug (AOD) work experience and skillsets, with tailored rotational opportunities available depending on your level of clinical experience and personal career goals. This is a prime opportunity for anyone looking for a tropical change, escape the hustle and bustle while still working in a unique and challenging tertiary centre.

Qualifications

A range of contract types exist for nurses who have experience in mental health services and/or post-graduate qualification in mental health or AOD.

Central Australia region

Crisis Assessment Treatment Team (CATT)

The first point of contact for most people accessing mental health services in the Central Australia regions of the NT. Clinicians triage, assess and manage mental health presentations to the Emergency Department in the Alice Springs Hospital and manage urgent community assessments.

This service provides a single point of contact for people wishing to contact mental health services on a 24 hours, 7 days a week basis.

Mental Health Inpatient Unit

An acute psychiatric inpatient facility located within the Alice Springs Hospital, offering assessment and treatment to people with acute mental health concerns.

Clinicians triage, assess and manage mental health presentations to the Emergency Department in the Alice Springs Hospital and manage urgent community assessments.

Comprised of consultant psychiatrists, psychiatric registrars, registered medical officers, registered psychiatric nurses, allied health professionals, Aboriginal health workers and medication endorsed Aboriginal health practitioners, the unit provides cultural, gender-specific, individualised recovery-focused care and treatment in an acute inpatient hospital setting.

Consultation Liaison Service

Psychiatric assessment advice and education for patients admitted to Alice Springs Hospital general wards and Flynn Drive Renal Unit who are not in the Mental Health Inpatient Unit.

Sub-Acute Facility

A residential facility which provides recovery-focussed care for people aged 18 and above with a mental illness who do not require inpatient care in the Mental Health Inpatient Unit.

Referrals are made through community and remote mental health services, or the Mental Health Inpatient Unit with a focus on functional improvement for the person to be able to manage their illness. Care is provided by a multidisciplinary team consisting of registered nurses, enrolled nurses, Aboriginal health workers, personal care assistants and supported by other allied health staff.

A psychiatric registrar oversees all treatment and the registrar is supervised by the Mental Health Inpatient Unit consultant psychiatrist.

The team provides 'step up' support, with staff assisting clients to improve the daily management of their illness to prevent a relapse that would generally see them admitted to the Mental Health Inpatient Unit.

The team also provides a 'step down' program. Following assessment, individualised care planning is provided, based on the person's needs. This provides an opportunity for the person to 'step down' from the Mental Health Inpatient Unit into a community environment where intensive one-on-one support is given to assist a thorough recovery and return to community and home.

The facility encourages visits and participation of family members and carers to assist in building strong relationships among staff, clients, family and friends and can accommodate family and carers as boarders if deemed to be advantageous to the wellbeing of a client.

Clients are supported within the service to pursue their endeavours including applications for housing and other support services including aged care, neurological and occupational assessments.

The team can place referrals with non-government organisations and mental health groups.

An array of activities are provided for clients to participate in and clients can to contribute their own ideas around programs, services and activities to enable them to be adapted to suit their individual needs.

The team can refer and engage National Disability Insurance Scheme support coordinators when necessary.

Interpreters are offered to ensure the service provided takes into account the individual's current and projected circumstances, and to ensure that agreed ways of moving forward are developed together.

Outpatients Clinic

Specialist integrated mental health services, including psychiatric assessment and short-term care located near the Alice Springs Hospital.

The clinic focuses on providing further assessment and treatment interventions to people experiencing moderate, prolonged or severe problems associated with a mental illness.

Any person aged 18 years or over in need of mental health support who will benefit from specialist psychiatric medical intervention is accepted, following referral from a general practitioner (GP).

Using a risk assessment process, people considered to be in crisis receive immediate attention, either directly by clinic staff or by the on-call mental health specialist.

People referred to the clinic receive a psychiatric assessment and if ongoing treatment from a GP, psychiatrist or other health service is required, then clinic staff will consult and liaise with the health provider on behalf of the client.

Medical staff also provide advice on treatment and undertake periodic reviews as required.

The service offers a fortnightly GP outpatient clinic on the premises to assist long-term clients to manage their overall health.

Note that outpatient mental health services are not provided for people aged 65 years and older. These referrals should be directed to the local Aged Care Unit.

Community Mental Health

Community case management services for people aged 18 years and over with moderate to serious mental illness and associated disability and/or risk which requires intervention by specialist mental health services. Located in Alice Springs, the service draws on expertise from psychiatrists, mental health social workers and mental health nurses to assist meeting the complex mental health needs of individuals and their families and carers.

The team works in collaboration with other mental health teams, non-government organisations, private practitioners and GPs to provide a comprehensive mental health service, tailored to individual needs. Where possible, episodes of treatment are brief and provided in collaboration with established supports.

The team follows the recovery model with a consumer centred focus and at times is able to provide assertive outreach to some of the clients of the service.

Child and Youth Mental Health

Comprehensive assessment and treatment for children and young people from 3 to 18 years, or those still in formal schooling who present with moderate to severe mental health difficulties and their parents/carers. This can include anxiety, depression, trauma symptoms, eating disorders, extreme behavioural disturbances, self-harm and suicidal behaviours. The team services Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, and Barkly remote communities where capacity allows.

The team is comprised of social workers, occupational therapists, psychologists, mental health nurses, Aboriginal health workers, child and adolescent psychiatrists and psychiatric registrars. Staff work closely with children and young people and their parents or carers, alongside schools, GPs, paediatricians, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, headspace and other non-government organisations.

The team works under the Choice and Partnership Approach, which is an evidenced strengths based model aimed at working together with young people and their family or carers to improve the child or young person's mental health.

Referrals are received from anyone in the community, following consent from the child or young person and their legal guardian.

Every referral is offered an initial, one-off, 'choice' appointment where the child or young person and their parents or carers work together with clinicians to determine the severity of any mental health concerns, as well as appropriate treatment options based on what the young person and/or family feel they need. Children and young people with moderate-severe mental health issues are likely to be offered further assessment and treatment options from the team, and those that have milder mental health issues can be referred on to another service if the young person and/or family and carers want additional support.

Perinatal Mental Health

Mental health assessment, support and treatment planning services for women living in Alice Springs who are affected by moderate to severe emotional and mental health challenges during the perinatal period. This can be during pregnancy and up to 12 months post-delivery. Pre-conception planning and therapeutic support is also available for women with past or existing mental illness who wish to conceive.

The perinatal mental health team is comprised of one clinician with access to a psychiatrist if this is required. The perinatal clinician works closely with midwives, child and family health nurses, GPs and obstetricians.

To access the service, a referral from a primary health care provider, such as a midwife, child and family health nurse, obstetrician, GP or one of the community based mental health teams is required.

Support offered can include education, short-to-medium term therapy, inter-agency care-planning and linking women into meaningful community support. Support planning is conducted in collaboration with the client and can include a partner or other family members. If women are severally unwell and want to talk about medication options with a psychiatrist, this can be arranged.

Remote Mental Health

Specialist mental health care is provided to adults living within 29 remote communities throughout Central Australia by the Mark Sheldon Remote Mental Health Team.

A consultation liaison model of care is provided, working in partnership with Aboriginal health practitioners and other Aboriginal workers, along with community health care staff, to undertake assessments and treat those who have been diagnosed with mental illness.

