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Applicant Information Pack
Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network

August 2021

   We acknowledge the Aboriginal
      custodians of the land and
     waters within the footprint of
    the Flinders and Upper North
       Region. We respect their
   spiritual relationship with their
   country and acknowledge that
     their cultural beliefs area an
    important focus of their past,
          present and future.

Welcome!
Thank you for your interest in working with the Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network. This information
pack is designed to give you a glimpse of our health services, what our region has to offer and assist you with your
application.

This information contained in this pack related to the Rural Generalist Consultant positions – Emergency
Department and General Inpatient Unit, located at either Whyalla or Port Augusta Hospital.

About the Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network
The Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network (FUNLHN) is a dynamic and innovative organisation who’s
purpose is to deliver culturally safe and high quality health care services in collaboration with our consumers,
enhanced through research and innovation to improve health outcomes for our communities.

Supporting approximately 43,000 residents in regional and remote areas of South Australia, we provide a range of
integrated inpatient, outpatient, emergency, Allied health, mental health, Aboriginal health, community health and
aged care services. Our health service facilities are a mix of large and small hospitals, multi-purpose hospitals and
residential aged care facilities, a health clinic and a medical centre.

Located approximately four hours from metropolitan Adelaide, FUNLHN covers a vast geographical footprint of
approximately 392,000 square kilometers, beginning at the base of the Eyre Peninsula at Whyalla and far north
east encompassing the Flinders Ranges and surrounding communities. We employ 1022 staff across Nursing,
Allied Health, Medical, Ancillary and Administration roles.

Our Values
The FUNLHN Governing Board together with Executive
Leadership developed a set of shared values that guide
our behaviours and decision making in our LHN. These
values underpin our daily work and strategic direction to
help achieve our vision.

The inaugural FUNLHN Strategic Plan 2021-2026 was
released in early 2021 and outlines the 8 strategic pillars
that will guide us in achieving our vision of excellence in
health care for everyone, every day, all the time.

In line with our commitment to engaging with our
consumers in the design, delivery and evaluation of our
health services, in 2020 we launched FUNLHN’s first
Consumer and Community Engagement Strategic
Framework 2020-2023.

Equally as important is our first Clinical Engagement
Strategy 2021-2024 which is scheduled for release in
September 2021. The strategy provides a framework for
Clinicians to have a voice in the planning,
implementation, delivery and review of services and
strategy.

To find out more about the FUNLHN and our Governing Board visit our SA Health website.

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Our Services
Whyalla Hospital and Health Service
Located in the second largest city outside of Adelaide, the Whyalla Hospital and Health Service is a busy 71 bed
health facility supporting approximately 22,000 residents. The Hospital provides 24/7 Emergency Department
services currently seeing 15,000 presentations per year. The Emergency Department is managed by 1-2 medical
officers with the support of skilled, specialty trained nursing staff. The Hospital underwent a significant
redevelopment in 2013 including a purpose built Regional Cancer Centre and 6 chair Chemotherapy suite, new
operating theatres, Rehabilitation ward and a 6 bed Integrated Inpatient Mental Health Unit with resident
Psychiatrists. The Renal Dialysis Unit underwent a redevelopment and expansion in 2020 and now has 6 chairs
with room to expand to a further 9 chairs in the future. There is an 8 bed High Dependency Unit with resident
Physicians providing care to high acuity patients including stroke services. Planning is underway for the Emergency
Department and High Dependency redevelopment scheduled to commence project concept and design in the
2022-2023 financial year.

The hospital provides high quality general surgical care by Specialist General Surgeons. Surgeons are on-site from
8am Monday – 6pm Friday with weekend on-call cover provided by Surgeons via Port Augusta Hospital. Maternal
and Neonatal care are provided by 24/7 onsite Specialist Obstetrician and Gynecologists and visiting
Paediatricians from Port Augusta Hospital. A wide range of elective surgery is provided from Orthopaedic and
General Surgery to Gynecology and Ophthalmology. Allied and Community Health and Aged Care services are co-
located within the Hospital along with Community Mental Health Services and the sole Orthotic and Prosthetic
services located outside of Adelaide. Additional co-located services supporting the Hospital include Pharmacy, SA
Pathology and Radiology (including CT and MRI). In addition to our resident Medical Specialists there is also a
wide range of regular Visiting Medical Specialists.

Port Augusta Hospital and Health Service
Port Augusta Hospital and Health Service is a 55 bed busy health service supporting a population of approximately
13,500 residents with a high percentage of residents identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (18.5%).
The Hospital provides 24/7 Emergency Department services currently seeing 12,800 presentations per year, acute
inpatient and palliative care services. The Emergency Department is managed by 1-2 medical staff and skilled,
specialty trained nursing staff. The Hospital has a large 12 chair Renal Dialysis Unit and is a level 4 birthing
hospital making them the regional referral centre for high risk pregnancies, paediatric and neonatal care with 24/7
onsite Specialist Paediatricians and Specialist Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Home of the highly successful and
nationally recognised Anangu Bibi Birthing Project, specialised, culturally safe pre and post-natal care is provided
to Aboriginal Women in the community and remote centres such as Coober Pedy.

