Career Medical Officer, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit - John Hunter Children's Ho

Career Medical Officer - Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
John Hunter Children’s Hospital
Permanent Full Time – 1.0 FTE*

To be eligible for a Career Medical Officer role, candidates must hold full unrestricted General Registration with AHPRA. 

*To be eligible for permanent appointment, applicants must be Australian Citizens or Permanent Residents. A 3-year fixed term contract may be offered to International Medical Graduates without Australian Citizenship or Permanent Residency. 

About the role
Hunter New England Local Health District is seeking a committed and capable Career Medical Officer (CMO) to join our Level 6 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at John Hunter Hospital – a major tertiary neonatal referral centre supporting newborns and their families across NSW. 
In this role, you will contribute to the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based care for critically ill and premature newborns within a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Provide prompt and thorough assessment, investigation and clinical management of newborns in NICU. 
• Deliver emergency medical services and undertake clinical/non-clinical duties under Staff Specialist supervision. 
• Supporting admitting, assessment and treatment processes within the NICU.
• Participating in clinical reviews, rounds and multidisciplinary discussions.
• Collaborating with senior medical staff, nursing teams and allied health to optimise patient outcomes.
• Assisting with the education, supervision and professional development of junior medical officers.

This is a 24/7 service, and participation in the full rotating roster – including night shifts – is an essential requirement. 

About you
You are a capable and compassionate clinician with a foundation in neonatal care, and thrive in busy, complex clinical environments. 

Essential requirements:

• Full, unrestricted General Registration with AHPRA.
• Demonstrated extensive post graduate experience relevant to the care of the sick newborn, including an aggregate of at least 24 months tertiary unit experience at the level of trainee or above.
• Knowledge of contemporary Clinical management and modern approaches in assessment and management of the broad range of acute conditions in the care of the Newborn.
• Demonstrate ability to work independently within a supervised complex clinical environment utilising skills, judgement and expertise to provide a high standard of patient care.
• Ability to participate in shift work, including night shifts.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills

About us
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) situated within the John Hunter Hospital. We have 20 intensive care beds and 24 special care beds with an average of 1200 admissions per year. All facets of neonatal care are provided, including care of infants with extreme prematurity, unwell term infants, infants requiring neonatal surgery (excluding cardiothoracic), as well as multidisciplinary follow up clinics. As part of Hunter NETS, we average about 60 neonatal retrievals per year and 350 back transfers to facilitate infants getting closer to home for ongoing care. 

John Hunter Hospital is a regional tertiary referral centre for foetal abnormalities and has an experienced maternal foetal medicine team providing services for the Hunter New England Local Health District, Central Coast and Mid-North Coast of New South Wales.       
      
John Hunter Children’s Hospital in Newcastle is one of three children’s hospitals in NSW, we see almost 25,000 children and young people in our emergency department and admit over 10,000 children and young people to hospital per year. We perform over 100,000 occasions of service through outpatient clinics. 

Why Join Us?

• John Hunter Hospital Health and Innovation Precinct: Work within a major teaching hospital and innovation hub supporting education, research and multidisciplinary excellence.
• Sustainability focus: John Hunter Hospital is committed to environmentally sustainable healthcare through energy-efficient and waste-reduction initiatives.
• Staff wellbeing supports: Access to Fitness Passport, Salary Packaging, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and a range of wellbeing initiatives.
• Medical Settlement Concierge: Personalised assistance with onboarding, relocation and settling into the district – for clinicians, families and even pets.

Need more information? 
Click here for the Position Description 

For role related enquiries contact: Dr Larissa Korostenski – Head of Newborn Services, John Hunter Children’s Hospital 
Ph: (02) •••• •070 E: ••••@health.nsw.gov.au    
For application enquiries contact: Sally Jordan – Senior Medical Recruitment Consultant
Ph: (02) •••• •353 E: ••••@health.nsw.gov.au 

Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD) is dedicated to fostering a child-safe environment that respects and upholds the rights of children and young people, aligned with NSW Health’s commitment to implementing the Child Safe Standards. We aim to ensure that children and young people feel safe, supported, and included in their care. All current and prospective staff are expected to prioritise the safety, welfare, and well-being of children and young people, actively working to protect them from harm and abuse.

Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Specific Diseases - this is a Category A position. Please read and understand NSW Health policy directive (PD2024_015). All new employees must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in the policy.

JHCH respects and appreciates cultural diversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

Agency applications are not accepted at this time.