The team travels to remote communities by air and road, with trip frequencies determined by clinical need, new referrals and case load numbers

Assessments are undertaken face-to-face, with recommendations for care planning made through specialist letters and/or clinical handovers.

The team is comprised of nurses, Aboriginal health workers, psychiatrists and a registrar. Referrals to the service are made through health centre GPs or through the alternative specialist health team.

Forensic Mental Health

Mental health assessment and interventions are offered via a prison in-reach service for prisoners at the Alice Springs Correctional Centre.

The team is comprised of forensic mental health nurses and allied health professionals, who work closely with Aboriginal liaison officers and the primary health team to provide holistic care for people within the prison system.

Mental health practitioners conduct case reviews and risk assessments, and refer clients to other organisations to improve their wellbeing while in prison and upon release, where required. Also, many case-managed clients are prescribed medications and staff monitor for any changing presentations, side effects and non-adherence.

Staff communicate with other mental health teams and community groups to organise continuing care for clients following release.

The team also provides support for prisoners experiencing a situational crisis who may become a risk to themselves or others. Prisoners at risk of self-harm or suicide can be placed in special 'at risk' cells providing a safe space within the prison.

The team conducts weekly reviews with a psychiatrist registrar through tele-psychiatry and works closely with the Darwin Forensic Mental Health Team to utilise psychiatrist reviews and plans for their clients.

Barkly region

A range of mental health services are provided to residents of Tennant Creek and the Barkly region who need assistance with mental health issues, including receiving appropriate care from psychiatrists and other mental health professionals.

The Tennant Creek-based team comprises mental health clinicians, including registered nurses and allied health professionals who are assisted by an Aboriginal health worker. A consultant psychiatrist provides visits onsite approximately every 6 weeks via a fly-in-fly-out model from Alice Springs.

The team provides assessment, case management, crisis intervention and consultation and liaison services for people with moderate to severe mental illness.

Clients within the township are managed by the team and a walk-in service is also provided where community members can present for support and assessment, along with the administration of antipsychotic medications.

When available, mental health clinicians attend the Tennant Creek Hospital Emergency Department to support in crisis presentations, and manage clients in the community on community management orders under the Mental Health and Related Services Act 1998.

People requiring an escalation in care i.e. admission to an appropriate facility, will be transported to Alice Springs for further assessment and treatment.

Remote areas of the Barkly region receive specialist mental health services from both the Barkly Team (from Elliot to Ali Curung) and the Mark Sheldon Remote Mental Health Team (communities south of Ali Curung).

Top End region

Darwin offers a great opportunity to work collaboratively across regional hospitals, rural and remote areas and explore different healthcare settings with regular professional development and promotional opportunities on offer.

Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH) campus provides services to adult and youths, with multiple teams supporting the Darwin and Palmerston surrounding rural areas. NT Mental Health Access Team, Perinatal Team, Child and Adolescent Team, Adult Team, Forensic Team, Darwin Remote Team, and the Alcohol and Other Drugs Service has inpatient and outpatient facilities. The remote East Arnhem Mental Health Team and Katherine Mental Health Team come under the regional area of Big Rivers and are provided with governance and clinical expertise from the urban centralised Top End Mental Health, and Alcohol and Other Drugs Service.

RDH Cowdy Ward

Acute inpatient psychiatric services located on the grounds of RDH. The ward accepts admissions and transfers from regional centres and remote communities.

RDH Joan Ridley Unit (JRU)

A secure high dependency inpatient unit located on the grounds of RDH. This unit provides 24 hour specialist care and high dependency inpatient services.

RDH Youth Inpatient Program (YIP)

An inpatient unit providing specialist care to youths located on the grounds of the RDH.

RDH Mental Health Access Team (MHAT)

Provides the single point of contact for anyone in the NT wishing to access the mental health service on a 24hr/7 days a week basis. Clinical assessments are conducted in the RDH Emergency Department as required.

This team provides referrals for people who may be experiencing mental health issues and responds to requests from all sources. Triaged assessment (inclusive of risk assessment), and crisis support are provided. The team undertakes brief interventions or recommends appropriate actions based on the outcomes of their assessments.

This team also provides a consultation liaison service with other hospital wards, conducting mental health assessments, and recommending mental health treatment for inpatients, as well as a consultation liaison service to GPs seeking clinical advice or a psychiatric review.

Darwin and Palmerston Adult Mental Health

Provide services for people over 18 years of age with a diagnosed mental illness who are in the Darwin and Palmerston region. Episodes of treatment are brief and provided in collaboration with established supports. If severe mental illness persists, longer-term treatment coordinated by a case manager is offered, together with links to other allied health services and programs.

These teams draw on the expertise of psychologists, social workers, mental health nurses and psychiatrists to assist in meeting the complex mental health needs of individuals together with their families, carers and/or significant others. The teams work in collaboration with other mental health teams and across services in NT Health, non-government organisations, private practitioners and GPs to provide comprehensive mental health care plans tailored to individual needs.

Perinatal Mental Health

Provides specialist mental health assessment, support and care planning for women living in the Top End affected by moderate to severe mental health challenges during the perinatal period. This can be during pregnancy and up to 12 months post-delivery. Pre-conception planning and therapeutic support is also available for women with past or existing mental illness who wish to conceive.

Darwin Remote Mental Health Team

Provides specialist mental health services to residents in rural and remote areas of the Top End, and outreach support for remote communities. Models of service delivery include clinical case management and/or consultation liaison services in partnership with the staff of remote health clinics.

Psychiatrists also provide outreach services to remote communities on a regular basis via the Specialist Outreach Service.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health

Provides a free and confidential specialist clinical consultation, liaison and diagnostic assessment service for children and adolescents up to 18 years of age. This includes families who are experiencing severe social, emotional and behavioural problems. The team provides education and consultancy services to carers, other professionals and agencies. These issues may be situational or as a result of a mental illness. The focus of the service is to provide support for both the young person and their family.

Mental health services are provided to the Darwin urban area and consultation services are provided to remote and regional areas in the Top End, East Arnhem and Big Rivers regions.

Forensic Mental Health

Mental health services for people aged 18 years and over located in the Darwin urban area, involved in the criminal justice system, suffering from mental disorders and/or cognitive and intellectual disabilities.

This is a multidisciplinary team, comprised of psychologists, social workers, mental health nurses, court report coordinators, Aboriginal mental health workers and psychiatrists who conduct clinics at the prisons. The team provides a prison in-reach service to adult Darwin and Alice Springs correctional centres inclusive of consultancy to magistrates, Supreme Courts and the Parole Board. A forensic team provides a court liaison service within Darwin Magistrate Court.

Alcohol and other Drugs Service Darwin region

The Alcohol and Other Drugs Service provides both inpatient and outpatient services across Darwin and in regional areas providing:

  • Community clinics offering comprehensive medical assessments, referrals, brief interventions, counselling and case management support.
  • In-patient and ambulatory withdrawal treatment options.
  • Remote community outreach engagement.
  • Specialist hospital consult liaison and Prison In-reach Program.
  • Community health promotion education, resources and support (including for nicotine).
  • Volatile substance use at risk assessments and treatment planning.

Big Rivers region

A range of mental health services are provided to residents of Katherine and the Big Rivers region who require assistance with mental health issues, including assessment and care by psychiatrists and other mental health professionals.

The Katherine-based team comprises of mental health clinicians, including a consultant psychiatrist, registered nurses, a dedicated child and adolescent clinician, and social workers assisted by Aboriginal health workers.

