Senior Medical Advisor

Why This Role Matters

The Senior Medical Advisor plays a pivotal role in strengthening system-wide clinical governance, workforce strategy, and policy translation across Northern Territory Health. Supporting the Office of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), this role directly influences medical workforce planning, research governance, innovation frameworks, and health service delivery across regional and rural communities. In a geographically diverse and culturally unique healthcare environment like the Northern Territory, strong strategic medical leadership ensures equitable, safe, and evidence-based healthcare services. This position contributes to shaping policy at a system level while enabling practical implementation that improves patient outcomes and service quality across NT Health.

Job Description

The Senior Medical Advisor provides strategic advice to the Chief Medical Officer and contributes to the development, implementation, and evaluation of health policies and governance frameworks. The role supports leadership across medical workforce initiatives, clinical governance systems, research governance, and rural generalist coordination. The position involves collaboration with regional health services, national committees, and cross-functional stakeholders to ensure contemporary, evidence-based practice across the health system. The role offers flexibility for continued clinical practice, research, or professional pursuits and welcomes part-time or portfolio-based applications.

Key Features of the Role:

• Senior system-level medical leadership opportunity
• Strategic involvement in clinical governance and workforce planning
• Influence on research translation and innovation
• Engagement with national and jurisdictional committees
• Flexible arrangements including part-time and portfolio roles
• Competitive executive-level remuneration

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic medical leadership to enhance healthcare design and operations
• Support clinical governance implementation and monitoring across NT Health
• Lead medical workforce engagement and planning initiatives
• Contribute to strategic planning, policy development, and evaluation
• Provide expert advice for Ministerial correspondence and executive briefs
• Collaborate with Clinical Excellence and Patient Safety Unit
• Represent NT Health on national and interjurisdictional committees
• Support implementation of governance frameworks and reporting systems
• Promote innovation, research translation, and quality improvement
• Foster positive workplace culture and professional leadership standards
• Ensure adherence to service quality and workplace health and safety standards

Required Qualifications

• Eligibility for specialist registration with the Medical Board of Australia
• Fellowship of a relevant Specialist College
• Substantive senior leadership experience
• Detailed understanding of governance structures in healthcare
• Demonstrated experience in policy development and workforce planning

Educational Requirements:

• Medical degree recognized by the Medical Board of Australia
• Fellowship of a relevant Royal College or equivalent specialist qualification

Experience and Skills:

• Extensive experience in senior clinical leadership roles
• Strong knowledge of clinical governance models and frameworks
• Expertise in health service delivery and medical workforce strategy
• High-level strategic planning and policy advisory capability
• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills
• Ability to operate effectively in complex, cross-cultural environments
• Strong decision-making and negotiation skills
• Experience supporting executive and ministerial communications

Salary Insights

Salary ranges between $242,013 – $298,705 per annum depending on classification:
• Senior Rural Medical Practitioner RL4.1 – RL4.4: $242,013 – $270,033
• Senior Rural Generalist SRG 1–SRG 3: $251,554 – $270,033
• Senior Staff Specialist / Medical Director / Senior Specialist Public Health: $270,033 – $298,705
Generous government benefits, superannuation, and entitlements apply.

Company Overview

Northern Territory Health is the state government health department responsible for delivering healthcare services across metropolitan, rural, and remote regions of the Northern Territory. It oversees medical workforce planning, clinical governance, research innovation, and regional health service coordination. The department prioritizes culturally safe, equitable healthcare and operates within a diverse and geographically expansive health system.

FAQs

1. Is specialist registration mandatory?
   Yes, eligibility for registration as a specialist with the Medical Board of Australia is required.

2. Are part-time applications accepted?
   Yes, part-time and portfolio-based applications are encouraged.

3. Does the role include clinical practice?
   Yes, flexibility exists to continue clinical or research interests.

4. Is leadership experience essential?
   Yes, substantive senior leadership experience is required.

5. Is this a government position?
   Yes, this is a Northern Territory Government health role.

Application Tips

• Highlight governance, leadership, and workforce strategy experience clearly
• Demonstrate involvement in policy development or system-level initiatives
• Emphasize specialist registration and Fellowship credentials
• Provide examples of cross-cultural leadership experience
• Showcase experience in executive-level communication and advisory roles
• Align your CV with clinical governance and strategic health system expertise