Job Description:
Clinical Director Palliative Care, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne
Full time, senior leadership opportunity
Collaborative multidisciplinary team environment
Excellent benefits including salary packaging
Better and fairer care. Always
St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne (SVHM) is a leading teaching, research and tertiary health service and is part of St Vincent's Health Australia, one of Australia’s largest not-for-profit catholic and aged care providers. Employing more than 7,500 staff across 18 sites throughout Melbourne. SVHM delivers a diverse range of adult clinical services including acute medical and surgical services, sub-acute care, medical diagnostics, rehabilitation, allied health, mental health, palliative care, correctional health and community residential care. Guided by the values of compassion, justice, integrity and excellence, and building on a legacy of more than 165 years of service, SVHM is committed to providing high quality, efficient and person-centred care health care for the Victorian community.
About the Role/The Opportunity
Reporting to the Clinical Program Director of Continuing Care, the Clinical Director of Palliative Care provides strategic, clinical and professional leadership for SVHM’s comprehensive Palliative Care Service. With a national and international reputation for excellence and compassion, the Palliative Care Service delivers specialist palliative care across acute inpatient services, the Inpatient Specialist Palliative Care Unit at Caritas Christi, Subacute Wards at the Fitzroy and Kew campuses, community outreach, correctional health, and partnerships with rural and regional health services.
We are seeking a collaborative and forward-thinking leader who combines specialist clinical expertise with an innovative and person-centred approach to palliative care. The successful candidate will lead and inspire a dedicated multidisciplinary team of skilled clinicians to deliver excellence in patient care and outcomes, while providing strategic direction for the service in alignment with organisational priorities and the broader vision of the Continuing Care Program Motivated by a commitment to advancing palliative care delivery, the Clinical Director will drive service innovation, strengthen research capability, mentor and develop emerging clinical leaders, and foster strong partnerships across St Vincent's and its academic, community and healthcare networks. Supported by a high-performing executive leadership team, the Clinical Director will play a pivotal role in enhancing the profile, impact and future direction of Palliative Care Services through a collaborative "One St Vincent's" approach.
Key responsibilities
Primary day to day accountabilities for this service-critical appointment include:
Provide strategic, clinical and professional leadership to ensure the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based and person-centred palliative care services across St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne.
Lead the ongoing development and implementation of strategic and operational plans that align Palliative Care Services with the broader objectives of Continuing Care Services, SVHM and St Vincent's Health Australia.
Promote a culture of clinical excellence, quality improvement, safety and innovation, ensuring research evidence and best practice are translated into patient care.
Provide expert specialist advice and leadership to multidisciplinary teams, supporting excellence in symptom management, end-of-life care and holistic care for patients and their families.
Lead and develop a high performing multidisciplinary team, building workforce capability through mentorship, education and succession planning.
Drive service development and growth opportunities, including the implementation of innovative models of care across inpatient, subacute, community and specialist palliative care settings.
Establish and maintain strong partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, including healthcare providers, academic institutions, government agencies and professional bodies.
Advance education and training activities across the service, ensuring high-quality learning environments for medical students, trainees and multidisciplinary clinicians.
Strengthen the research profile and academic standing of Palliative Care Services through collaboration, publication, translation of evidence into practice and the development of research capability.
Provide leadership in organisational priorities and business planning to ensure achievement of clinical, operational, workforce and financial objectives.
Classifications for this position will range from Specialist Year 1 –Year 9 (HM33 - HM41) Full Time), dependent on time commitment and years of experience.
Selection Criteria
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
Appointees must be legally qualified medical practitioners, registered or registrable with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Member of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and specialist qualification in Palliative Medicine.
Evidence of ongoing CME participation
Indemnification with recognised Medical Defence Association
Driver’s licence
Other essential requirements:
Relevant experience in leadership and management roles within healthcare
Strong track record in creating high performing teams that deliver impactful outcomes
Highly regarded as a clinician leader with excellent communication skills with both patients and colleagues
Teaching commitment and skills in the areas of undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing medical education
Commitment to and participation in ongoing quality improvement in clinical, hospital services and business activities
Commitment to and participation in continuing professional development activities
Involvement in wider hospital/ community activities.
Pre-Employment Checks
Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role-required pre-employment checks, including relevant immunisations.
Equal Opportunity
We celebrate diversity & inclusion and are committed to equal employment opportunity for everyone.
How To Apply
Please submit your application via the Apply Now button, including your resume and cover letter.
For further enquiries please contact Dr Richard Kane, Clinical Program Director Continuing Care at Richard.kane@svha.org.au, noting alternative contacts during leave as follows:
Belinda Cary, General Manager Continuing Care at Belinda.Cary@svha.org.au week of Sep 21
Professor Jenny Philip, Interim Clinical Director Palliative Care at Jennifer.Philip@svha.org.au week of Sep 28.
Respectfully, no recruitment agencies.
Shortlisting for this position will commence immediately. We encourage you to apply promptly as the advertisement may close early should a suitable applicant be sourced.
We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and abilities. Inclusion is essential to our mission and diversity reflects the community we serve.
Please visit our website, for further information regarding our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment at SVHM.
SVHA has a duty of care under work health and safety legislation to eliminate and/or control the risk of transmission of vaccine preventable diseases in healthcare settings. You may therefore be required to undergo mandatory immunisations/vaccinations (including flu vaccinations).
This position is subject to a Victorian government direction regarding vaccination against COVID-19. Successful applicants must meet these vaccination requirements. Please contact us if you would like to know more.
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Closing Date:
30 October 2026 11:59pm
Reconciliation Action Plan:
At St Vincent's we acknowledge the importance of creating a work environment that is welcoming, safe, equitable and inclusive for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Employees. As part of our Commitment to Reconciliation and Closing the Gap in employment related outcomes, we encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
For further information, visit https://www.svha.org.au/about-us/reconciliation or get in contact at indigenouscareers@svha.org.au
View Reconciliation Action Plan
Code of Conduct:
View Code of Conduct