Yorke and Northern LHN Internship

The Yorke and Northern Local Health Network comprises multiple sites across the region and works collaboratively with General Practices to create quality educational experiences for junior doctors. Our sites include:

• Port Pirie Hospital
• Wallaroo Hospital
• Goyder’s Line Medical and Jamestown, Orroroo and Peterborough Hospitals
• Crystal Brook and Laura Medical Practices and Hospitals
• The Terrace Clinic, Port Pirie
• Clare Medical Centre and Clare, Burra and Snowtown Hospitals
• Moonta Medical Centre and Owen Terrace Medical Centre, Wallaroo
• Kadina Medical Associates

Interns have the opportunity to obtain a wide range of clinical experiences in emergency medicine, general practice, medical inpatients, anaesthetics, obstetrics, Aboriginal Health, environmental medicine, retrieval and emergency response medicine, surgical procedures and skin cancer medicine and aged care. All of which are in the context of rural and remote settings.

We provide a comprehensive educational program addressing the requirements of the Australian Curriculum Framework for Junior Doctors (ACFJD). Formal teaching sessions include:

• A comprehensive orientation to the region and its health services, run from Port Pirie Hospital
• Weekly Intern Tutorial Program:
• Tutorial attendance is protected and paid time for interns
• Program developed in collaboration with interns and term supervisors delivered by local and visiting specialists covering core skill requirements
• Additional training workshops presented by local and visiting specialists.
• Clinical simulation scenario-based workshops
• Regular wellbeing activities
• Organised lunch and learn sessions with peers.

Term rotations are supervised by experienced and approachable senior clinicians with a genuine interest in teaching and supervision. You will meet with your supervisor at the start of your rotation and complete your Personal Learning Objectives for the coming term. Your supervisor will support the meeting of these objectives and provide continual feedback throughout your rotation and together you will complete a mid-term (formative) and end of term (summative) assessments.

The YNLHN Rural Doctor Program is support by our Director of Clinical Training (DCT) and Medical Education Officer (MEO) who comprise the Medical Education Unit (MEU). The MEU is responsible for orientation, pastoral support and coordination of the education program and interns are encouraged to discuss any issues or concerns. During the year, the DCT and MEO will meet with you to receive your feedback on rotations and the teaching program and to discuss any concerns you would like to raise and discuss how we can assist you in your career pathway.

The YNLHN is a vast region, covering multiple regional communities and therefore the MEU is remotely based and will travel regularly for visit sites to check on the welfare of junior doctors and address any issues that arise.

All SA health Employees have access to the Employee Assistance Program as an additional source of confidential counselling and support.

When allocating rotations, intern rotation preferences and annual leave requests will be taken into consideration along with service requirements of the region. Every effort is made to ensure that rotations reflect the intern’s preferences, interest, and career direction.

Intern rotations within the region align to PGY2 rotations (4 x3 monthly rotations).

Intern Rotations for 2025

• Port Pirie Hospital – Emergency
• Wallaroo Hospital – Emergency
• Clare Medical Centre and Clare, Burra and Snowtown Hospitals – Emergency medicine, medical inpatients and peri-operative care
• Crystal Brook and Laura Medical Practices and Hospitals – General Practice, Emergency, Peri-operative care
• Goyder’s Line Medical and Jamestown, Orroroo and Peterborough Hospitals – General Practice, Emergency, Peri-operative care
• Kadina Medical Associates – General Practice, Women’s Health

Additionally, trainees will experience time spent working in Aboriginal Health Clinics, Environmental Health Clinic and with community Palliative Care.

Interns are rostered to weekdays with the opportunity to participate with occasional on call shifts for small rural hospitals as negotiated with their supervisors. Overtime is strictly limited.

Minimal weekend and overnight shifts allows a balance of work and life during your intern year. Interns in YNLHN do not work service terms such as relieving.

The Yorke and Northern Local Health Network encompasses the Yorke Peninsula, Southern Flinders Ranges, the Mid North, and stunning Clare Valley Wine region. It is a beautiful and diverse area of South Australia. It comprises breathtaking national parks, walking trails, cycling, art and photography, outback camping, four-wheel driving adventures, swimming, snorkelling and a wealth of dining experiences including wineries, breweries, and distilleries. Most, within a two-hour drive from Adelaide!

The MEU encourage trainees to explore the region and integrate into communities, so we are committed to limited overtime, flexible working hours and a focus on wellbeing.

Interns will rotate through the larger towns listed above based on their rotation preferences.

YNLHN are offering remuneration packages in line with the SA Salaried Medical Officers Award with additional benefits including relocation and travel allowances. Accommodation and utilities will be provided at no cost to the intern for the first 6 months.