Deputy Chief Medical Officer

• maintain the Antarctic Treaty System and enhance Australia's influence within it
• protect the Antarctic environment 
• understand the role of Antarctica in the global climate system 
• undertake scientific work of practical, economic and national significance. 

The AAD also has responsibility for administering the Australian Antarctic Territory and the Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands.

The People and Culture Branch is crucial in supporting our workforce and fostering a positive organisational culture. It is instrumental in leading the division's cultural transformation initiative, The branch places significant emphasis on providing comprehensive support for expeditioners, encompassing recruitment, onboarding, training, performance management, as well as medical and organisational psychological services. Additionally, the branch delivers essential divisional services spanning media, communication, risk management, and business continuity. The AAD remains steadfast in its commitment to cultivating a positive, inclusive culture that promotes diversity and equity.

The Polar Medicine Unit is responsible for the comprehensive medical, surgical and dental support for expeditioners deployed to the Antarctic, sub-Antarctic and Southern Ocean. Healthcare in remote extreme environments in the Australian Antarctic Program (AAP) is delivered together with the Centre for Antarctic, Remote and Maritime Medicine (CARMM) partners and others as required including specialised telemedical support, public health and occupational medicine and medical evacuations (air and sea). The Polar Medicine Unit is responsible for the health care of AAP participants through: 

• Recruiting, training and sustaining station, field and ship doctors and other healthcare workers. 
• Providing 24/7 remote telemedicine support through Polar Medicine Unit and CARMM partners. 
• Coordinating, and assessment of medical, public health, travel and occupational medicine screening for AAP personnel before deploying South. 
• Responding to medical issues/incidents.
• Facilitating MEDEVAC operations.
• Maintaining and ensuring medical inventory, medical logistics and medical facilities are resupplied and functional to deliver quality and safe AAP medical capability and response. 

PMU also conducts practical research on human adaption and response to extreme Antarctic environments. PMU provides specialist remote and isolated medical support to a number of external State and Commonwealth agencies and related programs on a regular basis, and has an international profile and reputation for its expertise amongst Antarctic nations.

The job

The Deputy CMO works with the Chief Medical Officer and other members of the PMU in leading, advancing and supporting a comprehensive medical practice for personnel engaged in Australia’s Antarctic Program and related activities. This includes provision of medical screening and approval processes for Antarctic and subantarctic AAP participants, rostered 24/7 telemedical support and the provision of medical facilities and supplies for all station, field, vessel and aircraft operations. The Deputy CMO also facilitates and participates in Polar Medicine research programs. The Deputy CMO will be required to undertake duties as the Antarctic Medical Practitioner (AMP) on Antarctic and other related ship voyages and/or summer station, air and field programs. 

The Deputy CMO engages with a range of clients within the AAD, in Australia and Antarctic locations, and with a range of external clients, including: 

• PMU members; 
• All branches: People and Culture, Operations and Logistics, Policy and Strategy, Assets and Infrastructure, Enabling Services and Science Branch members; 
• Suppliers of drugs, medical consumables and specialised medical equipment; 
• Australian Antarctic Program participants and international partners;
• Other government agencies and non-governmental organisations; and
• International collaborators and other National Antarctic Programs and their medical providers.

It is expected the Deputy CMO will demonstrate or develop qualities of leadership and decision making as alternate Chief Medical Officer during periods of leave etc. Special considerations re potential working conditions: The duties of the Deputy CMO are largely based at Head Office in Kingston, Tasmania with typical office and medical consulting-based risks. The Deputy CMO will be required to undertake duties in Antarctica and the subantarctic. Expedition summer, ship, air and field-based workplace health and safety risks include the below. 

The physical environment requires the employee to work both inside and outside in the following conditions: 

• Cold and dry conditions (as low as -45 deg Celsius).
• Both high and low solar ultraviolet radiation exposure.
• Marine and coastal environment conditions.
• Work with patients and human products and tissue in both clinical and laboratory environments potentially exposed to infective agents (e.g. respiratory and blood borne agents).
• Required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) including: 
• Cold, ultraviolet and marine environment clothing; and 
• Medical and laboratory gloves; aprons, masks; and safety eyewear glasses and shields.
• Physical activity may occur under the following conditions: 
• Extreme Cold and Wet.
• Altitude that may exceed 3500 metres
• Travel in unpressurised aircraft to 4000 metres
• Rugged and unforgiving terrain
• Embarkation and disembarkation on ships, boats and aircraft
• Remote and isolated community living:
• Limited sophistication of medical support (Self-treatment supported by 24/7 telemedicine)
• Medical Evacuation if at all possible is likely to be delayed and prolonged
• Mental health stressors of community living
• Work in Deep Field camps under austere environment and conditions
• Undertake manual handling tasks
• Communicate via VHF, HF and Satellite Radio and telephone services
  

NB: 1. AMPs who are required to over-winter will be required to undergo pre-departure elective appendicectomy.
NB: 2. Vaccination requirements for this position as a healthcare worker in remote environments include and are not limited to Hepatitis A and B, MMR, Typhoid, Pertussis, Varicella, COVID-19 and seasonal influenza.
NB: 3 This role requires Drug and Alcohol testing to undertake Safety Sensitive Aviation Activity (SSAA) requiring compliance with the AAD Drug and Alcohol Management Plan (DAMP). 

The Deputy CMO works under limited guidance and reports to the Chief Medical Officer. A collaborative team approach, knowledge sharing and receipt and provision of guidance of professional and technical nature are expected across all members of the PMU Team.

What you'll gain from the experience

Through this role, you will gain a rare and highly rewarding professional experience working at the forefront of polar and remote medicine, developing advanced skills in clinical decision-making, telemedicine, emergency response. You will collaborate with leading national and international experts, contribute to meaningful research on health in extreme conditions, and directly support Australia's scientific, environment and strategic objectives in Antarctica. 

What we are looking for

We are seeking candidates who can demonstrate the following:

The successful applicant will meet mandatory and qualification requirements, satisfy required security and character checks and be the one who best meets the selection criteria overall and complements best the skills and capability of the Polar Medicine Unit team. It is required that the successful applicant will maintain clinical practice, general medical registration, good standing, professional development and currency in order to deliver Antarctic medical practice meeting contemporary standards. This is facilitated with a right to limited private practice arrangements and other professional collaboration and development opportunity and support subject to operational requirements. 

Please note that the successful applicant may be required to travel to the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions therefore they may be required to meet specific medical, adaptability and personal qualities requirements appropriate to working in those environments. 

In order to undertake travel to the Antarctic & sub-Antarctic regions they will need to:

• demonstrate the range of personal qualities and interpersonal skills necessary to perform as a successful team member within isolated Antarctic and sub-Antarctic environments
• demonstrate an ability to effectively adapt and respond to the demands of living and working in an isolated and confined environment as determined by a psychological (adaptability) assessment
• be certified as fit for Antarctic service by the AAD’s Polar Medicine Unit.

Eligibility

Mandatory Qualifications - your suitability for employment will be dependent on you holding relevant mandatory qualifications.

• Full Unrestricted General Registration with the Medical Board of Australia.
•  Fellowship of a relevant Australian medical college, e.g. FACRRM, FACEM, FAFOEM or equivalence (candidates near completion of Fellowship will be considered). 
• Evidence of maintenance of Professional Development and Clinical Practice in a relevant scope of practice.