Employment Type: Full Time – Temp 3 years
Position Classification: Staff Specialist and Head of Department
Remuneration: As per NSW Staff Specialists (State) Award
Hours Per Week: 40 hours per week
Location: Bathurst NSW
Applications Close: 15 February 2026 - 11.59pm
Western NSW Local Health District is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability and people from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply for our advertised positions. If you require any assistance with your application or have any questions about this position, please get in touch with the contact person listed in this advertisement.
About the opportunity
Bathurst Health Services is seeking a head of department for Paediatrics
BHS provides a modern, purpose-built paediatric ward, special care nursery, dedicated paediatric outpatient spaces, and integrated child and adolescent services. As a Staff Specialist Paediatrician Head of Department, you will contribute to a comprehensive range of services including:
* General paediatrics (inpatient and outpatient)
* Special Care Nursery
* Neonatal resuscitation and stabilisation
* Paediatric emergency presentations
* Developmental and behavioural paediatrics
* Multidisciplinary case review and complex care planning
You will be joining a cohesive medical, nursing, and allied health team committed to safe, evidence-based, family-centred care with strong links to community health, child protection, early childhood services, and perinatal mental health teams.
This is an exciting opportunity to influence service development, model-of-care improvements, and education across the district.
About Bathurst
Just over two hours from Sydney, Bathurst offers a unique balance of city convenience and rural lifestyle. Situated in the heart of Centreal Western NSW, this triving regional centre provides a vibrant community with excellent amenities including a first-class entertainment precinct, regional art gallery, indorr aquatic centre, museums, and extensive sporting facilities.
Bathurst is Australia’s oldest inland settlement, located on the scenic Macquarie River, offering a relaxed lifestyle, affordable living, and endless opportunities for exploration and recreation. Learn more at the Bathurst Region website.
What we can offer you
· A rewarding regional career with diverse clinical exposure.
· Supportive multidisciplinary teams and strong clinical leadership
· Opportunities for service redesign, research and quality improvement.
· Flexible work practices (as appropriate to the role and negotiated with your manager)
· Corporate wellbeing programs, including the Fitness Passport
· Extensive learning and development opportunities, including in-house training with My Health Learning and nationally recognised training via the NSW Health RTO
· A beautiful regional lifestyle with affordable living and a strong sense of community.
About You
You are a motivated and compassionate Paediatrician with a strong commitment to rural and regional paediatric care. You bring contemporary clinical experience, sound judgement, and the ability to manage a diverse paediatric case-mix. You communicate with clarity and empathy, thrive in multidisciplinary environments, and enjoy supporting junior doctors and medical students.
You will bring:
* FRACP (Paediatrics & Child Health) or equivalent, with Specialist Registration
* Expertise in managing acute paediatric presentations, neonatal care, developmental and chronic paediatric conditions
* Strong leadership and team collaboration
* Commitment to teaching, simulation training, and continuous quality improvement
* Ability to participate in the 24/7 paediatric on-call roster, including neonatal emergencies and retrieval coordination
* Values that align with the NSW Health CORE values: Collaboration, Openness, Respect, Empowerment
What You Will be Doing
As a Staff Specialist – Paediatrics, your responsibilities will include:
* Providing high-quality inpatient and outpatient paediatric care
* Participating in neonatal resuscitation, stabilisation, and SCN management
* Supporting the Emergency Department with acute paediatric presentations
* Leading and participating in multidisciplinary care planning
* Contributing to education of JMOs, registrars, medical students, and nursing staff
* Participating and lead in morbidity & mortality meetings, audit, and clinical governance activities
* Supporting outreach clinics and telehealth services across MLHD
* Engaging in service redesign, quality initiatives, and paediatric models of care
Essential Requirements:
· Valid NSW Working with Children Clearance
· Cleared National Criminal Record Check
· Aged Care Check (for Commonwealth-funded positions).
· Compliance with NSW Health’s Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination Policy.
· Commitment to safe work practices and adhering to WHS responsibilities.
To apply, please address the following Selection Criteria
* Eligible for Specialist registration with the Medical Board of Australia and Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of Physicians (Paediatrics division).
* Demonstrated ability to provide clinical and administrative leadership in a paediatric or neonatal service.
* Proven knowledge of patient safety, risk management and quality improvement in a hospital setting.
* Demonstrated commitment to the training, supervision and wellbeing of junior medical staff.
* High-level interpersonal, negotiation and conflict-resolution skills across clinical disciplines.
* Demonstrated ability to lead service planning, manage change and contribute to organisational development.
* Understanding and application of NSW Health CORE values, Code of Conduct and relevant NSW Health policies.
How do I apply for this role?
Please apply for this position via our eCredential website. NSW Health does not require or accept the ‘fit2work’ badge offered as an option in eCredential.
Note: Applications submitted by Recruitment Agencies will not be considered for this position.
Need more information?
· Click here for the Position Description.
· For role related queries or questions contact Krystal Curran via email or 02 6330 5774
Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination Against Specified Infectious Diseases
If you are applying for a Category A position, please read and understand NSW Health Policy Directive PD2024_015. All new employees must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in this policy.
Stepping Up – Close the Gap
The Aboriginal Employment Strategy (AES) is working in partnership with the Western NSW Local Health District to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants wishing to apply for this role. For more information please contact the AES recruitment team on (02) 6882 8100 or email. Alternatively, applicants can visit our website for more information.
Working Visas
Applicants holding a visa with working rights may be considered for temporary appointment (up to the expiry date of their visa) where no suitable applicant for permanent appointment is identified.
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