Western NSW Local Health District is seeking a General Practitioner - Visiting Medical Officer for Coolah Multipurpose Service to provide contemporary, comprehensive services for optimal patient outcomes and safe clinical practice.

The GP VMO will support emergency and general medical care in a rural setting, with opportunities for leadership and mentoring under NSW Health guidelines. The role offers flexible arrangements including fee-for-service or sessional payments.

GP VMOs Emergency Department - Cessnock Hospital, Hunter Valley

Hunter New England Local Health District

REQ689761

REQ689761
Visiting Medical Officer - General Practice (GP VMO)
Cessnock District Hospital
Flexible Appointment Options available from temp six months to 5-year quin
Guaranteed Minimum 10 Hours/Fortnight preferred or more

Shape the future of rural healthcare in the heart of the Hunter Valley.

We're open to a range of appointment options; from a 6-month fixed-term commitment through to longer-term or permanent quinquennial appointments. Talk to us about the arrangement that best suits your lifestyle, career goals and work-life balance.

We are on the search for GP VMOs to join our highly regarded multidisciplinary team and become part of an exciting period of growth and transformation.

Whether you're looking for a regular commitment, a complementary hospital role alongside private practice, or a more flexible arrangement, we're keen to design a model that works for you.

Our preferred option is a guaranteed minimum 10 hours per fortnight, however zero-hour and sessional arrangements can also be negotiated. We encourage interested practitioners to have a conversation with Nanda our Director of Medical Services and Nicola our Acting Health Service Manager about what the role could look like for you, your career goals and your lifestyle aspirations.

Working with us, you'll find something increasingly rare in healthcare: a supportive, collegial environment where medical staff are genuinely valued and connected to the wider healthcare team.

• You'll work alongside an experienced and highly respected nursing workforce, approachable supportive senior leadership, dedicated operational management, and a multidisciplinary team committed to delivering outstanding patient-centred care.
• The hospital is built a strong culture of collaboration, where clinicians know each other by name and where support is readily available when needed.
• For GPs who enjoy hospital medicine, the role offers an ideal blend of autonomy and teamwork, allowing you to maintain broad clinical skills while being backed by extensive specialist networks across the district.

Be Part of a Hospital on the Rise - there has never been a more exciting time to join Cessnock Hospital.

The NSW Government's $138 million Cessnock Hospital Redevelopment is transforming healthcare delivery across the Lower Hunter Valley and beyond, delivering a modern Acute Services Building expected to open in 2028.

The redevelopment will include:

• A significantly expanded Emergency Department
• New inpatient accommodation with modern single and double rooms
• Operating theatres and day surgery facilities
• Medical imaging services
• Modern pharmacy and sterilising services
• Enhanced virtual care capabilities
• Contemporary models of integrated care for chronic and complex patients
• Sustainable, future-focused infrastructure and expanded green spaces

Joining now provides a unique opportunity to contribute to both the current service and the future direction of healthcare in the region.

Connected Yet Close-Knit - as a GP VMO at Cessnock, you'll never feel professionally isolated.

You'll have access to HNE Health's extensive clinical network, with strong links to:

• Maitland Hospital
• John Hunter Hospital
• John Hunter Children's Hospital
• Regional hospitals across Hunter New England

Specialist advice and support are available through established referral and consultation pathways, allowing you to confidently manage patients locally while ensuring access to higher levels of care when required. Emergency presentations and acute medical patients can be supported through well-established district-wide networks and virtual consultation services.

Making a Difference Through Equitable Healthcare

• This role offers the opportunity to provide essential care close to home for communities across the Cessnock region and surrounding rural localities.
• You will play an important role in ensuring equitable access to healthcare services for diverse communities, including Aboriginal communities, older residents, and patients who may otherwise need to travel significant distances for treatment.
• Working locally means helping people receive high-quality care while remaining connected to family, support networks and community.

Live Where Others Holiday - few locations offer the lifestyle benefits of Cessnock and the Hunter Valley.

Imagine finishing a shift and being minutes from:

• Australia's oldest and most renowned wine region
• Award-winning restaurants and cellar doors
• National parks, walking trails and outdoor adventure
• Family-friendly communities and excellent schools
• Affordable housing with room to grow
• Newcastle's beaches and harbour lifestyle
• Sydney within comfortable driving distance

Many of our clinicians choose to live locally, while others commute from Newcastle, Lake Macquarie or Maitland, enjoying the flexibility and lifestyle the region provides.

As a GP VMO you will:

• Provide inpatient and emergency department medical services
• Participate in after-hours and on-call arrangements
• Manage acute medical presentations and emergencies
• Support continuity of care across inpatient and community settings
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and specialist colleagues
• Contribute to teaching, supervision and quality improvement activities
• Maintain a private general practice if desired

Essential Requirements

• Specialist Registration with the Medical Board of Australia
• FRACGP or FACRRM
• Recent broad-based experience in General Practice
• Emergency Life Support training completed or in progress
• Interest and experience in Emergency Medicine
• Ability to participate in after-hours and on-call arrangements

HNELHD is dedicated to fostering a child-safe environment that respects and upholds the rights of children and young people, aligned with NSW Health's commitment to implementing the Child Safe Standards. We aim to ensure that children and young people feel safe, supported, and included in their care. All current and prospective staff are expected to prioritise the safety, welfare, and well-being of children and young people, actively working to protect them from harm and abuse.

Applications Close: 18 October 2026

We will be regularly reviewing applications and conducting interviews during and after this time.

Dr Nanda Kumar Sakaleshpura Chandrashekar, Director of Medical Services

or ph: Mob:

Application Enquiries: Stacey Burbridge, HNELHD Senior Medical Recruitment

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Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Specific Diseases - this is a Category A position. Please read and understand NSW Health policy directive (PD2022_030). All new employees must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in the policy.

NSW Health acknowledges the people of the many traditional countries and language groups of New South Wales. It acknowledges the wisdom of Elders past and present, and pays respect to all Aboriginal communities of today.

Hunter New England Local Health District invites qualified GP VMOs to join Cessnock Hospital, part of a growing rural health network in the Hunter Valley. Flexible appointments from six months to five years, with a minimum 10 hours per fortnight and negotiable zero-hour options.

You will provide inpatient and ED services, participate in after-hours work, and collaborate with a wide clinical network while maintaining ties to a private GP practice if desired.