Improving the health of our community
Ararat Campus
Girdlestone St, Ararat 3377
Willaura Campus
Delacombe Way, Willaura 3379
GENERAL PRACTITIONER OBSTETRICIAN
EGHS has developed a new team-based GPO model which aims to provide certainty and sustainability to practitioners in their rural obstetric practice while allowing for lifestyle and career flexibility. This is achieved through permanent hospital-based contract with a rotating roster of weeks where each GPO is providing 1/3 coverage. This gives both a regular salary and clearly defined obstetric and on call responsibilities and flexibility to pursue other non-obstetric roles or interests on the rostered off period.
About Us
EGHS has Level 3 birthing capability, level 2 neonatal capability and delivers approximately 110 babies per year. We are located 1 hour from the regional centre of Ballarat and are geographically positioned to increase birth numbers by providing a collaborative and responsive low risk birthing service to woman and families in surrounding areas. Our facilities and capabilities include 24hours on call GPA and theatre coverage (with newly renovated theatre facilities), 24-hour onsite midwifery rostering, two birth suites and single postnatal rooms. Supporting this GPO team-based model is an established and strong collaboration with our midwifery team which includes a PROMPT based education program.
EGHS is also committed to the provision of comprehensive and wholistic women’s health. A Women’s Health Clinic run by the GPO’s is being established, and as part of this EGHS now offers one of the only STOP services servicing the Wimmera and Grampians regions.
Currently our GPO team consists of two permanent GPOs, Dr Megan Helper and Dr Winnie Yum, supported by locum coverage from supportive O&G colleagues based in Ballarat.
Other services at EGHS include an Urgent Care Centre (UCC) with approximately 6500 presentations per year, an inpatient unit with 18 beds, two newly renovated operating theatres with visiting surgeons (gynae, gen surg, ortho, plastics, ophthal, ENT) and outpatient oncology and dialysis.
About the Role
The structure of this role is designed to allow GPOs to work in a team providing continuity of care for their patients while creating clear boundaries around obligations regarding obstetric coverage. We feel that this provides for a good variety of Rural Generalist practice while allowing for sustainable long-term workload.
Three GPO’s will work in a 6-week cycle covering 2 weeks of obstetrics each. When covering the obstetrics, the GPO will be responsible for all births including scheduled elective caesareans, postnatal inpatients, antenatal clinic, women’s health clinic, consulting on obstetric or gynae related presentations to UCC if requested by UCC doctor, minor gynae procedures including D&C.
In the 4 weeks of the roster when the GPO is not covering obstetrics, they are free to pursue any other clinical or non-clinical roles. Opportunities available in Ararat include emergency work at the UCC, private general practice, AMS or teaching roles. While the ideal candidate would be based in Ararat and undertake other Rural Generalist roles such as primary care when not rostered for obstetrics, there is no obligation to do so.
What we Offer
- Regional Lifestyle – explore our region
- Ararat is a town of 8,500 people with four primary and two secondary schools. There are multiple employment opportunities for partners both within the health service and in other industries.
- Located 1 hour from the regional centre of Ballarat with excellent education and partner employment opportunities, 2 hours from Melbourne airport and 2 ½ hours from the city centre.
- Live at the foothills of the Grampians within an excellent food and wine region.
- A variety of employee benefits
- Remuneration
- Based on Medical Specialists (Victorian Public Health Sector) Enterprise Agreement 2022 – 2026
- Salary equivalent to 0.8 FTE paid fortnightly in both ‘rostered on’ and ‘rostered off’ periods.
- Call ins during ‘rostered on’ also paid in addition.
- Relocation and accommodation support available
- Salary Packaging with claimable Relocation Expenses
The recruitment period for this position will remain open until 30 April 2024 with applications being reviewed when received.
During this period we would encourage and support potential candidates to undertake short term locum placements at EGHS.
Appointment is subject to immunisation clearance (Including COVID-19) and current and satisfactory Employment Checks (Police, Working With Children Checks, NDIS).
For more information regarding the Obstetrics model please contact Dr Megan Helper (GPO) – megan.helper@eghs.net.au
The Position Description can be viewed and downloaded by selecting ‘Position Description’ below.
To apply please select ‘Apply online’ and complete as requested.
East Grampians Health Service is an equal opportunity employer.