Head of Unit - Thoracic
- Location: Footscray Hospital
- Employment Type: Part-Time (15 hours/week), Ongoing
- Salary: HN16-59 (commensurate with experience) + Superannuation + Salary Packaging
About the role:
Western Health is seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and innovative Head of Unit, Thoracic Surgery, to join our team.
In this senior leadership role, the Head of Unit will be responsible for delivering high quality clinical care to patients across Western Health, overseeing the supervision and training of Junior Medical Staff, and contributing to initiatives that support Western Health’s strategic priorities.
The Thoracic Unit provides extensive opportunities for peer review, multidisciplinary discussion, and collaborative practice. The team is recognised for its supportive, collegiate, and forward-thinking culture.
Key responsibilities:
- Ensure medical staff are appropriately registered, credentialed and working within scope of practice.
- Ensuring clinical audits occur and that outcomes and improvement plans are documented and tracked.
- Provide consistent and appropriate leadership and supervision to unit Junior Medical Staff.
- Provide consistent and appropriate leadership, oversight and guidance to unit Senior Medical Staff.
- Conduct and document annual professional development review meetings with Senior Medical Staff.
- Participate in service planning, including business case development, target setting, workforce planning, and identifying resource requirements and service improvement priorities.
- Oversee, monitor, and respond to key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to the unit, including clinical audit outcomes, morbidity and mortality data, access measures, and quality indicators.
- Work collaboratively with the Divisional Executive team to manage the unit’s budget and support strategic and financial planning aligned with Western Health’s strategic plan and organisational accountabilities.
About you:
You are a dedicated and forward-thinking clinician who:
- Has Fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Surgeons.
- Holds a current Australian medical registration.
- Is a member of ANZSCTS (Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons)
- Is able to demonstrate strong clinical skills and knowledge, as well as possess excellent communication and interpersonal aptitudes.
- Has a high level of commitment to top quality patient care.
- Has experience in the support and supervision of Junior Medical Staff.
- Has demonstrated ability to practice collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary health care team.
About Western Health
Western Health is one of the largest healthcare providers in Victoria, caring for a vibrant, diverse and rapidly growing community of one million people in Melbourne’s western suburbs.
With more than 13,000 staff, Western Health delivers 800,000+ occasions of care every year, providing high-quality, person-centred care across every life stage.
We provide a combination of hospital, community-based, at-home and in-reach services to aged, adult and paediatric patients and newborn babies. Specialties include oncology, renal, mental health, women’s health and maternity, chronic diseases, geriatrics and cardiology.
We have remarkable strengths in chronic disease, complex care and developing innovative and sustainable healthcare solutions. Our experience at the coalface of healthcare delivery for some of Australia’s most culturally and socioeconomically diverse and vulnerable populations provides us with unique insights into the most pressing health challenges.
Western Health operates four acute public hospitals: Sunshine Hospital (including Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s), Footscray Hospital, Williamstown Hospital and Bacchus Marsh Hospital. We also operate Sunbury Community Hospital, Sunshine Mental Health and Wellbeing Centre, Melton Health and Community Services, Bacchus Marsh Community Health Centre, Caroline Springs Community Health Centre and Grant Lodge Residential Aged Care in Bacchus Marsh. Western Health also provides the primary healthcare service at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, a women’s prison located in Ravenhall.
Why join us?
Compensation and benefits
- Competitive salary packages aligned with market standards.
- Health and wellbeing programs, including flexible work arrangements.
- Scholarships and grants to support your continuous learning journey.
Learning and development opportunities
- Access the Western Health Learning Academy (WHA) for personalised learning pathways.
- Professional growth programs, including postgraduate studies and clinical education.
- Mentorship and career support.
Community impact and inclusion
- Make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives through compassionate care.
- Join a workforce that champions diversity and inclusion.
- Engage in community wellbeing initiatives and groundbreaking healthcare research.
Organisational culture and environment
- Thrive in a collaborative, compassionate and innovative team environment.
- Be part of a culture that celebrates continuous improvement and excellence in healthcare.
Ready to make an impact?
If you’re passionate about compassionate care, innovation and community wellbeing, we’d love to hear from you. Simply click on the “apply” button and follow the prompts.
If you are currently employed at Western Health, please ensure you sign in through the 'Employee Login' via the external Careers Page or access the Careers Page via the intranet before applying.
Closing date: 11:59pm on 23 February 2026.
Enquiries: For further information about this role, contact Cassandra Cook on 0481 420 888.
Western Health is an equal opportunity employer committed to attracting and retaining diversity in our workforce. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Western Health is committed to providing a safe environment for the children and young people who are involved in our services, sites and operations. We follow and abide by all legislative requirements to keep children and young people safe.
All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory Police Record Check, an Immunisation Status Clearance and a Working with Children Check (if applicable).
Western Health does not accept unsolicited resumes/applications from recruitment agencies.
Western Health