16 July 2009

NSW recruitment of Junior Medical Officers

More than 3,000 positions for Junior Medical Officers (JMOs) in NSW will be advertised today throughout Australia and overseas.

Minister for Health, John Della Bosca, said the NSW Government is working hard to recruit more doctors at all our public hospitals.

“A total of $42 million will also be invested over four years to increase the supply of skilled doctors to outer metropolitan NSW, in particular rural areas, through Caring Together: The Health Action Plan for NSW,” the Minister said.

“This will see the creation of 45 extra medical positions in rural areas for junior doctors in their second and third year of training, and an additional 20 trainee specialist places in outer metropolitan and regional areas.

The extra 45 will be appointed at:

• Albury – 2;
• Armidale - 2;
• Bathurst - 2;
• Bega - 1;
• Bowral -2;
• Coffs Harbour - 3;
• Dubbo - 2;
• Goulburn - 1;
• Griffith - 1;
• Lismore - 3;
• Manning - 4;
• Orange - 3;
• Port Macquarie - 4;
• Shellharbour - 2;
• Springwood - 2;
• Tamworth - 3;
• Tweed Heads - 3;
• Wagga Wagga - 3;
• Wollongong - 1; and
• Wyong - 1.

Mr Della Bosca said this recuitment drive will expand the medical workforce to ensure NSW has a sufficient number of specialists to meet the needs of the community.

“It will also expand the opportunities for specialists to train in rural and regional centres, which research indicates is a significant factor in retaining doctors in those areas,” the Minister said.

“Junior Medical Officers have the opportunity to work in a variety of well supported clinical environments in NSW, while furthering their training as a doctor.

“They are able to rotate through a number of different clinical settings and have the opportunity to experience rural clinical practice and rural life while undertaking specialist training.

“The NSW Junior Medical Officer campaign occurs every year and is one of the largest mass recruitment processes in the country,” the Minister said.

Applications open today 16 July, 2009, and close on 17 August, 2009, AEST at 5pm.

To apply visit the NSW Health JMO recruitment website http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/jobs/recruitment/jmo.asp

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au