The RFDS in SA/NT

Working in SA&NT

RFDS Central Operations covers South Australia and the Northern Territory. We operate four aeromedical bases in Adelaide, Alice Springs, Darwin and Port Augusta as well as three remote primary health facilities in Marree, Andamooka and Marla. We also operate tourist facilities one in Darwin and one in Alice Springs.

We have 200 staff in Central Operations working within the following areas:

Health Services
Aviation / Engineering / Operations
Marketing & Public Relations
People & Culture
Corporate Services
Administration

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Our People

Health

Central Operations provides 24/7 emergency aeromedical, essential primary health care and health education services throughout the rural and remote areas of South Australia and the Northern Territory.

The employment roles comprise:

Medical Practitioners based in Port Augusta;
Flight Nurses based across Adelaide, Port Augusta and Alice Springs;
Remote Area Nurses based at our Health Services in Marree, Andamooka and Marla;
Community Health Nurses based at Port Augusta;
Aboriginal Health Workers and Aboriginal Liaison Officers based in Port Augusta and Alice Springs;
Project Advisors/Officers located in Adelaide;
Lifestyle Advisors based in Adelaide; and
Mental Health Clinicians based in Alice Springs.

Services Provided

They provide the following comprehensive medical services:

24-hour emergency aeromedical evacuations and retrievals - Medical Practitioners, Pilots and Flight Nurses work on a rotating roster which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Primary health care clinics to rural and remote areas;
Statewide inter-hospital transfer service (in South Australia);
Facilitation of allied health services (ie physiotherapy, podiatry, occupational therapy etc);
Oral Health Program throughout remote SA and NT;
Radio and telephone medical consultations;
Provision of Medical Chests;
Provision of First Aid Courses and,
Health promotion and education services.

Aviation / Engineering / Operations

Aviation
Central Operations operate 17 Pilatus PC-12 aircraft. These turbo-prop aircraft have excellent range and weight carrying capability which provides outstanding flexibility. They are generally configured to carry two stretchered patients at a time with seating for a Doctor, a Flight Nurse and an additional seated patient. Central Operations has ordered a new Pilatus PC-24 aeromedical jet scheduled for delivery early in 2019. The jet will considerably enhance operations by halving the distance of long-haul flights and adding a three stretcher capability to our aircraft.

Operations Control Centre (Communications)

In our Port Augusta Base we have our state of the art Operations Control Centre is home to our 12 RFDS Operations Coordinators. Operations Coordinators are the heartbeat of communications at Central Operations and receive emergency calls, plan and assign aircraft and crews to emergency retrievals, inter-hospital transfers and remote clinic flights from bases in Adelaide, Alice Springs and Port Augusta.

Meet the Team

Heather, Line Pilot

We catch up with Alice Springs Line Pilot, Heather Ford, one of the newest members of the RFDS family.

Kelly, Oral Health Program

We talk to Oral Health Program Service Coordinator, Kelly Fargher, about our mobile dental and oral health care service to residents and communities in rural and remote areas.

A nurse in a RFDS polo shirt smiles at the camera

Kirsty, Flight Nurse

Get to know Kirsty, as she reflects on her seven years as an RFDS Flight Nurse.

Employee Benefits

Working for Australia's most trusted charity also comes with a wide range of benefits and incentives which include:

Competitive remuneration packages
Ability to salary sacrifice, reducing your taxable income
Remote allowances for working in rural and remote areas
On-going training and professional development opportunities
Relocation assistance, settling in accommodation (for eligible employees)
Comprehensive orientation program
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Scholarships (including Midwifery) - RFDS Central Operations (SA & NT) are not currently offering external Scholarships. Any future opportunities will be advertised on our website.

Behind the scenes these teams help keep RFDS Central Operations flying....

Marketing & Public Relations

The RFDS is a not-for-profit organisation and relies on donations and fundraising initiatives to purchase and medically-equip it aircraft - at a cost of more than $7 million each. Consequently, maintaining a consistent public profile and fundraising are integral parts of RFDS' lifeline.Our fundraising role includes major events such as our annual Wings for Life Ball and assistance with third-party fundraising events. We coordinate our volunteers who are part of 24 Auxiliaries and Support Groups who raise funds for us. We also work with the corporate community to support the work of the RFDS in fundraising and partnerships in support of the work of the RFDS Central Operations.

People & Culture

The People & Culture team provides a range of people-focused services to RFDS management and staff including; employee relations, recruitment and selection, on-boarding, learning and development, performance, safety, quality, risk and policy development and implementation.

The P & C team also manage and implement a variety of initiatives and projects that promote fairness and equity in the workplace whilst continuing to support business goals. The Safety Quality & Risk component promotes interest and action in health, safety, quality and risk in the workplace.

Corporate Services - Finance & Information Technology

The Corporate Services team has responsibility for providing efficient and effective financial support and service for Central Operations.Their portfolio encompasses financial and insurance risk management, accounting, debtor and creditor control and the payroll function.The State, Commonwealth and Territory Governments together contribute to the operational (day to day) costs of running the RFDS. Our Information Technology needs are also serviced in-house.

What we do

Every year, we assist more than 56,000 patients in South Australia and the Northern Territory - that's one patient every 10 minutes. Find out more our services below.

Volunteer Positions

There are many ways to help support the RFDS with your time or skills and the RFDS is always very grateful to receive assistance from volunteers. Many opportunities, for all ages and for all skill levels.

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Learn more about what it's like to work for RFDS Central Operations

Flying for the Flying Doctor