Medical Lead Aeromedical - Cairns Medical PractitionersMore info

Medical Lead Aeromedical - Cairns

Provide leadership and support to the Aeromedical team in Cairns, ensuring safe and efficient service delivery and innovative operational planning

Classifications

• Healthcare & Medicine
• Medical Practitioner
• Part-time

Key points

• Lead the team of emergency retrieval doctors in Cairns
• Make a real impact in rural and remote QLD communities!
• Join the iconic RFDS (Queensland Section)

Description

The Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) (RFDS) is seeking an experienced and dedicated Medical Lead – Aeromedical to lead the delivery of high-quality aeromedical services from our Cairns Base. Established in 1972, the RFDS Cairns Base stands as one of the largest and longest-serving bases within our network.

This is an exciting opportunity for a senior medical officer who is driven by clinical excellence, patient outcomes, team leadership, and service innovation.

Working closely with the General Manager – Aeromedical Services and Base Leadership Teams, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering aeromedical operations that support some of Queensland's most remote and vulnerable communities.

About the Role

This is an initial 12-month, part-time opportunity (4 A-ML shifts every 4 weeks in addition to clinical FTE).

As the Medical Lead – Aeromedical, you will provide clinical and operational leadership for RFDS aeromedical services. Leading a team of Medical Officers, you will ensure the delivery of safe, efficient, and high-quality services while meeting operational, contractual, financial, and compliance requirements.

You will champion a culture of clinical excellence, safety, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement, while contributing to the strategic direction and ongoing success of Aeromedical Services.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, support, and guidance to Medical Officers to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of aeromedical services
• Drive the achievement of service delivery KPIs and contractual requirements
• Participate in clinical governance activities and ensure compliance with organisational policies, procedures, accreditation standards, and regulatory requirements
• Lead medical workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, and retention initiatives to support sustainable service delivery
• Foster a high-performing, collaborative, and engaged clinical team culture
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, healthcare partners, government agencies, and community networks
• Identify and implement opportunities to enhance, innovate, and expand aeromedical services
• Contribute to operational planning and the strategic direction of Aeromedical Services
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary leaders to deliver integrated, patient-centred healthcare services
• Manage local aeromedical resources and approved budgets

To be considered for this role it is essential that you meet the following criteria:

• Registration with AHPRA as a Medical Practitioner
• Fellowship of ACEM, ACRRM, ANZCA, CICM or RACGP
• 3-5 years of relevant experience in aeromedical, emergency, retrieval, rural or remote medicine
• Credentialed or eligible to be credentialed for a broad scope of practice in prehospital and retrieval medicine (PHRM)
• Ability to meet Medical Officer credentialing requirements and maintain own clinical practice in aeromedical environment
• Comprehensive knowledge of contemporary medical practice in the aeromedical environment
• Well-developed management skills including demonstrated skills in leadership and decision making
• Demonstrated ability to implement change
• Commitment to continuous quality improvement
• Demonstrated skills in analytical and innovative problem solving and ability to contribute to operational planning.

Why join us?

You’ll take your career to new heights and explore opportunities with the RFDS that make a lasting impact on the lives of those living in rural and remote communities. By joining the RFDS (Queensland Section), you will have access to the following:

• An attractive renumeration
• Salary packaging of up to $18,550- increasing your take-home pay!
• An extensive and supportive orientation period, training and development programs
• Work with people who are passionate about our purpose and proud of their contribution
• Employee Assistance Program including counselling, nutrition sessions, financial sessions, and legal advice
• Private health insurance discounts
• 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.

Interested?

Applications will close by Friday 14 August 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 RFDS (Queensland) Talent Acquisition at ***********@rfdsqld.com.au or call 07 3852 7***.

Successful candidates will be subject to checks including medical assessment and pre-employment drug and alcohol testing. Candidates are required to hold a current, unrestricted Australian Driver's Licence and obtain an ASIC Card. You will also be required to successfully complete the RFDS credentialing process and your application may be subject to review by a representative from Queensland Health. Prior to the appointment, you will be required to provide copies of qualifications/registrations and evidence of immunity or vaccination against VPD.

About the RFDS (Queensland Section)

The RFDS is one of the world's largest and most comprehensive aeromedical organisations. The RFDS in Queensland provides excellence in and access to primary health care and aeromedical services across the state. Our emergency retrieval service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, delivering the finest care to more than 330,000 Australians each year, that’s one person every two minutes! In addition to aeromedical retrievals of the critically ill or injured, the RFDS also delivers a broad range of essential primary and preventative healthcare services, including telehealth, mental health, oral health and health promotion.

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 RFDS is 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, RFDS is committed to creating an organisational environment that ensures Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families feel welcome, safe, valued, included and respected.