The team provides assessment, case management, and crisis intervention and consultation and liaison services for people with moderate to severe mental illness.

People requiring an escalation in care i.e. admission to an appropriate facility, are transported to Darwin for further assessment and treatment.

East Arnhem region

A range of mental health services are provided to residents of Nhulunbuy and the East Arnhem region who need assistance with mental health issues, including receiving appropriate care from psychiatrists and other mental health professionals.

The Nhulunbuy-based team comprises of mental health clinicians, including registered nurses and social workers assisted by Aboriginal health workers.

The team provides assessment, case management, and crisis intervention and consultation and liaison services for people with moderate to severe mental illness.

People requiring an escalation in care i.e. admission to an appropriate facility, will be transported to Darwin for further assessment and treatment.

Frontline nursing and midwifery positions in primary health care are currently available in NT Health.

For a full list of remote communities and information about working and living across the NT visit the Remote Communities homepage

The Primary Health Care Branch provides health care services in:

  • remote primary health care clinics
  • outreach teams
  • urban community care centres
  • schools
  • police watch houses
  • correctional centres.

Frontline roles provide direct nursing and midwifery care including:

  • clinical assessment and management
  • case management
  • care coordination
  • primary health care programs (child health, women's health, chronic disease)
  • urban and remote community visits
  • after-hours emergency response.

Contact

Top End

phcrecruitment.doh@nt.gov.au
Phone: 08 8922 7183

Central Australia

recruitment.carhs@nt.gov.au
Phone: 08 8951 7586

We employ Registered Undergraduate Students of Nursing or Midwifery (RUSoN/M) who are 2nd and 3rd year nursing or midwifery students that assist in the provision of basic nursing/midwifery care to Territorians.  Our Registered Undergraduate Student of Nursing/ Midwifery work under the supervision of a Registered Nurse/Midwife (RN/RM) with a defined scope of practice, to deliver safe nursing/midwifery care across the hospitals within NT Health.

Eligibility

Applicants must provide confirmation of enrolment in an eligible Nursing or Midwifery degree at an Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) Accredited University and must be a 2nd or 3rd year nurse and/or midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.

The Registered Undergraduate Student of Nursing/ Midwifery must have successfully completed (with evidence required) their first year clinical placement for a Registered Undergraduate Student of Nursing/ Midwifery 1 and second year clinical placement for a Registered Undergraduate Student of Nursing/ Midwifery 2.

Apply

To apply for Registered Undergraduate Student of Nursing/ Midwifery (Assistant in Nursing/Midwifery) job

Nurse practitioners are important clinicians in the Australian health care system. NT Health is committed to the strategic implementation of nurse practitioner positions within the unique context of the NT. NT Health is exploring current service provision, identifying gaps in services and expanding nurse-led models, including nurse practitioner services that will best meet the population and service needs.

Nurse practitioner role

Nurse practitioners possess the legal authority to practice both independently and autonomously at a level of practice that is beyond that of a registered nurse.

The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA): Nurse Practitioner standards for practice (March 2021), outlines the expectations and responsibilities for nurse practitioners across all practice settings and patient/client populations. This ensures the provision of safe, high-quality care and enables nurse practitioners to autonomously manage complete episodes of care.

Nurse Practitioners are educated to a Master’s level and are endorsed by the NMBA. The title ‘Nurse Practitioner’ is protected by National Law and may only be used by a registered nurse who has met the requirements for endorsement as specified by the NMBA.

A nurse practitioner provides clinically focused services which includes:

  • Clinical health assessments,
  • Ordering and interpreting diagnostic investigations,
  • Formulates diagnosis,
  • Prescribes, implements and assesses response to therapeutic interventions including medications
  • Refers to and accepts referral from other health professionals.

NT Health nurse practitioners/candidates have allocated non-clinical time to undertake activities of quality and system improvements.  This include education, research and leadership in line with the nurse practitioner standards for practice.

NT Health currently has nurse practitioners working across all regions of the NT, in the acute, primary and community settings.

Become a nurse practitioner

To become a nurse practitioner, you will need to undertake an NMBA-approved program of study at a masters’ level.

Entry requirements into a Masters NMBA-approved program are:

  1. current general registration as a registered nurse,
  2. a minimum of two years full time equivalent (FTE) as a registered nurse in a specified clinical field and two years FTE of current advanced nursing practice in this same clinical field,
  3. a postgraduate qualification in a relevant clinical field.

There is a requirement for health service support to undertake an approved program of study towards nurse practitioner and the formation of clinical support team within the clinical team.

Endorsement

To practice as a nurse practitioner, a nurse practitioner must hold endorsement with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and must be able to demonstrate all of the following:

  1. Current general registration as a registered nurse in Australia with no conditions or undertakings relating to unsatisfactory professional performance or unprofessional conduct.
  2. The equivalent of three years’ full-time experience (5,000 hours) at the clinical advanced nursing practice level, within the past six years, from the date when the complete application seeking endorsement as a nurse practitioner is received by the NMBA.
  3. Successful completion of:
    • an NMBA-approved program of study leading to endorsement as a nurse practitioner, or
    • a program that is substantially equivalent to an NMBA-approved program of study leading to endorsement as a nurse practitioner as determined by the NMBA.
  4. Compliance with the NMBA’s Nurse practitioner standards for practice.

Scholarship

Annual scholarships are available to NT Health Nurses and Midwives (who meet the eligibility criteria) to provide financial assistance to complete a course of study leading to an academic qualification. This is available once per course of study.

HELP debt reduction for nurse practitioners

Nurse practitioners who live and work in rural, remote or very remote areas of Australia, are able to reduce their outstanding Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) debt, provided they meet the eligibility criteria and their obligations to complete the required amount of eligible work.

Read the factsheet.

Nurse practitioner candidates

In recognition of the significant investment and our commitment to ‘grow our own’, NT Health supports the development of nurse practitioners, by providing the option for nurse practitioner candidate applications for each nurse practitioner recruitment.

A nurse practitioner candidate is a registered nurse employed in a designated nurse practitioner position on a fixed term contract while they work towards nurse practitioner endorsement with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). Once the nurse practitioner candidate completes their program of study and has received their endorsement with NMBA, they transition within their position to nurse practitioner.

NT Health will clinically and professionally support the nurse practitioner candidate to undertake a NMBA approved program of study leading to nurse practitioner endorsement, including periods of integrated professional practice.

Nurse practitioner student placements

NT Health has opportunities for nurse practitioner students to experience life and work in the NT.

Nurse practitioners students can apply for clinical placements with endorsed nurse practitioners across practice settings in the NT.

To find out more email TEHSPlacementCLEaRS.DoH@nt.gov.au.

Employment opportunities

Find NT Health nursing practitioner jobs

More information

For further information on nurse practitioners contact the Office of the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer at nursingmidwifery.doh@nt.gov.au.

Royal Darwin and Palmerston Hospital

Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH) is the tertiary referral centre for the Top End of the NT, North-West Western Australia and South-East Asia. RDH provides 24-hour comprehensive emergency and trauma care services to a geographically disperse population. The nearest tertiary referral hospital to RDH is in Denpasar, Indonesia. Palmerston Regional Hospital (PRH) opened in August 2018 and is 20 minutes by road from RDH. PRH Emergency Department (ED) staff provide and coordinate the code blue response within Palmerston Regional Hospital.

