Resident Medical Officer – ASPIRE (Surgical) Program

 

 

This is a Fixed Term Full Time appointment for two years to commence in January 2026, with the possibility of extension(s).

Position Profile: Applied Surgical Pathway in Rural Environments (ASPIRE) is a two-year program for WA Country Health Service (WACHS) junior doctors (PGY3 or above) who are interested in pursuing a career as a rural General Surgeon.

Successful applicants will be provided with a two-year full-time employment contract with WACHS, commencing as RMO and progressing to a Registrar, subject to satisfactory performance.  Candidates rotate between Albany Health Campus and Bunbury Hospital.

The successful applicant will be matched with selected rotations gaining essential experience across surgical departments including General Surgery, Emergency Department, ENT/Urology and Orthopaedics (subject to change). Mentorship by an experienced rural surgeon will be provided.

For more information, please refer to the attached  2026 - Recruitment Flyer - ASPIRE.pdf.

Please note:  Applicants are applying for entry into the ASPIRE program.  Successful entry to the program will include employment with WACHS for the duration of the program.

Area Profile: The WA Country Health Service (WACHS) is the largest country health system in Australia and one of the biggest in the world, providing health services to approximately half a million people, including 45,000 Aboriginal people, over a vast two and a half million square kilometre area. The organisation comprises seven regions, with a strong network of public hospitals, health services and health centres located across rural and remote Western Australia. Our core business is the provision of quality, accessible health services to country WA residents and visitors.

Employee Benefits: In addition to the great salary our employees enjoy an amazing range of benefits which may include (in line with operational requirements):

• 11.5% employer contributed superannuation into a fund of your choice. For further information click here. 
• Access to generous salary packaging arrangements
• Professional Development Opportunities and Study Leave/assistance
• Flexible working arrangements
• Flexible leave arrangements
• Other professional and location based allowances

Application Instructions: Applicants are requested to apply online via MedCareersWA

Please note applicants must have a current, valid email address in order to apply online. This email address will be used for communication with applicants. Emailed applications will not be accepted. 

Applicants must provide the following documents as part of their application in order to be considered for appointment:

• A curriculum vitae summarising your experience and how you can meet the position requirements.
• A written statement addressing the selection criteria (as stated on the attached flyer and advertisement above).
• Two nominated referees within your application. It is preferable for your referees to be a current supervisor or manager.

Applicant documents should be complete and ready to attach prior to applying online. Please ensure you allow sufficient time to complete the online application process.

For Further Job Related Information: We encourage you to contact Prof Graeme Maguire, Director - Medical Education on 08 6391 0640, MEU@health.wa.gov.au

Selection Criteria: Please address the criteria as listed below.

Essential Selection Criteria:

1. Must hold unrestricted general registration with the Medical Board of Australia prior to commencement in the program.
2. Demonstrated clinical experience for a minimum of 2 years in Australia or a competent authority.
3. Demonstrated commitment to working in a rural setting, with a strong interest in pursuing a rural surgical career.
4. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, carers, colleagues and others involved in health services to provide high quality health care.
5. Demonstrated participation in continuing medical education activities to maintain up-to-date knowledge and skills.
6. Demonstrated organisational and time management skills to provide safe and timely patient-centred care.

Desirable Selection Criteria

1. Demonstrated at least 12 months working in a rural Western Australian Hospital employed by WACHS, prior to commencing the program.

APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED WITHOUT A CURRICULUM VITAE (CV) / RESUME WILL BE INVALID.

If you experience difficulties while applying online, please contact MedCareersWA@health.wa.gov.au

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 to the advertisement of the vacancy.

OTHER CONDITIONS

• This position 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 
• 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.
• Suitable candidates to this recruitment process may also be accessed/offered employment by other employers within the WA Health system (e.g. South Metropolitan Health Service, North Metropolitan Health Service, East Metropolitan Health Service, or Child and Adolescent Health Service).
• 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.
• WA Health is committed to eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of our service. We embrace diversity and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally diverse backgrounds and people with disabilities. WA Health supports flexible working practices within the context of a quality health service. WA Health is committed to a smoke free environment across all buildings, grounds and vehicles.
• WA Health is committed to growing the Aboriginal workforce as a part of WA Health’s Aboriginal Workforce Policy.  As a measure to achieve equality, Section 51 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 applies to this position.  Aboriginal people are encouraged to apply.
• 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.

Lodgement is system generated. Any submissions on, or after, 4:00pm on Monday 14 April 2025 AWST will not be accepted.
 
LATE OR EMAIL APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.