Rural Generalist Mental Health Advanced Skills

Information Pack

Local Health Network/s: FUNLHN
Registration Requirements: General Registration*
Post Graduate Year: PGY3+
Expression of Interest Guideline: click HERE.
*Applicants must be registrable with the Medical Board of Australia as a Medical Practitioner with General Registration. See the Applications Requirements tab below for full details.

About the Program

What to Expect

Application Requirements

Further Information

About the Program

We invite you to become part of a collegiate, committed, multidisciplinary Mental Health team consisting of Consultant Psychiatrists, and a wonderful group of experienced and qualified Mental Health Nurses, Allied Health staff, support and peer workers.

This position provides Rural Generalist Trainees with either ACRRM or RACGP advanced skills in Mental Health.
Mental Health AST | ACRRM (ACRRM)
Mental-Health-Curriculum.pdf (RACGP)

The Trainee will gain experience in acute Psychiatry with particular focus on patients living in Port Augusta and the Northern and Eyre regions of rural South Australia.

The trainee will assess and manage patients with mental illnesses usually in the 16-65 years old age group who present with acute mental health problems, including affective disorders, psychotic illnesses, substance related presentations, and acute crises that can occur in patients with vulnerable personality styles. Patients with chronic illness who suffer from an acute exacerbation, are also commonly seen.

The program offers generous opportunities to learn a wide range of practical and skills in a rural setting. The FUNLHN Rural Generalist Mental Health Advanced Skills position is available to Post-graduate Year 3 and above (PGY3+).

Flinders and upper north local health network

The Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network provides care for around 45,000 people living north from the Spencer Gulf to the Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales borders, including the communities of Hawker, Leigh Creek, Port Augusta, Roxby Downs, Quorn and Whyalla. The Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network is one of ten Local Health Networks including six across country South Australia. The LHN covers an area of 540,190 square kilometres. The Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network is incorporated under the South Australian Health Care Act 2008 and has a Governing Board which reports to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing.

Learn more about FUNLHN.

Rotations at FUNLHN

This post is based within Port Augusta at the Port Augusta Hospital and Health Service, and Flinders Terrace Health Hub for the full training year.

It is not expected that other rotations will be allocated during this period.

Number of Positions in 2026 Clinical Year

FUNLHN

1

FAQs

I am unsure about moving to the country. Can I visit to look at the facilities prior to finalising my preferences?
We would encourage you to visit our beautiful city and enjoy the rural hospitality. Please let us know if you are planning a visit so that we can facilitate this, for example, with a tour of the hospital, and point you in the direction of touring and entertainment. Whyalla is located on the Eyre Peninsula’s Spencer Gulf and is the largest city for retail shopping within the region. Port Augusta boasts a warm climate, accessible ocean shores and saltwater fishing. Whyalla represents South Australia’s foremost combination of industrial and nature-based experiences.

Will accommodation be provided?
Yes, accommodation will be provided by FUNLHN for the duration of your trainee contract.

Will I be supported with relocation expenses?
We appreciate that moving house can put a strain on your finances, particularly prior to starting your new job. Please contact us to discuss what relocation support may be available and what documentation you will need to supply.

Will I need my own transport?
Port Augusta is a rural city. Some sort of private transport is highly recommended as the city is spread over quite a large area. Most locations are only 3-8 minutes away by car, 10-15 by bicycle. There is a limited public transport system (bus) which runs primarily between 9am and 5pm.

Do I need to arrange for a carpark?
The good news is that parking in all of Port Augusta is currently free of charge. Some areas require permits and time limits, but generally it is easy to park in or around the Hospital precinct. There is a staff car park on the Hospital site.

Can I get decent coffee and food in Port Augusta?
Yes and yes.

Port Augusta offers a range of dining options featuring regional produce inspired by freshness and seasonality. Restaurants, Cafes’ and hotels provide something for everyone. There is a wide range of cuisines on offer and real baristas.

What is there to do in the FUNLHN region?
The benefits of being on the Spencer Gulf and Eyre Peninsula are discovering a rich Indigenous heritage. Port Augusta is a city with a diverse culture. The close by town of Whyalla is recognised as a regional hub for creative expression with performances, shows, events and exhibitions showcase a vibrant city reflected in the arts.

You can walk along sandy beaches or in leafy gardens, watch a show or movie, relax in a spa or swim, shop or socialise in a café or bar. With over 300 days of sunshine a year, this gives local residents an enviable lifestyle with natural wonders, spectacular vista and beaches, unique one-of-a-kind experiences and great services.

