Kimberley - Pilbara Hub
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Our Team
Mentor, Pilbara
Graeme Fitzclarence
Graeme is a rural generalist and proceduralist, and a fellowed GP with advanced special skills in Emergency Medicine, Anaesthetics and Palliative Care. He is the Director of Clinical Training at Karratha Health Campus and is often found travelling throughout the Pilbara due to his palliative care responsibilities. Graeme was inspired to develop a career in medicine by his childhood doctor from the Wheatbelt and his GP wife. He enjoys the rural and remote lifestyle and the variety that it brings to his work.
What I love about the RCSWA
I love to see the clinical growth and maturation of students throughout the year. Their memories and friendships last forever.
Contact: [email protected]
Mentor, Kimberley
Liz Gannon
A University of Washington alumnae, Liz never considered Obstetrics and Gynaecology until her first night shift on maternity where she realised she had finally found her people. She is currently a regional specialist in O&G and is passionate about building a positive culture on the Broome maternity ward. Liz loves inspiring the next generation of GP Obstetricians who are the backbone of obstetrics for much of rural Australia.
What I love about the RCSWA
Working with RCSWA Regional Training Hubs has given me a chance to nurture one of my first loves - supporting junior colleagues. The prevocational years are challenging and a time of uncertainty so it is wise to have a solid team of supporters. I collaborate with all the stakeholders involved in rural GP training so that together we can support and inspire our amazing RMOs and students. I am frequently impressed by my junior colleagues’ commitment to competency above all else. The path to becoming a skilled Rural Generalist or Rural GP is long - like all medical training in Australia - but so worth it.
Contact: [email protected]
Project Officer, Kimberley
Gina Hailes
Gina is a proud Kimberley local who has called the region home for over 20 years. With extensive experience in the health sector, she is deeply committed to fostering the growth and success of junior doctors and medical students as they embark on their rural training journeys.
Since joining RCSWA in 2021, Gina has played a pivotal role in supporting aspiring healthcare professionals. In 2024, she expanded her impact by joining the Regional Training Hubs team, further strengthening her dedication to rural medical education and training.
Gina's passion for rural healthcare and her wealth of knowledge make her an invaluable advocate for building a robust medical workforce in regional communities.
What I love about the RCSWA
I love the opportunities RCSWA provides to our students and how that benefits our local community and regional health more broadly.
Contact: [email protected]
Kimberley Region
FAQs
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Will I still be able to get into a specialty training program if I work here?Broome has likely attracted more rural generalists than specialists, but this is shifting. In recent years we have had growing numbers of specialist bond JMOs.
We have had good success with alumni entering Anaesthetic training and have a growing number of candidates for Psychiatry, O&G, Physicians and Paediatric training.
Networking and research are critical. Broome JMOs are well supported by both the Directorate of Clinical Education and RCSWA Regional Training Hubs. Check in with us before you arrive so we can help optimise your time. -
What is the education program?In Broome there are two hours of dedicated intern teaching on Fridays developed by the Education Registrar, plus two hours of JMO teaching on Thursdays by the Directorate of Clinical Education, and plenty of quality simulation training.
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Can I get involved in research?The Kimberley has some amazing research opportunities. Lots of low-lying research fruit with JMO friendly scope. Furthermore, the Kimberley has a new and improved human subjects committee for streamlined research approval. We have several consultants and senior DMOs who are happy to support JMO research projects. Feel free to contact RCSWA Regional Training Hubs before you arrive so we can help kick-off your research project.
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Will I be able to do audits?Yes. Audit approval is even easier than research approval. All departments are involved in QI projects and there is strong support locally and across WA Country Health Service for JMOs to participate in audits. We also have opportunities for service improvement rotations.
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What rotations are available?
In Broome, interns have set rotations in Psychiatry, Emergency Medicine, General Medicine, General Surgery, and O&G with an emphasis on Gynaecology. We have rotations to remote Derby and Kununurra hospitals, plus ACRRM required rotations in ED, Paediatrics and O&G are available. Offsite rotations in primary care are with the Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service (KAMS) and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).
*information subject to change
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How many other JMOs are there?In 2024, Broome had 7 interns (5 WA Country Health Service interns and 2 rotating from Fiona Stanley Hospital) and 25 RMOs. Kununurra and Derby have several direct RMO/registrar positions.
