Wnswlhd - Medical Officer - Virtual Rural Generalist Service. Apply Via Ecredential

Employment Type: Part TimePosition Classification: Medical OfficerRemuneration:

Hours Per Week: As per rosterLocation: Negotiable

Applications Close:  7 July 2024 - 11.59pm

Western NSW Local Health District is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability and people from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply for our advertised positions. If you require any assistance with your application or have any questions about this position, please get in touch with the contact person listed in this advertisement.

About the opportunity

A role for experienced Rural GeneralistMedical Officers interested in supporting rural and remote communities through both telehealth and face-to-face care.  The VRGS is Australia’s first comprehensive telehealth service providing inpatient and emergency care to rural communities where local medical and nursing staff require additional support.

The hybrid nature of the role means you will be working both virtually from your usual home or work office, as well as face-to-face within WNSWLHD providing medical coverage for rural hospitals and MPSs (minimum 25% face-to-face shift requirement). Utilising the experience of Rural Generalists, the Virtual Rural Generalist Service (VRGS) has been established to provide 24/7 medical expert support across Western NSW’s 35 rural and remote facilities when and where it is needed.

What we can offer you

Location negotiable, with shifts able to be undertaken from your own home or regular office anywhere in Australia, assuming reliable internet access and other telecommunication considerations. As aforementioned, it is expected that in addition to the afforded flexible work practice it is expected that the telehealth doctor will also be available face to face on an average of 25% of total shifts spread over the year.

Other benefits of the role:

·     Location negotiable, with virtual shifts able to be undertaken from your own home or regular office anywhere in Australia, assuming reliable internet access and other telecommunication considerations.

·     As aforementioned, it is expected that in addition to the afforded flexible work practice it is expected that the telehealth doctor will also be available face-to-face on an average of 25% of total shifts (spread over the course of the year).

·     Join a team of expert Rural Generalists setting the benchmark for telehealth provision into rural communities.

·     Competitive rates of remuneration.

·     Be at the cutting edge of virtual care in Australia.

·     Ability to travel to rural and remote regions of Western NSW.

·     Opportunities for learning and development, including in-house training with  and the NSW Health RTO.

Where you'll be working

The VRGS was developed by WNSWLHD to support local medical and nursing staff to deliver safe and high-quality care to rural and remote communities. VRGS delivers a comprehensive virtual service and is the first of its kind in Australia.

VRGS doctors work both virtually and in person to provide Rural Generalist medical coverage for Hospitals and Multipurpose Services (MPSs) and fatigue management when a local Visiting Medical Officer (VMO) is not available or needs a break (including overnight and on weekends).

VRGS provides the following to all rural facilities in WNSWLHD alongside on-site clinicians:

·       Video consultations to Emergency Department (ED) patients;

·       Medical management of acute inpatients;

·       Virtual ward rounds for inpatients;

·       Clinical support for Residential Aged Care (RAC) residents in rural MPSs where the local GP is not available;

·       Face-to-face coverage for rural hospitals for 25% of shifts.

VRGS launched in February 2020 and evolved from a telephone-based advice service that existed in the district for almost 15 years prior.

This service is an innovative, unique clinical model of care, utilising one of the most developed telehealth infrastructures in Australia. With proven safety and quality standards, VRGS is a supplemental service to traditional medical care in rural and remote communities where it provides both emergency and inpatient services via telehealth.

To apply, please address the following Selection Criteria

1.     Unconditional General and/or Specialist Registration with the Medical Board of Australia. Fellowship of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners or other relevant College an advantage.

2.     Minimum three (3) years postgraduate clinical experience, with some experience in rural and remote environments and/or experience in emergency or inpatient settings. Previous experience in Emergency Medicine, Retrieval Medicine, General Practice, Adult Internal Medicine, Paediatrics or Rural Medicine an advantage.

3.     Sound knowledge of and commitment to clinical quality and patient safety, work health and safety, working within NSW Health Policy and current clinical practice guidelines. Knowledge of NSW Health electronic Medical Record/electronic Medications Systems (including Powerchart and FirstNet) an advantage.

4.     Knowledge and experience of contemporary clinical management in rural/remote settings. This includes modern approaches in assessment and management of a broad range of acute and chronic medical conditions in both inpatient and emergency settings.

5.     Demonstrated commitment to behaviours which align to NSW Health CORE values and WNSWLHD Values, goals and strategies.

6.     Demonstrated strong communication and teamwork skills as they apply to clinical care and telehealth provision.

7.     Understanding how telehealth can be utilised to support health provision in rural settings including its limitations.

8.     Willingness to undertake an average of 25% of shifts as ‘face-to-face- shifts within Western NSW Local Health District facilities as required by the roster.

How do I apply for this role?

Please . NSW Health does not require or accept the ‘fit2work’ badge offered as an option in eCredential.

Note:  Applications submitted by Recruitment Agencies will not be considered for this position.

Need more information?

·       Click here for the and

·       For role related queries or questions contact either:

Ben Chiarella via email *************@health.nsw.gov.au or via phone on 0408 266 ***

or

 Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination Against Specified Infectious Diseases

If you are applying for a Category A position, please read and understand NSW Health Policy Directive . All new employees must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in this policy. 

Stepping Up – Close the Gap

The  is working in partnership with the Western NSW Local Health District to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants wishing to apply for this role. For more information please contact the AES recruitment team on (02) 6882 8*** or email . Alternatively, applicants can visit for more information. 

Working Visas

Applicants holding a visa with working rights may be considered for temporary appointment (up to the expiry date of their visa) where no suitable applicant for permanent appointment is identified.Connect with us on ,  and .