RDH Emergency and Trauma Centre and Palmerston Regional Hospital (PRH) Emergency Departments see a combined total of almost 100,000 emergency presentations per year and this number continues to rise. Within these presentations, 54% represent high acuity being triaged as an ATS 1, 2 or 3, 35% are First Nation’s people and 37% of total presentations require an acute hospital admission.

The NT's population in itself is unique having the lowest average age in Australia of 33. Children under the age of 14 account for 20.1% of the NT population, while people over the age of 65 account for only 7.7%. While our population is younger than the Australian average, it carries significant burden of disease requiring a high level of both primary health care and emergency care. The young and active population contributes to high rates of traumatic presentations with much lower rates of presentations typically seen in the older populations.

The tropical climate and proximity to South-East Asia has resulted in infectious and tropical disease experts living and practicing in Darwin and assist in managing these unique presentations in the Territory. Along with the healthy crocodile population, approx. 100,000 representing just under half of the human population, means that ED nursing in the Top End provides challenges for the experienced and novice ED nurse alike!

Alice Springs Hospital

Alice Springs Hospital (ASH) Emergency Department is unique due to the size of our catchment area (1 million square km’s) and population. Home to the Arrernte people, Alice Springs is a regional town and embodies the quintessential welcoming Australian spirit. The state of the art Emergency Department at ASH caters for more than 45,000 presentations per annum, providing broad clinical practice and opportunities.  An admission rate of 40% reflects the acuity and complexity of the department. The ED has 45 patient spaces of which 31 are beds including three resuscitation bays, four high dependency bays and a paediatric specific area.  Nurses have an opportunity to progress through all areas of the department with support and tailored education packages to assist in upskilling.  Our friendly and committed multidisciplinary team work closely together to achieve the best outcomes for our patients.  We are proud of the close and mutually respectful professional relationships we foster to ensure a healthy and happy team dynamic.

We are at the forefront of Indigenous health, where you will have the opportunity to experience a rich culture alongside our majestic landscape and laid-back lifestyle. Central Australia is a region of vibrant colour and is the gateway to some of Australia’s most famous natural wonders.

Tennant Creek Hospital

The Emergency Department in Tennant Creek Hospital is a 7 bed unit consisting of 2 resuscitation bays, 4 general bays and 1 low stimulus room, with approximately 11,000 patient presentations per year. The ED is staffed with 2 Registered Nurses per shift, supported by Senior Rural Generalists, registrars and interns.

In addition, the unit acts as the High Dependency Unit for deteriorating patients and those awaiting retrieval to Alice Springs Hospital.  Onsite Radiology and Pathology services are available.

The Barkly region is a vast desert landscape has a population of only 8,000 people, over 70% of whom identify as Aboriginal and representing more than 15 language groups. The main township of Tennant Creek on Waramungu Country, located 500km north of Alice Springs and 1,000km south of Darwin on the Stuart Highway, with the rest of the population distributed across the town of Elliott, 13 remote communities, 74 outstations, pastoral stations, and mining operations.

Though the region is considered semi-arid with 4 seasons, the Barkly region sits above the Tropic of Capricorn and often experiences sub-tropical weather similar to the Top End - days are hot and sunny, while winter nights remain mild, and spring can bring spectacular thunderstorms and cool evenings. The awe-inspiring desert landscapes, rock formations and endless blue skies will tempt you into the great outdoors.

Katherine Hospital

Katherine Emergency Department provides comprehensive emergency care to a vast range of patient presentations from across the Big Rivers Region with approximately 19,000 presentations per year.

The ED consists of 3 Resuscitation bays, 4 acute bay, and 3 fast track rooms. It is staffed with Registered Nurses and Medical Officers who work closely with the local community, Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Services and Primary Health Clinics within the region.

There are many opportunities at Katherine Hospital to practice comprehensive rural emergency care and further develop advanced clinical skills in a highly supportive environment.

You are encouraged to be an active member of our team and share your own skills and knowledge. We welcome ideas that will improve our patient care and outcomes.

The location of the Katherine Hospital just 30km south-west of Nitimuk National Park and 100kms south of Kakadu National Park, where the adventurous can explore. Katherine is famous for the beautiful hot springs situated on the south side of Town and within a cycle ride from local amenities.

The Katherine Hospital is situated at the heart of the Big Rivers Region extending from the Western Australia border to the Gulf of Carpentaria. 300km south from Darwin, this region has an estimated population of 20,869 people – approximately 8.5% of the total NT population.

If you are a passionate nurse with an adventurous personality, you will love it here.

Gove District Hospital

The Gove District Hospital operates within the East Arnhem Region Health Services covering 33,310 square kilometres with an estimated population of 14,525.  The 24 hour Emergency Department is newly refurbished with 2 resuscitation bays, 3 acute cubicles, a negative pressure isolation room and 2 consult rooms.  The ED sees approximately 10,000 patients per year with Aboriginal people representing approximately 60% of consumers.  The local Aboriginal’s of East Arnhem are the Yolngu people and the region is rich in culture and tradition.

The ED is staffed by Senior Rural Generalists with a medical officer onsite 24 hours, 7 days a week. Clinical support provided to the ED include allied health, diagnostic imaging including x-ray, ultrasound and computerised tomography (CT), pathology and pharmacy.

For all enquiries, email nursing and midwifery in the Northern Territory at nursingmidwifery.doh@nt.gov.au or by calling 1800 000 648.


Graduate programs

Applications are open

Applications for 2024 NT Health Graduate Nurse and Midwife Program are open.

Apply now

The Graduate Nurse and Midwife Program runs over a 12‑month period with employment offered on a full-time basis. Requests for part-time employment may be considered based on your individual circumstances.

This program is available at:

  • Alice Springs Hospital
  • Gove District Hospital
  • Katherine Regional Hospital
  • Royal Darwin Hospital or Palmerston Regional Hospital
  • Tennant Creek Hospital

There are a large range of clinical rotations available and you will be allocated to a specific rotation plan at the beginning of your program.

The unique profile of Territorians means that you will have unparalleled opportunities to experience complex care provision.

With a place on the NT Graduate Nursing and Midwifery Programs you can expect;

  • A dedicated team of Clinical Nurse Education Specialists to provide ongoing support and mentorship throughout the entire 12 months of the NT Health GNMP.
  • Program participants will undertake an intensive orientation and workplace readiness program designed specifically for graduate nurses and midwives to prepare and support their initial introduction to providing hospital care in the Northern Territory.
  • Supernumerary time is provided each rotation and varied according to your individual needs.
  • Participants of the Graduate Program are offered great professional development opportunities with regular educational in-services, protected time off the ward to partake in regular debrief sessions run by program educators and a quality improvement project.
  • Regular ward visits by the program educators offer ongoing support in the clinical setting.

This program is available at:

  • Alice Springs Hospital
  • Gove District Hospital
  • Katherine Regional Hospital
  • Royal Darwin Hospital or Palmerston Regional Hospital
  • Tennant Creek Hospital

There are a large range of clinical rotations available and you will be allocated to a specific rotation plan at the beginning of your program.

Nursing

Nursing graduates are generally allocated two six-month clinical rotations. However, some hospitals and clinical areas have 12 month specialty clinical rotations in areas such as the Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Department, Paediatrics, Oncology and Operating Theatres.

Nursing rotations may include but are not limited to the following clinical areas:

  • palliative care
  • general surgery
  • neonatal intensive care
  • paediatrics
  • renal dialysis
  • mental health services
  • cancer care services.

