Research Physiotherapist
- Location: Multiple Western Health sites
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Employment Type: Part-Time (0.2 FTE), Fixed-Term (until February 2029)
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Salary: Grade 3 Physiotherapist (VB7 - VC1) + Super + Salary Packaging
About the role
We are looking for an enthusiastic Grade 3 Physiotherapist to join our research team in a part-time (0.2FTE), fixed-term capacity until February 2029 as a Site Coordinator for the My Personal Rehab study.
The Site Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating activities at Western Health to ensure smooth operations for the My Personal Rehab (MPR) study across hospital sites within Western Health.
This role involves driving participant recruitment, supporting HCP (health care professional) recruitment and training, completing required site documentation, maintaining communication between the site and the central Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) research team, and ensuring adherence to study protocols and ethics requirements.
The project is led at Western Health by Professor Cathy Said & Dina Pogrebnoy (Physiotherapy).
Key responsibilities:
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Ensure that all study procedures are conducted according to approved protocols, ethical guidelines, and Good Clinical Practice (GCP).
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Drive participant recruitment.
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Support the central NeuRA team in organising site initiation meetings, regular updates, and staff training sessions as needed.
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Serve as the primary point of contact for study-related communication between Western Health hospital sites and the central NeuRA research team.
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Maintain accurate and up-to-date study documentation and logs.
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Track study progress and recruitment metrics.
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Ensure timely communication of any protocol deviations, adverse events, or issues to the central NeuRA study team.
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Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams if needed (physiotherapists, nurses, physicians, and allied health) to support study activities.
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Help with managing logistics of study materials, devices, and documentation between the hospital site and central NeuRA research team.
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Support audit and monitoring visits, ensuring sites are compliant and inspection-ready.
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Contribute to process improvements to enhance study efficiency and participant experience.
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Perform other duties as required to support the successful delivery of the study within Western Health.
Responsibilities associated with being an employee of the Physiotherapy Department at Western Health include:
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Demonstrate a commitment to the patient ‘Charter of Healthcare Rights’
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Comply with the expected scope of the role and standards of performance in the role as described by the relevant professional bodies/industry standards
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Maintain registration (as required) and report any changes or limitations on practice if applicable
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Hold accountability for own actions and seek guidance and support from appropriate employees when limited by own skills and experience
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Comply with confidentiality obligations with regard to patients, consumers and colleagues
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Comply with all Western Health policies and procedures
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Deliver high quality person centred interprofessional care in line with the “Best Care” framework
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Demonstrate independent clinical reasoning and clinical competencies, including expertise in use of relevant assessment tools, treatment methods, and case management skills
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Demonstrate developed organisational skills and efficient time management to appropriately evaluate, prioritise and complete workload
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Perform evidence based clinical services using a person centred approach in the development of an appropriate treatment plan
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Assist with development and evaluation of procedures and guidelines
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Participate in planning for clinical services for the team
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Identify solutions to problems within the service and seek advice for complex matters
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Participate and represent the service (in consultation with senior staff) at relevant committees, working groups and meetings as requested.
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Provide information and education about the service and professional role within the service
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Attend and participate at relevant team/service meetings
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Where designated, provide high quality clinical supervision to junior staff and students that is timely, flexible and responsible
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Conduct or contribute to feedback to staff on their performance including performance development planning where relevant
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Assist in cultivating an environment where workers have the opportunity to work to their full scope of practice and potential
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Participate in the development, organisation and delivery of education programs for Western Health staff, external service providers and the community
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Participate in research/evaluation and ongoing service review
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Ensure that workload statistics, and other required information is entered in a timely and accurate manner
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Perform other duties as directed
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Demonstrate effective negotiation skills and conflict resolution when dealing with difficult situations
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Contribute to a culture that promotes effective teamwork, encourages cohesion and ensures staff feel valued and contributions are acknowledged
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Demonstrate open and effective communication (verbal, non-verbal, written and electronic) with consumers, other staff and service providers
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Demonstrate knowledge of resources relevant to work area and act as a resource person for other team members
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Actively participate in regular supervision, demonstrating ongoing development of clinical skills and reflective practice as identified in supervision plan
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Demonstrate flexibility/responsiveness within professional practice/duties/roles and assumes extra responsibility as required to meet organisational priorities
In addition to the key responsibilities specific to your role, you are required to deliver on the WH AH Capability Framework and the Key Organisational Accountabilities which are aligned with the Western Health strategic aims.
About you:
Essential
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Appropriate recognised tertiary qualification and registration with relevant registration board (eg AHPRA)
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Highly developed interpersonal, written and electronic communication skills
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Computer literacy (at least moderate skill level in MS Word and basic skill level in Excel and Outlook)
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Excellent organisational and time management skills
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Knowledge of and participation in continuous quality improvement processes
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Commitment to continuing professional development
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Demonstrated understanding of manual handling risk reduction
Desirable
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Previous experience in research
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Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
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Successful supervision of staff
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A current Victorian driver's licence
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Membership of relevant professional organisation (eg Australian Physiotherapy Association) and special interest group/s
Desirable Personal Attributes
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Self-motivated
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Compassionate and empathetic approach
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Ability to influence others
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Open to new ideas
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Timely informed decision making
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People orientated
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Confidence in own ability
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Builds rapport
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Adaptable, flexible and persistent as required
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Takes direction
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Resilience
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Positive outlook
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
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Competitive salary packages aligned with market standards.
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Health and wellbeing programs, including flexible work arrangements.
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Scholarships and grants to support your continuous learning journey.
Learning and development opportunities
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Access the Western Health Learning Academy (WHA) for personalised learning pathways.
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Professional growth programs, including postgraduate studies and clinical education.
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Mentorship and career support.
Community impact and inclusion
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Make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives through compassionate care.
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Join a workforce that champions diversity and inclusion.
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Engage in community wellbeing initiatives and groundbreaking healthcare research.
Organisational culture and environment
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Thrive in a collaborative, compassionate and innovative team environment.
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Be part of a culture that celebrates continuous improvement and excellence in healthcare.
Ready to make an impact?
If you’re passionate about research within the Physiotherapy discipline, 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 3 July 2026.
Enquiries: For further information about this role, contact Professor Cathy Said at Cathy.Said@wh.org.au, Dina Pogrebnoy at Dina.Pogrebnoy@wh.org.au or Physiotherapy Manager, Will O'Sullivan on 0402 184 842.
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 is committed to the psychosocial safety of all applicants and employees.
Western Health does not accept unsolicited resumes/applications from recruitment agencies.
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