Consultant Physician Palliative Care - Albany

Consultant Physician Palliative Care - Albany

We are seeking a caring and compassionate Consultant Physician in Palliative Care to make a meaningful contribution to the health and wellbeing of a rural community, while enjoying an exceptional coastal lifestyle in the stunning Great Southern region.

This is a sessional appointment at 0.40 FTE (32 hours per fortnight). Appointment may be offered on a permanent or fixed-term basis, with the possibility of extension(s).

There is potential for an increase in FTE, subject to the approval of additional funding.

Sessional Year 1- 9: $790.09 - $1,003.40 per session* One session equals four hours.

*The above salary is as per WA Health System Medical Practitioners AMA Industrial Agreement 2024 (inclusive of base salary, PD allowance and 12% superannuation). This is subject to the assessment of qualifications, clinical skills and years of practice. 

Albany Health Campus

Albany Health Campus is a modern 130-bed hospital serving 80,000 residents in Albany and the Great Southern Region. A new 32 bed ward is scheduled for completion in early 2027. It functions as a regional resource centre and secondary referral hospital, handling over 30,000 acute presentations annually in its Emergency Department. The hospital's medical services include a growing general medicine department with an integrated HomeSafe program, bridging acute care and community services. General Medicine features a mix of Physicians and Rural Generalists, supported by junior medical staff and training registrars. The hospital also offers specialized services in medical oncology, radiation oncology, subacute care, and palliative care, with a high dependency unit managed by rotating specialists. 

Albany Health Campus is known for service innovation, implementing hospital avoidance strategies through the HomeSafe and Home Hospital programs. As a regional training hub, it is dedicated to educating the next generation of health workers, with accredited programs for Basic and Advanced physician training and internal medicine. 

About The Role

The WACHS Great Southern multidisciplinary palliative care team provides consultation services and some direct patient care across patients’ own homes, WACHS hospitals in the region and residential aged care facilities. Specialist services delivered as part of this role may occur in person, through fly-in, fly-out or drive-in, drive-out regional visits; supplemented with telehealth consultations; email and telephone support.

The position is expected to work closely with the Director, Palliative Care in ensuring appropriate governance of regional palliative care services as well as undertaking the following:

• Provide clinical leadership in the provision of comprehensive palliative care services within Great Southern region. 
• Work closely with the regional palliative care medical officers, local GPs and the regional palliative care team in developing care plans for palliative care patients with complex needs though the provision of specialist advice.
• Develop capacity in the regional palliative care team in the delivery of high-quality palliative care.
• Assist in other team activities across teaching, supervision and quality improvement.

The Successful Candidates Will:  

• Hold specialist registration with the Medical Board of Australia without restrictions.
• Hold Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) or Royal Australasian Chapter of Palliative Medicine (FRAChPM), or equivalent postgraduate training.
• Demonstrated skills in coordinating the medical care of complex conditions.

Please note: this position does not have capacity to support supervision for trainees or SIMGs. Candidates must be able to practise independently without clinical supervision.  

Why Albany? 

• Relaxed Lifestyle: Enjoy stunning coastal and inland landscapes, a warm climate, crystal-clear beaches, and a wide range of outdoor activities. 
• Affordable Living: Compared to larger cities, Albany offers a more affordable cost of living, making it an attractive option for families and individuals looking to relocate. 
• Family-Friendly Community: Albany provides quality childcare, excellent public and private schools, and a variety of community sporting groups. Institutions such as South Regional TAFE and local training centres offer outstanding career development opportunities. 
• Vibrant Cultural Scene: The region boasts a rich cultural life with events, festivals, and recreational activities catering to a wide range of interests. 
• Discover Albany, where coastal beauty, rich history, and a relaxed lifestyle create the perfect blend of adventure and tranquillity.

Benefits 

• Flexible working arrangements: Benefit from flexible and adaptable rosters that support a healthy work-life balance where operationally possible.
• Competitive Salary Package: Inclusive of 12% employer superannuation contributions and a generous professional development allowance. 
• Salary Packaging: Access to salary packaging arrangements up to $19,000 p.a. 
• Generous Leave Entitlements: 4 weeks annual leave, 3 weeks professional development leave, 10 days sick leave, plus other forms of leave for compassionate or cultural reasons. 
• Professional Development: Opportunity to supervise trainees in ED, participate in quality improvement and research. 

Keen to know more about the benefits in detail? Check out the medical practitioner salaries and benefits page.  

Application Instructions 

To apply for this position, applicants must have a current and valid email address for online application and communication purposes. If you encounter any difficulties while applying online, please contact MedCareersWA@health.wa.gov.au.

Applicants are required to attach: 

• A statement (max 2 pages) addressing Selection Criteria listed in the attached job description form. 
• A detailed CV summarising your qualifications, AHPRA registration, and relevant experience. 
• Contact details of two professional referees, one of whom must be your current supervisor or line manager. 

For further information related to this position, please contact Prof Kirsten Auret – Clinical Director Palliative Care, on 0417981310 and kirsten.auret@health.wa.gov.au

Other Conditions 

Unsolicited applications from recruitment agencies and/or search firms will not be accepted, and fees will not be paid to any such organisation unless arranged with the provider prior to the advertisement of the vacancy.

WA Health engages staff in positions of trust and responsibility. WA Health policies require applicants to undertake criminal records screening and integrity checking as part of the appointment process. Referees may also be asked to comment on an applicant’s integrity and past demonstration of ethical behaviour.  

This vacancy is subject to a Western Australian Working With Children (WWC) Check. For further information please refer to the WWC website at: https://workingwithchildren.wa.gov.au 

Please note this recruitment process requires completion of satisfactory Pre-Employment Health Assessment (PEHA).  Any offer of employment with WA Country Health Service (WACHS) is conditional on satisfactory PEHA to ensure you are able to perform the inherent requirements of the position. An unsatisfactory PEHA will result in the offer of employment being withdrawn.  Please see the attached WACHS PEHA Policy for further information.  

Whilst this selection process will initially be used to fill the above vacancy, it may also be used to fill other "similar" vacancies throughout the health service. This will remain valid for a period of twelve (12) months from when the authorised delegate endorses the recruitment decision. 

LATE OR EMAIL APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.