Midwifery

Midwifery graduates are generally allocated three or four clinical rotations depending on the hospital and clinical area.

Midwifery rotations include:

  • antenatal clinics
  • birthing/delivery suites
  • postnatal ward
  • domiciliary care
  • special care nursery
  • Midwifery Group Practice (caseload).

The unique profile of Territorians means that you will have unparalleled opportunities to experience complex care provision. Working in hospitals across the NT allows you flexibility to learn and experience a wide range of specialities that you would not experience in larger metropolitan areas. This provides our nurses and midwives with the opportunity to progress their careers through unique experiences in remote and regional areas of Australia, with the opportunity to further your career in post graduate studies after the program.

As a nursing/midwifery graduate with NT Health you will receive support and education from clinical educators as well as experienced nurses and midwives.

They will:

  • facilitate your transition into practice and enable professional and personal development opportunities.

This includes debriefing sessions, case study presentations, quality improvement activities and mentorship when looking beyond your graduate program. Once accepted into the graduate program you will be able to nominate a preference for clinical areas and wards you would like to work in. Clinical rotations are allocated based on graduates nominations and availability.

Some areas are very popular and demand can be high for these positions, every effort is taken to place you in one of your preferred clinical areas however, due to availability not all preferences are guaranteed.

To be eligible to apply for the 2024 Graduate Nurse and Midwife Programs you must:

  • Have completed or be due to complete all elements of your diploma (enrolled nursing) or nursing or midwifery degree and be eligible for general registration between December 2021 and March 2024.  Applicants who have completed their studies between December 2019 and 2021 will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Email NursingMidwifery.DoH@nt.gov.au for more information.
  • Be registered as an enrolled nurse, registered nurse or registered midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, (including all English testing if required) prior to 30th June 2024.  Failure to meet this eligibility requirement will result in cancellation of your offer. Your registration will determine which intake you are allocated.
  • Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or hold a visa allowing, full-time employment in Australia prior to commencement.

Note - Failure to provide evidence of ongoing working rights 4 weeks prior to your commencement date may result in your program offer being rescinded.

  • Have less than six months full time equivalent experience as an enrolled nurse, registered nurse and/ or registered midwife, as relevant to the approved program of study prior to applying.
  • Not have commenced an equivalent transition program within NT Health.

How and when to apply

Please read before applying.

Applications to the GNMP 2024 will remain open until mid-2024 however, the commencement of the program will vary slightly depending on each region.

To apply you must be have commenced or due to commence your final semester of your final year of studies.

Only complete applications will be considered. If you do not submit all the required documents or should the documents not meet the requirements, your application will not be progressed for assessment.

In order to give yourself the best possible chance of securing a graduate program position it is worthwhile taking the time to prepare your application and ensure that it meets with the essential requirements.

Review the following information carefully and use it when preparing your application.

  • Check eligibility to apply
  • Research which region or regions you would like to work
  • Prepare application
  • Ensure your nominated referees are aware they will be contacted to provide a reference
  • Prepare all the required documentation prior to commencing your online application
  • Ensure documents are saved using the required naming conventions – see below

It is in your best interest to ensure that your application has been submitted with all relevant paperwork, failing to do so will delay your application being reviewed.   Please note only complete applications will be processed.

Tick when complete Please name your files prior to uploading as below Upload Selection
Last name First name_ Cover letter One page summary application
Last name First name_ Resume Resume
Last name First name_ Academic transcript Qualifications
Last name First name_ Clinical Placement Report 1 Other
Last name First name_ Clinical Placement Report 2 Other
Last name First name_ Proof of identification Other
Last name First name_ Evidence of working rights (Required for non-citizens only) Other
Last name First name_ Evidence of Aboriginality (required for Special Measures applicant only) Other

Cover letter

Your cover letter should be addressed to the selection panel covering the Essential Selection Criteria of the Job Descriptions as well as showcasing your interest, skills and experience.

Nursing and midwifery recognise that upholding the values of NT Health ‘Safe, Responsive, Kind’ are essential to providing exceptional care. In your cover letter please make reference to ‘Safe, Responsive, Kind’ and describe how as a new graduate you would contribute to these NT Health values.

Resume

Your resume should provide an overview of your education and work experience as relevant to the GNMP.

Essential Selection Criteria

The selection panel will use all of the information you provide to assess your merit against the essential selection criteria.

Enrolled Nurse

  1. Current registration as an enrolled nurse with the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Australia
  2. Demonstrated understanding of, and ability to co-ordinate, client care resulting in positive clinical outcomes.
  3. Demonstrated written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills to contribute effectively within the multidisciplinary team.
  4. Demonstrated understanding of the impact of social and cultural challenges experienced by vulnerable groups/communities and the role of the nurse/midwife in supporting them.
  5. Knowledge and application of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) principles in a health care setting.

Registered Nurse/Registered Midwife

  1. Current registration as a registered nurse or registered midwife with the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Australia.
  2. Demonstrated understanding of, and ability to co-ordinate, client care resulting in positive clinical outcomes.
  3. Demonstrated written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills to contribute effectively within the multidisciplinary team.
  4. Demonstrated understanding of the impact of social and cultural challenges experienced by vulnerable groups/communities and the role of the nurse/midwife in supporting them.
  5. Knowledge and application of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) principles in a health care setting.

References / Referees

We value referee comments very highly, so please ensure your referee understands the need to provide as much detail as required for the panel to adequately understand how your skills and experience will be of value in the Graduate Nurse and Midwife Program.

Your nominated referees must be from a registered nurse/ midwife who was directly involved in supervising you while on clinical placement, preferably for a minimum period of 5 working days.

Appropriate referees include a Nurse Unit Manager, Clinical Nurse Manager, Educator, Clinical Facilitator, Clinical Liaison Lecturer or similar.

It is important you ensure your referees are willing and available to provide a referee report for you. It is good practice to contact your referee and remind them of the dates they worked with you as sometimes they may need a reminder of when you have completed your placement with their unit.

Your nominated referees will be sent an electronic referee report to complete so please ensure to provide their correct email address in your application.

Clinical Placement Reports - Updated criteria

Your Clinical Placement Reports must be from your 2nd or 3rd year and completed by two different people who have been directly involved in your supervision or education in a clinical setting.

Note: Clinical Placement Reports must be a minimum four week placement duration (two week placement reports will not be accepted).

Your summative Clinical Placement Reports must include the following:

  • hospital/ place the placement took place
  • period of placement
  • clinical area
  • specialty area, name of the ward/ department

Academic Transcript

The panel will consider your academic performance as part of their assessment. You must provide your Academic Transcript(s) which clearly states GPA/WAM score, including education provider logo and a results legend.

If you are applying for a position on the Graduate Enrolled Nurse Program you must provide your current academic transcript.

Please provide details on your current nursing/midwifery qualification, including your education provider name in full, for example ‘Charles Darwin University’ not ‘CDU’.

Northern Territory Health uses the merit principles to assess applicant’s suitability for the role. In addition to assessing against merit, the panel will consider the following demographic information to determine priority order:

1. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants

Find out more on the requirements of Special measures in recruitment.

The Northern Territory Public Sector (NTPS) values diversity and aims to achieve a workforce that is representative of the community we serve, and is committed to improving recruitment, retention and career development opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. To support this Special Measures Priority Consideration for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants applies to the Graduate Nurse and Midwife Programs.

