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.


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