Royal Flying Doctor Service – Townsville QLD

The Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) (RFDS) is seeking an experienced and passionate Registered Nurse and Midwife to join our leadership team as Nurse Manager - Aeromedical based in Townsville. This is a unique opportunity for an established clinical leader to combine operational and strategic leadership with ongoing aeromedical clinical practice. Reporting to the General Manager - Aeromedical Services, you will provide leadership and oversight of aeromedical nursing services while supporting a team committed to delivering exceptional care across some of Australia's most remote locations. Located in one of RFDS Queensland's most strategically important aeromedical hubs, Townsville serves as a critical gateway to healthcare for communities across North Queensland, the Gulf Country and remote regions of the state. With significant investment in expanded aviation, clinical and training infrastructure, the Townsville Base plays a vital role in delivering emergency retrievals, inter-hospital transfers and essential healthcare services. Joining the Townsville team offers the opportunity to lead within a growing service, influence the future of aeromedical nursing and make a lasting impact on the health outcomes of rural and remote Queenslanders.

The Role

As a Nurse Manager – Aeromedical, you will continue to maintain your aeromedical clinical expertise while leading a team of highly skilled Flight Nurses. You will play a pivotal role in ensuring the secure, efficient and high-quality delivery of aeromedical nursing services, supporting positive patient outcomes and operational excellence.

In addition, you will be:

- Providing emergency aeromedical retrieval services
- Coordinating and supporting inter-hospital patient transfers
- Delivering essential healthcare services to rural and remote communities
- Supporting and promoting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health initiatives
- Supporting child and family health programs
- Supporting women's health services across Queensland
- Participating in operational shifts as required to maintain flight nurse credentialing and clinical currency

As a key member of the local leadership team, you will

- Provide leadership, support and guidance to Flight Nurses
- Lead workforce planning, recruitment and retention activities
- Foster strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders




- Under the leadership of the General Manager-Aeromedical services, and in collaboration with the Chief Nursing Officer and Base Leadership teams you'll deliver culturally appropriate services aligned to contractual and KPI requirements
- Ensure adequate clinical equipment, maintenance and consumables are available to support aeromedical operations
- Engage with clinical governance processes and ensure compliance with organisational policies and procedures
- Manage local aeromedical nursing resources within approved budgets
- Identify opportunities to enhance and expand aeromedical nursing services
- Contribute to operational planning and strategic initiatives within the Aeromedical Stream

Essential Requirements

- Current AHPRA registration as a Registered Nurse and Registered Midwife
- Bachelor’s degree in Nursing and Midwifery
- 3-5 years relevant experience
- Demonstrated leadership and management experience, including sound decision-making capability
- Ability to meet Flight Nurse credentialing requirements and maintain aeromedical clinical practice
- Proven ability to lead and implement change
- Commitment to continuous quality improvement
- Comprehensive knowledge of contemporary aeromedical nursing practice
- Strong analytical, problem-solving and innovative thinking skills
- Knowledge of, or ability to gain knowledge of, industrial instruments, enterprise agreements and legislation relevant to aeromedical nursing
- Demonstrated experience contributing to operational planning and service delivery outcomes

Desirable

- Postgraduate qualifications in clinical practice, healthcare leadership or management
- Master’s level qualification or equivalent advanced study in a relevant field

Why Join RFDS?

This is a unique opportunity to lead highly regarded Aeromedical nursing teams while continuing to make a genuine difference to the lives of people living across regional, rural and remote Queensland. You will also enjoy:

- An opportunity to diversify and advance your leadership career




- An extensive and supportive orientation program
- An attractive base salary + super
- Pay Points for specific additional qualifications—for example: post grad qualifications in Critical Care, Emergency, Intensive Care, Aviation/ Retrieval Nursing.
- Additional Salary packaging of up to $18,500 - increasing your take-home pay!
- Career development with paid study leave
- Six weeks of annual leave
- Access to our Employee Assistance Program including counselling, nutrition sessions, financial sessions, and legal advice
- Private health insurance discounts
- Novated leasing available
- Access to a discounted workplace health and fitness program (Fitness Passport)
- RemServ Rewards, where members receive cashback benefits on purchases from hundreds of leading Australian retailers, including groceries, fashion, technology and travel

Applications will close 27 November 2026, but don’t delay as shortlisting will begin immediately.

If you would like any further information or a copy of the position description, please contact Talent Acquisition at ***********@rfdsqld.com.au or call 07 3852 7***.

If you would like to have a conversation with our General Manager – Aeromedical Services, Caren Harrison, please let us know and we can connect you.

Before commencement, successful candidates must undergo a drug and alcohol test and possibly a medical assessment. You must possess a valid, unrestricted Driver's Licence and be able to obtain an ASIC Card. Additionally, candidates must complete the RFDS and Queensland Health credentialing process successfully.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the Traditional Custodians of the land. The RFDS is committed to eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of healthcare. We embrace diversity and welcome all people irrespective of faith, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity.

The RFDSis committed to the protection of human and legal rights, including the rights of children, young people and adults to be safe, heard and cared for. In upholding the Universal Principle, RFDSis committed to creating an organisational environment that ensures Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families feel welcome, safe, valued, included and respected.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

📌 Nurse Manager-Aeromedical (Townsville City)
🏢 Royal Flying Doctor Service
📍 Townsville City