Work as a remote nurse or midwife

We recruit RNs as casual employees or contractors for 3 to 12 week paid placements.

As a NT Remote Locum Program nurse or midwife, you will work in a health service in a remote or very remote Aboriginal community in the NT.

Your contribution will improve access to quality healthcare and help to generate better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

NT Remote Locum Program Registered Nurse role

Every day is different as a NT Remote Locum Program RN, with rewarding experiences that will enhance your career.

NT Remote Locum Program RNs are versatile and essential members of the health service team, which includes Aboriginal health practitioners, GPs, drivers and administration staff.

The team’s remote knowledge will support you in your important role in delivering holistic, culturally safe primary healthcare.

What you can expect as a NT Remote Locum Program nurse

We’ll take care of the arrangements for your placement. Throughout the process, we will talk to you and the health service you join.

For your first placement, we'll help you to understand the principles of remote primary healthcare, so you can give a quality service to the community you support. We’ll do this through providing:

  • a Remote Educator (RE) to help you transition your own skills and experiences into the remote environment
  • cultural orientation
  • clinical orientation valid for CPD points for ACCRM.

As an urban-based RN, you already have the skills to work in a remote community. But the health issues you work with in remote communities might be different to those in urban and rural areas.

You can expect to expand your skills and knowledge. You will have plenty of resources to support your new experiences, including the NT Remote Locum Program eLearning program.

So you can transition smoothly, we will provide:

  • free online training valid for CPD with ACRRM
  • 24/7 support
  • information about the community where your placement is, and logistical information about travelling to, living and working there.

Eligibility to apply

Remote health services select NT Remote Locum Program RNs based on their local healthcare needs. For this to happen, you must first become ‘credentialed’ with the NT Remote Locum Program. This means you send us the below information when you apply, and we provide this to an external expert.

They will certify that you have the experience needed for a NT Remote Locum Program placement.

All RNs must meet minimum credentialing criteria, including at least 3 years' full-time clinical experience, to be considered for a placement in a remote community. 

Once you’re credentialed, you can respond to EOIs (expressions of interest) for placements. Our workforce coordinators send these out.

We send your EOI responses to the remote health service, and they may select you for a placement.

Becoming credentialed doesn’t guarantee a placement. It only gives you access to EOIs for upcoming placements.

Respond to EOI requests every time you want to do a placement. You can do more than one placement this way.

To help with the credentialing process, have these things ready when you apply to be a NT Remote Locum Program RN. If you’re unsure if you meet the requirements, contact the clinical team.

Employment and education

  • Bachelor of Nursing degree or equivalent.
  • Minimum of three (3) years of postgraduate experience.
  • Unrestricted registration to practice as an RN with Ahpra (the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency).
  • Evidence of current Basic Life Support (BLS) certificate or Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)  completed in the past year, including the practical and theoretical components.
  • Current recognised Immunisation certificate ie SA Understanding Vaccines and the National Immunisation Program.
  • CPD compliance as required by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
  • A statement of service showing at least 250 hours clinical work in a relevant setting over the past 12 months.
  • Two professional referees who can attest that you have worked clinically for at least 3 months, including one reference from a current or recent line manager or supervisor.

You don’t need previous remote or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health experience, but it’s welcomed if you have it.

Proof of identity

  • Copies of your:
    • current, unrestricted manual driver’s licence.
    • current Australian or New Zealand passport or full birth certificate.
  • A colour passport style photo for your NT Remote Locum Program ID card.
  • If applicable, evidence of name changes.
  • If not an Australian Citizen, evidence of permanent residency.

Working with Children clearance application

You must have a Working with Children (WWC) clearance or exemption to work in the NT. The process takes 4 to 6 weeks, and must be done before your placement.

Apply through SAFE NT Online Services.

We’ll reimburse the application fee on your first placement when you give us your WWC clearance notice number.

Specialisation requirements

Registered Nurse – general
  • At least 3 years of relevant clinical experience in more than two disciplines, including (but not exclusive to):
  • Surgical
  • Medical
  • Aged Care
  • Palliative Care
  • Oncology
  • Pediatrics
  • ICU/Coronary Care
  • Emergency

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Registered Midwife

  • Unrestricted registration to practice as a Registered Midwife and General Nurse.
  • Completion of an education program leading to registration to practice as a Registered Midwife.
  • Post-graduate experience of at least two years in midwifery.
  • At least 250 hours of clinical practice in midwifery and 250 hours clinical practice in general nursing over the past 12 months.
  • Current BLS and/or Advanced (Cardiac) Life Support (ALS/ACLS) certificate.
  • Neonatal resuscitation and practical competency in accordance with current ARC guidelines.

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