Wurli Wurlinjang Aboriginal Health Service
GPT1/PRRT1 2016.1
2 FTE
GPT1/PRRT1 2016.2
2 FTE
Accreditation
ACRRM
RACGP
Posts
Aboriginal Health Training Posts
Remote Placements
Working Hours
Full Time
GP Supervisor(s)
Dr Megan Cole, Dr Rodney Jones, Dr Andrew McKerrader
Overview
Round 2 Application Close Date - 8 September 2015
The core focus of Wurli-Wurlinjang Health Service is to provide comprehensive primary, secondary and tertiary level primary care for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of the Katherine area.
Dedicated care programs include Women's and Children’s health, which is supported by a purpose-built ear health facility, as well as Chronic Condition Care (Gudbinji) and Men’s Health (Strongbala). Each of these programs is supported by internal services including a Health Promotion Unit, an Eye Health Program, Substance Misuse (Alcohol and Other Drugs) and Wellbeing Counselling and Psychological Services, Targeted Family Support Services, and Regional Renal and Sexual Health Services.
There is a dedicated training unit for Trainee Aboriginal Health Practitioners located at the main clinic in Katherine. The Workforce Support Unit provides whole of Northern Territory support with office locations in Katherine and Darwin.
All aspects of our service are supported by a strong commitment to continuous quality improvement and strong clinical governance.
Clinic facilities at Wurli-Wurlinjang provide Medical Students and Registrars with a fantastic opportunity to experience Aboriginal health in a rural setting. The hours of work are a very pleasant 08.30am to 04.00pm Monday to Friday, with half an hour for lunch, with minimum after-hours or on-call services (generally clients use the Katherine Hospital to access care after hours). Most Wurli facilities are closed on Wednesday afternoons for staff training. The medical centre is modern and well-equipped, with a treatment area for emergency care and wound dressing and a pharmacy from which most medications are dispended. A computerised patient recall system is easy to use.
Employment conditions include a generous salary, two (2) weeks of study leave each year, and salary sacrifice arrangements. Fully furnished accommodation is available for Registrars. With six (6) weeks of annual leave and ten days special leave per annum, there is plenty of opportunity to take advantage of the national parks around Katherine including Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge, Litchfield and Kakadu.
Last updated: Monday, August 24, 2015 - 16:00
Katherine
Overview
Location: Katherine is located approximately 316kms south of Darwin via the Stuart Highway.
Population: Approximately 10,000.
Languages: English is the most commonly used language in the township of Katherine.
Telecommunications reception and internet access
Phone access (Telstra, Optus, Vodafone), ADSL internet, satellite dish.
Access
Road: Katherine is a three (3) hour drive from Darwin along the Stuart Highway. Katherine is serviced by Greyhound Australia. The Ghan Train also stops in Katherine twice a week.
Air: There is an airstrip in Katherine. No commercial flights operate; however charter flights can be arranged.
Seasonal: During the wet season from November to April some roads are impassable and the airstrip can be closed at short notice. The communities of Ngukurr, Urapunga and Minyerri are often isolated for up to a month and communities like Wugularr and Jilkminggan are regularly flooded.
Facilities
Katherine has all the amenities of a country town; shopping centres, supermarkets, sporting grounds, restaurants, banking facilities along with five (5) primary schools, one (1) high school and a Charles Darwin University campus.
Additional information
History: Katherine is the fourth largest settlement in the Territory, which was named by explorer John McDouall Stuart in 1862 after the daughter of his expedition sponsor James Chambers. The first inhabitants of the Katherine Region were the Jawoyn and Dagomen Aboriginal people. The town became a popular base for pioneers and for those wishing to explore the Gulf region, Kakadu National Park and the Victoria River region. During World War II, the Australian Army set up two (2) hospitals around Katherine, the 101st Australian General Hospital and 121st Australian General Hospital. The army also set up a Katherine Area Headquarters. In 1942 Katherine sustained its only air raid during World War II. One man was killed when a Japanese aircraft bombed the town. In 1998 a major flood devastated the town and the area was declared a national disaster. The flood was a result of 400mm of rainwater brought by Cyclone Les that caused the already full Katherine River to peak at 20.4 meters. The floodwaters inundated the town and much of the surrounding region. The flood covered an area of 1000 square kilometres.
Climate: Katherine experiences tropical like weather with a distinct wet and dry season. The annual rainfall is 1,130mm and daily temperatures in the wet season typically range from 24° to 35°C. There are very high humidity levels at times during the build up to the wet season (September-December).
Attractions: There are a wide range of attractions including the famous Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge), the Katherine Hot Springs, Edith Falls, the Cutta Cutta Nature Park and the Jatbula Walking Trail. An abundance of cultural events happen in the dry season; Katherine Country Music Festival, Walking with Spirits festival and many more.