There is 6 chair Chemotherapy suite delivering low complexity chemotherapy with access to the Visiting Oncologist
at Whyalla Hospital. Specialist General Surgeons provide high quality care 24/7 and a range of other elective
surgery is also available including visiting ENT, Orthopaedic and urology. There is also a wide range of regular
visiting Medical Specialists available. Co-located Allied, Community Health and Aged Care services are available in
addition to Community Mental Health services and on-site Radiology, Pharmacy and SA Pathology. Port Augusta
Hospital and Health Service transitioned to electronic medical records in 2015, using the Sunrise EMR and PAS
system (formerly EPAS).

Other Services
Health Services

The FUNLHN have 38 residential aged care beds, 30 located at Quorn Health Service and 8 at Hawker Memorial
Hospital. These health services are multi-purpose sites providing both hospital and residential aged care services.
Each health service also has a 24/7 Emergency Department managed by skilled nursing staff and supported by an
on-call GP. The FUNLHN also operates a medical centre at Hawker open four days per week for GP appointments.

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The Roxby Downs Hospital is a small 10 bed hospital supporting a predominately mining population of
approximately 4,500 residents. The Hospital has a 24/7 Emergency Department managed by skilled nursing staff
and supported by an on-call GP. Outreach Allied and Community Health services are proved to Roxby Downs on a
regular basis.

The Leigh Creek Health Clinic is a nurse managed clinic open 5 days per week supporting the Leigh Creek and
surrounding communities. The clinic is supported by an on-call GP. The FUNLHN provide a range of outreach
Allied Health and Mental Health services to Leigh Creek as required.

Allied and Community Health Services

Country Health Connect provide a wide range of Allied, Community Health and Aged Care services across the
Flinders and Upper North region. This includes Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Podiatry, Speech Pathology,
Dietetics, Social Work and Orthotic and Prosthetic services. A range of in home community and aged care services
is also available through the Commonwealth Home Support Program, National Disability Insurance Scheme,
Transitional Care Program and Home Care Packages. Inpatient and Outpatients services are based at both
Whyalla and Port Augusta Hospitals with a regular outreach service provided to the more rural and remote
communities of the Flinders and Upper North region.

Aboriginal Health Services

The FUNLHN are committed to delivering the best, culturally safe and appropriate health care for Aboriginal
consumers. We work closely with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and have established multiple
Aboriginal Health specific roles and programs to support our Aboriginal consumers receiving health care services in
any of our health facilities. Staff a supported by attending cultural awareness training and work collaboratively to
identify and implement strategies working towards closing the gap in health outcomes between Aboriginal and non-
Aboriginal people.

We aim to provide a welcoming environment for Aboriginal consumers in every health service with artwork and
acknowledgements to country on display. Each year we invite staff and the community to celebrate Reconciliation
Week and NAIDOC Week where staff and volunteers are recognised for their contribution to Aboriginal Health
through nominations from their peers. FUNLHN’s first Reconciliation Action Plan is scheduled for release later this
year.

Why Flinders and Upper North?
The Flinders and Upper North offers an opportunity to have a rewarding career with flexible work and roster
arrangements, professional development, teaching and research opportunities. Make a difference to regional
health outcomes by contributing to the design, delivery and evaluation of regional health care services in
conjunction with other specialised health professionals, consumers and external health agencies.

The region’s landscape is dramatic and beautiful and hosts the most scenic roads, 4WD tracks, walking trails and
beautiful beaches. Camping, hiking and exploring these stunning world class attractions in our region are a popular
pastime of many people living and visiting the region.

Contribute to teaching the next generation
The FUNLHN are committed to developing a sustainable rural health workforce model for the future of our
community. We are a part of the Northern and Eyre Training Network working in partnership with the Eyre and Far
North LHN to collectively offers the full requirements for FARGP and ACRRM fellowship pathways. Rotations are
available across anaesthetics, emergency medicine, medicine, obstetrics, the Royal Flying Doctors Service,
surgery, inpatients and general practice. This offers trainee medical officers a valuable learning experience and the
opportunity to gain broad experience across diverse clinical areas and set them on their way for a rural generalist
career. Over the past three years we have successfully grown our trainee positions to include interns, PGY2+ and
advanced skills training. In the FUNLHN, you will have the opportunity to share your knowledge and experiences
by providing direct supervision, education and training for the next generation of rural generalists as well as other
health professionals within the LHN.

