Working as a general practitioner for an Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS), Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Service (ACCHS) or in the Indigenous Health specialism can be an extremely rewarding pathway.
Many patients have complex health needs and the care provided by skilled and dedicated GPs has a very positive impact on individual patients and on their communities. Illness and mortality rates are significantly higher in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, and general practitioners play a major role in closing this gap.
Because Ochre Recruitment grew out of the need for doctors in rural areas, we have always had a genuine affection and respect for those doctors who do offer their care and expertise to Australian Indigenous people and help to close the health gap in Australia.
We have built up an extensive network of contacts within Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS) and Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Services (ACCHS) and can offer you a range of locum and permanent GP jobs across Australia.
How does an Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS) work?
An Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (ACCHS), or Aboriginal Medical Service is a primary healthcare service initiated and operated by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community through a locally elected Board of Management. Their vision is to deliver holistic, comprehensive, and culturally appropriate healthcare to the community which controls it.
There is a continuum from large multi-GP urban centres to very small remote fly-in-fly-out community clinics.
All utilise a team model, with Indigenous Health workers, general practitioners and nurses playing major roles in the delivery of healthcare services. ACCHS/AMS centres are well-supported by visiting specialists and allied health workers, and almost all are fully accredited to GP training standards.
Many ACCHS/AMS centres provide training placements for medical students and GP registrars.
Am I suited to work as a GP in an Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS)?
Indigenous health is a specialism that is particularly suited to doctors who enjoy:
- Practicing within a holistic care model
- Working within a multidisciplinary team environment
- Managing complex and challenging clinical cases
- Using a wide range of clinical skills and expertise
- Developing new skills.
Qualifications and experience required for the Indigenous Health specialism
Attitude and approach are central for any general practitioner looking to work with Indigenous communities. Eligible GPs need to be passionate about understanding and appreciating the uniqueness of each community they serve.
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Requirements
- The FRACGP/ACCRM RACGP Fellowship Program, which includes a compulsory curriculum in Indigenous Health.
- Registrars wishing to pursue Indigenous health can also undertake an Indigenous health training post.
- Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity training.
- The FRACGP/ACCRM RACGP Fellowship Program, which includes a compulsory curriculum in Indigenous Health.
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Highly Regarded
- A manual driver’s license.
- Experience with and appreciation for the health issues prevalent within Indigenous communities is recommended, in addition to competence and understanding of chronic healthcare plans.
- Previous experience with practice software such as Communicare, although you will receive a thorough orientation during your first few days.
- Being a collaborative doctor who is willing to work in a team would be highly regarded, as you will be working alongside the Aboriginal healthcare workers to achieve the best outcomes for patients.
- Being a good listener with a non-judgemental approach.
Rates for Locum Doctors in Indigenous Health
AMS Locum Rates
Locum doctors working in an Aboriginal Medical Service are paid between $1,200 and $1,500 per day, in addition to accommodation, travel and car expenses.
The locum rate is dependent upon how desirable the location is, the remoteness of the community and the intensity of the role, as well as the doctor’s previous AMS experience.
AMS Locations for Locum work
There are Aboriginal Medical Service practices across all Australian states and territories, ranging from Redfern to Broken Hill in NSW, to the Kimberly in WA, to the Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York Peninsula and Mornington Island in far north QLD.
Remote and rural locations in the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland offer the most opportunities for AMS locum work. The Northern Territory provides some very popular AMS locum opportunities that tend to fill up quickly.
Salary expectations for permanent or
longer-term Doctors in Indigenous Health
If you commit to a 12-month+ contract, you will typically be engaged as an employee and paid a fixed income for your work.
Unlike traditional ‘private practice’, an AMS allows you to focus entirely on health outcomes rather than a conventional billings-patient cycle. Many roles include attractive benefits, flexible working hours, and on-call work is not typically required.
Salary packages often include:
- Fixed salary in the range of $230K to $300K per annum for a full-time position
- Superannuation
- Paid annual leave including sick leave
- Housing, or accommodation allowance
- Car
- Phone allowance
- Domestic flight allowance through the year.