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Will I be left on my own at work?Broome Health Campus is well staffed by skilled and supportive DMOs. Jobs include after-hours and weekend commitments, but we always have DMOs on site. Like many smaller communities and hospitals, we take professional collaboration seriously and all our specialist services expect phone calls and like to be involved in cases.
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Does the hospital supply accommodation?The hospital has limited housing available, so doctors can apply for a housing subsidy for a private rental. Electricity subsidies are available during the wet season.
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What is the sport/cultural/nightlife scene like?
There are many sporting opportunities available in Broome and some great community teams to join like co-ed rugby, football, and netball. We have a recreation and aquatic centre that has tennis, squash, and basketball courts. There are several gyms that run classes, and a couple of Pilates studios.
Broome has a vibrant cultural scene and hosts several festivals throughout the year including art, dance, and drama. There are a few pubs, two breweries and one nightclub.
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What else is there to do?The famous Cable Beach is on your doorstep and there are endless opportunities for fishing, camping, and crabbing in town and nearby. Swimming is not recommended in the wet season due to stingers but there are a lot of people that swim year-round.
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Where/how can my partner find work and/or study?There is always work to be found in Broome! If your partner is having any trouble just contact our Regional Training Hubs project officer for a chat. Being a small town, sometimes locals will hear of opportunities through our networks before they are advertised. TAFE and The University of Notre Dame Broome Campus also have a variety of diplomas and degrees to study.
There were an array of differences between living and working in a rural versus metropolitan setting. Some of those that were most striking to me were the increased sense of community, variations in first line management to match locally prevalent conditions and resource availability, and the unique range of allied health professionals with which rural practitioners work closely.Dr Aidan Lewins
RCSWA Alumni, Broome
Pilbara Region
FAQs
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Will I still be able to get into a specialty training program if I work here?
JMOs who have worked at Karratha Health Campus have entered and completed specialty training programs available in Australia, including BPT, O&G, Paediatrics, Anaesthetics and General Practice.
It is possible to complete all training requirements for the Fellowship of General Practice and/or Rural Generalist (through either RVTS, RACGP or ACRRM), Certificate, Diploma and Advanced Diploma training requirements for ACEM, and significant time for Paediatrics.*information subject to change
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What is the education program?At Karratha Health Campus the local Medical Education Unit (MEU) runs weekly protected teaching sessions for all junior doctors for at least an hour in Emergency, Radiology and Paediatrics. At least three hours a week of protected teaching time per week is available plus ad hoc SIM training when circumstances permit. Because you will be working closely with registrars, DMOs and consultants, there is much ‘incidental’ teaching as well.
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Can I get involved in research?There are several research opportunities available in Karratha, either through WA Country Heath Service or in collaboration with RCSWA with supportive people available. Your imagination is the limit as to what might be researched.
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Will I be able to do audits?Absolutely. Being involved in quality assurance activities such as audits are encouraged and supported. Many topics are possible; it is all about finding an appropriate supervisor to guide you when needed.
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What rotations are available?
In the Pilbara, interns and RMOs can rotate to Emergency, General Medicine, General Surgery, Paediatrics and Rural Generalist.
*information subject to change
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How many other JMOs are there?In Karratha there are usually between 5-6 JMOs, with 7 RCSWA students and a steady stream of Rural General Practice Placement students.
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Will I be left on my own at work?No, you will always have someone you can call.
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Does the hospital supply accommodation?Accommodation is supplied for junior doctors on rotation from metropolitan hospitals.
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What is the sport/cultural/nightlife scene like?Karratha is a coastal town of about 24,000 people. All types of regular sports, gym and public pool are available. There is a large entertainment precinct which hosts local, national, and international acts and a thriving cultural scene. There are some good restaurants and pubs, including a live music scene.
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What else is there to do?Karratha and Port Hedland are close to the water, so swimming, fishing and other water-based activities are popular. Karijini National Park, Millstream Chichester National Park and Murujuga National Park are within a reasonable driving distance and are popular with locals and tourists alike. Bushwalking, mountain biking, camping and four-wheel driving activities exist throughout the Pilbara and if you drive a little further south you will discover Onslow, Exmouth and Coral Bay.
