Become a Medical Practitioner
![Medical Practitioner Header](https://thumbor.ixchosted.com/nq4T7Zq1JVjbJ5dprSJhXe_2PpM=/1200x0/https://rfds-media.s3.amazonaws.com/dd/full_width_image/Medical_Practitioner_header.ba0f.png?Signature=KQv2lK6b22tLRR9kCb1vrwoW0SQ%3D&AWSAccessKeyId=AKIA57J6V557HP5WJ6WZ&Expires=1725164498)
![Doctor Crystal](https://thumbor.ixchosted.com/OfUd6xRzp7Oz87zypZZyyxx0jBc=/900x0/https://rfds-media.s3.amazonaws.com/dd/text_and_image/Doctor_Crystal_770x600.4965.png?Signature=Fu7qLELFjo8%2BHFhljvlkfurim74%3D&AWSAccessKeyId=AKIA57J6V557HP5WJ6WZ&Expires=1725164498)
Not your average Emergency Department
The RFDS in Western Australia provides life-saving care to more than 2.5 million square kilometres of WA - the largest and most remote health jurisdiction in the world.
Our Medical Practitioners are natural leaders - up for the challenge and excited by the thought of problem solving and thinking on their feet.
No two days are ever the same.
![Dr Anoop](https://thumbor.ixchosted.com/kau99qm5KwWR56JfHEd-1ky4H7Q=/1200x0/https://rfds-media.s3.amazonaws.com/dd/full_width_image/Dr_Anoop_1920x1080.c624.png?Signature=3wxPfc%2FElLL1VwG8UMuvoScmcWA%3D&AWSAccessKeyId=AKIA57J6V557HP5WJ6WZ&Expires=1725164498)
![Dr Deb](https://thumbor.ixchosted.com/ijVrmIaDqaLXKj-nVuurwJi-Pmg=/900x0/https://rfds-media.s3.amazonaws.com/dd/text_and_image/Doctor_Deb_770x600.30aa.png?Signature=oCXivxPrKPzsjdThwVa3r55OJjE%3D&AWSAccessKeyId=AKIA57J6V557HP5WJ6WZ&Expires=1725164498)
About your role
- Exciting variety of clinical presentations.
- State-of-the-art retrieval platforms including jet, turbo prop, rotary and road.
- Opportunity to practice critical care retrieval in a small highly trained team and remote setting with 24/7 support from senior clinicians.
- You’ll never stop learning and facing new challenges, with career development and growth opportunities.
- Most importantly, you’ll make a difference with every single flight.
What you'll get
- Starting salary of $379,023 with annual remuneration increases upon successful competency assessment review.
- 7 – 8 weeks annual leave, depending on your location.
- Fully furnished housing and utilities for regionally-based employees.
- Motor vehicle including fuel and servicing for regionally-based employees.
- Comprehensive aeromedical retrieval training program.
- 2 weeks approved study leave after 12 months.
- After 3 years service in a regional location, 12 weeks retention bonus pay.
- Yearly return flights from regional bases to any city around Australia (up to $800 each) for you and your dependent family members.
- Visa costs and flights to Australia for you and your family for eligible international candidates.
- Salary packaging up to $15,900 per annum for everyday expenses and up to $2,650 per annum on meals and entertainment expenses.
![Dr Jig and Nurse Beth](https://thumbor.ixchosted.com/Ca11RQHyUTAN4vNSuLHe_tZMBm4=/900x0/https://rfds-media.s3.amazonaws.com/dd/text_and_image/Dr_Jig_and_Nurse_Beth_770x900.2621.png?Signature=jjkVGMYXDNnauF0PrIL6AcvVPIE%3D&AWSAccessKeyId=AKIA57J6V557HP5WJ6WZ&Expires=1725164498)
What you'll need
Essential
- Registration, or the ability to register, with AHPRA as a Medical Practitioner.
- A minimum of five years of postgraduate experience.
- Significant experience in emergency medicine, anaesthesia, and acute paediatrics.
- Able to independently manage critically ill and injured patients, including procedural skills relevant to critical care medicine.
Desirable
- FACEM/FANZCA/FCICM/FACRRM or FRACGP or equivalent.
- Obstetric experience.
- Primary health care experience.
- Experience in pre-hospital or retrieval medicine.
- Experience in regional or remote medical practice.
The RFDS WA does sponsor visas for eligible International Medical Practitioner’s who are able to register with the AHPRA. Learn more here.
![RFDS PC-12 with SJA](https://thumbor.ixchosted.com/Cgn06MkTH3HruvliFkudjnCefR0=/900x0/https://rfds-media.s3.amazonaws.com/dd/text_and_image/PC-12_landed_770x600.378f.png?Signature=NnqJgDnEZDPEjGejnq8dhfSBkmE%3D&AWSAccessKeyId=AKIA57J6V557HP5WJ6WZ&Expires=1725164498)
Where it can take you
Your career as a Medical Practitioner with the RFDS WA is likely to begin at one of our regional bases - allowing you to dive straight into the action and see the impact your work has on regional communities.
We have five bases across the state:
- Jandakot
- Broome
- Kalgoorlie
- Meekatharra
- Port Hedland
![Dr Deb practising on medical equipment](https://thumbor.ixchosted.com/ZbxcRuhx9bUcGP019ur2kxV6M6c=/900x0/https://rfds-media.s3.amazonaws.com/dd/text_and_image/Dr_Deb_Study_770x600.9642.png?Signature=%2BxhTtMa40lwMScNIw5Spz6Io%2BJ4%3D&AWSAccessKeyId=AKIA57J6V557HP5WJ6WZ&Expires=1725164498)
The recruitment process
- Once you’re shortlisted, you’ll attend a panel interview (usually with our Head of Medical, Senior Medical Practitioner and People & Innovation team).
- Following the interview you will be required to provide qualifications to determine suitability under the Scope of Practice for a Medical Practitioner.
- For international Medical Practitioners, the RFDS WA People & Innovation Team will support you through the AHPRA Registration Process.
- You will be required to complete a medical and obtain an ASIC Aviation Card.
Our crew in action
![Dr Jig smiling in front of a PC-12.](https://thumbor.ixchosted.com/e9__Q_IP00Ut3dHehWdUeMerQTc=/600x300/https://rfds-media.s3.amazonaws.com/dd/news/6J3B9801.1133.jpg?Signature=25ENQVAeAiYaUgZoaBhRhVuoRr4%3D&AWSAccessKeyId=AKIA57J6V557HP5WJ6WZ&Expires=1725164498)
Trains, planes and the RFDS
Doctor Jig is accustomed to working inside the tight space of an RFDS aircraft, but one retrieval saw him treating an unwell passenger within the confines of the iconic Indian Pacific train.
More details