Staff Specialist in General Surgery - Armidale Rural Referral Hospital
Employment Type: Permanent Full Time
Position Classification: Staff Specialist
Remuneration: 197583 - 243822
Hours Per Week: 40
Requisition ID: REQ674766
Staff Specialist in General Surgery - Armidale Rural Referral Hospital | Hunter New England Local Health District
Shape Your Career in One of Australia's Most Liveable Regional Cities
Are you a newly fellowed General Surgeon looking for the ideal first consultant role? Or an experienced surgeon seeking a rewarding regional career with genuine work-life balance? The Surgical Unit at Armidale Rural Referral Hospital is expanding and is seeking a fourth General Surgeon to join its highly regarded team. This is an outstanding opportunity to build a fulfilling surgical career in a modern regional referral hospital while enjoying a vibrant lifestyle in one of New South Wales' most desirable regional communities.
Why Armidale?
This position offers the best of both worlds: a diverse and rewarding scope of surgical practice combined with an enviable regional lifestyle. As a General Surgeon at Armidale Rural Referral Hospital, you will join a collaborative and experienced surgical team supported by:
- Three Registrars and one Resident Medical Officer
- A modern, purpose-built hospital redeveloped in 2019
- Access to contemporary surgical facilities and equipment
- Opportunities to provide outreach services across surrounding district hospitals
- A manageable 1:4 on-call roster
For newly fellowed surgeons, this role provides the ideal transition into consultant practice, offering strong collegial support, clinical autonomy, a broad case mix and opportunities to further develop subspecialty interests while working within a highly supportive environment.
Professional Opportunities
Armidale Rural Referral Hospital is a 99-bed regional referral centre providing a comprehensive range of surgical services. The hospital services a referral population of more than 55,000 people, providing an exciting and rewarding breadth of clinical practice.
Teach, Mentor and Inspire
For those passionate about medical education, Armidale offers exceptional opportunities to contribute to the training of future doctors. The hospital works closely with the University of Newcastle and University of New England Joint Medical Program through the Tablelands Clinical School. Medical students undertake clinical placements in a well-resourced teaching environment featuring simulation laboratories and modern education facilities.
You will have opportunities to:
- Teach and mentor medical students and junior doctors
- Participate in registrar supervision and training
- Contribute to research and quality improvement initiatives
- Help shape the next generation of rural surgeons
- Live the Armidale Lifestyle
Set amongst the stunning Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, Armidale is renowned for its beautiful seasons, heritage architecture, vibrant café culture and welcoming community. Imagine finishing a theatre list and spending your weekend:
- Exploring World Heritage-listed national parks
- Hiking spectacular gorges and waterfalls
- Enjoying award-winning local food and wine
- Participating in music, arts and cultural festivals
- Raising a family in a safe, community-focused environment
- Accessing excellent public and private schools
- Living in a city that is home to the University of New England and a thriving professional community
About You
- A primary medical degree registrable with AHPRA
- Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (General Surgery) or eligibility via the appropriate specialist pathway
- Demonstrated expertise in General Surgery and clinical leadership
- A commitment to clinical excellence, education and professional development
- Strong communication, collaboration and stakeholder engagement skills
A demonstrated commitment to clinical governance, quality and patient safety
Join Us
Whether you are taking your first step into consultant practice or looking for a rewarding regional career move, Armidale offers a rare opportunity to make a meaningful impact while enjoying an exceptional quality of life. Discover a career where your expertise matters, your contribution is valued, and your lifestyle thrives. Hunter New England Local Health District is dedicated to creating a child-safe environment and is committed to protecting the safety, welfare and wellbeing of children and young people. Join a growing surgical team and experience the professional and personal rewards of regional specialist practice.
Mandatory requirements of this role include:
- Admitting, consultative, diagnostic, procedural, outpatient, telehealth and on-call services as determined and required by HNELHD
- Attendance and availability during rostered work hours and whilst on-call including clinical handover, clinical supervision, teaching and for emergency and routine care as determined and required by HNELHD.
- Provision of education and research as determined and required by HNELHD
- A primary medical degree registrable with AHPRA and Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, and/or overseas trained specialist pathways.
- Evidence of being a medical expert, demonstrated by recent and comprehensive experience in General Surgery
- Evidence of being a scholar, maintains medical professional development and has the ability to assist other staff, including trainees in the acquisition and development of knowledge.
- Evidence of being a skilled communicator, including both oral and written skills, communicating with patients, students, other health professionals and the public.
- Evidence of being a collaborator, including the ability to network and operate within an interdisciplinary framework and to work with other stakeholders in a variety of settings.
- Evidence of being a manager, including ability to be flexible and cope with a changing health system, past leadership and management experience and previous safety and quality improvement activities.
- Evidence of being a professional, including continued professional development, peer review and other forms of clinical governance.
- Evidence of being an advocate, including contributions to improving individual and societal health.
Need more information?
1) Click here for the Position Description
2) Find out more about applying for this position
For role related queries or questions contact Cheryl Hayes on Cheryl.Hayes1@health.nsw.gov.au
Applications Close: 31 July 2026