2. NT Residents

Are you considered an NT resident

For the purposes of this process, to be considered an NT resident under special consideration you must:

  • hold Australian Citizenship or permanent residency, and
  • have resided with a permanent address in the NT for a total of at least two years of the last six years, or resided with a permanent address in the NT for a total of at least five years since commencing primary school

3. Interstate residents

For the purposes of this process, to be considered an Interstate resident you must:

  • hold Australian Citizenship or permanent residency, and
  • resides elsewhere in Australia and does not meet NT resident requirements as per above

4. International candidates

Applicants who do not currently hold Australian citizenship/Australian Permanent Residency/New Zealand Citizenship. These applicants are international students who are studying/working in Australia on temporary study/work visas at the time they are completing their studies.

Other areas of priority consideration

Applications from current NT Health employees

Current NT Health employees are still required to complete their application to the GNMP portal. If you are a current NT Health employee (AINM/RUSONM or enrolled nurse) ensure you select ‘Current NT Health employee’ in the application form.

Australian Defence Force Members

If you are a Nursing Officer with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and need to complete your two year graduate program. This program is only available at Alice Springs Hospital.

To apply as an ADF graduate, select Alice Springs Hospital as your location of choice and select 'ADF Graduate Nurse Program' as your program preference.

Enrolled nurses transitioning to Registered Nurses

If you are an experienced enrolled nurse who has recently completed their studies to become a registered nurse, you will be eligible to complete a 6 month fast track program.

Please note: regardless of priority consideration, applicants must meet the selection criteria to the required standard to be deemed successful in the process.

We do things a bit differently in the Territory – the first thing to be aware of is that your application will be used in totality to assess your suitability for a position on the graduate program.  This means no face to face interviews.  You will be required to complete your application in detail with appropriate references to validate your experience, skills and performance.

Each regional hospital offers a full program or a rotation of the GNMP. The number of positions available vary according to service and operational needs of the service.

When completing your application you will be asked to nominate your location preferences. Based on this you will be prompted to nominate your preferred location and a secondary location. You will also have the opportunity to select whether you are open to other opportunities for places available across the Northern Territory.

Nomination of your preferred location doesn't guarantee you will be offered this area.

Every effort will be taken to support your nominated location. However to ensure we provide care where it's needed most, places are allocated according to vacancies across our services.

Please don't nominate a preference that you do not intend to accept.

The panel will use the merit principle in reviewing your application which determines suitability:

  • having regard to the person’s knowledge
  • skills
  • qualifications and experience
  • potential for future development.

Employment offered on a full-time and part-time (0.8) basis.

If you receive an offer you will have 5 business days to accept or decline. If no response is given it will be assumed you are declining the offer and no further offers will be made to you.

Failure to meet employment conditions

Once you have accepted your offer the Graduate Education Team will provide you with information regarding program intake dates and contract information.

Prior to commencing you must be registered as an enrolled nurse, registered nurse or registered midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, (including all English testing if required) prior to 30th June 2024.  Your registration will determine which intake you are allocated. Failure to meet this eligibility requirement will result in rescindment of your offer.

Prior to commencing you must have secured a visa allowing ongoing, full-time employment in Australia prior to commencement and last the length of the program. Failure to provide evidence of ongoing working rights 4 weeks prior to your commencement date may result in your program offer being rescinded.

Note – If you are unable to meet the required employment conditions of the GNMP 2024 your program offer will be rescinded.

The Graduate Nursing and Midwifery Program 2024 intakes vary across our regions.

  • Alice Springs Hospital - Intakes every 2 months.
  • Katherine Hospital - Intakes dates dependant on a service need.
  • Royal Darwin and Palmerston Hospitals - Four intake dates throughout the year; January, March, August, October
  • Tennant Creek Hospital - Rotations may be available through the Alice Springs Hospital program.
  • Gove District Hospital - Rotations may be available through the Royal Darwin and Palmerston Hospital program.

Upon completion, you will be provided with a certificate at the graduate ceremony and be placed in a great position to continue an exciting and fulfilling career within NT Health as a Nurse or Midwife.

To secure ongoing employment after the graduate program, you will be guided through the process by the graduate education team.

To find out more about living and working in the NT visit the Clinical Recruitment website.

Contact

For all enquiries, email nursing and midwifery in the Northern Territory at nursingmidwifery.doh@nt.gov.au or by calling 1800 000 648.


Employed model programs

The employed model program provides paid employment in the Territory, while you undertake 1or 2 year, part-time study through a university.

To apply for the programs you must:

  • be eligible for employment with NT Health
  • meet university course enrolment criteria.

Employed model programs are advertised on jobs.nt.gov.au for a short time only. Program application opening and closing dates vary.

Current intakes


Nursing and Midwifery Scholarships

Scholarships are now open

Applications to the 2024 NT Health Nursing and Midwifery Scholarships are now open.

Apply now

About the scholarships

Scholarships for postgraduate studies are available to nurses and midwives who have been continuously employed by NT Health for two years or more in a nursing or midwifery position greater than 0.5 FTE. The aim of the scholarship program is to provide assistance via the reimbursement of educational expenses directly associated with an accredited course of study leading to an academic qualification. Scholarships are awarded through a competitive selection process and not all applicants will be awarded a scholarship. The scholarship will not cover all costs associated with a course.

Scholarships are also available to enrolled nurses who have been continuously employed by NT Health for 12 months or more in a position greater than 0.5 FTE, as well as to Registered Undergraduate Students of Nursing/Midwifery (RUSoN/M) who have been employed by NT Health in a RUSoN/M position for a minimum of 6 months in a casual or part time capacity.  The aim of this scholarship is to support attainment of an undergraduate qualification leading to registration as a nurse or midwife.

Key Dates

Applications Open: Monday 4th March 2024

Applications Close: Wednesday 22nd of May 2024

Applicants Notified: July 2024

Who can apply

To be eligible for a Nursing or Midwifery Scholarship, applicants must:

  • Be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) either
    • as an enrolled nurse (EN), registered nurse (RN) and/or registered midwife (RM) to practise within their scope of practice; and have no adverse limits or conditions applied to their registration. Or
    • as a student nurse and/or midwife to work within their scope of practice; and have no adverse limits or conditions applied to their registration.
  • EN / RN / RM - Be continuously employed by NT Health for 12 months or more in a nursing or midwifery position greater than 0.5 FTE.
  • RUSoN/M - Be employed by NT Health for 6 months or more in a RUSoN/M position in a casual or part time capacity
  • Demonstrate that the course of study is accredited and leads to an academic qualification.
  • Declare if they have received funding from other sources for the course of study.
  • State whether they have a Commonwealth Supported Place for the course of study.
  • State whether they are in receipt of a reduced partner university sponsored place i.e. University of Tasmania (UTAS).
  • Have their manager’s support for undertaking the course of study.
  • Have successfully completed at least 25% (or equivalent) of the accredited course (not including any course credit).
  • Provide official evidence of enrolment for the 2023 academic year.
  • Provide official evidence of payment method for the 2023 academic year i.e. tax receipt or HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP deferral.

How to apply

To apply for a scholarship please follow these steps:

Step 1: Download and read the Business Rules PDF (1.0 MB) and Frequently Asked Questions PDF (662.2 KB).

