Senior Medical Officer

Why This Role Matters
• Delivers essential primary and specialist healthcare to correctional and youth detention populations
• Supports equitable access to medical services for vulnerable communities
• Strengthens statewide virtual prison medical support across Queensland
• Enhances continuity of care through onsite and telehealth services
• Contributes to public health, safety and rehabilitation outcomes

Job Description
• Position: Senior Medical Officer – Virtual Support (GP SMO)
• Organisation: West Moreton Hospital and Health Service
• Location: Ipswich, Brisbane QLD (Hybrid – Onsite & Virtual)
• Employment Type: Full Time
• Sector: Government – State (Healthcare & Defence)
• Service Area: Prison and Youth Detention Health Services (PYDHS)
• Coverage: Seven adult correctional facilities and two youth detention centres (Wacol, Ironbark, Gatton) + statewide virtual support

Key Features of the Role
• Hybrid model combining onsite and virtual healthcare delivery
• Statewide virtual prison medical support service involvement
• Work within a multidisciplinary correctional health team
• Career progression into senior and leadership pathways
• Salary packaging and up to 12.75% superannuation
• Paid study leave, simulation training and research opportunities
• Strong wellbeing programs and flexible work options

Responsibilities
• Provide primary healthcare services within correctional facilities
• Deliver virtual medical support to adult correctional centres statewide
• Work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams
• Ensure continuity of care for prison and youth detention populations
• Maintain compliance with clinical governance and public health standards
• Participate in mentoring, training and service improvement initiatives

Required Qualifications
• Registration with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as a Specialist in General Practice
• Fellowship with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and/or Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine
• Compliance with Health Employment Directive No. 01/16 (Vaccination Requirements)
• Valid working rights in Australia

Educational Requirements
• Recognised medical degree
• FRACGP and/or FACRRM Fellowship

Experience and Skills
• Experience in General Practice, ideally within correctional, custodial or complex care settings
• Strong telehealth and virtual care delivery capability
• High-level clinical decision-making skills
• Ability to manage diverse and complex patient presentations
• Commitment to safeguarding and child-safe healthcare practices
• Excellent communication and multidisciplinary collaboration skills

Age Eligibility
• Open to all qualified applicants meeting AHPRA registration and Queensland Health employment requirements

Salary Insights
• Government remuneration package (Queensland Health framework)
• Salary packaging benefits available
• Up to 12.75% employer superannuation contribution
• Access to professional development funding and paid study leave

Company Overview
• West Moreton Hospital and Health Service delivers healthcare to over 300,000 people
• Services include preventive, primary, acute, sub-acute, mental health, oral health and correctional health services
• Employs over 6,000 healthcare professionals across the West Moreton region
• Recognised Child Safe Organisation prioritising safeguarding of children and young people
• Provides healthcare across Ipswich, Boonah, Gatton, Laidley and Esk

FAQs

Q1. Is this a fully virtual role?
No, the role operates in a hybrid model with both onsite services at correctional facilities and virtual statewide support.

Q2. What facilities are covered under this role?
The service supports seven adult correctional facilities and two youth detention centres, along with statewide virtual support to additional centres across Queensland.

Q3. What qualifications are mandatory?
Applicants must hold AHPRA Specialist Registration in General Practice and Fellowship with RACGP and/or ACRRM.

Q4. Are vaccination requirements mandatory?
Yes, compliance with Health Employment Directive No. 01/16 regarding vaccine-preventable diseases is required.

Q5. What professional development opportunities are available?
The organisation offers paid study leave, mentorship, simulation training and research opportunities.

Application Tips
• Clearly outline FRACGP and/or FACRRM Fellowship status
• Demonstrate experience in complex or correctional healthcare settings
• Highlight telehealth and virtual care delivery experience
• Provide two referees with up-to-date contact details
• Submit a concise 1–2 page statement addressing how your skills align with the role requirements