Clinical Training Support Officer

Exciting Opportunity for Administrative Professionals in Regional Higher Education

James Cook University has opened applications for a Clinical Training Support Officer position based in Cairns, Queensland. This full-time role offers a competitive salary range and the chance to contribute directly to the training of future medical and dental professionals in one of Australia's most unique regional settings. The position supports the College of Medicine and Dentistry by coordinating essential clinical placements that prepare students for real-world healthcare challenges in tropical, rural, and remote communities.

With a fixed-term contract running until the end of 2026 and the possibility of extension, the role provides stability alongside meaningful impact. Located primarily at Cairns Hospital and the Yeinie building, the successful candidate will work closely with academic staff, clinicians, and external health providers to ensure seamless clinical education experiences.

Understanding the Core Responsibilities of the Position

The Clinical Training Support Officer plays a pivotal part in the operational backbone of clinical education. Daily tasks revolve around coordinating student clinical placements, which involves careful rostering, scheduling, and preparing necessary resources for learners across hospital, community, and health service environments.

Additional duties include liaising with a diverse range of stakeholders to facilitate training activities, providing broad administrative support for operations such as recruitment processes, examinations, and special events, and maintaining high standards of customer service when responding to enquiries from students, staff, and partners. The role also encourages ongoing contributions to process improvements that enhance overall service delivery in clinical training functions.

• Manage complex placement schedules while balancing multiple priorities and deadlines
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal academics and external healthcare organisations
• Handle sensitive data entry and record management with precision and confidentiality
• Support examination logistics and event coordination to ensure smooth execution

The Growing Importance of Clinical Training Support in Australian Universities

Clinical placements form the cornerstone of medical and dental education across Australia. These hands-on experiences allow students to transition from theoretical knowledge to practical skills in authentic healthcare settings. In regional universities like those in Queensland, such training is especially vital because it helps address longstanding workforce shortages in rural and remote areas.

Effective administrative support ensures that placements run efficiently, minimising disruptions for students and partner organisations alike. Without dedicated roles like this, universities would struggle to scale their programs or maintain the quality standards required by accreditation bodies. The coordination involved covers everything from matching student availability with clinical site capacity to preparing orientation materials and tracking compliance requirements.

James Cook University’s Unique Focus on Regional and Tropical Health

James Cook University stands out for its commitment to improving health outcomes in underserved communities throughout northern Australia and the tropics. The College of Medicine and Dentistry emphasises training that prepares graduates for the specific challenges of rural practice, Indigenous health, and tropical medicine.

Students benefit from extensive placement opportunities in locations such as Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, and further afield in remote communities. These experiences build cultural competence, adaptability, and a strong sense of social accountability. Administrative professionals supporting these programs help create positive, well-organised learning environments that ultimately strengthen the regional health workforce pipeline.

More details on the college’s programs are available on the official JCU College of Medicine and Dentistry website.

Key Skills and Experience Required for Success

Ideal candidates bring proven administrative expertise at a level consistent with HEW Level 5 roles in the Australian higher education sector. This typically includes demonstrated capability in coordination tasks, high-volume environments, and stakeholder management.

Strong organisational abilities, attention to detail, and the capacity to prioritise competing demands are essential. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills help when working with academics, clinicians, students, and external partners from varied backgrounds. Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and reliable data management practices round out the technical requirements.

Customer service excellence and discretion when handling sensitive information further distinguish successful applicants. Those who thrive in dynamic settings and enjoy contributing to continuous improvement initiatives will find the role particularly rewarding.

Salary, Benefits, and Employment Conditions

The position is classified at HEW Level 5 with a salary range of $78,740 to $89,310 plus 17% superannuation. Additional benefits include access to professional development opportunities, flexible working arrangements where appropriate, and the broader employee support programs offered by James Cook University.

Employment is full-time at 36.25 hours per week on a fixed-term basis until 31 December 2026, with potential for extension depending on organisational needs and funding. The role is based across Cairns Hospital and the Yeinie building, placing the officer at the heart of clinical training activities in Far North Queensland.

Addressing Regional Healthcare Workforce Challenges Through Education

Queensland continues to experience notable gaps in its health workforce, particularly in regional, rural, and remote locations. Administrative support roles in university clinical training programs help mitigate these issues by enabling universities to deliver high-quality placement experiences that encourage graduates to consider careers in these areas.

By ensuring placements are well-coordinated and supportive, roles like the Clinical Training Support Officer contribute indirectly to long-term workforce sustainability. This aligns with broader national efforts to improve health service access outside major metropolitan centres.

Further insights into Australia’s health workforce landscape can be found in reports from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

How to Prepare a Strong Application

Applications close on 14 June 2026. Prospective candidates should prepare a current resume and a tailored cover letter that clearly outlines relevant experience and demonstrates how they meet the role’s key requirements.

The cover letter provides an opportunity to highlight specific examples of administrative coordination, stakeholder liaison, and customer service achievements. Attention to detail in the application materials reflects the precision expected in the position itself.

For questions about the role, interested individuals can contact Josie Valese directly. This is also an excellent time to explore other related opportunities in higher education administration across Australia.

The Broader Value of Professional Staff in Higher Education Health Programs

While academic staff deliver core teaching, professional and administrative roles form the essential infrastructure that makes large-scale clinical education possible. Support officers manage logistics that would otherwise divert academics from their primary educational and research responsibilities.

These positions also enhance the student experience by providing responsive, professional points of contact for placement-related queries. In regional settings, where resources can be more limited, the efficiency brought by skilled administrative professionals becomes even more critical.

Universities across Australia increasingly recognise the strategic importance of such roles in maintaining program quality and compliance with professional accreditation standards.

Future Outlook for Clinical Education Support Roles

As healthcare education continues to evolve with greater emphasis on integrated, community-based, and interprofessional learning, the demand for capable administrative support is expected to remain strong. Roles that combine coordination expertise with stakeholder relationship management will stay central to successful university programs.

James Cook University’s ongoing focus on regional health training positions this particular opportunity as both timely and impactful. Professionals seeking meaningful work that combines administrative skill with contribution to community health outcomes will find this an attractive prospect.

Those ready to apply can do so through the official channels or explore similar listings on dedicated academic job platforms.