Unearth white sands, heritage listed pebble dunes and blue waters of every hue alongside coastal walks and tracks with stunning vistas across the Spencer Gulf.

The Flinders Ranges are a must visit due to their unique geological features, rich cultural history, and diverse landscapes. Flinders and Upper North has a lot to love.

What can you expect from FUNLHN?

Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network

Provide a short overview of the role, what should employees expect?
The trainee is likely to do an initial detailed assessment and review of new patients and are then actively involved in the patient’s progress and management, working closely with nursing staff, social work staff, occupational therapist and psychologist. Some experience is gained in rapid assessment of acute mental health emergencies in primary care or in the hospital emergency department. A minimum of 12 emergency patients is evidenced by a logbook over a 6-month period, and case discussion with their supervising psychiatrist.

Further experience in longitudinal adult mental health care includes the follow-up of recently discharged patients in the Flinders and Far North Community Mental Health Service. Trainees will participate in telemedicine/videoconference assessments involving their patients during admission and at times post discharge. The trainee is also introduced to various psychotherapeutic techniques include supportive/cognitive and cognitive-behavioural/ and insight-oriented psychotherapies.

Will I be based at Whyalla all year? Will I be expected to travel to other country locations?
The trainee is primarily based in the Port Augusta Hospital and Port Augusta community setting.

Travel to other country locations is not excepted.

What are the key outcomes of the program?
The aim of this program is to provide trainees with sufficient clinical experience and supervision support to meet the requirements of either the RACGP-RG or ACRRM AST.

Are contracts renewed every 12 months? If I want to stay on for an extra year, do I have to apply again?
This position is a 12-month contracted position only.

We encourage trainees to join the roster in Port Augusta or Whyalla on completion of their Advanced Skills position. We provide a transition process where early career GP/RG (Mental Health) are supported by an experienced Consultant Psychiatrist, either on-site or through the Distance Consultation Service, for specific mental health presentations until they are confident to take on a fully independent role.

What are the hours of work and overtime?
Regular hours of work are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. There are no after hours on call commitments.

However, should the workload reasonably demand overtime this could be negotiated with the trainee’s supervisor or direct line manager.

What education is provided?
The trainee will receive educational support through The Adelaide Prevocational Psychiatry Program (TAPPP). This usually involves didactic teaching session on a Thursday afternoon that the trainee will attend via videoconferencing. In addition, there is an hour of individual supervision by videoconference each week with their principal supervisor and in person when the supervisor is visiting Port Augusta. It is expected that over the course of the work week the trainee will receive at least four hours of supervision by videoconference in individual and group situations while working alongside the consultant psychiatrist. There is a weekly academic meeting facilitated by RRMHS for an hour on a Friday, at which the Trainee will be expected to present once during the programme.

Indicate how the supervision will be provided, will this vary from rotation to rotation?
Consultant Psychiatrists are on site six days a month and available for videoconference/telephone consults at all other times, initially on site for the first fortnight then blended supervision as defined by RACGP Remote Supervision. Workload will be monitored for sustainability at each formal supervision session.

Approximately 0.5 FTE dedicated to hospital consultation liaison work (includes ED work and supporting admitting Drs with the psychiatric needs of their patients) and remaining 0.5 FTE with community mental health services.

What other supports are provided?
Port Augusta Hospital and community mental health teams have required Nursing and Allied Health Services (Social Work, Psychology and Occupational Therapy) to provide the opportunity to work in a multidisciplinary environment.)

Will the TMO supervise interns/others in their role?
While supervision of other junior Drs and MDT team members is not a requirement of this position there is ample scope to provide this with medical students/junior Drs/ MDT team members working in the hospital and CMHT.

This position works directly with the Consultant, Nursing and Allied Health staff.

What pathways are there after the year is completed?
Trainees are encouraged to see this post as a step in their pathway to providing rural generalist services to a community in rural South Australia.

Does this program meet RACGP and ACRRM Training Requirements?
Yes. The training meets the requirements of both RACGP and ACRRM Trainees in our Northern and Southern regions.

Where will I be based? Will I be expected to travel to other country locations?
Your primary site for the Academy will be either at the Riverland General Hospital in Berri (Northern region) or Murray Bridge Soldiers Memorial Hospital in Murray Bridge (Southern region).

Rotations to other towns in each region are at commutable distances.

What are the key outcomes of the program?
The pathway aims to provide Trainees with key ‘hands-on’ experiences in the management of patients in the rural setting, providing both primary care and inpatient care to local rural and remote communities.

The Core Clinical experiences are mapped to the requirements of RACGP and ACRRM.

