Branch: People & Culture

Section: Polar Medicine Unit

Head Office Antarctic Medical Practitioner (EL 2) – Ongoing

Salary: $184,195 – $230,244 per annum

Duties:


The Deputy CMO works with the Chief Medical Officer and other members of the PMU in leading, advancing and supporting a comprehensive medical practice for personnel engaged in Australia’s Antarctic Program and related activities. This includes provision of medical screening and approval processes for Antarctic and subantarctic AAP participants, rostered 24/7 telemedical support and the provision of medical facilities and supplies for all station, field, vessel and aircraft operations. The Deputy CMO also facilitates and participates in Polar Medicine research programs. The Deputy CMO will be required to undertake duties as the Antarctic Medical Practitioner (AMP) on Antarctic and other related ship voyages and/or summer station, air and field programs.

The Deputy CMO engages with a range of clients within the AAD, in Australia and Antarctic locations, and with a range of external clients, including:

  • PMU members;
  • All branches: People and Culture, Operations and Logistics, Policy and Strategy, Assets and Infrastructure, Enabling Services and Science Branch members;
  • Suppliers of drugs, medical consumables and specialised medical equipment;
  • Australian Antarctic Program participants and international partners;
  • Other government agencies and non-governmental organisations; and
  • International collaborators and other National Antarctic Programs and their medical providers.

It is expected the Deputy CMO will demonstrate or develop qualities of leadership and decision making as alternate Chief Medical Officer during periods of leave etc. Special considerations re potential working conditions: The duties of the Deputy CMO are largely based at Head Office in Kingston, Tasmania with typical office and medical consulting-based risks. The Deputy CMO will be required to undertake duties in Antarctica and the subantarctic. Expedition summer, ship, air and field-based workplace health and safety risks include the below.

The physical environment requires the employee to work both inside and outside in the following conditions:

  • Cold and dry conditions (as low as -45 deg Celsius).
  • Both high and low solar ultraviolet radiation exposure.
  • Marine and coastal environment conditions.
  • Work with patients and human products and tissue in both clinical and laboratory environments potentially exposed to infective agents (e.g. respiratory and blood borne agents).
  • Required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) including:
    • Cold, ultraviolet and marine environment clothing; and
    • Medical and laboratory gloves; aprons, masks; and safety eyewear glasses and shields.
  • Physical activity may occur under the following conditions:
    • Extreme Cold and Wet.
    • Altitude that may exceed 3500metres
    • Travel in unpressurised aircraft to 4000 metres
    • Rugged and unforgiving terrain
    • Embarkation and disembarkation on ships, boats and aircraft
  • Remote and isolated community living:
    • Limited sophistication of medical support (Self-treatment supported by 24/7 telemedicine)
    • Medical Evacuation if at all possible is likely to be delayed and prolonged
  • Mental health stressors of community living
  • Work in Deep Field camps under austere environment and conditions
  • Undertake manual handling tasks
  • Communicate via VHF, HF and Satellite Radio and telephone services

NB: 1. AMPs who are required to over-winter will be required to undergo pre-departure elective appendicectomy.
NB: 2. Vaccination requirements for this position as a healthcare worker in remote environments include and are not limited to Hepatitis A and B, MMR, Typhoid, Pertussis, Varicella, COVID-19 and seasonal influenza.
NB: 3 This role requires Drug and Alcohol testing to undertake Safety Sensitive Aviation Activity(SSAA) requiring compliance with the AAD Drug and Alcohol Management Plan(DAMP).

The Deputy CMO works under limited guidance and reports to the Chief Medical Officer. A collaborative team approach, knowledge sharing and receipt and provision of guidance of professional and technical nature are expected across all members of the PMU Team.

How to apply: Please refer to the Deputy Chief Medical Officer job listing.

Closing date: 22 February 2026. 11:30 pm AEDT

Contact officer: Jeff Ayton – 03 6232 3300 or email jeff.ayton@aad.gov.au

on