PERMANENT GP VACANCY

Sarina, Near Mackay, Queensland

SARINA CLINIC

Sarina Clinic, near Mackay in Central Queensland, is seeking two new permanent General Practitioners to join our well established Family Practice, with the potential for above average earnings and future equity partnership. Enjoy the benefits of living in a small, seaside community whilst being only 30 minutes from all of the shopping, dining and entertainment facilities of the regional city of Mackay.

SURGERY OVERVIEW

Sarina Clinic was purpose built and officially opened in 1976. The longest established of three General Practices in Sarina, Sarina Clinic has without interruption provided quality, comprehensive medical care to the residents of Sarina and the surrounding area for the past 43 years. The practice has been continually accredited since 2000 and in 2013 was awarded Highly Commended (runner –up) in the AGPAL Rural and Remote General Practice of the Year Award 2011-2012.

Since inception Sarina Clinic has had three major extensions to allow provision of additional/expanded services. The first expanded Sarina Clinic’s casualty area.

The second added an additional doctors consulting room, a conference room, an audio testing facility which complies with Australian Standard AS/NZS 1269.3-2005, a children’s TV room, an administrator’s office, a dedicated minor operations theatre and increased the size of our disabled toilet.

The third and most recent was completed in December 2012. This latest addition has seen the creation of two allied health consulting suites, a waiting room dedicated to these allied health suites and a student teaching facility which is fully equipped with computers and a computerised training mannequin.

Two of the present three doctors hold fellowship with the RACGP.

The mission of Sarina Clinic is to provide the highest standard of patient care by incorporating a comprehensive holistic approach toward diagnosis and management of illness while simultaneously promoting prevention of illness. Sarina Clinic is committed to healing medical conditions where possible, providing best possible care where not, while ensuring a sense of wellbeing in its patients and educating them in ways and means of disease prevention.

Sarina Clinic is centrally located with the:

ambulance approximately 120m away
hospital less than 1km away
Woolworths Supermarket and IGA Super store each less than 1.5km away
Public secondary school, public and private primary schools all within 1km of the Clinic
Many Picturesque beaches within easy 15 minute drive
Mackay, a major regional centre 35km to the north

SURGERY OWNERSHIP

The surgery is owned by SCorp Medical Pty Ltd, a private company.

MEDICARE STATUS

Sarina is classified as an RA3 Outer Regional Area with a confirmed DPA Status (Distribution Priority Area)

SURGERY LAYOUT

Comfortable reception area with seating for 20 patients. 6 consulting rooms (5 have natural light), 1 minor ops room, 2 bed nurses area, 1 audiology room, 2 allied health rooms, 1 study area for visiting students, 1 staff room, 1 administrator’s office, and a TV room for kids. Ambulance bay and on-site car parking for 9 cars.

SURGERY FACILITIES

Surgery Hours are Monday - Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm and Saturday 8:15am to 12:00pm. Currently 3 doctors work during the week with one having Wednesday afternoon off. I would like to get back to 4 senior and 1 junior doctor next year. As a private billing practice doctors usually see 4 patients per hour but can add patients as they see fit. The practice uses Medical Director and Pracsoft.

TREATMENT ROOM

2 bed treatment room with separate dedicated room for removal of lesions. Facilities include:

ECG,
spirometer,
sigmoidoscope,
audiometer,
doppler,
dermatoscope,
teleconferencing facilities
INR testing.

ADMIN SETUP

The practice has a practice manager/owner who works off-site and visits regularly. One practice administrator is supported by 4 reception staff who work in shifts that equate to slightly less than 2 FTEs. We are virtually paperless as all paper records associated with patients are scanned and then uploaded to their records in Medical Director. We are AGPAL accredited and are currently preparing for our accreditation next year.

NURSING SERVICES

4 RNs and 1 EEN work at the clinic in shifts that equate to 2 FTEs.

ALLIED HEALTH SERVICES

There are currently no Allied Health practitioners on site but we are negotiating with a psychologist to commence soon.

SPECIALIST SERVICES

None in-house.

DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES

No in-house pathology or diagnostic imaging services available but QML Pathology are in an adjoining building.

OTHER CLINICAL SERVICES

Practice provides full range of GP work including large workload of skin conditions.

PATIENT DEMOGRAPHICS

Diverse patient demographic with those treated ranging from very young to elderly. In some instances, multiple generations of the same family have been/are treated at this Clinic.

