Resident Medical Officer

Overview

To diagnose, treat and prevent disorders relating to hair and scalp health, under the supervision of the Lead Hair Transplant Doctor. The position is consultative and does not perform hair transplantation procedures.

Examination, diagnosis and records

• Conduct examinations and question patients to determine the nature of their disorder or illness, and record patients' medical information.
• Take full medical histories and establish the aetiology of hair loss, differentiating androgenetic alopecia from alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, scarring alopecias, and hair loss secondary to systemic, endocrine, nutritional or dermatological conditions.
• Maintain accurate and compliant medical records in accordance with AHPRA requirements, privacy legislation and clinic policy.

Diagnostic procedures

• Order laboratory tests and other diagnostic procedures, including serology, trichoscopy and scalp biopsy where clinically indicated.
• Interpret findings to assist in diagnosis.

Treatment and patient care

• Provide overall care for patients, and prescribe and administer treatments, medications and other remedial measures for hair loss.
• Administer and oversee platelet-rich plasma and platelet-rich fibrin therapy.
• Develop individualised treatment plans and communicate the risks, benefits, limitations, alternatives and realistic expected outcomes of each option.
• Assess and document candidacy for surgical hair restoration, including donor supply, recipient area characteristics and likely progression of loss.

Monitoring progress

• Monitor patients' progress and response to treatment, including tolerance of and response to prescribed therapy.
• Provide post-procedure medical review for transplant patients, monitor healing and graft survival, and escalate any complication to the supervising practitioner.

Preventative advice

• Advise patients on diet, exercise and other habits which aid the prevention and treatment of hair loss, including nutritional deficiency, stress and modifiable lifestyle factors.

Referral and exchange of medical information

• Refer patients to, and exchange medical information with, specialist medical practitioners, including dermatologists and endocrinologists, where hair loss indicates an underlying condition requiring investigation or management outside the scope of the clinic.
• Patient safety and informed consent
• Conduct evidence-based assessment of each patient's suitability for higher-risk non-surgical cosmetic procedures, including consideration of psychological, social and cultural factors and screening for body dysmorphic disorder, with referral for independent psychological assessment where indicated.
• Obtain and document informed consent, including verbal consent discussion supported by written information in plain language.
• Ensure patients are informed of available complaint mechanisms.
• Comply with all applicable Medical Board of Australia and AHPRA guidelines relating to cosmetic procedures.

Clinical governance and supervision

• Work under the supervision of the Lead Hair Transplant Doctor, including case review and escalation of clinical concerns.
• Provide clinical supervision and guidance to nurses, hair transplant technicians and support personnel in relation to patient assessment and post-operative care.
• Participate in clinical audit, quality assurance processes and incident reporting.
• Adhere to clinic protocols for infection control, sterilisation, consent, record management and workplace health and safety.
• Contribute to the development and review of clinical protocols and practice guidelines.
• Review medical information used in patient education materials for clinical accuracy and compliance with AHPRA advertising requirements.
• Participate in case discussions, professional development and clinical team meetings.

Qualifications, experience and skills required

Essential

• Medical degree (MBBS, MBChB or equivalent).
• Current general registration with the Medical Board of Australia (AHPRA), without conditions relevant to the duties of the position.
• At least one year of hospital-based training, consistent with ANZSCO Skill Level 1 for this occupation.
• Minimum three years' post-registration clinical experience.
• Demonstrated experience independently assessing, diagnosing and managing patients at first presentation, where the diagnosis is not established on arrival.
• Clinical experience across a range of specialties relevant to the differential diagnosis of hair loss, which may include general medicine, general practice, endocrinology or dermatology.
• Formal rotational experience in psychiatry, or equivalent supervised experience in psychological assessment, sufficient to screen for body dysmorphic disorder and assess psychological suitability for cosmetic procedures.
• Demonstrated experience in prescribing and in monitoring patient response to treatment.
• Excellent communication skills in English.

Desirable

• Understanding of AHPRA guidelines applicable to cosmetic procedures, including advertising restrictions and informed consent obligations.
• Experience in dermatology, trichology or aesthetic medicine.
• Experience in a private clinic or day procedure environment.
• Experience supervising nursing or technical clinical staff.

Pay: $120,000.00 – $150,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person