If you are looking for a unique, exciting and challenging role whilst working in some of the most remote locations in Australia, then join us at the Central Australian Retrieval Service!
Positions available for February and August 2027.
The Central Australian Retrieval Service covers an area of 1.6 million square kilometres and performs 800 fixed wing and road retrievals per year (28% critical care), ranging from pre-hospital primary missions to long distance critical care inter-hospital transfers. The combination of pathology and geography presents a unique challenge.
You will see some of the most interesting and challenging medicine in Australia, including:
- Severe sepsis in both adults and children requiring commencement of critical care treatment in remote nurse only clinics before transport.
- Major trauma, including multi-casualty motor vehicle accidents on remote highways.
- Complex medical patients with rheumatic heart disease, bronchiectasis and renal disease.
- Up to 20% paediatric patients, predominantly with respiratory, GI tract and soft tissue infections.
- Obstetric emergencies such as premature labour, pre-eclampsia and PPH.
- Psychiatric and behavioural emergencies requiring sedation for safe transport.
The Retrieval Service is based at Alice Springs Hospital, providing us with the opportunity to follow the entire patient journey from the first point of contact by phone, through retrieval to hospital admission and discharge. Our Registrars have the unique opportunity to work in the Medical Retrieval and Consultation Centre (MRaCC), taking calls from remote clinics as well as cattle stations, mines and roadhouses with supervision and support from Medical Retrieval Consultants, and gaining experience in the clinical co-ordination aspects of PHRM.
We offer weekly paid teaching and the opportunity to contribute towards research, audit and service improvement projects.
We are fully accredited for 6 months FTE for the ACEM Associateship in Pre-Hospital and Retrieval Medicine
The opportunity to put your clinical skills to the test in remote, resource-limited settings exists right here in the ‘Red Centre’ of Australia!
REQUIREMENTS:
- Advanced trainee, preferably in the last two years of a critical care training programme (ACEM, CICM, ANZCA, ACRRM, RACGP).
- Minimum experience of 6 months in Emergency Medicine, 6 months in Intensive Care, and 3 months in Anaesthetics.
- Holds a valid driving licence and medically fit to drive.
- Excellent communication and team working skills.
- Ability to work in complex cross-cultural environments.
Alice Springs is in a beautiful and unique part of the world with good schools, a diverse and multicultural community, eclectic arts and entertainment, as well as many sporting opportunities, all within a backyard that many travel across the world to see and experience. It is a regional town of approximately 27,000 people nestled between East and West MacDonnell Ranges. Blue skies prevail most of the year making it the perfect base for mountain biking, hiking and camping enthusiasts. Close to Uluru and Kata Tjuta and King's Canyon. Highlights of the social calendar include Finke Desert Race, Hart's Range Races, Aileron Rodeo, Redback MTB, West Macs Monster, and various events such as Desert Mob Festival, Beanie Festival, Henley-on-Todd river race and Partjimma Festival of Lights.
Remuneration will be in accordance with the Northern Territory Public Sector Medical Officers Enterprise Agreement.
For further information, please contact Dr Mark O'Reilly ([email protected]) or follow our Twitter account (@RedOzRetrieval).
To apply for this position, please send your CV and cover letter to [email protected] before C.O.B. on Friday, 11th June 2026.
