Trainee Recruitment & Selection
Traineeships are awarded through a competitive merit selection process. Successful applicants are offered full-time employment as a 'Trainee Public Health Officer' for a 3 year period.
Conditions of Employment
Trainee Public Health Officers are full-time employees of the NSW Department of Health, appointed under section 27 of the Public Sector Employment and Management Act 2002. Appointments are renewable annually, subject to satisfactory performance. Basic conditions of employment for Trainee Public Health Officers are set out under the Crown Employees (Public Sector Conditions of Employment) Award 2002.
Salary
Trainees from non-medical backgrounds are usually paid in the range $72,247 to $79,972 per annum. Trainees who are registered medical practitioners in NSW are usually paid in the range $82,356 to $90,754 per annum. Trainee Public Health Officers usually commence on the lowest salary rate and receive a salary increase upon the satisfactory completion of each year of employment. No review of salary can be undertaken once a Trainee has commenced on duty.
Selection Criteria
Applicants are required to satisfy all of the following selection criteria:
- Successful completion of a recognised Master of Public Health degree or other masters or higher level qualification in a public health field
These studies have provided the applicant with a context for current public health practice and a sound introduction to the theory, methodology and values of public health. Applicants must have completed and been awarded their degree prior to application.
- Minimum of three years of health related full-time equivalent employment
This has provided the applicant with an understanding of disease and a context for meeting the healthcare needs of patients and their families.
- Demonstrated understanding of the Australian health care system
Applicants must demonstrate their awareness of the complexities involved in providing an equitable health service and in developing robust public health solutions within the Australian context. This is generally gained through working within the Australian health care system.
- Demonstrated Vocational commitment to public health
Applicants must demonstrate a vocational commitment to the field of public health, for example by providing evidence of ways they have actively applied their public health learning.
- Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills
Applicants must demonstrate their capacity to communicate clearly and effectively across a broad range of situations and contexts. This is usually demonstrated by evidence of publications and presentations and through performance at interview.
- Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team
Trainees are required to move to new work placements regularly, sometimes at very short notice, and they must be able to quickly assimilate and work effectively with different workplace teams. Applicants are required to demonstrate their capacity to work with multi-disciplinary teams by reflecting on previous experience.
- Commitment to undertaking a 6 month rural placement and other travel, as required, to participate in emergency public health investigations
Applicants must acknowledge their understanding of these mandatory requirements of the NSW Public Health Officer Training Program.
- Australian citizenship or permanent residency and a commitment to residing within NSW for the duration of training
The Program is open only to Australian citizens or permanent residents. Successful applicants must commit to residing within NSW for the duration of their 3 years of training. Successful applicants currently residing in other states or countries will be required to relocate to NSW in order to take up a traineeship.