For more information visit the SA Rural Generalist website and the SAMET website.

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Ability to work in other areas of interest
There is opportunity to work with the Royal Flying Doctors Service aeromedical base at Port Augusta, rural GP at
various GP practices in Whyalla, Port Augusta and Quorn and clinical lecturer with Adelaide Rural Clinical School.

There is also an opportunity to provide regular GP anaesthetic services and maintaining skills in obstetrics at
Whyalla and Port Augusta Hospitals.

Lifestyle
Living in our region offers a relaxed lifestyle with access to everything you need as well as many attractions and
activities to explore and enjoy. You’ll enjoy having more time in your day with a short commute to work away from
congested city traffic, meaning more time for your interest outside of work or more time to spend with your family.
With lots of wide open spaces, affordable housing, many parks, sports, recreation activities and access to public
and private schooling as well as tertiary education with University SA, the region is a great place for families with
children of any age.

Tourism, recreation and sports

Port Augusta and Whyalla are regional cities in this region, both with diverse cultures and picturesque coastal
locations with Port Augusta situated on the Spencer Gulf and Whyalla on the Eyre Peninsula. Both are rich in
Aboriginal heritage, have plenty of plenty of shopping opportunities and sporting facilities including swimming pools
and recreational centres, golf courses, a velodrome and bowling greens. You can walk along sandy beaches or
hike in natural landscapes, watch a movie, swim, shop or socialise in a café or bar. These centres offer an enviable
lifestyle with natural wonders, spectacular vista and beaches, unique one of a kind experiences and great services.
The open spaces, stunning landscapes, wind and ocean, make for many sports and leisure activities.

Port Augusta’s location, where the desert meets the sea, allows easy access to explore the beautiful Flinders
Ranges as well as Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens, Pichi Richi Railway or Port Augusta’s scenic coastline
via the coastal path. Port Augusta has many sporting facilities, including a state-of-the-art football oval facility while
many residents also enjoy fishing, sailing and canoeing and frequent Dolphins sightings are an added bonus.

Whyalla is recognised as a regional hub for creative expression with performances, shows, events and exhibitions
showcase a vibrant city reflected in the arts. There are also over 100 sports codes from motor sports, golf to the
traditional sports. Whyalla is surrounded by beautiful beaches and is a place to see local resident dolphins and
experience the unique congregation of the colourful giant cuttlefish. You will be amazed by the new futuristic loop
jetty with stunning night lighting design, the heritage listed pebble dunes and blue waters of every hue alongside
coastal walks and tracks with stunning vistas across the Spencer Gulf.

Explore the links below for more information.

https://www.whyalla.com/

https://www.portaugusta.sa.gov.au/attractions

https://southaustralia.com/destinations/flinders-ranges-and-outback

Balancing work and life
Creating a good work/life balance is important to maintaining the health and wellbeing of our staff. At FUNLHN we
actively support our staff to balance their work, family and other personal obligations and interests. The intention is
to promote a positive workplace culture, increase productivity, increase employee satisfaction, health and wellbeing
while ensuring consistency with legal, industrial and policy frameworks that we operate within.

With multiple positions at full time or part time hours, we will work with you to the best of our ability to roster shifts
to support a work/life balance. This could look like grouping shifts together to allow a consecutive days off for trips
away exploring the region.

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Salary Packaging
As a South Australian public sector employee, you may have the opportunity to access Salary Packaging. Salary
Packaging is an employee benefit that allows you to pay for certain every day expenses with money from your
salary before tax is deducted, meaning you pay less tax and increase your overall income.

For more information visit Maxxia at https://www.maxxia.com.au/

Professional Development
FUNLHN is committed to the ongoing professional development for all our employees. You will have access to a
professional development allowance in line with the SA Health Salaried Medical Officers Enterprise Agreement.
Contact us if you would like more information about professional development.

Applying for the role
Rural Generalist Consultant, Emergency Department and General Inpatient Unit
Recruitment and Selection processes across SA Health are striving to achieve best practice and a commitment to a
selection based on merit. This means treating all applications in a fair and equitable manner that aims to choose
the best person for the position.

A well presented, easy to read application will allow the panel to assess the information they need from your
application. To give yourself the best opportunity to reach an interview, your application should clearly and
concisely demonstrate to the selection panel that you are suitably equipped to perform the role, and that you
possess all of the stated minimum essential skills, abilities, knowledge, experience and educational qualifications
(where required).

Note – required criminal history and immunisation screening checks are outlined in the role description.

Refer to Guidelines when applying for a job with SA Health for more information.

