Alice Springs offers one of the most unique and rewarding medical careers in Australia. Located in the heart of Central Australia, it combines extraordinary clinical medicine with an incredible lifestyle and natural environment. Surrounded by spectacular desert landscapes, mountain ranges, gorges and ancient Aboriginal cultural sites, Alice Springs is a welcoming, multicultural community with a strong sense of connection and adventure.
Alice Springs Hospital is the major referral hospital for Central Australia, serving a region of more than one million square kilometres across the Northern Territory and parts of South Australia and Western Australia. Approximately 40% of the population are Aboriginal Australians and account for over 75% of hospital inpatients. The burden of chronic disease is significant, including diabetes, renal disease, rheumatic heart disease, ischaemic heart disease, bronchiectasis, severe infections and complex multi-system illness. The result is a fascinating and highly rewarding clinical environment unlike almost anywhere else in Australia.
An exceptional opportunity is available for an experienced Physician to join Alice Springs Hospital as Head of Department – Medicine. This senior leadership position combines strategic and operational responsibility for the Department of Medicine with ongoing clinical practice, offering the opportunity to shape services, develop workforce capability and improve health outcomes across Central Australia.
The Department of Medicine delivers broad General Medicine services supported by locally based and visiting subspecialists. You will lead service delivery across inpatient and outpatient settings while working closely with executive, nursing and operational leaders to ensure safe, effective and sustainable healthcare services. The role includes dedicated management and leadership responsibilities together with ongoing clinical practice.
The position offers a rare combination of senior leadership, complex clinical medicine and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on Aboriginal health outcomes. You will lead service planning, workforce development, quality improvement and clinical governance initiatives while supporting education, training and supervision of junior medical staff and physicians in training.
Remuneration Package Highlights
- Package up to approximately $570,000 per annum depending on experience and additional allowances.
- Package Includes:
- Base salary and leadership allowances.
- Remote and regional incentives.
- Professional development leave.
- Professional development allowance.
- Employer superannuation contributions.
- Relocation assistance where applicable.
- Flexible leave arrangements.
Community Highlights
- One of Australia's most unique and rewarding medical environments.
- Incredible desert landscapes, mountain ranges, canyons and gorges.
- Rich Aboriginal culture and history.
- Friendly and welcoming multicultural community.
- Excellent outdoor lifestyle including hiking, camping and adventure activities.
- Strong sense of community and work-life balance.
- Major regional centre with excellent amenities, schools and sporting facilities.
- Gateway to Uluru, Kings Canyon and some of Australia's most iconic natural attractions.
- Busy Airport.
The Role
- Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Department of Medicine.
- Lead service planning, development and improvement initiatives.
- Ensure safe, high-quality and sustainable clinical services.
- Oversee departmental performance, workforce utilisation and patient flow.
- Lead and manage senior medical staff including supervision, development and performance management.
- Support workforce planning, rostering and resource management.
- Maintain strong clinical governance, quality improvement and audit programs.
- Support teaching, training and supervision of junior doctors and physician trainees.
- Provide specialist clinical services within General Medicine or a relevant specialty area.
- Work closely with hospital executive and multidisciplinary teams to support service delivery across Central Australia.
Selection Criteria
- FRACP or equivalent specialist qualification eligible for specialist registration in Australia.
- Minimum six years equivalent full-time experience as a Staff Specialist or Consultant Physician.
- Demonstrated senior leadership experience within a hospital or healthcare setting.
- Strong communication, stakeholder engagement and multidisciplinary teamwork skills.
- Experience in workforce management, supervision and performance development.
- Demonstrated experience in clinical governance, quality improvement and service development.
- Commitment to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal Australians.
- Experience working in cross-cultural environments.
- Regional, rural or remote medicine experience is highly regarded.
- Postgraduate qualifications in leadership, management or health administration would be advantageous.
Please email or call/message Archie Spinner at Spinner Medical Recruitment on archie@spinnermedical.com or call/message +44 7780 634 744 to find out about our free recruitment and registration service. If we help you secure a position, we provide free guidance through RACP, AHPRA and visa processes. We are a UK-based medical recruitment agency specialising in international medical recruitment throughout Australia.
For more advice on medical careers, relocation and working as a senior medical practitioner in Australia, visit the Spinner Medical Recruitment blog.
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