What sort of doctor works for the RFDS?

The most suitable "flying doctors" fall into a few categories. Some are relatively young graduates with five to ten years postgraduate experience, planning to enter rural general practice and looking for "something different to do" before committing themselves to a full-time practice. Another similar group comprises doctors with a particular interest in emergency medicine, but looking for a better and more varied working environment than hospital emergency departments. A final group are experienced rural or procedural general practitioners, whose children and family commitments have now passed and who are looking for a break from the hassles of their existing practice.

Suitable RFDS doctors have experience in obstetrics and paediatrics, although some may not currently be practicing obstetrics. Experience in anaesthetics and emergency medicine  is essential for managing emergency calls and handling critical care retrievals. Knowledge or an interest in aviation may assist in understanding the variety of problems associated with the aviation and the air transport of patients, but there is no requirement to have a pilot’s licence.

Computer literacy is essential as we progress our information technology systems. These include the standard use of email for internal communications and development of computer based medical record systems on our clinics.

Good health and fitness, the flexibility to work in a variety of environments and to cope with emergency work day or night, a sense of adventure and definitely a good sense of humour, are also necessary attributes.

Doctors who are keen and enthusiastic will see the opportunity to use a wide range of their skills and make decisions on clinical grounds, without always having access to pathology and radiology services. They are interested in having the opportunity to provide good quality primary care to patients with more time to spend discussing problems and providing patient education. They need to be able to tackle somewhat difficult social circumstances, professional isolation and limited peer support and yet not let their personal or professional standards fall.

Although RFDS doctors are faced with a broad range of clinical challenges in their work, as in other areas of medicine, many of these problems may not be seen often enough to keep up-to-date. We therefore have a strong commitment to ensure our staff spend at least two weeks each year on study leave attending relevant conferences or specific training attachments. For example, secondments in anaesthetics, paediatrics, obstetrics or critical care are common. All medical staff will also complete EMST/ATLS (Early Management of Severe Trauma) and APLS (Advanced Paediatric Life Support) during their employment.

In Western Australia, the RFDS operates the aeromedical retrieval service for the entire State (there is no involvement of teaching hospitals) and each doctor at each base is part of a Statewide network of resources. Therefore, irrespective of the base at which a doctor is employed, you could be called on to undertake evacuations from almost any location in WA as our system tasks the nearest available crew to deal with each emergency evacuation.

Working for the RFDS is not something that most doctors can consider as a permanent career. You will never have trouble finding employment anywhere, and there should be no fear of being "locked in" to the position. It takes quite some time to become familiar with the job and to be accepted by the community, so we would consider a two to three year term to be optimal in providing continuity of care to isolated patients. We provide an excellent salary and employment package for the right person, who then becomes another link in the history of our organization. In practice, many doctors stay much longer than they initially intended!

It may seem like a big step at the time; moving away from family and friends, from familiar surroundings and professional colleagues, but it would be difficult to find any members of that elite group of ex-"flying doctors" who would ever regret their experiences.

Every doctor who comes to work for the RFDS brings with them his or her own particular skills and expertise, and has an opportunity to make their mark on our enviable sixty-year history. Perhaps you feel it is time to leave your mark too!

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