Specialist Medical Officer- Palliative Care

Specialist Medical Officer- Palliative Care Brisbane, Queensland Applications close: 18 May 2026

Part Time (3 days per week, plus on call). Reports to: Director of Community Services

Karuna Hospice Services is seeking a Specialist Medical Officer to provide advice and support to Karuna's Community Services Team and clients/families on symptom management and end of life care planning as part of Karuna's care provision services. Karuna Hospice Service Ltd ("Karuna") is a community-focused organisation guided by Buddhist principles. Karuna is dedicated to alleviating suffering by fostering choice, agency, and quality of life for all. Through specialised end-of-life care and other holistic supports, we provide compassionate, dignity-centred guidance to individuals, carers, and the broader community. As part of our team, you will help uphold these values with intent and compassion, to empower people to embrace both living and dying, and support them to find peace within.

Key Accountabilities and Outcomes

Provide patient reviews and prescribing support in collaboration with treating doctors, via digital consultations, phone calls, and home visits for more complex cases.

Communicate clearly, compassionately, and comprehensively (verbally and in writing) with GPs, specialists, and families regarding treatment and care plans, and after any change in treatment

Completion of comprehensive documentation in Palcare including Palliative Assessment (SAS) tool, progress notes, and service data.

Provision of advice to Karuna clinical teams on symptom management and end of life planning, during contracted work hours and after hours as needed.

Attendance at and contribution to weekly internal multidisciplinary team case reviews and reflective practice meetings.

Facilitate advanced care planning discussions and complete Acute Resuscitation Plans (ARP) where needed.

Assistance in the completion of Palliative Care Equipment Program applications where needed.

Routine completion of required Medicare documentation to enable Karuna’s Finance Department to submit regular and timely billing to Medicare (minimum – monthly basis)

Professional Development

Assistance in developing and maintaining a supportive learning and reflective culture within the clinical team in collaboration with the Director of Community Services.

Complying with relevant development requirements in order to keep relevant qualifications current.

Attend and contribute to organisational training sessions.

Proactively prepare for and engage in Karuna annual review processes.

Proactively and genuinely seek feedback on work performance.

Mandatory Requirements

Hold and maintain current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as a Medical Practitioner.

FAChPM preferred but other qualifications and levels of experience will be considered.

Possession of current Class C Queensland Drivers Licence.

Unrestricted work rights for Australia.

Available for scheduled weekend on call shifts.

Selection Criteria

10 years’ experience in a medical officer role or equivalent.

Demonstrated experience in working in palliative care.

Demonstrated high level of interpersonal, communication, conflict resolution and negotiation skills to effectively engage and collaborate with members of the interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary team and external health care providers.

Strong organisational and time management skills with high attention to detail.

Strong computer and database skills.

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