Consultant - Medical Retrieval (Emergency Rescue Helicopter Service (ERHS) Program Lead - Medical)

WA Country Health Service (WACHS) is offering a unique opportunity for Consultants Medical Retrieval to join the Command Centre in Perth, WA.
This appointment is for 12 months fixed term - part time (0.50 FTE) with the possibility of extension(s).
Consultant Year 1-9: $412,161 - $523,436 p.a. pro rata*
Sessional Year 1- 9: $ $1,003.40*
The above salary is as per WA Health System Medical Practitioners AMA Industrial Agreement 2024 (inclusive of base salary, 12% superannuation, and PD allowance). This is subject to the assessment of clinical skills and years of practice.
About The Command Centre
The WACHS Command Centre comprises centralised acute virtual care, operational services, and organisational strategies to support service delivery across WACHS. The Command Centre supports WACHS sites clinically and operationally, ensures coordinated and integrated incident response and management, which enables regional services to consistently deliver innovative, safe, and quality care to our communities.

The Command Centre brings a number of services together in a 24/7 'virtual' hub. Using high-definition audio-visual and advanced information and communication technologies, the WACHS Command Centre provides a one-stop shop for country doctors, nurses, and midwives to access a range of clinical expertise supporting acute emergency and inpatient care, including access to mental health specialists, palliative care specialists and midwives. The Acute Patient Transfer Coordination (APTC) stream facilitates coordinated safe, timely and efficient patient retrievals to, from and between country and metropolitan hospitals for country patients.

About The Role
As the ERHS Program Lead - Medical, you will work collaboratively with the ERHS Program Lead Paramedicine to deliver on a concept of operations, which includes shaping a model of care, establishing a clinical governance framework, and developing an evaluation framework. A key responsibility of this role is commissioning and delivering nationally aligned educational programs within an existing program structure and established clinical leadership framework. You will be expected to quickly build strong relationships with partners such as the Department of Fire & Emergency Services (DFES) and ambulance services contracted to WA Health, fostering a collaborative healthcare environment.

This position offers a dynamic and supportive setting, ideal for individuals seeking to expand their leadership capabilities while contributing to the advancement of pre-hospital and retrieval medicine in Western Australia. The role requires significant experience or training in clinical leadership and change management and is best suited to a senior critical care clinician with extensive expertise in pre-hospital and retrieval medicine. The retrieval service aims to deliver expert care to the state's most critically unwell patients, regardless of their location.

Core Responsibilities Include

• Clinically co-lead the development of an emerging retrieval service hosted by the WA Country Health Service Command Centre (WACHS) within the State Health Operations Centre (SHOC).
• The immediate operational priority is to develop an interprofessional model to crew the Emergency Rescue Helicopter Service (ERHS) per the recommendations of Chief Health Officer's Inquiry into Aeromedical Services in Western Australia
• Work in tandem with the ERHS Program Lead - Paramedicine to deliver on a concept of operations. This will include shaping a model of care, building a clinical governance framework, and developing an evaluation framework.
• Effectively plan, prioritise tasks, make sound decisions, meet deadlines, and manage resources efficiently.

The Successful Candidates Will Bring

• Eligibility for registration with the Medical Board of Australia
• Fellowship of a Critical Care Specialty (Emergency Medicine, Anaesthesia, Intensive Care) or equivalent.
• Extensive operational experience in pre-hospital and retrieval medicine, with a sound understanding of the Australian context.
• Demonstrated understanding of the Western Australian pre-hospital and retrieval medicine system, including key stakeholders, service pathways, and operational frameworks.
• Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication abilities, with strengths in change management, negotiation and conflict resolution.

Benefits Included To The Role

• Competitive salary package inclusive of 12% employer superannuation contributions and generous professional expenses allowance.
• Generous leave entitlements – up to 4 weeks annual leave, 3-week professional development leave, 10 days sick leave, plus other forms of leave for compassionate or cultural reasons.
• Professional development opportunities.

Keen to know more about the benefits in detail? Check out the medical practitioner salaries and benefits page.

Application Instructions
Applicants must have a current, valid email address in order to apply online via MedcareersWA Ref # This email address will be used for communication with applicants. If you experience difficulties while applying online, please contact

Applicants Are Required To Attach

• A statement no more than 3 pages addressing Work Related Requirements listed in the attached Job Description Form page # 5.
• A detailed CV summarising your qualification, Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) registration, and relevant experience.
• The contact details of two professional referees of which one must be your current supervisor or line manager
• Registration with the Medical Board of Australia – information on your current registration status, AHPRA number and registration type/pathway.

Please note that 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.

For further information related to this position, please contact Dr Fred English, Head of Department, Medical Retrieval, WA Country Health Service by email at

Other Conditions
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.

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.

This Vacancy Is Subject To a Western Australian Working With Children (WWC) Check. For Further Information Please Refer To The WWC Website At

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.

LATE OR EMAIL APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.