General Practitioners/Physicians – Gjerstad Municipality, southern Norway

Are you interested in working as a doctor in an innovative municipality that prioritizes quality healthcare services and excellent working conditions for its employees? Gjerstad Municipality currently has a vacant position as a general practitioner starting in July 2025, due to the resignation of one of our current GPs. Additionally, the municipality is expanding its healthcare services by creating a new position for a specialist in general medicine or a physician in training at our modern medical centre located at Brokelandsheia.

We are offering two to four exciting medical positions:

1. 100% Permanent Municipal Position – General Practitioner with Fixed Salary
   This newly established position includes GP responsibilities with an adjusted patient list, municipal tasks, and a medical advisory role in the “Health-Promoting Team” project, where Gjerstad and Arendal serve as host municipalities in the Østre Agder collaboration. The patient list is already partially established by an experienced locum (specialist in general medicine) as of January 2025.
2. 100% Permanent Position – Specialist in General Medicine/Physician in Training with Patient List (900 patients)
   The successful candidate can choose between municipal employment or private practice under a contractual arrangement (8.2 agreement), where the municipality covers operating expenses, and the physician retains patient fees, remuneration, and reimbursements from HELFO (Norwegian Health Economics Administration).

These positions offer excellent opportunities for professional and personal development at our well-established medical centre.

About the Medical Centre

The centre is staffed by two specialists in general medicine, skilled medical secretaries, nurses, and locums. It operates in modern, well-equipped facilities centrally located at Brokelandsheia. The centre uses the Infodoc electronic patient record system.

Ongoing Development

The municipality is engaged in a significant development initiative aimed at delivering sustainable services in line with national guidelines. The Health-Promoting Team project is part of a cross-sectoral effort designed to enhance the resilience and sustainability of local healthcare services. The team consists of an advanced clinical nurse practitioner and a specialist physiotherapist. By providing advice and recommending interventions, the team aims to support residents in maintaining or increasing their capacity to manage daily activities at the lowest appropriate level of care.

Duties and Responsibilities

Position 1: General Practitioner/Physician in the Health-Promoting Team (Municipal Employment)

• Work as a GP with a newly established/partially developed patient list.
• Serve as a medical advisor (30%) in the Health-Promoting Team project until July 2026.
• Perform municipal duties equivalent to a 20% position, currently in nursing home and refugee health services.
• Engage in professional development in collaboration with colleagues.
• Maintain a flexible attitude toward tasks.
• Participate in daytime emergency medical services at the center.
• Participate in the inter-municipal emergency service based at the new Østre Agder Health House in Arendal.

Position 2: General Practitioner/Specialist or Physician in Training with Option for Private Practice or Municipal Employment

• Provide GP services for a patient list of 900 residents
• Participate in daytime emergency medical services
• Participate in the inter-municipal emergency service
• May be assigned up to 7.5 hours per week of public health duties.

Qualifications

• Norwegian authorization as a licensed physician - Authorisation and License for Health Personnel - Helsedirektoratet
• Specialist in general medicine or in the process of obtaining this qualification, or willingness to start the specialization pathway.
• Experience in general practice and elderly/nursing home medicine is an advantage.
• Strong interdisciplinary collaboration skills.
• Proficiency in using ICT tools.
• Valid driver’s license (Class B) and access to a private vehicle.

Personal Qualities

We are looking for candidates who are:

• Responsible, flexible, and committed
• Skilled in teamwork and capable of effective communication and is willing to learn Norwegian
• Able to work systematically, both independently and in teams
• Contributing to a positive and supportive work environment
• Familiar with the organization and legal framework of general practice in Norway.
• Personal suitability will be emphasized.

We Offer

• A strong professional team with experienced and stable colleagues at a municipally run medical centre
• Varied, challenging, and professionally stimulating tasks
• Flexibility in terms of tasks and employment type:
  • Municipal employment with an adjusted patient list to accommodate additional responsibilities
  • Private practice with a well-established list of 900 patients, with the option to expand. Employment may be under municipal terms (fixed salary) or as a private practitioner under the 8.2 agreement. In the latter case, the transition will follow the ASA 4310 agreement terms, with negotiations between the incoming and outgoing physician regarding compensation for the established practice
• The municipality is a registered training institution for general medicine and offers supervision and guidance throughout the specialization process
• A supportive professional environment in an innovative and forward-thinking department
• Short lines of communication and strong collaboration with local healthcare services, the municipal chief medical officer, psychologist, and ambulance service
• Free access to fitness and swimming facilities, as well as excellent insurance and pension benefits
• Assistance with securing housing and daycare placement.

Contact Information

For more information, please contact:

• Per Gunnar Johnsen, Chief Executive Officer in Gjerstad municipality,

+47 900 13 649,   per.gunnar.johnsen@gjerstad.kommune.no

• Kathrine Pedersen, Municipal Chief Medical Officer, +47 920 20 705, kathrine.pedersen@gjerstad.kommune.no

Applications to be sent to:

  post@gjerstad.kommune.no and marked att: Per Gunnar Johnsen

The application deadline is April 14, but applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis

About Gjerstad:

Gjerstad Municipality is situated in southeastern Agder County, in the southern part of Norway. It lies along the E18 highway, making it easily accessible by car and public transport. The municipality is located approximately 90 minutes east of Kristiansand and about 3 hours southwest of Oslo.

Gjerstad also has a train station on the Sørlandsbanen railway line, which connects it to major cities like Oslo, Kristiansand, and Stavanger. This convenient location allows residents and visitors to enjoy the tranquility of rural life while still being within reach of urban centers and job markets in the region.

Gjerstad is home to a population of around 2,400 residents, who enjoy a peaceful yet active lifestyle. The municipality is characterized by its family-friendly atmosphere, where local traditions are cherished, and neighbours know each other by name.

The area provides excellent opportunities for outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, and cycling. In winter, cross-country skiing trails weave through the forests, offering breathtaking views of the snowy landscape.

While Gjerstad is a peaceful rural municipality, it enjoys proximity to several cities that offer a variety of services, cultural experiences, and job opportunities. Located just a short drive from Gjerstad, Risør is known as "The White Town by the Sea" due to its charming white wooden houses and scenic coastal location. This small coastal city is famous for its vibrant cultural scene, including festivals, art galleries, and a picturesque harbour. Arendal is the largest city in the region and a key hub in Agder County. The city offers a lively atmosphere with shops, restaurants, schools, and cultural attractions. Known as a popular summer destination, Kragerø is a picturesque coastal town famous for its archipelago with over 490 islands, islets, and skerries. It is a haven for boating, swimming, and enjoying art and local culture. The town has been an inspiration for several Norwegian artists, including Edvard Munch. Kristiansand is the largest city in Southern Norway and a dynamic urban centre with a thriving cultural scene, educational institutions, and a busy harbour. It is home to attractions like the Kristiansand Zoo, Bystranda Beach, and a variety of festivals throughout the year. Here you will find a small international airport as well as daily ferry connections with Denmark.