Job description
Agency Department of Health Work unit Surgery and Critical Care

Job title Director of Surgical Acute Care Unit Designation Senior Specialist Clinician SMO2.1-SMO2.3

Job type Full time Duration Fixed for up to 3 years

Salary $270,033 - $298,705 Location Darwin and Palmerston

Position number 36044 RTF 360834 Closing 25/01/2027

Contact Officer Mahiban Thomas – [email protected]

About the agency https://health.nt.gov.au/

Apply online https://jobs.nt.gov.au/Home/JobDetails?rtfId=360834
APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE A ONE-PAGE SUMMARY ABOUT YOU, A DETAILED RESUME AND COPIES OF YOUR TERTIARY
QUALIFICATIONS.
Information for applicants – inclusion and diversity and Special Measures recruitment plans
The NTPS values diversity. The NTPS encourages people from all diversity groups to apply for vacancies and accommodates people with
disability by making reasonable workplace adjustments. If you require an adjustment for the recruitment process or job, please discuss this with
the contact officer. For more information about applying for this position and the merit process, go to the OCPE website. Aboriginal applicants
will be granted priority consideration for this vacancy. For more information on Special Measures plans, go to the OCPE website.

Primary Objective
Provide leadership to the Surgical Acute Care Unit, report to the Director of Surgical Services and support the Division of Surgery & Critical
Care with implementation of clinical and organisational priorities, towards providing safe, timely, efficient, effective, equitable, and person-
centred clinical services.
Context statement
The Head of the Surgical Acute Care Unit (SACU) has direct line management of SACU including human resource management
responsibilities, direct supervision of Medical Officers, financial accountability, departmental performance, leadership of continuous quality
improvement activities, and participation as a member of a senior management team, including governance activities.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
1. Provide leadership for the Department,



including the management of patient flow and demand management strategies including leave

management, safety and quality, clinical audit and review, and junior staff supervision, training and teaching.
2. Support organisational clinical governance, operations and implement strategic programmes through a close working relationship with the

Director of Surgery and the RDPH Executive Team; align culture and processes to NTPS Code of Conduct.
3. Lead a culture of high performing teams, professional excellence and accountability within the NT Health Values.
4. Perform human resource responsibilities including the direct supervision of medical staff, allocation of duties, establishment of rosters,

performance management of staff and monitoring staffing levels, workloads and hours worked and management of complaints.
5. Provide leadership in fostering partnerships between healthcare providers across a range of disciplines and services to enhance the

capacity for multi-disciplinary care and contribute to NT Health clinical leadership in Emergency Surgical Care.
6. Responsible for unit financial management and efficiencies, and allocation of resources.
7. Lead continuous quality improvement activities and clinical outcome measurement, planning, and the development of procedures and

guidelines towards safe and efficient delivery of Emergency Surgical care holistically.
8. Responsibility for the coordination of research, and timely delivery of teaching and training programmes.
9. Contribute to clinical leadership, implement quality improvement, measurement, reporting and leading improvements in the clinical

operation of the medical officer’s speciality; lead clinical audit and M&M; Meetings, embed RCA within the processes.
10. Follow defined service quality standards,



work health and safety policies and procedures relating to the work being undertaken to ensure

high quality, secure services and workplaces
11. Foster a positive workplace culture through exemplary leadership practices and role modelling behaviour.

Selection Criteria
Essential
1. Eligible for specialist registration with the Medical Board of Australia and current Fellowship of relevant Medical College.
2. Evidence of the completion of not less than the equivalent of six years of full-time service in medical practice as a Staff Specialist General

Surgeon.
3. Demonstrated commitment to the NT Health Values.
4. Demonstrated recognition as a professional leader in the field.
5. Proven effective leadership, interpersonal, communication, presentation and negotiation skills.
6. Strategic thinking and planning abilities.
7. Proven track record in the pursuit of clinical excellence.
8. Demonstrated commitment to ensuring equity of access to quality health care and improving health outcomes.
9. Demonstrated commitment to continuing education, teaching, research.
10. Proven ability to monitor service delivery and clinical performance.
11. Set priorities for SACU’s clinical activity in conjunction with the Director of Surgery and Health service executive.
12. Maximise efficient clinical activity throughput for SACU in Operating Theatre, Outpatients and on the wards, in conjunction with Director of

Surgery & Hospital executive, aligned with NTPS Code of Conduct.

Desirable
1. Completed Health Management and/or Leadership training or equivalent qualification.
Further information
Positions may be subject to pre-employment checks such as immunisation requirements, working with children clearance notice and criminal
history checks. A criminal history will not exclude an applicant from this position unless it is a relevant criminal history. For immunisation
requirements - Category A (direct contact with blood or body substances) or Category B (indirect contact with blood or body substances), check
with contact person for requirements.

📌 Director of Surgical Acute Care Unit (Darwin)
🏢 Department Of Health
📍 Darwin