Step into a high-impact Rural Generalist locum on Palm Island, combining emergency, inpatient, Aboriginal health and remote community medicine in a tropical North Queensland island setting.
Prescript Recruitment is seeking an experienced Rural Generalist / Senior Medical Officer for a locum placement at Joyce Palmer Health Service on Palm Island, Queensland.
This is a rewarding remote medicine opportunity for a doctor who enjoys broad clinical scope, meaningful community work and the chance to practise across emergency, inpatient, primary care and Aboriginal health.
Key Details
Location: Palm Island, Queensland
Role: Rural Generalist / Senior Medical Officer
Rate: $2,700 per day
Dates: 10 July 2026 to 30 July 2026
Blocks available: One or both blocks considered
Accommodation: Provided
Travel: Arranged and reimbursed
Setting: Remote Aboriginal health, emergency, inpatient and community medicine
Health service: Joyce Palmer Health Service
Dates Available
10 July 2026 to 20 July 2026
20 July 2026 to 30 July 2026
Doctors available for either block, or the full period, are encouraged to enquire.
The Position
As the Rural Generalist / SMO, you will provide comprehensive clinical care across a varied remote medicine setting.
The role includes:
Emergency presentations
Inpatient ward management
General medical care
Minor procedural and acute presentations
Aged care and chronic disease presentations
Renal dialysis-related care
Maternity and women’s health presentations
Community and Aboriginal health needs
Stabilisation and escalation of higher-acuity patients when required
This position is well suited to a confident Rural Generalist who is comfortable working in a remote setting, values multidisciplinary teamwork and understands the importance of culturally safe healthcare.
Facility Snapshot
Joyce Palmer Health Service provides healthcare to the Palm Island community across emergency, inpatient, outpatient and community-facing services.
Facility type: Primary-level acute facility
Clinical setting: Emergency, inpatient, outpatient and community care
Emergency Department: 1–2 beds, with approximately 22 presentations per 24 hours
Inpatient Ward: 11 beds, with average occupancy of 6 patients
Additional services: Pathology, X-ray, pharmacy, physiotherapy, renal dialysis, maternity, aged care and allied health
Referral pathway: Townsville Hospital and Health Service network
Why This Role Stands Out
This is not a standard rural locum.
Palm Island gives Rural Generalists the opportunity to practise the kind of medicine that draws many doctors to rural generalism in the first place: broad scope, varied presentations, autonomy, community connection and the ability to make a genuine difference.
You will be working in a remote Aboriginal community where continuity, communication, cultural awareness and sound clinical judgement matter every day.
For doctors based in southern states, this is also a rare winter placement with a tropical North Queensland backdrop. Palm Island is located off the coast of Townsville and offers warm weather, coastal scenery and a unique island setting.
Benefits
$2,700 per day
Accommodation provided
Travel arranged and reimbursed
Remote and Aboriginal health experience
Broad Rural Generalist scope of practice
Emergency, inpatient and community care exposure
Tropical North Queensland island location
Support from Prescript before, during and after placement
What We Require
FRACGP or FACRRM
Current ALS2 certification
Specialist AHPRA registration
Rural, remote or Aboriginal health experience
Confidence managing emergency and inpatient presentations
A culturally respectful, community-focused approach
Ideal For
Rural Generalists seeking a high-value July locum
Doctors with Aboriginal health or remote medicine experience
FRACGP or FACRRM doctors comfortable with emergency care
SMOs looking for meaningful community-based medicine
Doctors wanting a tropical North Queensland placement with strong clinical variety
Work With Prescript
Prescript Recruitment works closely with Rural Generalists across Australia to match each doctor with placements that fit their clinical skills, lifestyle goals and sense of purpose.
We will guide you through the placement details, credentialing, travel, accommodation and preparation so you feel supported before you arrive and throughout the locum.
Apply or Enquire
For a confidential discussion, please contact:
Mel Houston
Senior Recruitment Partner
Rural Generalists, Emergency Medicine
mel@prescript.com.au
0415 075 498