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Where/how can my partner find work and/or study?There are several ways to study in the Pilbara including at TAFE and with the Pilbara Universities Centre. As the heartbeat of the Australian economy, Karratha and the wider Pilbara have extensive job opportunities across industry and government.
WA Country Health Service Training Programs
Rural Generalist Pathway WA
The aim of the Rural Generalist Pathway is to streamline the training journey for aspiring Rural Generalists. Once on the pathway, trainees will be assigned a mentor who is an experienced Rural Generalist, provided with individualised career navigation, connected to our network of stakeholders and given priority access to requisite courses.
The Rural Generalist Pathway WA Coordination Unit is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Health under the National Rural Generalist Pathway.
Contact: [email protected]
Find out more: ruralgeneralist.health.wa.gov.au
Rural Psychiatry Training WA
Rural Psychiatry Training WA (RPTWA) is Australia’s first ever dedicated rural psychiatry training program. The program provides comprehensive rural training at over 30 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) accredited posts.
We provide unique and comprehensive training experiences in rural generalist psychiatry, with Stage 3 trainees completing Certificates of Advanced Training considered on a case-by-case basis. Stage 1 trainees are allocated to one of four comprehensive training hubs in Albany, Broome, Bunbury and Geraldton. Each hub has the full range of training posts required for completion of a five-year generalist RANZCP Fellowship. Stage 2 and 3 trainees also have the option to explore the unique and well-supported training posts available at each of our rural training centres across WA.
The RPTWA program provides a comprehensive and fully supported pathway to a rewarding rural psychiatry career. The RPTWA team are based across WA, with the program delivered from our training hub in Bunbury.
Contact: [email protected]
WA Intensive Care Training Pathway
The WA Intensive Care Training Pathway (WAICTP) is a new training initiative that launched in 2024. The WAICTP is a networked training pathway open to current and future Intensive Care Medicine trainees in Western Australia.
The Pathway enables trainees to complete the CICM Training Program requirements in a streamlined fashion by providing access to training rotations, integrating training across tertiary, outer metropolitan and rural health services, supporting individual educational needs based on a trainee's phase of training.
The Pathway is centrally coordinated within the WACHS Medical Education Unit and is supported by a centralised recruitment, selection and allocation process.
Contact: [email protected]
WA Rural Physician Training Pathway
The WA Rural Physician Training Pathway aims to provide a networked training approach for WA rural physician trainees.
In Basic Physician Training (BPT), the Pathway will map a three-year training journey within the WA Country Health network, with in-reach rotations to partnered level 3 training settings for a period of 12 months to achieve the Royal Australasian College of Physician (RACP) Basic Physician Training Adult Internal Medicine (BPT AIM) training requirements. The Pathway will progress into supporting RACP Advanced Training to ensure a coordinated and networked approach across rural WA.
Centrally coordinated by the WA Rural Physician Training team.
Contact: [email protected]
Networking
Established in 2021, JMOKS is a society that wears many hats, including advocacy and representation for junior doctors and registrars, plus the organisation of social and educational events. The society helps Kimberley junior medical officers connect with one another and get the most out of their time living and working in this exciting region.
Contact: [email protected]
The Kimberley Health Professionals Network aims to connect people working in health in the Kimberley region through high quality local professional learning, networking and social engagement.
Contact: [email protected]
Find out more: khpn.com.au
The Pilbara Health Professionals Network aims to connect people working in health in the Pilbara region through high quality local professional learning, networking and social engagement.
Contact: [email protected]
Find out more: phpn.com.au
Western Australian Rural Doctors in Training (WARDiT) works closely with local medical administrations and hospital executives to ensure JMOs – as representative stakeholders – are given a seat at the table. This involves engagement in professional matters, industrial relations, education and training, the promotion of fair work environments and workplace culture, to name a few. Networking and support are high priorities along with mentorship, social events and inclusivity (both in and out of work).
Find out more: wardit.com.au
The WA Rural Paediatricians Network represents rural paediatricians and paediatricians who provide rural outreach to children and families in WA. The Network is independent of the WA Country Health Service and the Child and Adolescent Health Service and provides advocacy on issues relevant to rural paediatricians.
The Network acts as a forum for discussing shared issues in service delivery and clinical care, supports rural training network, and provides networking and educational opportunities to its members.
Contact: [email protected]
