Senior Medical Officer

Senior Medical Officer

Full Time Permanent

Based in Cairns and Edmonton

Salary: Wuchopperen Health Service Limited Enterprise Agreement (2023)

Commensurate with qualifications and experience

Wuchopperen Health Service

'Keeping Our Generations Growing Strong'

Wuchopperen is a Community Controlled Aboriginal Health Organisation providing holistic health care services to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Cairns.

Benefits of working with Wuchopperen:

We provide a positive work culture and a diverse and inclusive environment. Our people matter to us, and we are committed to supporting them:

• Competitive Salary + 12% Super + Salary Sacrifice (up to $15,899 for tax free benefits and $2,650 p/a for entertainment benefits).
• 5 weeks annual leave and 15 days personal leave pro rata.
• Commitment to professional development.
• EAP for employees and family members.

About the role:

This position will, under the leadership of the Executive Director, Medical Services (EDMS), provide medical leadership, clinical governance support and strategic advice to Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to ensure the delivery of quality, sustainable, evidence-based comprehensive primary health care services which align to the strategic goals of the organisation, policy direction and needs of the community.

The position is a member of the Senior Leadership Team and works closely with the Executive Leadership Committee (ELC) and SLT to support clinical quality and clinical governance services and requires significant liaison with health professionals including, Medical Officers, Nurses, Health Workers and Allied Health providers and maintains regular contact with other program staff to ensure effective outcomes for clients.

Key responsibilities:

• Participate at a Senior Manager level to assist the EDMS in shaping the organisation's clinical governance focus in accordance with the strategic direction set by the Board of Directors.
• Identify, develop and implement strategies and initiatives in collaboration with Director Health Services to improve revenue generated by the organisation's clinical activities, including but not limited to, Medicare Benefits Schedule, Practice Incentive Payments and Service Incentive Payments.
• In accordance SLT strategies, the Senior Medical Officer (SMO) will assist in influencing decision-making, planning, implementation and evaluation of safe, quality clinical services including guiding SLT to implement multidisciplinary team-based models of primary health care and integration with external services including providing advice on workforce strategies and operational plans.
• Lead, manage and develop Clinical Governance staff as a direct supervisor and ensure team members are supported to carry out their duties.
• Support the delivery of best practice clinical services, including general medical practice, emergency care, and community health, ensuring a balance of clinical and non-clinical work.
• Oversee the review and analysis of organisational health data in collaboration with team members and provide advice to the EDMS on operational organisational priorities.
• Contribute to the maintenance and implementation of clinical governance and other appropriate systems to monitor and improve the quality and safety of clinical services and the management of health conditions and risks.
• Within the organisation's quality management framework, oversee continuous quality improvement in the delivery of best practice clinical services including the development and implementation of service policies, procedures and protocols ensuring State and Commonwealth legislation that effects medical and dental services is administered within the organisation.
• Provide professional clinical leadership and or clinical advice to Medical Officers and other clinicians including Nurses, Allied Health Practitioners and Health Workers / Health Practitioners. In addition, the SMO will support processes to monitor Wuchopperen Health Performance Indicators and Medicare income in line the Medicare Performance Strategy.
• Develop and foster productive relationships through negotiating, consulting, liaising and communicating with key stakeholders including representing the organisation in external committees and forums as required.
• Gather and record statistical data relevant to measuring performance against agreed indicators and participate in review and evaluation activities.
• Participate in organisational and community activities to advance the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Work within Wuchopperen's Policies and Procedures including the Staff Code of Conduct and the Work Health and Safety requirements and contribute to continuous improvement processes to ensure compliance with relevant standards and safe, effective service delivery.
• Other duties as required, within your skills, experience, and capacity.

Core Capabilities:

For applicants to be successful in this role, they should demonstrate:

• Demonstrated experience in supporting, implementing and evaluating primary health care services within a multi-disciplinary environment, together with demonstrated experience in clinical governance, preferably within a primary health care setting.
• Knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander societies and cultures from a historical and contemporary perspective, including the ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• A demonstrated understanding of the issues affecting the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people together with demonstrated experience in the delivery of clinical services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Extensively developed interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to liaise with a range of stakeholders, as well as to effectively advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a multi-disciplinary team environment, prioritise and meet deadlines, deal with matters of a sensitive and confidential nature.
• Demonstrated ability to meet and work within the core values and behaviours of Wuchopperen.

Qualifications and experience:

• Degree in Medicine from a recognised University (certified copies of qualifications and current registration is required upon application).
• The Senior Medical Officer must have current registration with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency.
• Proof of qualifications and current registration is required to be provided prior to the commencement of duty.
• Fellowship with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and/or the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM), along with 5 years of post-Fellowship experience, is recommended. Consideration may be given to candidates that have relevant qualifications that complement the applicant's experience, skills, and knowledge.
• It is a condition of employment in this role for the employee to be, and remain, vaccinated against measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), pertussis (whooping cough) and hepatitis B.
• It is recommended for the employee to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
• Possession of a current CPR/ ALS/BLS certificate or commitment to obtain within the first six weeks of employment is essential.

Requirements:

• Current registration with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency.
• Hold a current Blue Card (for suitability to work with children and young people).
• Proof of qualifications is required to be provided prior to the commencement of duty.
• Possess a current driver's licence.
• A commitment to adhere to Wuchopperen's policies and procedures.

Applicants who do not address these requirements, will not be considered for shortlisting.

Note: Revised legislation requires applicants to hold a blue card prior to commencement. Refer to Qld Government's Blue Card Services website for more information.

To be eligible for interview, applicants must submit a cover letter (no more than two pages), addressing the Core Capabilities and an up-to-date Resume including two referees and complete the screening questions provided from Employment Hero.

For more information contact Dr Nicolette Roux, Executive Director of Medical Services at

Wuchopperen is a Child Safe Organisation and the safety and wellbeing of children is of utmost importance.

Closing date for applications: 5pm on Monday December 1st 2025.