Learn more about the careers and opportunities available for Registrars at Northern Health by reading our staff stories.
Dr Jenny Huang
The Northern Hospital (TNH) is situated in one of Melbourne’s population growth corridors and services an amazingly diverse community.
I started my journey here as a final year medical student and had worked at various hospitals but found myself returning to TNH times and times again. I am currently a junior Emergency Registrar here. I believe that it is one of the few tertiary hospitals in Melbourne where you can be exposed to the whole spectrum of presentations whether it be medical, surgical, paediatrics, O&G or psychiatric.
Working in the TNH Emergency Department can often be a roller coaster of emotions. It is chaotic, stressful yet satisfying as I drag my exhausted body for the (slightly long) journey home. I often reflect on the eventful day that has just transpired. From the fiery elderly lady who surprised you with her most colourful language; to the shy smile and high five from a toddler who wasn’t using her arm 5 minutes ago. From experiencing the joy of a baby born to the heartbreak of seeing family saying goodbye to a loved one lost.
I wasn’t in it alone though. The delicious chocolate chip brownie from a wonderful nursing colleague who knew I haven’t eaten all shift; the reassuring nod from my supervising consultant as he supervised me performing a new procedure; or simply sitting back and marveling at a colleague’s spontaneous miming genius communicating with a non- English speaking patient on an overnight shift.
It is often challenging, but I believe that it makes you more resourceful and creative with you management plans as you strive to provide holistic care for your patients. The action all starts here at the Northern Hospital Emergency Department. It’s a wonderful place to work and I keep finding myself coming back for more.
Dr Jenny Huang, Emergency Registrar
Dr Binh Nguyen
My name is Binh Nguyen. I’m currently a general surgical fellow at The Northern Hospital.
I started my advance surgical training in 2007 through Austin/Northern health. General surgical training is a 4 year program which involves 6 rotations to various hospitals around Victoria, Tasmania and even Northern Territory. I was first rotated to the Northern Hospital in 2008 as a 2nd year trainee for 6 months. Having done a year in Alice Springs and Hamilton Victoria, the teaching I had at the Northern consolidated my surgical skills.
In my 3rd year I was rotated back to the Northern. Again with the guidance of the senior surgeons I developed a more strong and confident clinical practice. The teaching by the surgeon mentors at the Northern, both in the operating theatre and on the ward, inspired my interest in different fields of general surgery. The Northern, when compared with other hospitals, has a better teaching/learning environment. I had an active role in teaching medical students. Even medical students agree that teaching at The Northern is more personal; there is more direct contact with registrars and consultants.
In my 4th and final year I was again rotated back to the Northern. I successfully sat the FRACS fellowship examination with the help of many general surgeons. I was given clinical tutorials as part of my preparation.
The Northern Hospital has played a major part in my surgical training and development as a surgeon.
Dr Binh Nguyen, General Surgical Fellow
Dr Laura Mac Darby
As an Irish Medical Graduate 3 and a half years out of University, I arrived in Melbourne with the vigour and enthusiasm of a child on a school trip to Wet and Wild. Fortunately, the weather was exactly what you would wish for on such a trip, unfortunately, 4 hours later it was the opposite! However, such unpredictability and charm was exactly what I came to love about Melbourne. I believe the very same could be said about The Northern Hospital ED.
The first thing that struck me about The Northern ED was the friendly atmosphere, from consultants to nurses, allied health to clerks, everyone bands together to get the job done. Make no mistake, there is plenty of work to be done, but a day in ED will rarely drag by.
Another great thing about the department is, everyone is encouraged to put all those great skills you spent all those years in Med School learning, into practice. You see and treat patients with both autonomy and support allowing you to gain confidence in your ability while also learning on the job. Not to mention the wealth of guidance available, to help cope with almost any presentation in the form of Dr Hayes’s guidelines.
In the 15 months I spent in the department I had the fortune to go from Resident to Reg to Senior in charge over night. This allowed me to gain hugely valuable experience and confidence in my ability thanks to my helpful and trustworthy seniors and colleagues. This experience will both stand to me and stay with me fondly. I have confidence anyone who works there would feel the same.
Dr Laura Mac Darby
Dr Adam Eddie
I started at the Northern Hospital Emergency Department nine months ago having completed my undergraduate and initial postgraduate years in Ireland.
Australia and, Melbourne in particular, is increasingly popular for young Irish/English doctors. The prospect of living in Melbourne, having a full-time (limited to 40hrs a week - unheard of back home) job with plenty of time to relish city life is fantastic.
The job itself is hard-work, taxing but best of all rewarding. It is as challenging as you make it. If you’re into the high acuity, critical care patient, there is plenty for you and you're encouraged as to do as much as you can. Support on the floor is fantastic so just get stuck in. If that's not what you’re into, there are masses of acute medical/surgical/paediatric/obstetric patients to work-up. Job opportunities in these specialities are often available for three month stints and easily organised through the ED consultants and often prove a great avenue for pursuit of these career paths.
Lastly, there is a something to be said for going to work and being able to have good banter with the nursing/clerical/speciality workers whom you see the same familiar faces day-in-day-out. It makes the job enjoyable. That's surely a large part of what it is all about? I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here and cannot speak of my experience highly enough.
Dr Adam Eddie, ED Registrar
