Public Health Officer - Western Public Health Unit

About the Role: 

• One permanent, full-time position available.

• Fixed-term, part-time positions also available. 

• Based at Sunshine Hospital, with flexible remote working arrangements available.

• Salary $75,000-$95,000 per annum for full time (commensurate with experience) + superannuation and salary packaging benefits.

We are seeking a motivated and dedicated Public Health Officer (PHO) to join our team. The PHO plays a vital role in safeguarding public health by investigating, responding to, and managing cases and outbreaks of communicable diseases within the WPHU catchment area, with potential involvement in wider regions as needed. 

In this role, you will ensure timely and evidence-based implementation of public health practices under the guidance of the Health Protection Team Leader. 

To be successful in this role, you will need to: 

• Be able to manage cases, perform contact tracing, and handle outbreak responses in accordance with public health guidelines for notifiable diseases. 

• Have strong judgment and analytical skills to conduct risk assessments through collaboration with stakeholders, including implementing public health control measures. 

• Be proficient in conveying public health information and recommended actions to a diverse range of audiences and stakeholders using various communication methods (calls, emails, written reports). 

• Ability to work independently, escalate issues when necessary, collaborate effectively with colleagues and stakeholders, and handle urgent or emergency situations through participation in on-call duties. Demonstrates emotional intelligence and strategic thinking. 

• Actively participate in program meetings, quality improvement activities, service development and change management processes. 

About the Western Public Health Unit: 

The Western Public Health Unit (WPHU) has been established to strengthen the public health response to communicable diseases and other health issues. The Unit is part of a system of three metropolitan Public Health Units, including Western (WPHU), North Eastern (NEPHU), South Eastern (SEPHU) and six regional Public Health Units to provide a state-wide system of public health delivery and oversight. 

WPHU is led and coordinated by Western Health and responsible for approximately 1.3 million people in the LGA’s of Maribyrnong, Moonee Valley, Hobson’s Bay, Merri-bek, Melbourne, Brimbank, Melton and Wyndham. Initially, WPHU was responsible for COVID-related activities (case investigation, contact tracing and outbreak management) in collaboration with the Victorian Department of Health (DH). However, now local public health units are taking increasing responsibility for many notifiable conditions under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 alongside the Victorian Department of Health (DH), and also non-communicable disease and health promotion activities in their assigned catchments, as part of the state’s overall public health response. 

The WPHU team works very closely with a range of key stakeholder groups, in particular the Public Health Division at DH, local government, local community health networks and primary health providers. WPHU promotes a healthy workplace culture, with our culture statement being: “We are a diverse and welcoming team passionate about public health. We value open and honest communication. We work together to create a flexible environment of mutual respect, inclusivity and connection.” 

Contact Person 1: Rachel Barter 

Contact number: 0468 577 599 

Contact Person 2: Pasan Malagalage 

Contact number: 0425 919 961 

Position Description

Applications close 11:59pm on 14 October 2024.

About Us 
Our workforce of over 13,000 employees are driven by our values of ‘Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellence and Safety’ (CARES). We value our people and provide them the opportunity to grow and develop. Our teams are friendly and supportive, ensuring we deliver a safe, person-centred and connected patient experience. 

Western Health is in a period of rapid growth. Our services comprise of four acute public hospitals: Footscray Hospital, Sunshine Hospital (including Joan Kirner Women's and Children's), Williamstown Hospital and Bacchus Marsh & Melton Hospital. We also operate Sunbury Day Hospital, Grant Lodge Residential Aged Care, as well as community health centres in Melton, Caroline Springs and Bacchus Marsh and a range of mental health and community-based services. We care for a diverse community of more than 1 million people with complex care needs ranging from Neonates to Geriatrics. 

Our employees enjoy a wide range of benefits such as: 

• Professional development support 

• Career advancement opportunities 

• Salary packaging including novated vehicle leasing 

• Work-life balance 

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 (including evidence of COVID 19 vaccination) and (if applicable) a Working with Children’s Check. 

Western Health do not accept unsolicited resumes/applications from Recruitment Agencies. 

 
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.