Staff Specialist or SMO - Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)

About the opportunity

The Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and High Dependency Unit (PHDU) at The Townsville Hospital (TTH) consists of 5 beds (3 PICU, 2 PHDU - flexible, with max capacity for 6 ventilated patients) and expects over 300 cases per annum. It is accredited for Foundation and Elective Training by the College of Intensive Care Medicine.

Approximately 45% of PICU admissions are transported to us from surrounding Hospital and Health Service (HHS) locations (Cairns, Mackay, Mt Isa, Thursday Island), and the intubation rate is 30%. There is a strong bias toward high acuity emergency admissions (80%). Infectious diseases comprise a large percentage of our admitting diagnoses. There are three Paediatric Surgeons who cover a wide range of procedures, as well as ENT, Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Neurosurgery. Paediatric Oncology is under rapid development.

Currently PICU at TTH manages all patients with the exception of Burns (>35%), Spinal Injury, Cardiac Surgery, and non-urgent Oncology. All urgent cases in these latter categories are stabilised before transport to Brisbane or other major centres, as appropriate. PICU provides continuous renal replacement (CRRT) for all ages, and High Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation (HFOV) as required. ECLS/ECMO is not available at this stage. PICU staff members provide a diagnostic ECHO service, and work closely with the Paediatric Cardiologists at Lady Cilento Children's Hospital.

There is a separate Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at TTH which works independently of PICU, with the exception of collaboration on the retrieval and care of infants <28days old.

There is scope for this position to include rotational secondment to Lady Cilento Children's Hospital Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Brisbane, as negotiated on an individual basis.

About your new employer

The Townsville Hospital and Health Service (HHS) organisation offers a diverse and dynamic healthcare environment, providing access to cutting-edge medical practices, advanced research, and specialised clinical expertise. As a leading tertiary and referral service, we foster continuous professional development, allowing staff to work on complex cases, engage with multidisciplinary teams, and contribute to innovative healthcare solutions.

We support career progression with structured pathways, secondment opportunities, and access to education and training programs. Whether specialising in a clinical field, upskilling in Digital Health, or transitioning to leadership roles, employees benefit from mentorship, professional development initiatives, and strong institutional partnerships with James Cook University (JCU).

A strong community-driven culture makes our organisation an attractive workplace, fostering collaboration, inclusion, and professional support. We balance metro-level healthcare opportunities with a regional feel, offering short commutes, access to rural and urban facilities, and a close-knit professional network. Employees experience a unique blend of career growth and lifestyle flexibility without the hustle of larger cities.

Nestled within beautiful North Queensland, the rural, urban, country and coastal locations found within the Townsville HHS region provides vibrant and unique communities, affordable living with stunning landscapes, outdoor adventures, and a relaxed lifestyle.

Townsville HHS prioritises employee wellbeing, offering flexible work arrangements, stable job security, and a family-friendly environment. Staff benefit from regional opportunities while maintaining modern healthcare advantages.

Attractive remuneration package:

Salary range: $8062.00 to $10221.70 p.f. (L18-L27)
4-5 weeks annual leave with 14%-17.5% loading
12.75% employer contribution to superannuation
Attraction and retention incentive allowance (35%-50% base salary)
Regional and rural attraction allowance (5% base salary)
Motor vehicle allowance between $21,000 and $25,500 p.a.
Professional development allowance of $21,500 p.a. + 3.6 weeks p.a. leave

Requirements:

Mandatory qualifications and proof of registration.
This is a Vaccine Preventable Disease (VPD) risk role.
Probation period may apply.
Pre-employment checks will be conducted.

Applications

Please download the Role Description.

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