Step 2: Have the following documents ready to submit with your application:

All applicants:

  1. Official Confirmation of Enrolment
  2. Official Statement of Results/Academic Transcript
  3. Proof of payment of course fees or proof of HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP deferral
  4. Manager Declaration of Support DOCX (61.0 KB)
  5. Applicant Statutory Declaration DOCX (18.8 KB) - giving details of any funding you have received from other sources

Step 3: Complete and submit your online application

All applications and supporting documents must be submitted online before the closing date. Applications that are mailed, emailed or faxed will not be accepted.

See Business Rules PDF (1.0 MB) and Frequently Asked Questions PDF (662.2 KB) for further information on the application process.

Funding

Scholarship funding will consist of a payment to successful applicants dependent on the academic qualification being undertaken. The 2024 scholarship amounts are detailed in the following table:

NT Health Role

AFQ Level

Qualification

Amount reimbursed per individual (per course of study)*, up to the value of

Amount reimbursed per individual (if receiving 50% UTAS reduced fees)

Registered Undergraduate Student of Nursing/Midwifery (RUSoN/M)

Level 7

Bachelor of Nursing or

Bachelor of Midwifery

$2,000

$1,000

Enrolled Nurse (EN)

Level 7

Bachelor of Nursing or

Bachelor of Midwifery

$2,000

$1,000

Registered Nurse (RN)

Registered Midwife (RM)

RN and RM

Level 8

Graduate Certificate

$2,000

$1,000

Level 8

Bachelor of Nursing (Honours)

$2,000

$1,000

Level 8

Bachelor of Midwifery

$2,000

$1,000

Level 8

Graduate Diploma

$2,000

$1,000

Level 9

Master’s Degree

$4,000

$2,000

*Tuition fees only, excludes student services and amenities fees.
Note: Consideration will be given for Enrolled Nurses undertaking their Advanced Diploma

Business Rules

The 2023/24 Nursing and Midwifery Scholarships Business Rules PDF (1.0 MB) ensure the provision and allocation of the scholarship funds is an accountable and transparent process.

Contact

Office of Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer
Phone: 1800 000 648
Email: NursingMidwifery.DoH@nt.gov.au


Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards

The Northern Territory Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding efforts of nurses and midwives who are exemplars in their profession, and who make a difference to the health and wellbeing of Territorians on a daily basis.

There are 12 awards to recognise excellence in client care, education, research, professional leadership, individuals and commitment to the nursing and midwifery profession in the Territory.

You can find out more about the awards on the Northern Territory Nursing and Midwifery Excellent Awards website.

2023 recipients

The 19th Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards Gala Dinner was held on Saturday 13 May in Darwin to announce the 2023 winners.

Nicole Baylis, Registered Undergraduate Student of Nursing, Katherine Hospital

As the first ever RUSoNM in Katherine Hospital, Nicole has shown a high level of enthusiasm and eagerness to learn. Nicole demonstrated safe and responsive care, raising concerns with nursing staff and working within her scope of practice.

Bringing a positive attitude to work each day, her knack for communication and proactively working collaboratively with the wider team, Nicole was able to easily build rapport with patients & staff alike.

Nicole was well utilised during the early days, providing support to nurses on shift and stepping in where needed. She ensures the core principles of good care and endeavours to maintain a high level of safety for all in the workplace.

Nicole’s proactive attitude led to her capable work across multiple areas, something that only a handful of nurses achieve.

Holly Engelhardt, Remote Outreach Practice Nurse, Public and Primary Health Care, Central Australia region

Holly has been adventurous in taking a remote outreach N2 position in Primary Health in Central Australia as an early career nurse.

Holly has embraced every opportunity to further her scope and professional development including commencing post graduate studies and multiple modules and workshops.  These have been undertaken with genuine energy and passion to improve the way she can deliver services to remote health clients.

Holly is especially gifted in ensuring the Aboriginal Health Practitioners and local workers are utilised as the key stakeholders and cultural knowledge brokers on her visits to remote.  She engages with all the members of the team and works in a culturally safe and humble manner.

Holly is the first to volunteer for a challenge while always ensuring the safest care is delivered.  She has thoroughly embraced the life of remote nursing – above what is expected of an early career nurse.

Teresa Raines, Clinical Educator, Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation

In a nursing career spanning over 50 years, Teresa has demonstrated sustained leadership in education with the potential to transform generations of health professionals to provide evidence based and gold standard health care.

Teresa’s work choices shows dedication to career advancement across health professions and innovation in health care practice, while sharing her expertise with passion and humility.

Teresa continues to role model her commitment to quality teaching and learning to support safe, responsive and kind health care for services in the Northern Territory from urban to remote and in acute and primary health care settings, for all health professions.

Teresa’s contribution goes beyond ‘just doing the job’, extending to a lifelong commitment to learning, and role modelling to provide exemplary educational support and commitment that builds confidence and autonomy in the future generation to provide safe clinical practice.

Justine Williams, Cardiology Research Coordinator and Cardiac Quality Nurse, and Chair of the Cardiac Research Committee, Cardiac Care Unit, Royal Darwin Hospital

Justine has done an exceptional and sustainable job with very significant results leading to advancing patient outcomes for cardiac patients.

Justine is an active member and investigator in multiple key projects working to improve cardiac patient outcomes, currently including but not limited to:

  • Heart Yarning – Expanding Aboriginal Language Video Resources for Cardiac Patients,
  • An audit of the willingness of Royal Darwin Hospital patients with Heart Failure to participate in a Heart Failure in the Home Program, and
  • Coordinating the Northern Territory Top End Coronary Database

As the Chair of the Division of Medicine Research Committee, Justine provides exceptional leadership, encouraging and leading multidisciplinary staff to take up and present research programs.

Justine has also been an active contributor developing a more streamlined process of approval of research Division of Medicine Research Committee, Cardiac Care Unit, Royal Darwin Hospital.

Caroline Phillips, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Memory Service Aged Care Unit, Population and Primary Health, Top End region

Caroline demonstrated a career long commitment to aged care, taking regular opportunities to continue her professional development beyond the scope of her roles.

Caroline is instrumental in improving care for patients suffering from dementia across the NT by promoting healthy living programs to reduce the risk of dementia and early memory loss services within her day-to-day contact with dementia clients and their families.

Caroline promotes the services of Dementia Support Australia and Dementia Australia in carer support and education for both paid and unpaid family carers ensuring a psychosocial and medical model of care is combined for maximum benefit for the person living with dementia and their carer’s.

She meets monthly with these groups for networking and provides aged care clinical nursing guidance at these meetings for community groups that often do not have access to her high level of geriatric and dementia care nursing skills.

Caroline is a leader in her field, influencing ongoing quality improvement in the provision of Aged care in the wider NT community.

Priscilla Moore, District Manager, Prison Health and Watch House, Top End Region, NT Health

Priscilla is highly regarded amongst her peers and is an outstanding role model for her team and the nursing students who receive placement at Prison Health.

Priscilla demonstrates inclusive, innovative, courageous and influential leadership. Priscilla has proven to be an outstanding leader by the high rate of staff retention, reputable workplace culture and continued requests from others to join the team.

Priscilla is proud supporter of our Aboriginal workforce, from Aboriginal Health Trainees, Aboriginal Health Practitioners, nurses and senior leaders. Priscilla promotes self-leadership and leads colleagues to improve a client’s experience of the health care system. She aims to influence change in the way staff view risk and are trained by experienced staff who have experience working with risk across different workplaces.

