An opportunity is available for a specialist psychiatrist in the field of Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Mental Health.
- Family-oriented lifestyle in a vibrant coastal regional city in sub-tropical North Queensland
- Local airport servicing Sydney (2hr35min), Melbourne (3hr) and Brisbane (1hr50 min)
- Main base hospital for the region
- Competitive remuneration package (up to AUD$537,000, depending on experience)
- Excellent public and private schools available, as well as tertiary institutions
- Affordable housing
The Role and Hospital
The Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Mental Health Service at Townsville Hospital and Health Service has been developed to better meet the needs of patients with neurodivergent disorders, developmental disorders and congenital intellectual disability. The service also provides outreach functions to Northwest Hospital and Health Service. This is a multi-disciplinary team with a combination of Allied Health, Nursing and Mental Health medical staff.
This is a new position that will initially focus on the establishment and progressive development of the Intellectual and Disability Mental Health Service. It is anticipated that the focus past Year 1 will shift towards Clinical Governance, Clinical Care and Service Evaluation.
It is planned that the Intellectual and Developmental Disability Mental Health team will deliver a range of services that includes assessment and brief evidence-based bio-psycho-social interventions to patients in the Townsville region who access Mental Health Services and have a diagnosed or suspected intellectual and developmental disability with co-occurring moderate to severe mental disorders.
The Townsville HHS is the largest tertiary health service in northern Australia. Townsville University Hospital provides, complex, high level services across a wide range of specialities including cardiothoracic, neurosurgery, adult and paediatric ICU, general surgery, medicine, radiation and medical oncology, transplant haematology, paediatrics, obstetrics and neonatology to the North Queensland region. Uniquely, Townsville University Hospital is the only tertiary facility in Queensland to offer all of these services within the one hospital.
Requirements
Applicants should be registered (or eligible for registration) as a specialist with the Medical Board of Australia and be a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (FRANZCP) or equivalent as an overseas trained specialist who has completed their training in either Ireland, Canada, USA (ABPN certified) or New Zealand.
- 3 years Consultant/Specialist level work experience.
- A minimum of 6 months in a formal training post in Child and Adolescent psychiatry in your basic or advanced training (if not FRANZCP).
- Experience in a multidisciplinary team context.
The Medical Board of Australia has implemented a new expedited pathway to specialist registration, eliminating the need for a specialist assessment with a specialist medical college for those with an accepted qualification in Psychiatry. The only accepted qualifications are MRCPsych and a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) from the UK, with the new pathway available from December 2024. Now is the time to apply for a new role.
The Location
Townsville is the largest regional centre in the North and a major gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.
The gorgeous weather promotes an outdoor lifestyle as the sun shines nearly all year round (320+ days/year). Enjoy the benefits of urban living without being trapped in a commuter nightmare of metropolitan traffic. Appreciate the country town `feel' and change your pace as you absorb the local tropical/coastal flow.
The city heart provides opportunity for boutique shopping, fine dining experiences, cultural events and a bustling nightlife. The Strand is Townsville's waterfront esplanade; take a stroll along the picturesque paths, do some shopping or attend the night markets, be spoilt for choice with alfresco dining options, sit and relax while the kids play at the water park or one of the family fun areas. Picnic and BBQ facilities are available, as well as gym equipment (including a rock climbing wall) and amenities. Swim in the man-made rockpool or the lifeguard monitored beaches. All with magnificent views of the jewel in Townsville's crown, Magnetic Island. A short, scenic ferry ride will get you there.