Working in private practice with an Indigenous Health focus
Some private general practices have a particular focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health—often where the practice population includes a high proportion of Australian Indigenous patients and where one of the GPs has had previous experience in ACCHS/Aboriginal Medical Services.
Some practices have close links with Australian Indigenous community organisations in their area, and their GPs provide clinics with assistance to Indigenous health workers.
Why Choose Ochre Recruitment For Your Indigenous Health Locum Goals?
Our First Nations people face significant challenges in accessing quality healthcare services. To address this issue, Ochre Recruitment has built an extensive network of contacts within Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS) and Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Services (ACCHS) to offer a range of locum and permanent GP jobs across Australia.
Working closely with these organisations has given us unique insights into the health issues that Indigenous people face and the healthcare services needed to address them effectively. Through our network, we have gained access to job opportunities across Australia, including locum and permanent positions in urban, rural, and remote areas.
We understand that every doctor’s needs vary regarding job placement. We work closely with our GP locums to understand their needs and preferences in terms of location, working hours, and other amenities that matter to them. As a result, we offer a personalised service to each locum doctor who approaches us. We take the time to find a role that matches their skills and expertise whilst acknowledging the need for cultural competence in working with Indigenous communities.
If you are a GP locum doctor passionate about closing the health gap in Australia, then Ochre Recruitment is the right partner for your Indigenous health career.
Frequently Asked Questions About GP Locum Jobs in Indigenous Health
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What qualifications do I need to work as an Indigenous Health GP Locum?
- FACRRM/FRACGP or VR qualifications and unrestricted AHPRA Registration
- Participation in cultural sensitivity training or other Indigenous Health GP training modules or CPD activities
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Prior experience in AMS/Indigenous Health preferred (but not essential)
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Australian or New Zealand citizenship/permanent residency or relevant work visa
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How do I find GP Locum Jobs in an Indigenous Health setting?
Through an agency like Ochre. Looking for the right locum job can be time-consuming, let an agency do the leg work for you and present you with a number of options in various locations. Peruse a selection of our VR GP AMS Locums here.
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What kind of work will I do as an AMS Locum?
Working within Aboriginal communities in rural and remote regions allows doctors to manage complex and challenging cases using a wide range of procedural and emergency skills. Our Indigenous Health GPs are understanding and appreciative of the uniqueness of each community they serve and enjoy working collaboratively alongside Aboriginal healthcare workers.
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Are there particular skills needed to work as an AMS GP Locum?
General Practitioners wanting to work as a locum doctor in an AMS must be culturally sensitive, acknowledging and understanding the social, economic, cultural, and behavioural factors that underpin health, both at individual and community levels.
GPs will ideally have experience working within an Indigenous community and have the ability to complete Health assessments, Care Plans, Mental health care plans
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What is the average duration of a GP Locum in Indigenous Health?
The length of the locum contract tends to vary on how remote the location is and can span from between two and four weeks. Practices tend to prefer a longer commitment when possible as this allows for continuity of care for patients, but they do understand that this is not always possible.
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Do I receive training before starting as a GP Locum in Indigenous Health?
There is a range of CPD courses that can be undertaken before starting as an AMS GP Locum. Here is a few to get you started:
RACGP - Cultural Awareness and Cultural Safety Training
ACRRM - Cultural Awareness Pip Indigenous Health Incentive
AIDA - Cultural Safety Training Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health in Clinical Practice
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Do I have to work in remote or rural areas as an AMS GP Locum?
The first Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS) was established at Redfern in New South Wales in 1971. Today, the majority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and medical services are located in regional, rural, and remote areas.
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Can I work part-time in GP Locum Jobs in Indigenous Health
Yes you certainly can.
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Where do I stay on my GP AMS Locum?
Many AMS will have specific accommodation for locum GPs, which is usually self-contained and does not require you to share with another doctor unless specified. Sometimes you may be required to stay on-site within the AMS facility. If you do have special requirements, let your Ochre Recruitment consultant know and they will be able to help make the arrangements for you.
Want to know more?
If you would like to know more about the Indigenous Health specialism or AMS
opportunities, please contact our Indigenous Health Team. We look forward to hearing from you.