Consultant Psychiatrist - Kununurra

Are you looking for an opportunity to improve mental healthcare in one of Australia’s most unique and vibrant regions?

WA Country Health Service is seeking a Consultant Psychiatrist to join the Kimberley Mental Health and Drug Service, based at Kununurra Hospital.

This is a Fixed Term Full Time appointment until 30th June 2027, with the possibility of extension / permanency.*

*Present funding is to 30/06/2027 and contract extensions / permanency is subject to ongoing funding being secured.

About the Role

The Consultant Psychiatrist role is vital in delivering comprehensive mental health services across East Kimberley. Based primarily at the Kununurra Mental Health and Drug Service, your responsibilities will also extend to Warmun, Halls Creek, Kalumburu, and Wyndham, with around 60-70% of your time in Kununurra and the remaining 30-40% in these surrounding communities.

In this position, you’ll provide clinical care to consumers, families, and carers across the region, offering leadership, consultation, and support to healthcare professionals and partner agencies. The role entails rural, remote, and very remote practice, with a strong focus on Aboriginal health and wellbeing, utilising telehealth services and travel to deliver community-based care. You'll work within and mentor a multidisciplinary team, including a psychiatry registrar, Aboriginal Liaison Officers, nurses, and allied health professionals, providing education and clinical leadership. Additionally, you’ll lead the Psychiatry Liaison Nurse Service to ensure comprehensive reviews of emergency mental health cases.

Serving a patient population with 80-90% Aboriginal individuals, this role emphasises culturally sensitive care. You’ll work closely with Aboriginal Liaison Officers to align treatment with cultural values and beliefs, gaining deep insight into Aboriginal mental health and exposure to a variety of clinical cases, including first-episode psychosis, mood disorders, and substance use disorders.

Currently this position does not include on-call duties as the inpatient ward is in Broome, on the West Kimberley coast approximately 1000kms from Kununurra, and there is a need to attend the ward while on-call at weekends. Ongoing consideration is being given to a model of this position working from Broome one week in five, to provide for on-call work and increased direct peer engagement with four consultant colleagues largely based in Broome. Input from the successful candidate into this considerations is welcomed.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of mental healthcare in the Kimberley, making a lasting impact in this culturally rich and diverse region.

Want to hear more? Check out the What’s great about working for WACHS Kimberley video!

About the Kimberley Mental Health and Drug Service

The Kimberley Mental Health and Drug Service provides multidisciplinary assessment, treatment and advice to people in the region with moderate to severe mental health or issues with drugs and alcohol. We provide collaborative, consumer focused and recovery orientated services that are flexible and responsive to consumers’ needs across all ages, cultures and locations.

Our programs include Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, Adult Mental Health Services, Older Adult Mental Health Services, Community Alcohol and Drug Service, the Broome Mental Health Unit and Broome Community Recovery Centre.

Aboriginal Mental Health Workers play key roles in our multidisciplinary team, strengthening the cultural competence of the mental health services and improving access to services for Aboriginal people and Aboriginal communities.

About the Region

The Kimberley is Western Australia's northernmost region, bordered by the Pilbara region to the south and the Northern Territory to the east. Home to around 40,000 people, with approximately 50% identifying as Aboriginal, the region is rich in cultural diversity and experiences.

The East Kimberley district boasts amazing tourist attractions including Purnululu (the Bungle Bungles), Lake Argyle and Mitchell Plateau among so many more locally known attractions that have to be seen to be believed.  Characterised by its distinct wet and dry seasons, the Kimberley experiences a sub-tropical climate. May to October is the dry season, and November to April is the wet season. With a balmy climate, breathtaking scenery, unique flora and fauna and a great variety of adventure and cultural experiences, the Kimberley offers a fantastic lifestyle that is family-friendly and supportive.

What's in it for you

• Generous leave entitlements - up to 4 weeks annual leave, 3 weeks professional development leave, 10 days sick leave, plus leave for compassionate or cultural reasons.
• We value and reward long service:
  • Long Service Leave - 13 weeks of leave after 10 years of service.
  • Overseas PDL - 5 weeks of additional leave after 5 years of service for overseas professional development.
  • Northwest Gratuity Payment
    • Lump sum payment equivalent of 12 weeks salary after 3 years, approximately $38,596*.
    • After each subsequent year a payment of 4 weeks salaried, approximately $12,865*.
• Location based allowances which may include:
  • Additional Northwest paid leave.
  • District Allowance - regional specific.
  • Annual travel subsidy (ALTC).
  • Air-conditioning subsidy allowance.
  • Subsidised rental accommodation or Government Housing.
• Increase your take home pay by utilising generous salary packaging benefits:
  • Up to $9,010 on a range of benefits such as mortgage, your rent or other everyday living expenses.
  • Up to $2,650 on a meal entertainment card for dining experiences.
  • Access to novated leasing for a personal vehicle and associated expenses.
• Reimbursement for relocation costs for overseas or interstate applicants.
• Range of employee-sponsored work visas including Permanent Residency (conditions apply).
• As a region resident, you might be entitled to capped flight pricing between Perth and the region.

*Gratuity Payment calculations are based on a Consultant Year 1 – Arrangement B salary. Refer to page 88, Schedule 3, Clause 6 for more information.

Contact Information

Want more information about this role? Reach out to Dr Huw Raggatt – Clinical Director Mental Health Services via email: Stephen.Raggatt@health.wa.gov.au or phone: 08 9194 2222

Application Process

If you encounter any difficulties while applying online, please contact medcareerswa@health.wa.gov.au.

To complete the application, please apply via MedCareersWA – Ref 492594 and submit the following documents:

• A statement addressing each of the Work-Related Criteria found in the attached Job Description Form and addressing how you meet the position requirements.
• A detailed Curriculum Vitae which summarises your experience and how you meet the position requirements.
• Contact details for two work related referees (one of your referees must be a current supervisor or manager).

Other Conditions

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce where every employee feels valued and empowered. We believe that a diverse team brings unique perspectives and drives innovation to meet our community’s needs. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and experiences to join us in shaping a more equitable future and as a measure to achieve equality, under sections 51, 66R and 66ZP of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984, encourage applications from people living with a disability, Aboriginal people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, women and youth (24 years of age and under).

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 can 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. In addition to this, should the successful applicant decline or vacate the advertised vacancy, then the next most suitable applicant may also be selected from this process. Both of these options remain valid for a period of twelve (12) months from when the authorised delegate endorses the recruitment decision.

Late or emailed applications will not be accepted.