Before submitting your application consider if you meet the essential minimum requirements:

Eligibility – must have:
• Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) or equivalent
• Appropriate specialist qualification – Fellowship of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine or
  Fellowship of Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, preferably with Fellowship in Advanced Rural
  General Practice.
• Be eligible to register with the Medical Board of Australia as a Medical Practitioner with Specialists registration
• Must have Australian working rights

Experience
• Experience in the delivery of emergency care in a clinical capacity
• Some paediatric patient management experience
• Demonstrated skills in resuscitation, airway maintenance and circulatory support
• Demonstrated experience in the operational management of retrievals of critically ill patients
• Experience with the supervision and teaching of undergraduate and post graduate medical staff

Personal Abilities/Aptitudes/Skills
• Demonstrated high standard of clinical practice in Emergency Medicine
• Competency in a range of routine and common emergency procedural skills

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• Skills in professional judgement, clinical competence, negotiation and communication in a multidisciplinary
  setting
• Demonstrated skills in problem solving and decision making at both the clinical and the individual level
• Demonstrated participation in approved continuing medical education since attaining specialist qualification
• Commitment to quality management philosophy and devolved responsibility
• Commitment to patient and relative participation in patient care
• Ability to react positively to change
• Ability to work with limited or no direction or supervision
• Understanding both the rights and responsibilities of patients and their families
• Ability to work as a team member and individually
• Ability to work under pressure without compromising patient care

Knowledge
• Knowledge and understanding of contemporary medical practice and procedures appropriate to the level of the
  position
• Knowledge and understanding of investigations and treatments appropriate to the level of the position
• Demonstrated understanding of the principles of contemporary medical education and research
• Demonstrated understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal people and the impact on health outcomes
• Demonstrated understanding of contemporary issues relating to rural health in South Australia.
• Current knowledge of emergency medicine including skill requirements, procedures, equipment and the clinical
  implementation of equipment
• Knowledge of Quality Improvement and an Awareness of National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards
• Knowledge of the SA Health Code of Fair Information Practice and the SA Health Patient Safety Framework

Your application:

Your application must be submitted online via the I Work for SA Website and include the following:
• A cover letter of up to two pages introducing yourself to the selection panel and describing your skills, abilities,
  knowledge, qualifications and experience in relation to the role
• A current Curriculum Vitae/Resume that includes your personal details, relevant employment history, education,
  training courses, qualifications and professional memberships
• At least two referees with contact details

Interview
A panel of 3-4 people will assess all applicants and complete a shortlisting process. Successful shortlisted
applicants will be contacted by phone or email and invited to interview. Interviews will be conducted either face to
face or via videoconference. Following interviews, allow 2-3 weeks for the panel to contact referees and finalise
their selection report before applicants are notified of the outcome.

Contact

If you have questions or would like further information contact Dr Nes Lian-Lloyd, Executive Director of Medical
Services.

Phone: 0427 398 309

Email: Nes.lian-lloyd@sa.gov.au

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Frequently Asked Questions
How far is the FUNLHN from Adelaide?

Port Augusta is an approximate 3.5 hour drive north of Adelaide and Whyalla is a further 45 minutes.

Can I fly to Whyalla or Port Augusta from Adelaide?

Rex Airlines and Qantas offer multiple daily flights between Whyalla and Adelaide that are a short 50 minutes trip.
Current COVID-19 restrictions have impacted scheduling, please check online or with Whyalla Travel and Cruise to
confirm the current schedule.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are no flights operating between Port Augusta and Adelaide at this
time.

Am I able to visit and see the health services?

Yes, we invite you to come and visit! Come and see the region for yourself and request a tour of one (or more) of
our health services. To arrange a tour you can contact our Medical Admin at Whyalla Hospital on 86488 501 or
Port Augusta Hospital at 8668 7586.

What should I expect from the roster?

You will need to be available to work shifts over a 24 hours/day 7/day per week period. Where possible we will
work with you to group shifts together allowing you maximum flexibility for grouped days off. Shifts will be rostered
over days, afternoons and nights.

Will I be required to be on-call?

Yes, some-call be required.

Will I need my own transport?

Yes, some form of private transport will be required. Within Whyalla most locations are no more than a 10-15
minute drive by car or 25 minute bicycle ride largely depended on where you reside. Public transport is available –
you can view the bus timetable here.

Port Augusta is 45 minute drive from Whyalla. Most locations are within 10 minutes by car or about 25 minutes by
bicycle. Public transport is also available – you can view the bus timetable here.

Having private transport will allow you to explore the vast region in your spare time!

What about accommodation?

Both Whyalla and Port Augusta have a range of units, apartments and houses available for rent or purchase
through the local real estate. Please contact us if you need assistance with finding accommodation.

I am an overseas trained doctor, am I able to apply?

If you hold a specialist qualification that is recognised as equivalent by the Medical Board of Australia and
registerable as Specialist registration then yes, you are eligible to apply.

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