Alysha Maceachern, Remote Area Nurse, Gunbalanya Health Centre, Top End region

Alysha advocates for her patients and service delivery, and spends an exceptional amount of time engaging and partnering with her patients in their homes and the local clinic. She goes above and beyond the already demanding role, organising medications and follow up and upcoming appointments for the population in which she provides care.

She partners with key stakeholders within her community to ensure best outcomes. She professional and has shown her leadership qualities by acting in positions when required.

Alysha who is currently studying a Masters of Public Health whilst working full time also co-ordinates weekly medical outreach services to 3 remote homelands in the stone country.

DonateLife NT, NT Health

DonateLife NT collaborates territory-wide across all aspects of the health sector, achieving diverse stakeholder and community engagement awareness for our unique NT contexts, in particular Indigenous, rural & remote communities.

Using a holistic model of care, acknowledging and adapting individual patient and family needs to ensure the provision compassionate, considerate and respectful end of life care, irrespective of the donation outcome.

DonateLife NT developed indigenous led, culturally appropriate patient, family and community education packages and resources to share NT stories and improve understanding for both recipients and organ donors.

The team displays exemplary dedication to facilitate and ensure access for all eligible Territorians to organ donation services, despite the many geographic, logistical and specialist clinical challenges encountered in the NT context.

They frequently engage outside business hours with the broader community during special events, festivals and forums to socialise organ donation conversations, provide education and raise awareness, and sensitively, respectfully celebrate recipient or donor family’s contributions.

Reetha Girishkumar, Registered Midwife, Jabiru Ward, Darwin Private Hospital

Reetha provides extremely compassionate and empathetic care to all her patients. Showing a genuine interest and care into wellbeing of clients, not only taking routine observations but regularly coming back to check in with holistic wellbeing.

Reetha goes and above and beyond and takes time to get to know extended family members of clients, especially their children. Remembering their names and taking time to chat and laugh with clients and their children.

In the words of the client ‘Reetha always went the extra mile for me. My children say she was the “kindest nurse ever” and looked forward to coming back to see her’

Caroline Phillips, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Memory Service Aged Care Unit – Population and Primary Health – Top End Region

Caroline is a registered nurse with over 40 years of service in the NT, predominately in the aged care sector. She has held leadership roles in aged care in both government and non-government services.

Throughout her career Caroline has demonstrated a strong commitment to safety and quality in residential aged care to ensure frail, vulnerable older people have access to high quality culturally appropriate care.

Since 2008 Caroline has been instrumental in growing dementia services across the Top End, establishing memory clinics at Casuarina Plaza and Palmerston, and setting up regular outreach memory clinics to Katherine and Gove.

In 2011 Caroline facilitated the first Geriatric specialist service to Lajamanu and the service has grown from there, utilising telehealth where the service can. Caroline represents the NT on national programs, including the National Dementia Framework, and actively participates in dementia/aged care networks and forums across Darwin.

Esther McAdam, Registered Nurse, Inpatient Services - Top End Mental Health Alcohol and Other Drugs Services, NT Health

Esther demonstrates energy, enthusiasm and passion for creating a safe, responsive and kind therapeutic environment to assist people on their recovery journey.

Esther is a key driver of the establishment of a therapeutic garden that has led to connections to land and country, provided an opportunity for all clients, with quiet spaces for them to rest, heal and offering the opportunity for getting back to nature. Clients have spoken of how much they appreciate these spaces, the opportunities for learning and telling stories of how they have gone onto start their own gardens, resulting in changes to their diets.

Patients always ask about Esther when they are admitted. They see her as a pivotal component for their recovery. Esther is very pro-active in providing comprehensive education to all students, early career nurses and general nurses in the art of mental health nursing (biopsychosocial) and Esther sees this as an important aspect of her work particularly given the changing face of nursing education.

Esther is the person that is there to listen, to support, to provide psychosocial education, to offer an array of activities in a meaningful program. She provides alternatives and options for people to fill their time dependent on their readiness to engage and is a stable pillar for people in at times a chaotic ward environment.

Helen Nenke, Midwife / Child Birth Educator Women, Pandanus – Childbirth Education & Perinatal Support - Anglicare NT

Helen has worked with the Pandanus program providing childbirth and early parenting education to young mothers under 25 years and their partners for the last 8 years. She gives up her time to ensure young mothers across the Top End receive childbirth and early parenting education in a non-bias safe place, equipping young mothers with skills and confidence to be the best mother to their child.

Helen has a non-judgemental approach, and has enabled access to this education for thousands of pregnant women who would likely not have had access otherwise. This is in addition to continuing to work in her nominal position as a Maternal Child Health Nurse and also shifts as a midwife. Helen is a clear example of someone who has committed herself above and beyond to meet a need in the top end with no financial or personal gain. Helen is well known and loved by many families.

Thank you!

Thank you to those who took the time to nominate colleagues and peers, and also to our valued award sponsors.

  • Australia Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) Northern Territory
  • Charles Darwin University
  • Flinders University
  • National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre
  • CRANAplus
  • Darwin Private Hospital
  • Fox Education & Consultancy
  • HESTA
  • Australian College of Midwives
  • CFS Gear
  • COTA Northern Territory
  • Nurse & Midwife Support
  • University of Tasmania

NT Health is incredibly proud of the achievements of all nominees, finalists and award recipients and looks forward to celebrating the excellent work of our nurses and midwives in future years.

Congratulations to all recipients and thank you for your tireless work to improve the health and wellbeing of Territorians.

*Position titles reflect the finalists role at the time of nomination

Contact

For all enquiries, email nursing and midwifery in the Northern Territory at nursingmidwifery.doh@nt.gov.au or by calling 1800 000 648.


Wellbeing and support for our staff

Everyone has the right to be and feel safe at work.

For NT Health staff seeking more information about wellbeing and healthy minds and bodies, visit the ‘Healthy@Work’ page on the NT Health intranet page.

There are many options available if you feel you need support at any time, below are some of the options available to our nurses and midwives;

  • Counselling services for employees | NTG Central (internal website for employees only)
    The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides all employees and immediate family members with professional and confidential counselling services free of charge.
    EAP can provide you with assistance in dealing with issues and problems, which may impact on work performance.
    The aim is to provide you with support to identify or resolve matters early. Don't wait until you have reached crisis point to access services.
  • Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
    • The provision of an employee assistance program plays an important part in meeting the NT Health objective of providing staff with a satisfying, safe and healthy work environment.
    • Employee assistance programs (EAP) offer professional and confidential counselling for:
      • Their current spouse/partner and dependants.
      • NTG employees
    • Employees can seek assistance through their HR unit or arrange counselling sessions directly with one of the nominated providers listed in the below guide. The guide provides contact information for the nominated providers, options for accessing EAP sessions and frequently asked questions.
    • Further information can be found on the ‘Healthy@Work’ page on the NT Health intranet page.
  • Support for Nurses & Midwives | Your health matters (nmsupport.org.au)
    Nurse & Midwife Support is a 24/7 national support hotline for nurses and midwives, nursing and midwifery students, employers, educators and concerned family and friends. IT provides access to confidential advice and referral.
  • CRANAplus
    For all Remote Health Professionals. To ensure the deliv­ery of safe, high qual­i­ty pri­ma­ry health­care to remote and iso­lat­ed areas of Australia. Call their 24 hour bush support line on 1800 805 391.

If you need help now

If you need help right now, services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, anywhere in Australia: