A hospital in Balclutha is seeking a Rural Hospital Doctor for a long-term placement available now. The initial contract is for 6 months, with the possibility of extension to 12 months.

The role involves working Monday to Friday, with no on-call or PRIME duties required.

The hospital offers accommodation, a vehicle, and travel assistance if needed.

The hospital has a 14-bed inpatient medical ward focusing on medical, rehabilitation, and palliative care, along with a three-bed primary maternity ward that includes a labour and delivery suite. Acute care is managed within a four-bed Medical Assessment Unit during business hours on weekdays, while after-hours care is provided by an Emergency Consult video health provider, with two Registered Nurses on site overnight. Medical cover is available from 7am to 11pm daily, and after-hours primary and secondary care are also managed via the Emergency Consult video health service. Ultrasound and x-ray services are available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, with on-call availability after hours. Inpatient Allied Health services include occupational therapy, physiotherapy, social work, and clinical needs assessment. The Senior/Medical Officer (SMO) is one of three doctors working on a rotational basis on the Inpatient Ward, responsible for the medical care of admitted patients, including acute admissions, daily ward rounds, diagnostics, discharge planning, and organizing interhospital transfers as appropriate.

Balclutha, located on the banks of the Clutha River, is approximately an hour’s drive southwest of Dunedin and an hour and a half west of Invercargill. Dunedin, home to the University of Otago’s Dunedin School of Medicine, has a large student population and a domestic airport. Invercargill also has a larger hospital and airport, and offers ferry access to Stewart Island, a national park.

Balclutha serves as the gateway to the Catlins area and the Southern Scenic Route, known for its coastal scenery and wildlife, including sea lions, penguins, seals, and dolphins. The region offers numerous outdoor activities such as walking, fishing, wildlife watching, and biking. It combines rural living with a relaxed lifestyle, providing access to beaches and rivers, while still being close to Dunedin for dining, theatre, and arts. The town has a good shopping centre, several schools, and tertiary education options within the district.

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