Locum at Monto Hospital, QLD
About Monto Hospital
Monto Hospital is ideal for doctors who thrive in a true generalist role, enjoy hands-on medicine, and value being part of a tight-knit, supportive team where culture and collaboration matter as much as clinical skill.
Key facts about Atherton Hospital
Hours and On-call
-
SMOs: Hospital rounds early, then GP clinic (9:00 am–4:30 pm). One SMO on call each night and weekends, rotating daily.
-
PHO: 8:00 am–5:00 pm in hospital (ED/ward), assists with rounds and paperwork. May share 1–2 on-call nights per week.
Location:
Wide Bay Hospital & Health Service, QLD
Payment Frequency:
Weekly payroll
Orientation
Doctors receive a practical, team-led orientation on arrival. The Director of Nursing or senior staff provide a walk-through of the hospital, followed by a clinical handover from the on-site doctor. Admin support assists with system access, ID badges, and troubleshooting IT if needed. While formal manuals are limited, the focus is on a warm welcome, clear expectations, and making sure doctors feel supported from day one.
Why work at Monto Hospital
“If you talk to our long-term locums, they’ll tell you the same thing: the culture here is second to none,” - Tracie Pattie, DON, Monto Hospital
Doctors describe Monto as a place where nurses and doctors work side by side, not against each other. It's a genuinely supportive environment where everyone pulls together.
You won’t be just another number; you’ll be part of a small team that values collaboration, good communication, and a sense of humour.
As one doctor put it, “It’s the best culture I’ve experienced anywhere in Australia.”
If you’re someone who thrives on variety, values teamwork, and wants to make a real impact in a close-knit community, this is the place.
The facilities and services at Monto Hospital
-
14 inpatient beds
-
1-bed Emergency Department (24/7)
-
Outpatient service (limited sessions)
-
X-ray available weekly (on-call for emergencies)
-
Tele-chemo service
-
Basic pharmacy on site, with local pharmacy support
-
Helipad and access to aeromedical retrieval services
-
Standardised emergency trolleys (Rural Standardisation Project)
Complexities, inpatients, and ED presentations
-
Expect true generalist medicine — anything from trauma and acute emergencies to maternity, paediatrics, and chronic disease management.
-
Around 120–150 ED presentations per month, but highly variable: some days 10 presentations, other days none.
-
Inpatient occupancy averages 70%, with occasional surges to 100%+.
-
No CT and limited imaging, so strong clinical reasoning is essential.
-
Retrievals for higher acuity cases are common, using helicopter or plane via on-site helipad and local airstrip.
-
SMOs split time between hospital and local GP practice, adding continuity of care and variety to the role.
-
PHO role is hospital-based only, focused on ED and ward work, discharge summaries, and clinical support.
Hospital team and culture:
The team at Monto Hospital prides itself on being close-knit and genuinely supportive, with a culture that makes doctors want to come back. There’s no “us and them” — nurses and doctors work side by side, sharing responsibility and backing each other up. It’s a place where a warm welcome matters, and little touches go a long way: weekly coffee runs, Thursday breakfasts, takeaway lunches, and regular morning teas are part of the routine. If you value camaraderie, laughter in the tea room, and a team that genuinely has your back, you’ll feel right at home here.
Mental health support:
Access to both EAP and DNA's partnership with MyMirror
Impact on local community:
Working at Monto Hospital means making a tangible difference every day. This is the only hospital serving a wide rural catchment, so your skills directly impact access to care for people who would otherwise face long waits or long-distance transfers. Whether it’s managing an emergency, supporting chronic conditions, or simply being a familiar face in the community, your presence matters. Locals genuinely value their doctors — you’re not just providing a service; you’re part of the fabric of the town, helping keep healthcare close to home.
Accommodation & Travel details:
Flights, vehicle and accommodation all provided
Things to see & do in Monto:
Life in Monto offers plenty to enjoy outside of work. You can explore the walking trails and natural beauty of Cania Gorge, relax by Cania Dam for fishing or a quiet picnic, or take in the local art scene with Monto’s street art trail and galleries. The town has a friendly, active community with sports like touch footy, netball, and cricket, plus regular markets and country events. When you need a change of pace, Bundaberg is an easy drive, and flights from nearby Biloela make Brisbane trips simple.
DNA Healthcare success stories
We’ve had the pleasure of placing thousands of healthcare professionals at hospitals and organisations across Australia. Hear about their experience with DNA Healthcare.
Genuine and unfiltered review: I am a Registered Nurse and have worked with multiple agencies. However, I have never felt as amazed as I do with the contract I am currently on with DNA Nursing Agency. Both Aruna and Sophie are wonderful. Since my first day with the agency, Aruna has consistently checked in to make sure I am doing well and addressed any issues I might have. No matter if it’s the weekend, she always answers my calls and happily resolves any concerns.
Nurse
DNA Medical Recruitment & Team members have been amazing to work with. Excellent services of support provided from start to finish for all of my contracts.
Special thank you to Martin! His professionalism has been exceptional. Martin’s positive encouragement and support given me the confidence to apply for and helped with new contracts. Always prompt, friendly and approachable to accommodate any needs.
Nurse
Good experience with DNA. Will and Andrew with whom I have dealt with work extremely hard to help finalise locums, very reliable and good communicators.
Doctor
If you are thinking about commencing a travel nurse journey, then I can highly recommend Lucy and the Team at DNA. I had tried on and off for almost 12mths and then it was Lucy who was able to secure my role in Tasmania.
The knowledge from the outset and the assistant along the way has been incredible. Nothing is too much trouble and the team are only ever a phone call/email away
Nurse
Chloe from DNA is an excellent recruiter. She communicates clearly from start to finish and provides constructive feedback and preparation for the interview. Her support was instrumental in making the experience both memorable and positive for me. I highly recommend hiring or leveraging her expertise.
Nurse
I have been with DNA Recruitment for almost a year now and my agent Ciara has been nothing but helpful along the way. She made the initial move to Australia less daunting and has always been there ready and willing to answer any of my questions. She’s locked in every nursing contract I have wanted, has taken the stress away and honestly has made my life so much easier. Thank you Ciara for being so amazing!
Nurse
I had a wonderful experience with DNA Recruitment Healthcare Agency. The agency is professional, supportive, and provides excellent opportunities for healthcare professionals.
I would especially like to acknowledge Aruna, who guided me throughout my entire journey. Aruna helped me with every step, from finding the right opportunities to settling into my nursing contract. She is extremely kind, polite, and always cooperative. Her support, encouragement, and positive attitude made a big difference in my experience.
Nurse
Beverley is the best agent for me – she responds efficiently, goes above and beyond in finding me the most suitable shifts, checks up on me to make sure I’m okay almost daily and you can tell she genuinely wants the best for you. Thank you so much, Beverley, for making everything so smooth for me!
Doctor
