Job description
Agency Department of Health Work unit Surgery and Critical Care
Job title Head of Neurosurgery Designation Staff Specialist Clinician SMO1.1 - SMO1.6
Job type Full time Duration Fixed for 3 years
Salary $213,380 - $261,100 Location Darwin, Palmerston
Position number 45205 RTF Closing 24/03/2026
Contact officer Mahiban Thomas on or
About the agency
Apply online
APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE A ONE-PAGE SUMMARY ABOUT YOU, A DETAILED RESUME AND COPIES OF YOUR TERTIARY
QUALIFICATIONS.
Information for applicants – inclusion and diversity and Special Measures recruitment plans
The NTPS values diversity. The NTPS encourages people from all diversity groups to apply for vacancies and accommodates people with
disability by making reasonable workplace adjustments. If you require an adjustment for the recruitment process or job, please discuss
this with the contact officer. For more information about applying for this position and the merit process, go to the OCPE website.
Aboriginal applicants will be granted priority consideration for this vacancy. For more information on Special Measures plans, go to the
OCPE website.
Primary objective
Provide leadership to the Neurosurgery Department, report to the Director of Surgical Services and support the Division of Surgery and
Critical Care with implementation of clinical and organisational priorities, in order to provide safe, timely, efficient, effective, equitable,
and person-centred clinical services.
Context statement
The Head of Neurosurgery has direct line management of the Neurosurgery, including human resource management responsibilities, direct
supervision of Medical Officers, financial responsibility, departmental performance, leadership of continuous quality improvement
activities, and participation as a member of a senior management team, including governance activities.
Key duties and responsibilities
1. Provide leadership for the Department, including the management of patient flow and demand management strategies, safety and
quality, clinical audit and review, and junior staff supervision, training and teaching.
1. Support divisional clinical governance, operations and implement strategic programmes through a close working relationship with
RDPH Executive Team; align culture and processes to NTPS Code of Conduct.
3. Lead a culture of high performing teams, professional excellence and accountability within the NT Health Values.
4. Perform human resource responsibilities including the direct supervision of medical staff, allocation of duties, establishment of rosters,
performance management of staff and monitoring staffing levels, workloads and hours worked and management of complaints.
5. Provide leadership in fostering partnerships between healthcare providers across a range of disciplines and services to enhance the
capacity for multi-disciplinary care and contribute to NT Health clinical leadership in the relevant specialty.
6. Responsible for the Unit's financial management and efficiencies, and allocations of resources.
1. Lead continuous quality improvement activities and clinical outcome measurement, planning, and the development of procedures and
guidelines.
1. Follow defined service quality standards, work health and safety policies and procedures relating to the work being undertaken in
order to ensure high quality, safe services and workplaces.
9. Foster a positive workplace culture through exemplary leadership practices and role modelling behaviour.
Selection criteria
Essential
1. Appropriate specialist qualifications or equivalent of full-time service in medical practice as a Specialist medical Officer or eligible for
Fellowship with Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS).
1. Demonstrated commitment to the NT Health Values.
2. Demonstrated recognition as a professional leader in the field.
3. Proven effective leadership, interpersonal, communication, presentation and negotiation skills.
4. Strategic thinking and planning abilities.
5. Proven track record in the pursuit of clinical excellence.
6. Demonstrated commitment to ensuring equity of access to quality health care and improving health outcomes.
7. Demonstrated commitment to continuing education, teaching, research.
8. Proven ability to monitor service delivery and clinical performance.
9. Set priorities for their unit's clinical activity in conjunction with the Director of Surgery and Health service executive.
10. Maximise clinical activity throughput for their unit in Operating Theatre, Outpatients and Outreach, in conjunction with Director of
Surgery and Hospital executive, aligned with NTPS Code of Conduct.
Desirable
1. Completion or commencement in Health Management and/or Leadership training or equivalent qualification.
Further information
Additional inclusions may include further information that is relevant to the vacancy; for example, criminal history checks, flexibility in
starting dates, requirements for travel, etc.
