About the opportunity
A role for experienced Rural Generalist Medical 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). By utilizing 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 in to 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.
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.
Qualifications
* 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.
* Minimum five (5) 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* Demonstrated commitment to behaviours which align to NSW Health CORE values and WNSWLHD Values, goals and strategies.
* Understanding how telehealth can be utilised to support health provision in rural settings including its limitations.
* 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.
Applications submitted by Recruitment Agencies will be considered for this position.
Contact
For role related queries or questions contact either :
* Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination Against Specified Infectious Diseases
* Stepping Up – Close the Gap
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