This will serve as an excellent pathway for trainees interested in Rural Generalist Training or those intending to pursue General Practice or other Specialist training.

Are contracts renewed every 12 months? If I want to stay on for an extra year, do I have to apply again?
RACE PGY2+ contracts are for 5 years subject to entry being gained into either the RACGP or ACRRM Fellowship training programs before the end of your first PGY3+ year with us.

What are the hours of work and overtime?
Trainees are rostered to work 76 hours per fortnight and expected to participate in the general on-call roster. Actual hours of duty will be flexible as determined by the Health Service in order to accommodate the needs of the patient/ service provision.

What education is provided?
Generous education opportunities are available from the Medical Training Unit including tutorials, video-conference education sessions and journal clubs.

How will supervision be provided? Will this vary from rotation to rotation?
Trainees will work under close supervision and support of General Practitioner and other Specialist consultants, registrars, and term supervisors. The mix of General Practitioner and other Specialist Consultants will be appropriate to the specific rotation.

What other support is provided?
The Executive Director of Medical Services, Director of Clinical Training and Medical Education Officers are available for professional, administrative and welfare support. RACE will also provide access to a Learning Coach for each trainee.

The Medical Education staff has an open-door policy where Trainees are encouraged to discuss any issues or concerns.

Will the TMO supervise interns/others in their role?
TMOs may be required to assist in the learning experience of medical students and interns.

What pathways are there after the year is completed?
Trainees will be supported to apply for any specialist training program. The RACE Pathway provides for all requirements of the RACGP and ACRRM programs within the region, and for more limited rotations for other specialist pathways.

Application Requirements

About the selection panel
The selection panel will consist of members from the Rural & Remote Mental Health Service (RRMHS) and TAPPP who currently facilitate the selection to other regional SA Psychiatry related positions.

Eligibility

Candidates currently PGY3 and above who are enrolled in Rural Generalist Training with either ACRRM or RACGP are eligible to apply for this role. Candidates must have Australian Working Rights to be eligible to apply.

Candidates must be available to work for a 12-month contract commencing on 2nd February 2026.
Skills and Knowledge

N/A.
Selection Process
The selection process will involve assessing your:
- Appropriate completion and verification of Application.
- Required documents as outlined below.
- Online referee reports (will be sent by SA MET once you have submitted your application, and it has been verified).
- Interview, as described below.
All Expression of Interests will be scored/ranked for shortlisting. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a face to face or Teams interview, and in some circumstances, this can be conducted via teleconference.

SA MET will match the highest ranked candidate to this position. See the PGY2+ Application Guideline for more information on the matching process.
Required Documents
In addition to the standard documentation outlined in the PGY2+ Application Guideline, you will be required to provide the following:
- Answers to Expression of Interest questions:
  – In no more than 250 words, please provide an example where you have demonstrated your commitment to providing a quality service to patients and their families. Please outline the situation, what actions you took, your role, who else you involved and the outcomes.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  – Contact details including email and mobile phone number.
  – Qualifications and academic achievements.
  – Evidence of being enrolled in ACRRM or RACGP training program.
  – Clinical achievements.
  o All jobs / clinical placements since completing medical school.
  o Any rural clinical experiences since commencing medical school.
  o Personal Development.
  – Activities which demonstrate your interest in and commitment to rural practice.
- Cover Letter
  – In no more than 300 words describe why rural general training and/or mental health interests you?
  – What experience have you had of either living and/or working in a rural area or what personal strengths do you have which will assist you to live and work within a rural community?
Interview Process
Applicants who are shortlisted for an interview will be notified by mobile phone and/or email.

The intention of the interview is to ensure that they are the best fit for the role. Interview is likely to include invitation to describe previous experiences and some scenario-based questions with the aim to evaluate candidates against selection criteria which include:
- Demonstrated ability to thrive in the rural context.
- Highly effective communication and collaboration skills in the clinical setting.

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News & Education

About

Rural Generalist Mental Health Advanced Skills

Information Pack

About the Program

What to Expect

Application Requirements

Further Information

About the Program

Flinders and upper north local health network

Rotations at FUNLHN

Number of Positions in 2026 Clinical Year

FUNLHN

1

What can you expect from FUNLHN?

Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network

Application Requirements

Program Contacts

Rural Generalist Mental Health Advanced Skills

Information Pack

About the Program

What to Expect

Application Requirements

Further Information

About the Program

Flinders and upper north local health network

Rotations at FUNLHN

Number of Positions in 2026 Clinical Year

FUNLHN

1

What can you expect from FUNLHN?

Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network

Application Requirements

Program Contacts

Acknowledgement of Country