Katherine Hospital
Described as the place where the outback meets the tropics, Katherine is the third largest town in the Northern Territory. Ideally positioned between three areas of outstanding beauty and environmental significance, it offers the perfect base for exploring the Gulf region, the southern part of Kakadu and Nitmiluk National Park - home to the world-famous Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk). |
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Katherine Hospital services about 20,000 people living in a catchment area of 340,000 square kilometres between the West Australian and Queensland borders. More than half of these people live in remote areas bordered by Dunmarra in the south and Pine Creek in the north. Our services are also available to the hundreds of thousands of tourists from around the world who visit our region each year.
Located about 3.5kms from town, Katherine Hospital is a modern facility with 60 beds. It is staffed by about 13 hospital medical officers, 80 nursing staff and 80 support staff.
Central to Health
We provide non-specialist medical, diagnostic and treatment services for both inpatients and outpatients and play a strong role in education and training, research and health promotion. Our hospital is well equipped, not only to provide the best possible care for our patients, but also to support the well being of our staff.
Patient services include:
- Midwifery
- Emergency Department
- Paediatric
- Renal Dialysis
- Outpatient Department
- Medical
- Nursing Pool
- Surgical
- Operating Theatre
Physiotherapy, radiography, laboratory and pharmacy services are also available at the hospital, along with patient travel services.
Katherine Hospital is accredited by the Australian Councils of HealthCare Standards, and our midwifery ward has been accredited by the Baby Friendly Hospital.
Specialist medical services
Katherine Hospital has access to specialists from Darwin in the areas of general surgery, paediatrics, medicine, gynaecology, ophthalmology, ENT, renal, orthopaedics and cardiology. The hospital works closely with the Aerial Medical Service, providing a base for emergency retrievals within the district and inter-hospital transfers.
Working in remote and Aboriginal health
Katherine Hospital is committed to education in rural, remote and Aboriginal health and our management team works closely with the Aboriginal Health Boards to provide integrated health services to the region and enable staff from both organisations to work together.
We employ Aboriginal Health Workers and Aboriginal Liaison Officers, encourage carers for Aboriginal children admitted to hospital, and recognise the specific health needs of Aboriginal people at the hospital.
Testimonial by Judy Burke RN
First impressions count! The hospital is encompassed by lush, well-maintained gardens with each of the work units providing open access to the beautiful surroundings. My initial encounter with the staff was an open friendliness approach, a cup of tea on offer from the Nursing Director for both my husband and myself and an exclusive tour for the two of us. The work units maintain that aura of friendliness that you often see in smaller rural hospitals and whether it is related to the isolation from family or that the locals realise it’s importance in helping people to stay, I’m not sure. Katherine hospital accepts patients from a huge referral area, so nursing practice encompasses an exciting and often unique array of chronic and acute conditions. Whether it is the location, a small town place and/or the younger population, people make the effort to socialise and work towards making it a great place to live and work. So on days off, Katherine has many things on offer and is central to some unique experiences and places including canoeing down Katherine River, camping at Gregory National Park, boat cruise Nitmuluk Gorge, exploring Kakadu and some city life in Darwin…all within a few hours drive. In considering all this, maybe that’s why I’m still here!
Great salary and benefits
In addition to salaries among the highest in Australia, up to seven weeks annual leave and salary sacrificing options, we offer many other attractive conditions and benefits, including:
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Relocation assistance |
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Heavily subsidised housing |
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PDA after one year of service |
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Post-graduate allowance. |
Accommodation
There are plenty of accommodation options for our nurses. Our on-campus bedsits and one-bedroom units are fully self-contained and have all the necessary ‘mod-cons’, including air conditioning. Residents have everything at hand to enjoy a fantastic lifestyle – including swimming pool, tennis court, barbeque and social club. And the Katherine River is just a short walk from the units.
Staff Training
The hospital’s Workforce Development Unit offers many training and education programs including a First Year Graduate Program for tertiary trained nurses. All nurses have access to a comprehensive in-service Education Program, with courses in Midwifery, Orthopaedic Nursing, Neonatal Nursing, Paediatrics, Critical Care and Advanced Cardiac Life Support.
Making the move easy
Once you’ve decided to join our team at Katherine Hospital, we’ll do our part to make your move as easy as possible. As well as offering financial support for relocation, we also provide a comprehensive orientation program that involves Aboriginal Cultural Awareness and a Familiarisation Day, which include spending some time in the ward area.
Want to know more?
If you’re considering joining our team at Katherine Hospital call our nursing recruitment hotline today on 1800 000 648 or email us at nursinginfo.ths@nt.gov.au
Our staff will answer any questions you have about living in Katherine and working at our hospital.
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