Approved: Jan 2026 Mahiban Thomas – Director of Surgical Services
Page 1 of 2
Job description
Agency Department of Health Work unit Surgery and Critical Care
Job title Head of Neurosurgery Designation Senior Staff Specialist Clinician SMO2.1 - SMO2.3
Job type Full time Duration Fixed for 3 years
Salary $270,033 - $298,705 Location Darwin, Palmerston
Position number 45205 RTF Closing 24/03/2026
Contact officer Mahiban Thomas on or
About the agency
Apply online
APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE A ONE-PAGE SUMMARY ABOUT YOU, A DETAILED RESUME AND COPIES OF YOUR TERTIARY
QUALIFICATIONS.
Information for applicants – inclusion and diversity and Special Measures recruitment plans
The NTPS values diversity. The NTPS encourages people from all diversity groups to apply for vacancies and accommodates people with disability
by making reasonable workplace adjustments. If you require an adjustment for the recruitment process or job, please discuss this with the contact
officer. For more information about applying for this position and the merit process, go to the OCPE website.
Aboriginal applicants will be granted priority consideration for this vacancy. For more information on Special Measures plans, go to the OCPE
website.
Primary objective
Provide leadership to the Neurosurgery Department, report to the Director of Surgical Services and support the Division of Surgery and Critical
Care with implementation of clinical and organisational priorities, in order to provide safe, timely, efficient, effective, equitable, and person-centred
clinical services.
Context statement
The Head of Neurosurgery has direct line management of the Neurosurgery, including human resource management responsibilities, direct
supervision of Medical Officers, financial responsibility, departmental performance, leadership of continuous quality improvement activities, and
participation as a member of a senior management team, including governance activities.
Key duties and responsibilities
1. Provide leadership for the Department, including the management of patient flow and demand management strategies, safety and quality,
clinical audit and review, and junior staff supervision, training and teaching.
1. Support divisional clinical governance, operations and implement strategic programmes through a close working relationship with RDPH
Executive Team; align culture and processes to NTPS Code of Conduct.
3. Lead a culture of high performing teams, professional excellence and accountability within the NT Health Values.
4. Perform human resource responsibilities including the direct supervision of medical staff, allocation of duties, establishment of rosters,
performance management of staff and monitoring staffing levels, workloads and hours worked and management of complaints.
5. Provide leadership in fostering partnerships between healthcare providers across a range of disciplines and services to enhance the capacity
for multi-disciplinary care and contribute to NT Health clinical leadership in the relevant specialty.
6. Responsible for unit financial management and efficiencies, and allocation of resources.
1. Lead continuous quality improvement activities and clinical outcome measurement, planning, and the development of procedures and
guidelines.
1. Responsibility for the coordination of research, teaching and training programmes.
2. Contribute to clinical leadership, implement quality improvement, measurement, reporting and leading improvements in the clinical operation
of the medical officer's speciality.
1. Follow defined service quality standards, work health and safety policies and procedures relating to the work being undertaken in order to
ensure high quality, safe services and workplaces
11. Foster a positive workplace culture through exemplary leadership practices and role modelling behaviour.
Selection criteria
Essential
1. Appropriate specialist qualifications or equivalent of at least 6 years of full-time service in medical practice as a Specialist medical Officer or
eligible for Fellowship with Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS).
1. Demonstrated commitment to the NT Health Values.
2. Demonstrated recognition as a professional leader in the field.
3. Proven effective leadership, interpersonal, communication, presentation and negotiation skills.
4. Strategic thinking and planning abilities.
5. Proven track record in the pursuit of clinical excellence.
6. Demonstrated commitment to ensuring equity of access to quality health care and improving health outcomes.
7. Demonstrated commitment to continuing education, teaching, research.
8. Proven ability to monitor service delivery and clinical performance.
9. Set priorities for their unit's clinical activity in conjunction with the Director of Surgery and Health service executive.
10. Maximise clinical activity throughput for their unit in Operating Theatre, Outpatients and Outreach, in conjunction with Director of Surgery
and Hospital executive, aligned with NTPS Code of Conduct.
Desirable
1. Completed Health Management and/or Leadership training or equivalent qualification.
Further information
Additional inclusions may include further information that is relevant to the vacancy; for example, criminal history checks, flexibility in starting
dates, requirements for travel, etc.