Job description
Agency Department of Health Work unit Royal Darwin and Palmerston Hospital Surgery and Critical Care
Job title Head of Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery Designation Staff Specialist Clinician – SMO1.1 -SMO1.6
Job type Full time Duration Fixed for 12 months
Salary $213,380 - $261,100 Location Darwin, Palmerston
Position number 965 RTF Closing 26/02/2026
Contact officer Mahiban Thomas, Director of Surgical Service 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 Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery department, report to the Director of Surgical Services and support the Division
of Surgery & 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 Ear, Nose and Throat has direct line management of ENT Surgery, 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. Eligible for specialist registration with the Medical Board of Australia and current Fellowship of relevant Medical College.
2. 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.
Approved: 16/01/2026 Mahiban Thomas – Director of Surgical Services
Page 1 of 2
Job description
Agency Department of Health Work unit RDPH Surgery and Critical Care
Job title Head of Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery Designation Senior Specialist Clinician – SMO2.1 -SMO2.3
Job type Full time Duration Fixed for 12 months
Salary $270,033 - $298,705 Location Darwin, Palmerston
Position number 965 RTF Closing 26/02/2026
Contact officer Mahiban Thomas, Director of Surgical Service 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 Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery department, report to the Director of Surgical Services and support the Division
of Surgery & 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 Ear, Nose and Throat has direct line management of ENT Surgery, 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. Eligible for specialist registration with the Medical Board of Australia and current Fellowship of relevant Medical College.
2. 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.