Workplace/employment/pre-employment medicals performed. Workplace injuries also managed.

BILLING ARRANGEMENTS

The Clinic is mixed billing: we bulk bill DVA gold card holders, and financially disadvantaged and children under 16 for most but not all services. In all other cases the clinic charges according to the Medicare Schedule rules but higher amounts than the Schedule. Consultations are to be paid on the day unless pre-arranged.

Standard Consultation: $79.00

Short Consultation: $37.00

Long Consultation: $139.00

Prolonged Consultation: $209.00

PATIENT FLOWS

As a private billing practice doctors usually see 4 patients per hour but can add patients as they see fit.

The average appointment time allotted is 15 minutes enabling doctors to comfortably see 4 patients per hour, however doctors have the option to book more patients and some do this regularly. Practice doctors have admitting rights at local public hospital. Doctors are often booked out 1-2 days in advance but the situation changes daily.

TOWN/SUBURB FACILITIES

Sarina is a town of approximately 12,000, situated 35 kilometres south of Mackay, 299 km north of Rockhampton, on North Queensland coast – essentially a tropical paradise. Six picturesque sandy beaches are in close proximity to town. Mountain ranges offer an exciting contrast, boasting spectacular views of the surrounding area. Whitsunday Islands are further north but easily accessible for leisure and recreation. The town has a public high school and state and convent primary schools and preschools. Many children commute daily to private high schools in Mackay – these maintain excellent academic record.

Sarina has most services and amenities including two large supermarkets (both offer extended hours and seven day trading). While Sarina has a comprehensive range of businesses a wider variety is available in Mackay. Caneland Central, the major shopping centre in Mackay boasts 230 specialty stores together with Myer, Target, Big W, Woolworths, Coles, JB Hi Fi, and Best and Less.

Sarina has a 16 bed public hospital, a residential aged care facility comprising a 48 bed community nursing hostel and 10 independent living units. Pathology collection centre in adjoining building offering courier for pathology collection twice daily weekdays with one collection on Saturday mornings. An independently owned Ultra Sound facility is also located in Sarina.

Mackay airport < 35 km away with 14 flights into Mackay from Brisbane and 12 from Mackay to Brisbane daily, 1-2 to Townsville, 1 to and from Sydney and 1 to and from Melbourne, though this one is not every day. Many Clinic staff live at the nearby beaches which are an easy 10 – 15 minute drive from Sarina. Doctors working at the Clinic either live at the beaches or some have lived in Mackay and commuted as connected by national route 1.

There are a number of service clubs in Sarina and facilities which cater for many sporting codes including Rugby League, Basketball, Tennis, Soccer, Darts, Netball, Bowls, BMX, Golf, Pony Club, Athletics and Tai Chi. The 8 lane public swimming pool is 25m in length. Nearby Sarina Beach has an active surf live saving club and many other sports are catered for in Mackay.

TOURIST INFORMATION

Sarina is ideally located for those who enjoy a diverse lifestyle. The close proximity of Mackay airport means that it is possible for you can wake up at the beach, or in one of the rural areas around Sarina or in Sarina itself, work for the day, board an aircraft in Mackay and be in Brisbane for a show in the evening.

SKILLS OR INTERESTS SOUGHT

GP with experience in all areas of general practice and comfortable working as part of a practice team. Participation in the after-hours roster required.

CIRCUMSTANCES

A doctor who has been with the clinic since November 2013 has moved to Sydney as a result of her husband’s work.

Another doctor who has been with the clinic since April 2013 has decided to become a permanent locum doctor to see more of the country.

CONTRACT TERMS

Surgery hours are Monday - Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm and Saturday 8:15am to 12:00pm. The GP would be expected to work the majority of these hours but I’m flexible if someone wants a regular half day off, or needs some flexibility regarding childcare. Saturday morning are worked on a roster so the doctors gets regular Saturdays off. Pay is on a sliding scale commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Clinic doctors participate in rotational roster for after-hours and weekend on call.

GENERAL COMMENTS

Students from James Cook University attend on and off all year. The practice is paid per half day per student and any doctor teaching a student for that half day while continuing to consult has the payment passed on to him or her. John Flynn scholars attend during university vacation but the practice is paid an annual small amount which goes directly to any doctor who handles the student full time.